New RO 90 DX review in the works [update: review is done]

[woodnerd]

I've been playing with the new RO 90 DX for the last couple weeks, this thing is sweet.  I shot some video this morning, I've got a couple clips up with a couple more to edit and upload.

http://www.thewoodnerd.com/reviews/festoolRO90DX.html

 

[mosez]

thats a really good quality video - it almost feels like hands on!
i just have one question or rather comment to make: i think the delta mode does not move in a random orbit but rather in a very standard (and not so unique) orbital motion. just like the deltex, dts400 and most other delta sanders. i might be wrong but that is what the scratch pattern looks like to me.

anyways, thats a very cool tour of the sander so all you guys over there in the states and the other countries that dont have it yet can make friends with this great little rotex!
it almost seems like festool counts on this forum to do all the marketing...at least when it comes to in-depth information and footage.
thanks for the review, im looking forward to the videos showing it being put to use - even though i already own one - its always very entertaining to watch the video reviews on here. it happened a million times that i was like "oh, really? i gotta go try that on my router, saw, mft... right away!".

 

[woodnerd]

You're right, I misspoke when I said "random" orbit.  I'm going to make a note in the actual review, two hours to re-render and re-upload the video is just too painful right now.

 

[PeterK]

Thank you so much for these videos. Excellent job. There may have been others that I have missed. This is the first one that I have seen that really shows the features. Can't wait to see your others showing it in action. Have been thinking of ordering one but have waited to see if I really NEED one!  [eek]

 

[GPowers]

Cool review.

So how did you get the Rotex RO 90 6 weeks before launch?

 

[Brice Burrell]

thats a really good quality video - it almost feels like hands on!.....

I agree, great job! [thumbs up]  Here are the videos.

Festool RO 90 DX - What's in the box?

Festool RO 90 DX Feature Tour

Festool RO 90 DX Rotex mode on plywood

Festool RO 90 DX - Finish stripping & refinish prep

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

So how did you get the Rotex RO 90 6 weeks before launch?

In the spirit of full disclosure, Cliff was provided an RO 90 for evaluation.

 

[Deke]

Thanks you so much. I actually caught myself thinking today, "Gee, did I really need to order that sander?" Now, thanks to your videos, the answer is YES YES YES! I can't wait. I have some work lined up for this baby including a nice old oak shelf that some person way back when painted.... green. Not Festool green.

Hey, perhaps not a dumb question, but with my ETS 150/3 I use my CT22 with it set at a little less than half suction. How about the RO 90? For example, when you were taking off that paint, how was your vac set? Full? What about the other modes? Of course I can try it myself when I get it, but it would be fun to know ahead of time.

 

[Sean7a]

Thanks you so much. I actually caught myself thinking today, "Gee, did I really need to order that sander?" Now, thanks to your videos, the answer is YES YES YES! I can't wait. I have some work lined up for this baby including a nice old oak shelf that some person way back when painted.... green. Not Festool green.

Hey, perhaps not a dumb question, but with my ETS 150/3 I use my CT22 with it set at a little less than half suction. How about the RO 90? For example, when you were taking off that paint, how was your vac set? Full? What about the other modes? Of course I can try it myself when I get it, but it would be fun to know ahead of time.

Deke, the best way to set the vac is either begin sanding with the vac's suction set all the way up OR all the way down.  I find it easiest to use the vacuum, excuse me, dust extraaaactor, at full suction as the starting point.  Begin sanding.  You'll find it to be difficult, the sander will be sucking itself to the material...pad heats up, dust extraction efficiency is hurt, swirl marks ensue and Kim Jong Il may invade China.  But there's a simple solution.  Lower the suction until you feel your sander release from the material, literally to the point where it feels like it's floating.  It should be a similar sensation to a puck on an air hockey table.  Conversely, if you choose to use "no" suction, or the lowest suction setting as your starting point, just turn up the suction until you feel the sander suck down to the material and then back it off a bit.

As far as RO 90's, combo packages (with sandpaper) and Wood Nerd's videos go, check'em out here.  Got most of it all up there!  I think the combos will be a hit with paper and vacuum, etc.

 

[Deke]

thanks Sean, I do this with my 150/3 all the time. I was just wondering if a rotex type sander ran more "full out" with the vac in the geared mode.

 

[Sean7a]

thanks Sean, I do this with my 150/3 all the time. I was just wondering if a rotex type sander ran more "full out" with the vac in the geared mode.

Deke, I'll be honest, I don't follow...

 

[Brice Burrell]

thanks Sean, I do this with my 150/3 all the time. I was just wondering if a rotex type sander ran more "full out" with the vac in the geared mode.

Deke, I'll be honest, I don't follow...

He's asking if you need to turn down the vac suction at all in Rotex mode.

 

[BMH]

Nice video. What type of sand paper did you use for you different demonstrations?

Bruce

 

[Brice Burrell]

Nice video. What type of sand paper did you use for you different demonstrations?

Bruce

I'm fairly certain he was using the new Granat, don't know what grits.

 

[woodnerd]

Yes, the RO90 only came with Granat in the 3.5" round and, since it's a new size, I couldn't run down to WoodCraft for others.  IIRC, I used P40 and P220

 

[LostInTheWood]

So how did you get the Rotex RO 90 6 weeks before launch?

In the spirit of full disclosure, Cliff was provided an RO 90 for evaluation.

Shane, 
Since you are willing to reveal some secrets........    I thought I saw Tom Silva using the 90 on an episode of TOH and this was maybe one or one and a half months ago.  I remember being surprised by it once I realized it was the 90. I thought to myself, "they only have them in Europe now...how did he get it?"  Can you shed any light on this? 

 

[Brice Burrell]

Shane, 
Since you are willing to reveal some secrets........    I thought I saw Tom Silva using the 90 on an episode of TOH and this was maybe one or one and a half months ago.  I remember being surprised by it once I realized it was the 90. I thought to myself, "they only have them in Europe now...how did he get it?"  Can you shed any light on this? 

There's a thread about this recently, yes, Tommy gets the goodies long before we do.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Yeah, like Brice said, Tom is quite the Festool fan. He got the first RO 90 we had, I think.  [wink]

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Yeah, like Brice said, Tom is quite the Festool fan. He got the first RO 90 we had, I think.  [wink]

Now I see how I rank against Tom Silva. [poke]

 

[Brice Burrell]

Yeah, like Brice said, Tom is quite the Festool fan. He got the first RO 90 we had, I think.  [wink]

Now I see how I rank against Tom Silva. [poke]

Be glad you got one at all. [big grin]