Most aggressive Random Orbital Sander

[Pete Street]

Hi Folks,

I have a job where I'm going to need an aggressive orbital sander. Deck and Pergola refinish..large-ish

I have a few Random O sanders but after I tested them today I'm knowing that I need something more aggressive.

-Makita Bo 6040

-Bosch 1250-DEVS

-Whatever Festool is offering in this area.

-Any others you all know about..

Been reading up, but I know I'm missing some options.

I'm gonna sand the deck with a lawnmower style vibrating plate sander and then detail with a hand unit

The Pergola is where I'm gonna need to be able to take finish/material off and move lots of high elements in several layers (overbuilt)..I'm hoping for one pass in 80 grit paper..we'll see..doesn't have to be perfect as the setting is fairly rustic.

Thanks!

 

[Shane Holland]

Festool's Rotex sanders, available in 3½/5/6" models, are going to be strong contenders with their gear-driven modes. They would offer great stripping speeds. [member=13337]Scott Burt[/member] can attest to their use in the specific applications you've listed, like decking.

Just an FYI that Makita has a new version of their sander, the model #BO6050J. The 6040 is obsolete at this point, I believe.

 

[ear3]

Thanks for posting these reviews [member=48572]Shane Holland[/member] -- never seen them before.  The only thing I would question about the first review, though, was his ability to sand a grease and oil covered butcher block top using Granat without the paper clogging.  Granat is my favorite paper, but I find I have to keep the crepe stick close at hand when doing wax or oil removal with it.  Maybe he glossed over that part in his editing.

 

[Holmz]

Mirka make a 150-mm with an ~8-mm stroke, and maybe Rupes do too.

 

[leakyroof]

While I 2nd the Rotexes, I HAVE stripped sanded with the very aggressive RAS115, but it's a small disc size, so not only would it be a problem on wider boards or areas, but it can also dig into soft woods like Cedar without any trouble if you're not careful.
Plan on getting Gel type padded gloves if you get any aggressive sander like the Rotex or others like it. These 'dampened' gloves help with vibrations from the aggressive sanders if you're running a long sanding session with the tool.

 

[Pete Street]

Shane-Thanks for the heads up on the Makita model change
Leakyroof-definite issue is the small pad size, thanks,,looked at this one a while back

I get a little lost in the Festool model line in terms of features

RO150 FEQ

RO150

are there different versions of the RO150?

Is the RO150 line heavy?
How do they handle in the aggressive mode? ( I have  a fair amount of vertical surfaces to sand on the Pergola section of this project.)

What paper would you recommend for this..keep in mind, ideally I'd like to finish in one pass..80 grit? Which line of Festool paper?

 

[Shane Holland]

RO 150 and RO 150 FEQ are synonymous. There only one Rotex 150.

I personally think it's well behaved in aggressive mode unless you're really leaning on it and then you have to hang on. It does come with a side handle but I don't use it.

Granat or Rubin would do the trick. 80 grit would probably be a good choice if you're trying to do a single pass.

 

[leakyroof]

Shane-Thanks for the heads up on the Makita model change
Leakyroof-definite issue is the small pad size, thanks,,looked at this one a while back

I get a little lost in the Festool model line in terms of features

RO150 FEQ

RO150

are there different versions of the RO150?

Is the RO150 line heavy?
How do they handle in the aggressive mode? ( I have  a fair amount of vertical surfaces to sand on the Pergola section of this project.)

What paper would you recommend for this..keep in mind, ideally I'd like to finish in one pass..80 grit? Which line of Festool paper?

. Is there a finish or stain on the wood already?
If so, Granat or Saphir would do better at resisting clogging. Rubin is best used with bare wood.
While I'm not sure you will get a single pass with 80 grit and get the finish you are looking for, you can still always go with a higher grit in Random Orbit mode to touch things up.
Vertical sanding can be tiring , the big Rotex is heavier than other sanders in the Festool line .
If any of your surfaces are narrow on that Pergola, then the RO 90 would be easier to work with than a big 6" / 150mm pad like the Rotex 150.

 

[nickao]

The DEVS 1250 is as strong, even stronger than the Rotex 150, I know I have them both. I also have the RAS 115, though it is powerful  the size alone eliminates it for large work.

