New user needs help with rotex 90

[jc]

I'm a hobbyist and newcomer to the Festool family and just got the ct mini with rotex 90 for a project with some reclaimed wood. Prior to the rotex 90 I was using a Makita 4-1/2" ROS.

When sanding down the exterior of my reclaimed wood planks, I attached an 80 grit granat and put the rotex in rotary mode and started at speed setting 1. I noticed that the torque was really high which impressed me but at the same time that made the tool hard to control. It seemed to have a mind of its own and I had difficulty getting it to go where I wanted it. I felt I was wrestling the tool and that tired me out.  I tried setting the speed to 2 but that didn't help much with controlling the tool. 

Also I found it difficult to keep the tool flat on the wood. I might just not be used to working with such a small radius disc. I felt like I was making lots of gouges into the wood. I have however read from the forums how to hold the tool and I am keeping one hand wrapped over the power cable and anti-static hose and the other hand over the green setting dial (where you control rotary, random orbit or delta mode). I am applying slight downward pressure over the sanding surface but like I said above it's very difficult to keep it flat and going where I need it to.

I've read great things about the rotex 90 so I'm sure I must be doing something wrong or my technique is bad. Either way I hope the experienced pros can offer some advice. Thanks.

 

[Kev]

Initially seems like you may have the CT cranked up to high ... try backing off the suction - sounds like you have too much and its grabbing.

 

[AlexThePalex]

You should not start with speed 1, you start with full speed. A round sander is a lot better to control at a higher speed than at a low speed.

If you're totally new at this, it is also better to start using it in fine RO mode instead of rough rotary mode to get a feel of the sander. Rotary mode requires more force on your side. 

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

As was mentioned, keep the speed turned up. Slower speed are best used with polishing applications. Control the rate of material removal with abrasive grit, not sander speed. Have a look at this blog post, which talks about how to hold the RO 90, especially when using it in Rotex (aggressive) mode.

http://blog.festoolusa.com/post/2011/02/18/Why-Technique-Matters.aspx

 

[jc]

Thanks!  Backing down the CT suction and upping the speed.  I'll try those out and see how it goes. 

On a separate note, is it normal to receive the CT mini with some wood dust or small wood shavings/chips randomly scattered over the exterior of the machine?  I wonder if it has been used but the interior looks clean and has a new bag and the air filter looks clean too. 

 

[Kev]

Thanks!  Backing down the CT suction and upping the speed.  I'll try those out and see how it goes. 

On a separate note, is it normal to receive the CT mini with some wood dust or small wood shavings/chips randomly scattered over the exterior of the machine?  I wonder if it has been used but the interior looks clean and has a new bag and the air filter looks clean too. 

It was probably floor stock near a demo area - but it couldn't hurt to ask the question of your dealer - I picked my CT's up from the store and took them out of the cardboard box on the spot.

 

[jc]

Hello everyone, I just gave it another shot this morning before work.  I reduced the suction to halfway and set the speed at the highest setting (6).  After some getting used to the setup and experimenting with hand positions, I am able to guide the sander around without any skipping or jumping.  However I am putting quite significant muscle power into guiding it and keeping it flat.  Just to be clear, this is in "rotary orbit mode". 

I experiemented with "random orbit mode" and it is very smooth and easy to control, just like my old Makita random orbit sander.  I am definitely able to let the sander kinda float on the work surface and just gently move it around. 

I would like to clarify - I read here in the forums that the preferred way to use the rotex sanders is to let it float and gently guide it around, is that referring to the "random" mode?  I was not able to do the float and guide in the aggressive "rotary" mode.  Do I need to just work on my technique more in "rotary" mode to use less  muscle power?

Also, the rear of my ro90 where the cable and hose connect gets really hot.  Is this normal?  I made sure the plug-it cord is fully plugged in and turned 90 degrees. 

 

[AlexThePalex]

I would like to clarify - I read here in the forums that the preferred way to use the rotex sanders is to let it float and gently guide it around, is that referring to the "random" mode? 

Yes, that is indeed referring to random orbit mode.

I was not able to do the float and guide in the aggressive "rotary" mode. 

That is normal, the forces created in rotary mode are too high to just let it float.

Do I need to just work on my technique more in "rotary" mode to use less  muscle power?

After some practice you will get more used to it and it will go easier. You need to develop the technique and the muscles.

Also, the rear of my ro90 where the cable and hose connect gets really hot.  Is this normal?  

This has also been reported many times before. Seems to be normal.

 

[jc]

Alex, thank you for answering all my questions!

I have another question regarding speed selection.  Shane mentioned the grit controls the rate of material removal and having a high speed helps with control of the ro90.  Then, under what circumstances should a slower speed be used?  How do you guys tell if you are using too high a speed and should instead set at a slower setting? 

 

[Nigel]

Rotary mode is always a handful, just takes awhile to get use to it. I wouldn't worry to much about speed for use on wood just crank it up !!!

 

[greenMonster]

Check out youtube to see how other users fair with it, good way to pick up on technique
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ro90

Slower speed are best used with polishing applications.

Me personally, fast enough till it feels smooth

 

[semenza]

Hi jc.

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

Pretty much if you are sanding wood as opposed to polishing, sanding paint , finish, or something else, the sander should be on full speed. 

Seth

 

[jc]

Hello all, thank you again for your input on the sanding speed. 

I've been sanding some more the last 2 days and am getting better with the technique.  Having your inputs on how to do it has been very helpful and assured me I wasn't doing something wrong.  Also, I swapped over to the hard sanding pad yesterday (instead of the medium hardness pad that came standard) and found it noticeably easier to keep the tool flat and in control.  Or maybe I'm just controlling the tool better.  ;D

Something popped into my head this morning and I thought I should ask here:  i had the ct mini suction back up to max again (found I could control it now) and sanded some pine with P120 Granat and noticed that after sanding, when I wipe my fingers across the newly sanded surface, there was a fine layer of wood flour that collects on my fingers.  Is this typical?  I heard how users report the vacs remove all sanding dust and thought I should just ask. 

 

[semenza]

Hello all, thank you again for your input on the sanding speed. 

I've been sanding some more the last 2 days and am getting better with the technique.  Having your inputs on how to do it has been very helpful and assured me I wasn't doing something wrong.  Also, I swapped over to the hard sanding pad yesterday (instead of the medium hardness pad that came standard) and found it noticeably easier to keep the tool flat and in control.  Or maybe I'm just controlling the tool better.   ;D

Something popped into my head this morning and I thought I should ask here:  i had the ct mini suction back up to max again (found I could control it now) and sanded some pine with P120 Granat and noticed that after sanding, when I wipe my fingers across the newly sanded surface, there was a fine layer of wood flour that collects on my fingers.  Is this typical?  I heard how users report the vacs remove all sanding dust and thought I should just ask. 

The hard pad is less suseptable to getting sucked down to the surface than the softer ones. When I am using the coarse mode on the Rotex (with hard pad) I often have the  suction at full.

There is always bound to be a little dust on the work piece surface, but the almost none ends up escaping or in the air.

Seth

 

[jc]

The hard pad is less suseptable to getting sucked down to the surface than the softer ones. When I am using the coarse mode on the Rotex (with hard pad) I often have the  suction at full.

Seth, that makes so much sense in retrospect and it's nice that my experience matches yours.  Thank you!