Newbie with Sander ??????????'s

[doorguy]

Hello,

I'm a newbie who recently purchased a TS55 x Midi with a cyclone and a couple pieces of track for my door installation business.  Wow, I wish I had done this years ago [cool].  Now I find myself on the edge of the green slippery slope looking at sanders.  The Rotex series has my attention but having trouble figuring out which would be the most versatile as I do intend to remain "for profit" [wink].  I do door repair, many times using dutchmen colored to match for hinge reallocations but a limited number of times I anticipate refinishing the entire door.  The 90 would be really nice since most of the time I work with the 1-3/4 edge but the 150 would be nicer on the larger areas.  I currently have a 5" and a 6" "brand x" but find myself using the 5" 99% of the time.  I can only swing one at this time so purchasing the correct machine is somewhat critical.  The 30 day trial period would not allow me to test it in enough applications with my work load. I have become spoiled with the dust extraction system allowing me to work on projects that are complete and occupied.  In addition, I was recently hired to help refinish wood work in restaurants after closing.  With limited hours to work before employees return, too much time is wasted on cleanup IMHO.

Any insight would be a huge help,

Thanks,
DG

 

[Wooden Skye]

DG

Welcome to the FOG.  I am sure you will get a lot of answers, but any sander you choose should help keep the cleanup to the minimum, and your lungs will thank you.  I think the RO90 would be a good choice, since you also get the delta pad.  But if you got the RO 125 or RO 150, ETS 125 or 150 or the RTS 400, those might solve your needs for more versatile sanders.  Try with different sanding pads 1 pad may work great for 1 application, but another may make the sander excel in another application. 

 

[Runhard]

[welcome] Doorguy,

Eventually you will end up with at least 3-4 sanders, but for now you are just looking to buy one. I would buy the RO90 first (it was my first) for your doors. I have 5 sanders and want another one. I need to strip my doors (I'm a DIY'er and Hobbyist) and am thinking about also getting the LS130 with the custom pad for the profiles. If you have to remove a lot of paint the Speedheater is great!

So like I said, I would start out with the RO90 and buy the hard pad and a granat abrasive assortment from Tom at Tool Home http://www.tool-home.com/products/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/60/products_id/24629 I know that seems to be really expensive, but for someone doing this for a living it would be worth it IMHO. I have abrasive assortments for all of my sanders except my RAS115, actually I have 2 for my RO90.

Next would probably be the RO150 followed buy the ETS150/3, then the DTS400 and so on.

Enjoy the slide,

Daniel

 

[jacko9]

Hello DG,

I would recommend a Rotex 125 for more efficient work on full size doors.  I have the RO 90 and it's great on cabinet doors but a little small for a full size door.  I also have the ETS 125 and the ETS 150/3 which are great sanders but might be limited on sanding speed for door restoration.  I have the LS 130 for sanding profiles on frame and panel doors but, if your only going to buy one sander now, go for the Rotex 125.

Jack

 

[Wonderwino]

I think it depends on the doors - if they are paneled doors, the RO90 with the delta pad can get in corners the round pad sanders can't.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Welcome!!

Ahh yes, the sander dilemma...most of us have been there at one time or another and most of us end up with a multitude of sanders!  I personally think that the Rotex models would give you great versatility for this application.  I think that the RO90 gives you great edge capabilities and the ability to switch to the delta pad for corners and it is a great all around tool.  The problem is I would not want to sand large field areas with it -- I would opt for a larger Rotex for that kind of work.  You might opt for the larger Rotex to start and then add the RO90 later if you do a lot of panels and field work.  If that is a smaller portion of what you sand, then get the RO90 to start.  Buy small sample packs of paper if you are not sure since paper is not returnable in the 30 days -- only the tool.  I personally think that the larger sanders are fine for sanding edges and I have not had any issues using a hard pad.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Scot

 

[leakyroof]

Your post really seems to suggest the RO90, as you have the larger sections of a door covered with your other, larger sanders for now. You'll find that the smaller pad size works great for the sides of the door, and you'll get the Rotex action plus a Delta pad if you need it all in one sander.

 

[semenza]

Hi DG,

Welcome to the  FOG!  [smile]

Nearly impossible to get one sander to do it all.  Most versatile probably a Rotex.  And for your door work probably a RO90. Then add a larger one to compliment when you need it.

Seth

 

[nanook]

I've been really impressed with the RO90.  I really enjoy the RO125 however, the smaller ETS sanders look interesting for final finishes however.
I'd say grab the RO90 (and maybe the Delta Pad ETS), its amazing how well the RO90 is suited for stuff like doors and windows!

 

[AlexThePalex]

I find the RO 90 is too small for doors. My favourite sander for doors is the ETS 125. Gives you a nice finish, the size is just right, and there's not much danger of sanding through anything like paint or veneer.

