New versions of the RS400 and DS400

[Joe Jensen]

The catalog shows the new versions of the RS400 and the DS400, I think they are the RTS and DTS.  They are in the paper catalog, but not online at Festool  USA site.  The main change I see is the removeable cords but I think I read somewhere that there were more changes.  Does anyone have any more info?...joe

 

[Dan Clark]

Joe,

This was dicussed a couple of times here:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?action=search2.  One of the dealers might want to comment too.

Dan.

 

[Joe Jensen]

Dan, I tried the search.  Only found a couple of mentions and no comparison.  Bob, any more info?...joe

 

[Bob Marino]

Joe,

Here's a link from Festool Australia's site.
http://www.festool.com.au/artikel/artikel_weiterleiten.cfm?id=493

Seems the bearings have also been upgraded.

  Bob

 

[Forrest Anderson]

The catalog shows the new versions of the RS400 and the DS400, I think they are the RTS and DTS.  They are in the paper catalog, but not online at Festool  USA site.  The main change I see is the removeable cords but I think I read somewhere that there were more changes.  Does anyone have any more info?...joe

This is covered nicely in the FAQ section of the Festool USA website.

Go to www.festoolusa.com
Click on FAQ Database at the top left
Leave --All Topics-- in the Search box
Enter RTS in the For box
Click the green arrow

Click on the question which reads:

What are the differences between the new palm sanders: RTS400, DTS400 and ETS125; compared to the older models: RS400, DS400 and ES125? 

You will get the following answer:

The improvements made to the new palm sanders, ETS125, RTS400, DTS400 are mainly internal; you may not notice any difference in how they look.

The counterweight has been reshaped to provide better balance and stability. The cooling fan housing is now made of metal and the new fan is less likely to come in contact with the housing. This lessens the tendency for the sander to hop around, and will result in fewer swirl marks.

On the ETS125, the rubber pad brake now has holes around the periphery. This prevents vacuum lock when connected to a vacuum, which allows for better pad rotation, making the sander easier to move across the work piece. This will also results in fewer swirl marks.

Some have felt that these new sanders are not as aggressive as the older models. What you are actually noticing is improved performance and less vibration due to the improvements.


Note that the RS400 and ES400 had removable cords, just like the new models.

Forrest

 

[Bob Marino]

The catalog shows the new versions of the RS400 and the DS400, I think they are the RTS and DTS.  They are in the paper catalog, but not online at Festool  USA site.  The main change I see is the removeable cords but I think I read somewhere that there were more changes.  Does anyone have any more info?...joe

This is covered nicely in the FAQ section of the Festool USA website.

Go to www.festoolusa.com
Click on FAQ Database at the top left
Leave --All Topics-- in the Search box
Enter RTS in the For box
Click the green arrow

Click on the question which reads:

What are the differences between the new palm sanders: RTS400, DTS400 and ETS125; compared to the older models: RS400, DS400 and ES125? 

You will get the following answer:

The improvements made to the new palm sanders, ETS125, RTS400, DTS400 are mainly internal; you may not notice any difference in how they look.

The counterweight has been reshaped to provide better balance and stability. The cooling fan housing is now made of metal and the new fan is less likely to come in contact with the housing. This lessens the tendency for the sander to hop around, and will result in fewer swirl marks.

On the ETS125, the rubber pad brake now has holes around the periphery. This prevents vacuum lock when connected to a vacuum, which allows for better pad rotation, making the sander easier to move across the work piece. This will also results in fewer swirl marks.

Some have felt that these new sanders are not as aggressive as the older models. What you are actually noticing is improved performance and less vibration due to the improvements.


Note that the RS400 and ES400 had removable cords, just like the new models.

Forrest

Good catch, Forrest! I should have checked our site first!

Bob

 

[Joe Jensen]

THANKS ALL.  Bob, I'll be selling my RS400 and buying the new one as soon as they are available.  Any idea when?...joe

 

[bill-e]

Having an ETS125 that approaches the smoothness of the 150 would be a great thing.

 

[John Langevin]

Will the triangular shaped pad from the DTS 400 EQ fit the RTS 400 EQ?

 

[Bob Marino]

THANKS ALL.  Bob, I'll be selling my RS400 and buying the new one as soon as they are available.  Any idea when?...joe

Joe,

They are available now, but just specify that that is the model you want.

Bob

 

[Bob Marino]

Will the triangular shaped pad from the DTS 400 EQ fit the RTS 400 EQ?

