New DTS and RTS 400 questions

[chrislittrell]

On the last model DTS and RTS 400 sanders you could buy a new plate and pad and switch from one to the other with 4 screws.  Does anyone know if this is true for the 201228 and the 201221 sanders.  I can't find the part digram on ekat.

Thanks,

 

[AlexThePalex]

On the last model DTS and RTS 400 sanders you could buy a new plate and pad and switch from one to the other with 4 screws.  Does anyone know if this is true for the 201228 and the 201221 sanders.  I can't find the part digram on ekat.

Thanks,

You could do this with the even older DS400 and RS400 (see the T missing).

You could NOT do this with the DTS and RTS models you speak about, and neither can you with the new ones.

It's Festool's "system" approach.

 

[jt073]

On the last model DTS and RTS 400 sanders you could buy a new plate and pad and switch from one to the other with 4 screws.  Does anyone know if this is true for the 201228 and the 201221 sanders.  I can't find the part digram on ekat.

Thanks,

You could do this with the even older DS400 and RS400 (see the T missing).

You could NOT do this with the DTS and RTS models you speak about, and neither can you with the new ones.

It's Festool's "system" approach.

Alex

I'm not sure what you base this comment on - I'm sure you are incorrect (always a risky comment) 

The plates on the DTS and RTS are the same, respectively, for the old (EQ) and the new (REQ) model.  Furthermore, they are interchangeable between the RTS and DTS models.  I have both old and new RTS's and the DTS plate will fit both.

The parts you need are:

RTS400 EQ and REQ
- Plate 493720
- Pad  489252

DTS400 EQ and REQ
- Plate 493722
- Pad  493723

I haven't actually checked that all the screw lengths are identical - my set has a mixture of Philips and Torx, but I think they are interchangeable between RTS and DTS.  (Of course there are two sets of four screws to change over - 4 on the plate and 4 on the pad)

Hope that helps

cheers

 

[jt073]

Further to the point above, whilst the bases are interchangeable, it's a bit of a faff if you want to keep swapping between RTS and DTS (a quickfix solution would have been better - and more of the "system approach").

I was going to keep my old RTS as a dedicated DTS, but have decided that I use the DTS pretty infrequently, so am selling the old RTS.

Cheers

 

[chrislittrell]

Thanks for the info.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I'm not sure what you base this comment on - I'm sure you are incorrect (always a risky comment) 

Risky indeed, because I am correct. I base this on the experience of owning both sanders and trying it out first hand. And having discussed this here on the FOG for a good 8 years already with other people who have tried it out too.

The problem with the DTS/RTS models is that the plate is not flat like with the DS/RS models. The newer models have an upstanding edge on top of the plate that fits under the rubber skirt of the sander. That rubber skirt is hold together by two metal clamps. So to remove this plate you not only have to turn 8 screws, but also have to remove the metal clamp. It is possible to replace the metal clamp with one that has a screw, Festool sells these as spare parts. So it is doable .... but very time consuming and pretty soon you'll break your sander.

The DS/RS models have a flat plate, only fixed to the sander by 4 screws. Not clamped. It is easy to replace the pads with these sanders, and I have done it often with my DS400 to change it to a RS400.

But - there is a problem also ...... the aluminium plate on the sander in which the 4 screws fit, is way too soft, and after a number of pad changes (

 

[jt073]

Yikes Alex! You are of course correct and I am eating humble pie.

I have been labouring under the misapprehension that my old sander was an RTS400 when in fact it is an RS400, so your explanation makes total sense. The other point to note is that the fixing screws on the RS plate are in different positions to the plate for the RTS.

I thought about going to check when I wrote the earlier post, but didn't, so at least I knew I was taking a risk!

Your final two points were not disputed in any event.

Aplologies to Chris also for the misleading info - but we now have a really good explanation from Alex to whom I am indebted.

Yours humbly