I don't know about you guys, but as much as I appreciate the availability of online support for purchasing, and being able to sidestep State sales tax and free ground shipping, etc. I really feel compelled to support my local brick and mortar Woodcraft store for high end purchases. I live in Greater Cleveland, Ohio and a few years back we had a Rockler Woodworkers Store, a Woodcraft on both the East and West Sides of Town, a Saw Smith Store, an Improvements Store and Eagle Woodworkers Outlet a stones toss away. Today we only have the one Woodcraft left, and I don't like the idea of losing them, also. So I ran up to Woodcraft to make the purchase of the RO90. Funny story, another customer snidely remarked to the cashier, "I always wanted to see what a Festool Buyer looks like in real life". The cashier got a rather uncomfortable uneasiness so I responded to the wiseass, "We look like the other Woodcraft customers, only faster and smarter." The cashier just smiled. The downside is they stock none of the Rubin 2 for the RO90 yet, so it'll be Wednesday before I have any sandpaper to play with the new toy. Oh well, if I'm supporting them I have to be willing to accept their deficiencies as well as there assets.
New RO 90
- Thread starter jbair
- Start date
jbair said:
I would love to see manufacturers for specialty goods who have tightly controlled distribution (such as Festool, but also bicycles, firearms, etc.) step up to the plate and actually make an effort in curbing this instead of just harping on the "support your local shop" rhetoric.
i.e. covering sales tax for in store sales would be a great start. We're all familiar with the regular 10-15% price increases every year, some of that could pay for a tax "rebate" for distributors to actually support local sales. Just a thought.
sae said:
Agreed. A company like Festool, since they're all about quality of product, service, and support, they should "cover the taxes" for the local company if they want that company to stay competitive.
I'm guilty as charged because I recently went to a demo day at a local store where the Festool regional sales person was giving the demo. Checked out this and that out. Sucked up an hour of his time and then I went home and ended up buying online instead from Uncle Bob (no tax, free shipping, what's not to love?). This probably doesn't do the Festool rep any good because he's not getting the sales for his territory. The store that supplied the floor space, electricity, parking lot space, etc, didn't get a sale, but in the end, it left $122.76 in my pocket for me to spend on something else. Festool in the end still sells tools so what do they care?
Which reminds me, I forgot to buy SYS-Storage Systainer with my sales tax savings. Drats...
To sum it up, I refuse to give California anymore of my money. They already bang me for $45,000 a year in taxes and the morons here don't know how to run the state. I constantly vote for change, but the moochers of CA don't want change. All they do is blow our tax dollars and increase sales tax every year by 0.25% and they're scaring every major company away to states like Texas, which means less jobs in CA. At the same time, still the same, if not more, numbers of moochers. /end rant. [big grin] Merry Xmas
I may be in the minority here, but I love having things dropped on my doorstep. I save thousands of miles a year and who knows how much time just pointing and clicking. That doesn't mean I wouldn't like a local dealer. Unfortunately, I don't have a dealer within 80 miles that actually stocks a reasonably amount of inventory, has a good display/demo area and is open on Saturdays. There are plenty that have a very thin inventory and are open M-F during business hours. So they have yet to bring me added value. There are one or two I have yet to visit which are nearer, but both require crossing 2 NYC bridges ($$$) one toll road ($) and dealing with NYC traffic [scared] to get to. No thanks.
That said, if a local brick and mortar has offered something of value to me (knowledge, demo, etc.), eating the sales tax to support them is the right thing to do in my view. In my case, only 10-15% of my Festool spree over the last 18 months has been spent at local establishments.
That said, if a local brick and mortar has offered something of value to me (knowledge, demo, etc.), eating the sales tax to support them is the right thing to do in my view. In my case, only 10-15% of my Festool spree over the last 18 months has been spent at local establishments.
Wooden Skye
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- 1,173
I agree that I like to support local business, but like RKA said, in the NJ area options are limited or costly due to tools. When I bought my CT26 and MFT, I went to Delaware, which is tax free, but a 3-3 1/2 hour drive round trip. Other tools I bought from woodcraft in PA, because they had the products in stock, and I was concerned about shipping damage. But as I have bought tools from some of the great online dealers we have on the FOG, they package things so well, it makes more sense to order online to save the time, gas, tolls, and tax.
I would recommend Granat. Just my [2cents]
I would recommend Granat. Just my [2cents]
I guess I would be in a minority since the largest and best Festool Dealer in West Australia, who also has nearly everything is only 10 minutes away from me and i pass the often during my work days as well, so buying from them is simple, and they always look after me.
It's funny i live in the most isolated city in the world yet have better access to Festool products than most others.