If only the Festool RAS 180 was offered in the US the winner would be clear. This is the largest oversight by Festool of any tool they make, but dont sell in the USA. If they offered this in the US they would sell enough to the boat builders alone to make it worth while. Because Fein no longer sells the 8" MOL 1200 there is a gap in the USA for large powerful sanders and Festool is missing this. I would buy the 8" RAS today if I could. Actually, I would prefer an 8" Rotex with through the paper dust collection as opposed to the edge collection like on the RAS. I would buy two the day they offered them and I know the floor and deck installers would love them.

So for now the Rotex 150 and the Devs 1250 are by far the most powerful. The 1250 is so much cheaper unless you are Festool hooked like me the 1250 is the way to go. If you already have a Devs the Rotex 150 is not going to impress you are far as power, they are for all practical purposes the same in that respect. I still think the 1250 DEVS is more powerful for certain things I sand. And the Devs definitely hops around far less than the Rotex 150. The Rotex sanders have a learning curve the DEVS 1250 just dont have. That being said I use the Rotex 150 90% of the time while my Bosch sits on the shelf and its for one reason,  the front handle. The front handle offered as the option on the Rotex  changes the sander completely and makes it my favorite. If the Rotex didn't have that front handle I might not be using it at all.

If someone was to need many sanders for a crew no question the 1250 DEVS is the sander to have  because of the price.

Festool Rotex verse Bosch DEVS 1250, IMHO - For me the Makita and Metabo both rate below these two sanders

                                  POWER - Both are equal, Bosch with an ever so slight edge for certain hard woods
                        Dust collection - Both are equal, like Rotex port location, but it's too close to plug it
                Smoothness of finish - Both are equal
                              Ease of use - Bosch, far less hopping around, minimal learning curve compared to Rotex
    Ease of use with front handle - Festool Rotex, plus Rotex has plug it for use with other Festools
                            Build quality - Equal, but the Bosch has more metal where Festool relies on good plastic
                                Reliability - Equal, both have served well over 5 years
                            Overall Cost - Bosch by far, initial machine cheaper, paper cheaper
                        My preference - Rotex

 

[AlexThePalex]

If you already have the Bosch DEVS 1250 sander, there's no need to look at a Festool Rotex. It's practically the same tool.

 

[nickao]

I agree with Alex, if you own the 1250 DEVS and are looking for more power the Rotex isn't going to give that to you .

I am still searching for something more powerful and have failed. My only recourse is finding some of my old contacts that I had here years ago on the forum to buy and send me a RAS180(though not a true orbital sander). A few of those guys arent here anymore.  [sad]

 

[bobfog]

If you already have the Bosch DEVS 1250 sander, there's no need to look at a Festool Rotex. It's practically the same tool.

Although not immediately clear from the structure of the OP's post, I think he's just listing that sander as an option for him to purchase, he doesn't actually own it.

However I do agree with you that they're almost exactly the same machine in terms of function and is significantly cheaper, in fact almost half the price.

 

[nickao]

Somehow I thought he owned the 1250, possibly not, they are both great sanders. If someone was into the Festool system and factored in the front handle I think it might be worth the extra coin for the Rotex 150. It's what I like best even though it does cost much more. I have so many Festool's it's more a system choice for me though. The plug it makes it a simpler choice to spend the extra money on the Festool sanders too. I love changing out the sanders using my integral Festool hoses, so much so I have two 30 foot and two of the 11 foot. It's so expensive but  for me worth it. I am waiting for Festool to add the larger hose. So if a person is going to get into Festool, even if the Bosch 1250 is the better value(it is) , the Rotex can still make sense.

 

[bobfog]

Somehow I thought he owned the 1250, possibly not, they are both great sanders. If someone was into the Festool system and factored in the front handle I think it might be worth the extra coin for the Rotex 150. It's what I like best even though it does cost much more. I have so many Festools its more a system choice for me though.