John,

The pads are different shaped so they won't fit each other.

Bob

 

[Toolpig]

Very interesting!  I've had the RS & DS 400's for a few months and have definitely noticed the "hop around" that they mention -- especially with the triangular-shaped model.  I thought maybe I was putting too much pressure downward.  I don't really use these for fine finishing (except in tight corners), so I guess it doesn't bother me that much.  Have not noticed swirl-marks, but again I'm not doing anything fancy like sanding to 4000-grit.

TP

The catalog shows the new versions of the RS400 and the DS400, I think they are the RTS and DTS.  They are in the paper catalog, but not online at Festool  USA site.  The main change I see is the removeable cords but I think I read somewhere that there were more changes.  Does anyone have any more info?...joe

This is covered nicely in the FAQ section of the Festool USA website.

Go to www.festoolusa.com
Click on FAQ Database at the top left
Leave --All Topics-- in the Search box
Enter RTS in the For box
Click the green arrow

Click on the question which reads:

What are the differences between the new palm sanders: RTS400, DTS400 and ETS125; compared to the older models: RS400, DS400 and ES125? 

You will get the following answer:

The improvements made to the new palm sanders, ETS125, RTS400, DTS400 are mainly internal; you may not notice any difference in how they look.

The counterweight has been reshaped to provide better balance and stability. The cooling fan housing is now made of metal and the new fan is less likely to come in contact with the housing. This lessens the tendency for the sander to hop around, and will result in fewer swirl marks.

On the ETS125, the rubber pad brake now has holes around the periphery. This prevents vacuum lock when connected to a vacuum, which allows for better pad rotation, making the sander easier to move across the work piece. This will also results in fewer swirl marks.

Some have felt that these new sanders are not as aggressive as the older models. What you are actually noticing is improved performance and less vibration due to the improvements.


Note that the RS400 and ES400 had removable cords, just like the new models.

Forrest

 

[bill-e]

toolpig, have you tried dialing back the vacuum?  That seems to help quite a bit.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

The counterweight has been reshaped to provide better balance and stability. The cooling fan housing is now made of metal and the new fan is less likely to come in contact with the housing. This lessens the tendency for the sander to hop around, and will result in fewer swirl marks.

Very interesting!  I've had the RS & DS 400's for a few months and have definitely noticed the "hop around" that they mention -- especially with the triangular-shaped model. 

I must say that Festool's phrase "lessens the tendency for the sander to hop around" raised a laugh! I had a picture of a small family of sanders hopping around the workbench like rabbits!  ;D

Forrest

 

[Pete Pedisich]

Hi,

Just a note, I got the RS400 a little over a year ago and it is my most used sander. In fact, sometimes I don't put it back in the systainer because I use it so often.

Even after I got the RS2 (which is like driving a '76 Eldorado with a 500 cubic inch engine) I still reach for the RS400. It's the perfect size for sanding face frames.

Just dial back the suction!

Pete

 

[Brice Burrell]

  I own the ES125, and I really like that sander. I also bought the ETS125 and the DTS400 a couple of weeks ago because I had was making some repairs on a large redwood greenhouse. My painting contractor broke his leg two days before he was scheduled to be on the the job, I couldn't get anyone else in to do the work fast enough. So the guys I sub out some of my labor did the refinishing, I handed all my Festool sanders and vacs to them, they seen to really like the new sanders. I still haven't used them yet, when I do, I'll report back.

 

[Toolpig]

Yes, and it does help a bit.

JW

toolpig, have you tried dialing back the vacuum?  That seems to help quite a bit.

 

[bdog01]

Please let us know if these new sanders show enough improvement to upgrade. I can always use a smoother sander!

 

[bill-e]

It would also be interesting to see if one could leave the vac at full power with the new brake.

And Bob M.  DO you know if the new brake will fit the old sander?

 

[Brice Burrell]

It would also be interesting to see if one could leave the vac at full power with the new brake........

  Well, I just played with the new sanders for a few mintuns. Bill, I'd say you still have to turn the vac down with the ETS125. Bdog01, it's hard to say, the ETS 125 is maybe a littler smoother, I wouldn't bother with upgrading (I have no experience with the DS400 to campare to the new one). The DTS 400, turn the speed up and the vac way down to get it to run smooth, nowhere near as smooth as some of the other Festool sanders, but better than the old quarter sheet B&D sander I was trying to get into corners.