Much difference between DS400 and DTS400?

[AlexThePalex]

Ok, I'm looking for a small detail sander, the DTS400 or RTS400, I don't care since I'm gonna get the extra pads anyway to convert it so I basically got both.

However, I see deals on both the older DS/RS models and the newer DTS/RTS models and I wonder if there's any difference between them if you use them for real.

I've read the post on the FAQ of the Festool USA site, so I know what's the difference between them in theory, I'm just hoping to hear from people who actually had or used both of them and can tell me if they noticed any difference between the two, in say, vibrations, noise or aggressiveness.

I'd also like to hear it if people have experience with the comparable Rupes LS21A or the same model, the  Milwaukee  PDS13.

Thanks in advance for any info you could provide.

 

[bustedbolt]

the plug it cord seems to be the only difference.  the rs and ds are the same with different bases.

I just had one of the older model rs400e apart and was checking all the version schematics and could come up with very very very little difference. nothing costs more. no bearing is now special and 40$ where before it was 5$ like you might expect.  THere is a change to one plate/bearing interface part above the cam. but it costs the same and doesn't really change anything except the exact way the baseplate mounts. it rearranges the parts in other words. Nobody was really complaining about the rs400e dying or anything. Mine had an intermittent fracture in the cord only.

where i see festool talking about "upgrades" in past threads on this, they are referring to the "trio" of the ets125, ds400 and rs400 being upgraded and not referring to any one model exactly. maybe there was a more practical or substantial upgrade to the ets125. IMO, This is the kind of upgrade that other companies wouldn't even bother to change the schematic or tell anyone about.

One thread/owner sold the his rs for a rts and reported no difference.

As for the RUPEs... I looked at that schematic and it is an exact copy of the festool. even the plastic parts interior design are the same, and it seems to have options for three bases- rectangle, triangle, and one is even for "normal raw" sandpaper sheet.

Just stay away from the cheap quarter sheet sander if you will use this tool for any length of time... is my advice.

 

[AlexThePalex]

bustedbolt, thanks for shedding some light on this for me.

This was mainly what i was looking for:

One thread/owner sold the his rs for a rts and reported no difference.

The Festool website says the TDS model has a slightly heavier counterweight and they fixed something with the fan rotor, resulting in less vibrations. I was wondering if this made a real difference.

As for the plug it cord, there's a version of the RS400 that does have the plug it cord already. I know, 'cause I've had it in my hand (not worked with it though).

As for the RUPEs... I looked at that schematic and it is an exact copy of the festool.

It is not an exact copy. It looks very much alike but the internal parts surely are different. I have little doubt the design of one machine was inspired by the other ...... no idea which one was first though. 

Just stay away from the cheap quarter sheet sander if you will use this tool for any length of time... is my advice.

Don't mistake the Rupes for a cheap tool. It's a machine that retails for 179 to 229 euro's (no systainer) while the Festool costs 289. Rupes is a well respected brand and it's the industry standard for the automotive sector here in Europe. Rupes only caters to the automotive branch and it's machines are only available from very specialised dealers.
 

 

[bustedbolt]

Just stay away from the cheap quarter sheet sander if you will use this tool for any length of time... is my advice.

Don't mistake the Rupes for a cheap tool. It's a machine that retails for 179 to 229 euro's (no ....
[/quote]

I'm not saying anything about the rupes except that it looks EXACTLY the same in a schematic.

my personal advice to add is still ... stay away from ANY cheap quarter sheet sander if you will use it for more than just hitting a few hard to reach corners once a month. I used sandpaper blocks for finishing before i had the RS400e. works fine, doesn't numb your arm like a cheap sander. I used the RO150 on ceiling trim before when i needed it. Just makes your back stronger!

We dont have this brand in the USA so no one will be able to comment on it. I have started another thread to discuss this brand if you have any experience with it feel free to give examples there.

Btw- the rts400eq retails for 205 $us = about 150 euro with systainer here in the US.  Seems like prices are just what the market will bear and not really what the pile of plastic and bolts costs.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I learned to stay away from cheap tools a long time ago. You're right, they're definitely crap.

I mainly gonna use the new DTS/RTS400 for the finer work on painted surfaces like doors and window edges. I got the Ro150 for the heavy work and I got a Metabo 93x93 mm detail sander like the Festool Deltex. This one's gonna fill the gap between those two. I'm still deciding on which one to choose, the Rupes or the Festool.

Btw- the rts400eq retails for 205 $us = about 150 euro with systainer here in the US.  Seems like prices are just what the market will bear and not really what the pile of plastic and bolts costs.

Very true.  However, don't forget the taxes. They are much higher here than in America. Especially here in Holland the government puts a lot of taxes on everything.