The Bosch has a front handle too. I sort of understand the "system" thing. But I've found that Bosch offer some fantastic tools in their own L-Boxx stacking system so once you've bought a few tools you get the same benefits, so I guess really it's whether you want to pay $300 for the convenience of a plug-it cord. I've personally got about half a dozen Festool tools so I'm not opposed to buying them when I see a tangible advantage, but I couldn't justify spending twice the money in the case of the RO150 vs the Bosch 1250 devs.

 

[nickao]

I cant argue the 1250 is a heck of a machine.

I have the 1250 and the front handle isn't the same. It's not set the same way that I use it with my weak hands to balance the sander. Unless its a different front handle than I have.

And in my shop yes its worth the 300.00 for the cord plug it to swap the sanders at my work stations, for many people it wouldn't  be. The Bosch 1250 means an extra cord at every station as well. The way I am set up is very organized(cords and hose dropped from the ceiling) in a system to make certain items and to have an extra cord like that is just in the way. I wish the OF 2200 had the removable cords, it would simplify my set up.

Link me up to this front handle for the Bosch you use, I need to take  a look at it.

 

[bobfog]

I cant argue the 1250 is a heck of a machine.

I have the 1250 and the front handle isn't the same. It's not set the same way that I use it with my weak hand to balance the sander. Unless its a different front handle than I have.

And in my shop yes its worth the 300 to swap the sander at my work station, for many people it wouldn't  be.

I don't really get what you mean with the handles, both machines look virtually identical in terms of ergonomics.

I can see how if you're mostly shop based the plug-it cord on every tool can be a benefit, having all tools racked close to your bench and alway easily to hand for a quick switch over. For me, I'm on site or in customer's home so most of the time I'm back and fore the van, manoeuvring around other people, etc. so the nicety of a plug-it cord is the least of my efficiency concerns.

 

[nickao]

The Festool offers an optional front handle, without it my hands cant handle the power. I have trigger finger and trigger thumb on both hands, every digit. The surgery only helped so much and my grip is gone. Anyone with a Rotex should give this handle a shot, it makes the sander so much simpler to  use. It virtually eliminates the hopping around the Rotex has and makes it far less stressful to use for people with weaker hands.
http://www.cpofestool.com/festool-495188-rotex-ro-150-front-handle/fesn495188,default,pd.html?ref=pla&zmam=31282435&zmas=47&zmac=727&zmap=fesn495188&gclid=CjwKEAjwgbG5BRDp3oW3qdPiuCwSJAAQmoSDzN9hy-mwkhy0RZK0mo52TVN7P-utORiqYxKXje-UoBoC_vzw_wcB

[attachimg=1]

 

[bobfog]

The Festool offers an option front handle, without it my hands cant handle the power.
http://www.cpofestool.com/festool-495188-rotex-ro-150-front-handle/fesn495188,default,pd.html?ref=pla&zmam=31282435&zmas=47&zmac=727&zmap=fesn495188&gclid=CjwKEAjwgbG5BRDp3oW3qdPiuCwSJAAQmoSDzN9hy-mwkhy0RZK0mo52TVN7P-utORiqYxKXje-UoBoC_vzw_wcB

[attachimg=1]

Ah I now understand. I was confusing the side handle, that sits near the front of the machine for an actual front handle. I wasn't aware that a proper front handle was available. Thanks.

 

[Pete Street]

Hi folks..

Nope, I don't own the Bosch 1250..I own a CT midi and two finishing sanders from Festool (the iron shaped detail sander and 125 random orbital finish sander..very nice little machine. I have some other sanders and tools that I hok up to the CT midi in various ways..it's a definite attribute i look for when shopping..easy hookup to the CTmidi. From what I understand the Bosch 1250 hooks up well to the Festool system??

Good to hear that Bosch actually has a second handle..I'm leaning that way right now..weight is also consideration and from what i understand the Fest 150 has some heft?

I'm not married to Festool products though I do like them quite a bit..sometimes the cost factor doesn't play out for me..

I wrote a much more extensive post earlier and have zero clue as to where it went..operator error no doubt.

By the way thanks for all of you guy's detailed responses..so cool.

 

[Shane Holland]

Just a heads up --- the Bosch and Makita only have a 1-year warranty, the Rotex has a 3-year warranty.

If the Bosch/Makita breaks once, during years 2 or 3, the Festool is cheaper.