Move over DTS400, there's a new king of orbital sanders.

[Lemwise]

In my opinion, this is no king.  I really don't see any reason to get excited.  I use an RTS400 and it works fine without ever needing another handle for it.  Also, I don't want to have to empty an auxiliary filter every 15 minutes of sanding so I will stick with my Festool which works just fine with excellent dust collection and easily coordinates with all my other Festool sanders.  When a cordless version with excellent dust collection is available, I might get interested.

When working above your head the extra support and control the filter gives acting as a handle is very nice. Also, I always hook a sander up to a vacuum cleaner whenever I can but there are times when it's not practical and in those cases having a good filter is indispensable. Instead of cleaning the filter every 15 minutes, I cleaned it after half an hour (with an air gun) which seems to work just fine. I didn't see loads of dust floating in the air.

 

[Lbob131]

We  were  doing  car body  repairs  back  in  the early eighties  and we purchased a RUPES  from a local auto supply shop.
The quality  then  was excellent. Very smooth  to operate  and vibration free.

And the new model  has  changed  very little... Outwardly at least...http://www.rupestool.com/p/us/en/0255157904811

 

[dutchie]

Does the sanding paper have the same hole pattern as the DTS 400?

 

[Lemwise]

The sandpaper Rupes makes for this model has the standard pattern with three extra holes in the middle to match the extra holes in the sole. If you're going to buy this sander I highly recommend using this sandpaper because the three extra holes make a large difference in dust extraction when using the Ventury filter.

 

[mwahaha]

Some of their sand look pretty nice... 680-gms, and 200-mm planetary, which is like an RO I think?.

I have the 150mm planetary sander, it's the same as rotex mode. The thing is bulletproof, if something causes it to heat up it gradually slows down and then comes to a stop entirely and won't restart until its cooled down, so muppets can't just keep sanding with it at half speed until it blows smoke like the festool sanders. I do think it's a bit under powered though, and the pad selection is pretty terrible... a choice of thin hardish and thick hardish with a few more holes in it.

 

[Lemwise]

So after using the Rupes LS71 extensively I can't see myself ever using the DTS400 again and everyone of my co-workers feels the same way. This sander is so much nicer to use and the sanding result is far better. It's also feels sturdier than the Festool and it's cheaper. This machine really is a no-brainer.

 

[Holmz]

Some of their sand look pretty nice... 680-gms, and 200-mm planetary, which is like an RO I think?.

I have the 150mm planetary sander, it's the same as rotex mode. The thing is bulletproof, if something causes it to heat up it gradually slows down and then comes to a stop entirely and won't restart until its cooled down, so muppets can't just keep sanding with it at half speed until it blows smoke like the festool sanders. I do think it's a bit under powered though, and the pad selection is pretty terrible... a choice of thin hardish and thick hardish with a few more holes in it.

The EK 150 AE?
It is about 1/2 price and 50 Eu for shipping. If I needed one...

 

[mwahaha]

Some of their sand look pretty nice... 680-gms, and 200-mm planetary, which is like an RO I think?.

I have the 150mm planetary sander, it's the same as rotex mode. The thing is bulletproof, if something causes it to heat up it gradually slows down and then comes to a stop entirely and won't restart until its cooled down, so muppets can't just keep sanding with it at half speed until it blows smoke like the festool sanders. I do think it's a bit under powered though, and the pad selection is pretty terrible... a choice of thin hardish and thick hardish with a few more holes in it.

The EK 150 AE?
It is about 1/2 price and 50 Eu for shipping. If I needed one...

Yes that's the one. It only has the one balls-to-the-wall mode, no random orbit only mode. I bought mine used. The previous owner dropped it so hard the internal fan bent causing it to overheat and cracked the plastic heat shield on the front of the tool. Just bent the fan back into shape, CA glued the plastic, and proceeded to put it through some pain. All the bearings were somehow fine. I'd say that's a tough tool.

Having said that, I do intend to buy the RO150 because I want the extra grunt, faster rotation and bumper guard for sanding bevel back. weatherboards

 

[Holmz]

Some of their sand look pretty nice... 680-gms, and 200-mm planetary, which is like an RO I think?.

I have the 150mm planetary sander, it's the same as rotex mode. The thing is bulletproof, if something causes it to heat up it gradually slows down and then comes to a stop entirely and won't restart until its cooled down, so muppets can't just keep sanding with it at half speed until it blows smoke like the festool sanders. I do think it's a bit under powered though, and the pad selection is pretty terrible... a choice of thin hardish and thick hardish with a few more holes in it.

The EK 150 AE?
It is about 1/2 price and 50 Eu for shipping. If I needed one...

Yes that's the one. It only has the one balls-to-the-wall mode, no random orbit only mode. I bought mine used. The previous owner dropped it so hard the internal fan bent causing it to overheat and cracked the plastic heat shield on the front of the tool. Just bent the fan back into shape, CA glued the plastic, and proceeded to put it through some pain. All the bearings were somehow fine. I'd say that's a tough tool.

Having said that, I do intend to buy the RO150 because I want the extra grunt, faster rotation and bumper guard for sanding bevel back. weatherboards

[member=52443]mwahaha[/member] Maay-8... I'll could give you a slab or three of Tui, Toohey's or Steinlager for it when you upgrade to the RO(?)

 

[mwahaha]

I love that ad mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I am still going to keep the rupes sander, one for each hand = more work done hehehe.

Besides it would probably be cheaper for you to buy one from Europe and avoid the extortionist trans-tasman freight companies.

 

[dutchie]

The sandpaper Rupes makes for this model has the standard pattern with three extra holes in the middle to match the extra holes in the sole. If you're going to buy this sander I highly recommend using this sandpaper because the three extra holes make a large difference in dust extraction when using the Ventury filter.

Ah right, but using the DTS paper would also work? As I still have plenty of that laying around

 

[Lemwise]

Of course. Apart from the three extra holes in the middle the sole of the Rupes is exactly the same.

Jazeker. Afgezien van de drie extra gaten in het midden zijn de zolen van de Rupes en de Festool precies hetzelfde.

 

[Simon O]

I'm based in UK, does anyone know where I can source 80 and 120 grit sheets for this Rupes sander?

 

[bertv]

I'm based in UK, does anyone know where I can source 80 and 120 grit sheets for this Rupes sander?

These guys stock Rupes paper & will ship to the UK (for the time being, at least -- you may want to stock up):http://www.nonpaintstore.nl/index.php?target=categories&category_id=836&sl=ENhttp://www.nonpaintstore.nl/en/non-...delta-sheet-with-7-3-holes-per-25-pieces.html (delta paper)

 

[Simon O]

That's great, thanks Bert. I don't suppose anyone has sourced these sheets in the UK though?

 

[Simon O]

Good news - Sanding sheets in lower grits for this Rupes sander, now available in UK from Maxolen. Thanks customer support. 

 

[yetihunter]

Update bump for the US members:

Rupes now has a Colorado headquarters / manufacturing facility. 
Alas,  no electric sanders.  A couple of pneumatic sanders for automotive, a bunch of DA's and a rotary polisher.
They're a big deal with auto detailers here.