But since you already have a 5'' sander you can use that one and add the RO 90 for other work. The RO 90 definitely is one of Festool's most versatile sanders, if not THE most, but because of its size it's just not fitted for larger areas.

I do door repair, many times using dutchmen colored to match for hinge reallocations

Yes, we're great with doors, aren't we? I don't get the "colored" thing tough, is that like face paint?  [wink]

 

[Kev]

[welcome]

Grab a RO90 - yes it'll help you with doors, but if you're no in love with it by day 29 I'll be surprised.

Ruhard is right ... Festool sanders multiply [sad]

 

[doorguy]

Thanks to all for the replies.

It's clear that I will need at least two sanders, I just need to decide which ones and which one first.

I do door repair, many times using dutchmen colored to match for hinge reallocations

Yes, we're great with doors, aren't we? I don't get the "colored" thing tough, is that like face paint?  [wink]
[/quote]

Crayons. [wink]  I went to Mohawk's school which is mainly for furniture repair.  I'm a novice but it's been helpful with damaged doors or one that we can rework and reuse .  Most of what I work on these days is either finished or pre finished from the factory. Guess I should have also stated that they are commercial flush doors with very thin veneers.

Thanks again for all the help.  This is a great site 8)
DG

 

[skids]

Thanks to all for the replies.

It's clear that I will need at least two sanders, I just need to decide which ones and which one first.

I do door repair, many times using dutchmen colored to match for hinge reallocations

Yes, we're great with doors, aren't we? I don't get the "colored" thing tough, is that like face paint?  [wink]

Crayons. [wink]  I went to Mohawk's school which is mainly for furniture repair.  I'm a novice but it's been helpful with damaged doors or one that we can rework and reuse .  Most of what I work on these days is either finished or pre finished from the factory. Guess I should have also stated that they are commercial flush doors with very thin veneers.

Thanks again for all the help.  This is a great site 8)
DG

[/quote]

I agree the RO90 might be the best starting sander for this, but...You are going to want to do your research on the Festool sanding line up. Or at the very least understand the differences in the strokes of the sanders and that the Rotexes generally are a compromise when it comes to finish sanding. I mean for truly getting a nice smooth paint grade finish. I haven't used the RO90, but assuming it's RO action is similar to the RO125 I have that means it's sloppy by comparison to say an ETS, or a DTS.

Me personally? What I would do is get both the ETS and DTS, almost the same money as the RO90. Both of those sanders provide the best most professional finishes. But if you just want to take material out quickly, and then cover it the Rotexes work very well for that. The best combo, not the cheapest however, is a Rotex complimented with one of the finish sanders.

 

[doorguy]

Thanks and you make great points. 

I was leaning to toward the RO125 because I think it would be more versatile handling over 75% of what I do, well.  As you point out, should it prove to not be fine enough, at least I could add the ETS125 for , dare I say, "minimal" cost especially since it appears to use the same paper.  Then the decision would leave me between the DX93 and the RO90 to cover my bases at a later date?

Thanks for all the help,
DG

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Thanks and you make great points. 

I was leaning to toward the RO125 because I think it would be more versatile handling over 75% of what I do, well.  As you point out, should it prove to not be fine enough, at least I could add the ETS125 for , dare I say, "minimal" cost especially since it appears to use the same paper.  Then the decision would leave me between the DX93 and the RO90 to cover my bases at a later date?

Thanks for all the help,
DG

I would also consider the DTS400 if you are looking for a straigh Delta pad...this is one of Festool's gems.  Great finish, ergonomics and you can sand right up to an edge with the rounded pad.  I prefer it to the RO90 delta pad for most things as I find it more comfortable to hold and maneuver around the workpiece.

Scot

 

[skids]

Thanks and you make great points. 

I was leaning to toward the RO125 because I think it would be more versatile handling over 75% of what I do, well.  As you point out, should it prove to not be fine enough, at least I could add the ETS125 for , dare I say, "minimal" cost especially since it appears to use the same paper. Then the decision would leave me between the DX93 and the RO90 to cover my bases at a later date?

Thanks for all the help,
DG

Yep you could do that I would get the 90 over the dx..Or you could just get the combo I have ro125/dts and call it a day..I feel no reason to get another festool sander with this combo. I will say the RO125 takes some time to get used to however. It's a beast.

 

[doorguy]

.Or you could just get the combo I have ro125/dts and call it a day..I feel no reason to get another festool sander with this combo. I will say the RO125 takes some time to get used to however. It's a beast.

Just read your sig.  Guess you would know 8)

Not really worried about getting used to the RO125.  This all started with my Porter Cable "train" (worm drive) belt sander taking a dump.  Now that was a beast.  Im also used to grinding hollow metal with a 7" grinder getting close to paint with no bondo. [wink]

Order is written for the RO125, just need to sleep on it to make sure I didn't miss anything important. And maybe see if I want to go ahead and swing for the DTS400 now. :-\

Thanks again for all the help.
DG