It's funny i live in the most isolated city in the world yet have better access to Festool products than most others.
I blush as I answer your question, Bob Marino assured me that I'd be more satisfied going with Rubin 2 for my application. I mostly will use my sander for new "furniture" type construction with 6-8% moisture, bare wood prepping for finish. A small spattering of prepping older painted surfaces for "homeowner" stuff, and that's pretty much it for me. I take it that the Rubin 2 resists build up like the granat, and ostensibly fractures more consistently to maintain its intended grit. For now, I really don't want boxes and boxes of all the various types and grits to muddle the issue. Just want to set up an easy "sand the sequence" set up. I already have the RS 2 E - 1/2 Sheet Sander and that's why I felt the RO90 would fit in for the Rotex Choice for me. In the meantime I still have a PorterCable 5" and a shit-ton of paper for it, and was surprisingly impressed with its improved dust collection when coupled to my CT36. So even though I'd like an RO125, I can get by with the PorterCable for now and the RO90 includes the Delta Mode. Kind of a no brainer for this purchase choice. But undeniably I'm really slipping down this slope.roblg3 said:
Finally, I'm glad you asked "why your choosing Rubin paper?", wanted to know if "Bob Marino" is correct in his recommendation as far as your guys experience is concerned. Specifically anyone who has used "granat" tried the original "rubin" didn't like the switch and subsequently gave the "rubin 2" a shot. It sounds like they've upgraded the rubin 2 and based on foggers support of "Bob's" experience and advice, I have to listen to him.
roblg3
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- Apr 5, 2014
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- 751
interesting! I've been directed to granat. I've never tried the Rubin paper. The Brilliant paper definitely doesn't last at all compared to Granat. I've been pleased having switched to granat. If you click on the "Product Websites" button on the FOG, there's an abrasives selector that recommends paper based on application. It appears that Bob suggested appropriately for you. I just did the search and Rubin 2 is the first listed for your furniture project. Take a look it's really informative. Cheers!
When I got my RO90 I wanted to have a reasonable assortment of abrasives on hand, but I would never use it enough to go through multiple boxes of 50-100 pieces. And, don't forget, you're buying for two sanders if you also want to use the Deltex mode.
Then I read a post here by WOW who called Tom Bellamere of Tool-Home. Tom prepared a nice affordable assortment of Granat in smaller quantities of both styles of paper. I don't know if Tom will do this for Rubin, but you can call him and discuss your needs. Tom prepared custom small quantity assortments for me to fit several sanders and the cost was very reasonable.
I also live near Cleveland. Do you remember when the Improvements store was a woodworking store called Leichtung? I still have tools I bought there years ago.
Mike A.
Then I read a post here by WOW who called Tom Bellamere of Tool-Home. Tom prepared a nice affordable assortment of Granat in smaller quantities of both styles of paper. I don't know if Tom will do this for Rubin, but you can call him and discuss your needs. Tom prepared custom small quantity assortments for me to fit several sanders and the cost was very reasonable.
I also live near Cleveland. Do you remember when the Improvements store was a woodworking store called Leichtung? I still have tools I bought there years ago.
Mike A.
PreferrablyWood
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- 972
Living in Denmark, I have a few places with some Festool gear, I figure if I buy some gear one tool like the RS 300 a couple times a year and some smaller items on a regular basis I'm helping to keep them alive, but when I buy from the internet I can save up to 30% I am taxed pretty much the same, so it's really not reasonable to expect that I should take a 30% penalty for shopping locally.. Also the shop I use in Germany basically has the full catalogue of Festool gear so it's a one stop shop..
I also am getting the RO 90 this coming week! I'm getting Granat in 60 and 80 grits, 50 pcs each, the R0 90 plus comes bonus 100 pcs og Granat 120, and I will get an additionally 100 pcs 180 gr of Granat which be getting close to me having a fine selection of the most universal sandpapir festool offers. Later on I might progress to getting a 240 or 280 grit.. Sure it's expensive but if the sander is that good it's worth investing in the grit range, I'll do the same with the RS 300 EQ and those two sanders will be my workhorses for the next many years..
I also am getting the RO 90 this coming week! I'm getting Granat in 60 and 80 grits, 50 pcs each, the R0 90 plus comes bonus 100 pcs og Granat 120, and I will get an additionally 100 pcs 180 gr of Granat which be getting close to me having a fine selection of the most universal sandpapir festool offers. Later on I might progress to getting a 240 or 280 grit.. Sure it's expensive but if the sander is that good it's worth investing in the grit range, I'll do the same with the RS 300 EQ and those two sanders will be my workhorses for the next many years..
