LS130 LS 130 EQ Review Duplex

[dirtydeeds]

the ls130 is a primarily a finishing sander

dave ronyack is correct the rts400 is a more agressive sander

use the ls130 before applying stain or coloured wax finishes, it removes the rotational sanding marks left by the rts400

if you dont use the ls130 the stain or wax will highlight the rts400 marks even down as far as 180 grit

 

[Dan Clark]

Dan,

The DTS is the delta-shaped sander.  Are you sure you don't mean the RTS400?  I just looked at Festool-USA and the RTS and LS130 use the same paper.

-Brandon

Brandon,

Yep.  You're absolutely right.  That should have been RTS400.

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Dan Clark]

Corwin, Nickao,

Thanks!  I probably won't go down to 40 grit, so 60 and above should work.

DirtyDeeds, 

That's good to know.  On the deck for the roundovers, that shouldn't be a problem.  However, for some trim work and cabinets I'll be building this summer and next, it could make a big difference. 

Regards,

Dan.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

     Dan, you may well end up wanting the 60 or even 40 grit for stripping / material removal with the LS130.  I have not used it for this yet , and don't know your exact situation after the chemical stripping you plan to do. But the 130 is not aggressive and it may take the coarser grits to get the job done with any kind of speed. 
      I have attached a pic of Cristal  60 wrapped over the Convex 10mm radius profile. It was no trouble and I don't think you will have any problem putting it on the custom round over you are planning.  I have not had any trouble wrapping the Rubin onto the profiles either. You can probably make the profile double sided so that it will do both round overs in the board gap at the same time. Sort of like the the one shown in th little round inset picture  p106 2007 US catalog.
     Your DC will be pretty good since a lot of the pad will actually end up on the surface.

Seth

 

[semenza]

Hi,

    With the LS130 you may have trouble getting the removal you want and some smoothness in one pass.  Largley due to the linear motion. I find that it is not worth sanding in one spot much longer than it takes to see the scratch pattern show up. Because of the way it moves it tends to keep "scratching" in the same "grit lines". Believe it or not it is usually faster to go fairly quickly with several grits  than to try to get more removal with the same one.  I know that holds true to a certain extent with most sanders , but even more so on the 130. 
    If you are buying a bunch of abrasives before the price increase - get a good line up with very few skipped grits.   
            For the LS130 I am currently using  -
                                                    Cristal 60
                                                    Rubin 100
                                                    Rubin 120
                                                    Rubin 150
                                                    Brilliant 2 180
                                                    Brilliant 2 240
                                                    Brilliant 2 320
                                                    Brilliant 2 400

        If I end up doing some stripping with it I suspect that 40 and 80 Cristal will get added in.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Because of the way it moves it tends to keep "scratching" in the same "grit lines". Believe it or not it is usually faster to go fairly quickly with several grits   than to try to get more removal with the same one.

You can also reverse the direction of the tool or sanding pad to apply a different grit pattern to reduce the "ditching" effect.

 

[semenza]

Because of the way it moves it tends to keep "scratching" in the same "grit lines". Believe it or not it is usually faster to go fairly quickly with several grits   than to try to get more removal with the same one.

You can also reverse the direction of the tool or sanding pad to apply a different grit pattern to reduce the "ditching" effect.

        Hi,

      Yes, good idea.  Good word too "ditching" effect

Seth

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Where do you get Cristal for the LS130?

I have cristal for my LS130.  The Festool USA site lists 40, 60 , 80, 100 and 120 in 10 packs.  Also available are 40, 60 and 80 in packs of 50, along with 100 and 120 both in packs of 100.

You'll like this stuff!

Corwin

Corwin,

I bought an LS 130 and a large stock of a wide variety of grit sizes in Rubin and Brilliant abrasives sheets before Cristal was introduced.  How and for what applications are you using the Cristal, and when are you switching to other types of abrasives?

Dave R.

 

[Corwin]

The LS 130 and RTS 400 are not very aggressive sanders.  I have used the Cristal paper on the rough stuff then switched to an appropriate type afterwards, but usually do so by going back down a grit or two.  The most use for these sanders thus far has been that house painting project which was rough and had peeling paint.  A more aggressive sander may have done better at first, but these sanders did the job well and, well you know, the dust extraction made life atop the ladder with sander(s) in hand a lot nicer.

