Not a collector, but serious user...need recommendation

[Woozal]

To Festool employees,

I’ll have to admit I’m not much of a fanboy or tool collector. I just want a really nice tool that can be put through its paces with heavy use.

I was wondering how much action can what is probably your most rugged tool be put through, particulsrly the RO 150 Rotex sander. I just got one and was testing it out rotary sanding some circle saw mill walnut crotch pieces.  It seemed to get quite warm after only 45 minutes to an hour. Should this thing be rested every once in awhile Or can it go to work and perform up to its price?

Whatever it needs is fine I just need to know, I know what I need out of it, but if the tool comes first let me know. I got the ets ec 150 when they first came out with like the brushless motors. It was repaired twice and then you guys completely replaces it with a new one after the third time. They are nice looking, nice colors, balanced and do a great job. I just don’t know if they do a great job for a long time or not. Change my mind. Thanks. Oh an I’ve looked at Mafell but haven’t got one in my hands yet. Not sure they are any more duty that festool.

 

[RKA]

I don’t understand what the expected outcome of this post would be.  Are you expecting a Festool rep to beg you to buy Festool?  Or are you expecting them to tell you their tools are built to the highest standard (despite your experiences)?  What good would any of this do?  You shouldn’t be too surprised to get no response from a Festool employee on a public forum based on how this question (or non-question) was asked.

The rotex, yes, it gets very warm.  Just use it.  The most serious problem I’ve read about is the plug it connection failing.  Vibration and amp draw probably contributes.  It’s easy to repair.

Your ETS, you got a lemon, it was replaced.  How is the new one performing?

At the end of the day, you get 30 day no questions asked return period and a 3 year warranty.  You can do a lot of work in 3 years.  If the tool is useful in your workflow, buy it and use it.  There are other choices in sanders out there, Mirka would be one.  Try it, why limit yourself to one brand.  Saws, yes, Mafell is excellent.

 

[semenza]

The RO150 does get quite warm to hot.

I have run mine a few times for quite long periods.

    I can definitely recall three days in row for about four to five hours straight. By straight I mean there was not more than a five minute rest every hour during those hours. Certainly not enough for any kind of real cool down. This was heavy sanding removing a  very  tough, thick finish. The sander was hot enough that I didn't want to hold it on some places on the housing without gloves. This was what I would call an abusive sanding job (wore me out too). Certainly anecdotal and not the norm., nor an official Festool reply. But maybe a useful indication that it seems the tool can take it. The sander has been fine since then.

Seth

 

[sancho57]

Woozal

Put it in the classifieds if yer unhappy with any festools or other tools they wont last long.

youll get most of your money back .

Once theyre sold yer free to buy whatever tool you want.

lots of brands out there that make sanders.

Isnt America great that we have some many tool brands which we can buy if were unhappy with one.

 

[ear3]

[member=65957]Woozal[/member] The RO150 does get warm after extended use, but as Seth mentioned, the tool can take it.  I did a monster commercial stair refinishing project a few years ago (in multiplemultiple stages) where I was running the Rotex for hours upon hours over several days sanding down endgrain wooden tiles, and the sander powered through it all, and to this day is no worse for the wear.

The RO150 does get quite warm to hot.

I have run mine a few times for quite long periods.

    I can definitely recall three days in row for about four to five hours straight. By straight I mean there was not more than a five minute rest every hour during those hours. Certainly not enough for any kind of real cool down. This was heavy sanding removing a  very  tough, thick finish. The sander was hot enough that I didn't want to hold it on some places on the housing without gloves. This was what I would call an abusive sanding job (wore me out too). Certainly anecdotal and not the norm., nor an official Festool reply. But maybe a useful indication that it seems the tool can take it. The sander has been fine since then.

Seth

 

[Gregor]

The Rotex 150 (both the old E and the new FEQ versions) have no duty cycle.
You can run both of them till the job is done, regardless of it being a small cutting board or you strip a whole house.

 

[six-point socket II]

Guys, honestly, save yourself the time.