 

[PaulW]

Well, I broke down and ordered one up last night from the Junkie. ;D
Hopefully this will help me out on a few refinishing projects I have got going.
Thanks for the nice review Seth.

 

[semenza]

Well, I broke down and ordered one up last night from the Junkie. ;D
Hopefully this will help me out on a few refinishing projects I have got going.
Thanks for the nice review Seth.

Hi,

  Thanks for the thanks.   What abrasives and profiles did you end up ordering with it?

Seth

 

[PaulW]

Seth, I just put in a second order with Tim.
Heres what I have coming:
Radius 6 & 10 convex pads
18 & 25 concave pads
Do it yourself profile kit
scraper
The following in Brilliant 2:  80, 100, 120,150, 180, 240, 320, and 400 grits.
Systaner 2 to store it all.

I am going to use your idea on the dividers for storage.
Had to have a good home for all the parts for "the worlds most expensive sanding block"  ;D

 

[PaulW]

I was just thinking, the local craft store has corrugated plastic boards. I may use them for dividers to keep the weight down.
Have to see if they are strong enough.

 

[PaulW]

Have you considered the "make-your-own-profile" kit offered for the LS 130.  Per Swenson wrote a photo essay on its use, and rated it well for his molding sanding projects.  I have the sander and the soft interface pad, but have not used it on any complex moldings.  Most of the moldings in my house are a simple convex profile.

Dave R.
[/quote]
Dave, how do I find Per's review?

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Paul,

I need to look around more to find Per's post I referred to, but this thread includes a good verbal description of how the profile pad kit works. http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=1307.0

Dave R.

 

[semenza]

Seth, I just put in a second order with Tim.
Heres what I have coming:
Radius 6 & 10 convex pads
18 & 25 concave pads
Do it yourself profile kit
scraper
The following in Brilliant 2:  80, 100, 120,150, 180, 240, 320, and 400 grits.
Systaner 2 to store it all.

I am going to use your idea on the dividers for storage.
Had to have a good home for all the parts for "the worlds most expensive sanding block"  ;D

Hi,

  I will be interested to know how the Brilliant 80 - 150 works for you on this.    Also when you get it - keep in mind that it does take a little breaking in before it reaches full  power and smoothness. Plus it takes a little practice time to get the hang of it.

Seth

 

[semenza]

I was just thinking, the local craft store has corrugated plastic boards. I may use them for dividers to keep the weight down.
Have to see if they are strong enough.

Hi,

    If you use them post a pic and let us know how theywork out. As far as weight goes the small amount of 1/4" plywood doesn't really add much.  I glued my deviders together so they would not be racking, and moving around when getting the sheets in /out.

Seth

Seth

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I was just thinking, the local craft store has corrugated plastic boards. I may use them for dividers to keep the weight down.
Have to see if they are strong enough.

Hi,

    If you use them post a pic and let us know how theywork out. As far as weight goes the small amount of 1/4" plywood doesn't really add much.  I glued my deviders together so they would not be racking, and moving around when getting the sheets in /out.

Seth

Seth

Seth,

I want to thank you for sharing your ideas and the actual dimensions of the dividers needed for making a storage box for LS 130 pads and abrasives supplies starting with a Systainer 2.  Seeing your neat arrangement caused me to buy a Systainer 2 for that purpose.  I haven't made the dividers yet.

Dave R.

 

[PaulW]

Seth,

I want to thank you for sharing your ideas and the actual dimensions of the dividers needed for making a storage box for LS 130 pads and abrasives supplies starting with a Systainer 2.  Seeing your neat arrangement caused me to buy a Systainer 2 for that purpose.  I haven't made the dividers yet.

Dave R.
[/quote]

Same here Seth, Thanks
I went by your dimensions and all my paper and pads have a good home now.
I will let you know on the paper when I can put in a little more time with it.

Paul

 

[semenza]

Hi,

   I used the LS130 to help with this  repair job.  It allowed me to do controlled sanding right on the glue line that needed to be sanded flush with the original part of the chair.   I knew I would not avoid all damage to the original part. But I had enough control to only end up sanding through the finish and not into the wood itself. The linear motion made it so I could really limit the distance  into the original part.
    A local artist is going to faux paint to match the grain and color for what will hopefully be a perfect blend.

Seth