People that start their postings by claiming what kind of super-power serious user they are, calling others fanboys or tool-collectors - but obviously lacking any experience to decide for themselves if a tool is up to the job or not, are just not worth the time and effort.

Unhappy = re-sell or take it back.

Kind regards,
Oli'Fanboy'ver

 

[Rob Z]

Woozal

I had a RO150 for years and we used it for all kinds of "non-standard" work, including extended periods of operation with few, or no, breaks.  My dealer, Tom Bellemare, told me that this tool was built like a bulldozer and he was right.  Never had any concerns about that tool.

 

[sancho57]

[member=61712]six-point socket II[/member]

Oliver...

I love ya man  [big grin] [thumbs up] [not worthy]

 

[peter halle]

Even a card scraper gets hot.  If you are unhappy with the tool Please contact Festool.  They can help you determine if it is technique or tool.

Peter

 

[mike_aa]

Woozal

I had a RO150 for years and we used it for all kinds of "non-standard" work, including extended periods of operation with few, or no, breaks.  My dealer, Tom Bellemare, told me that this tool was built like a bulldozer and he was right.  Never had any concerns about that tool.

[member=6193]Rob Z[/member]  I sure do miss Tom!  He was the best and always eager to offer advice.  I wonder how his wife is doing now.  I remember she worked in a hospital.  I hope she's alright.

Mike A.

 

[xedos]

Woozal - I'll bet you'd be happy with SurfPrep.

The fanboys haven't discovered the brand yet.  They don't have a model comparable to the Rotex machines though.

 

[Woozal]

Woozal

Put it in the classifieds if yer unhappy with any festools or other tools they wont last long.

youll get most of your money back .

Once theyre sold yer free to buy whatever tool you want.

lots of brands out there that make sanders.

Isnt America great that we have some many tool brands which we can buy if were unhappy with one.

Why on earth do you jump to conclusions like that. Who says I’m unhappy. I recommend you retread my post. Also, you can stay away with that attitude. Yeesh, world already has enough of your type.

 

[Woozal]

Woozal

I had a RO150 for years and we used it for all kinds of "non-standard" work, including extended periods of operation with few, or no, breaks.  My dealer, Tom Bellemare, told me that this tool was built like a bulldozer and he was right.  Never had any concerns about that tool.

Nice response, I’ll keep giving it a go then. I was just concerned when it got warm so quick.  No bearing down or anything just gliding along with Saphir paper. It does a great job. Thinking about longevity is all. Thanks for the info.

 

[Woozal]

[member=65957]Woozal[/member] The RO150 does get warm after extended use, but as Seth mentioned, the tool can take it.  I did a monster commercial stair refinishing project a few years ago (in multiplemultiple stages) where I was running the Rotex for hours upon hours over several days sanding down endgrain wooden tiles, and the sander powered through it all, and to this day is no worse for the wear.

The RO150 does get quite warm to hot.

I have run mine a few times for quite long periods.

    I can definitely recall three days in row for about four to five hours straight. By straight I mean there was not more than a five minute rest every hour during those hours. Certainly not enough for any kind of real cool down. This was heavy sanding removing a  very  tough, thick finish. The sander was hot enough that I didn't want to hold it on some places on the housing without gloves. This was what I would call an abusive sanding job (wore me out too). Certainly anecdotal and not the norm., nor an official Festool reply. But maybe a useful indication that it seems the tool can take it. The sander has been fine since then.

Seth

Sweet i’ll Not be concerned then. I do give it a rest as I naturally rest as well.

 

[aloysius]

To Festool employees,

I’ll have to admit I’m not much of a fanboy or tool collector. I just want a really nice tool that can be put through its paces with heavy use.

I was wondering how much action can what is probably your most rugged tool be put through, particulsrly the RO 150 Rotex sander. I just got one and was testing it out rotary sanding some circle saw mill walnut crotch pieces.  It seemed to get quite warm after only 45 minutes to an hour. Should this thing be rested every once in awhile Or can it go to work and perform up to its price?

Whatever it needs is fine I just need to know, I know what I need out of it, but if the tool comes first let me know. I got the ets ec 150 when they first came out with like the brushless motors. It was repaired twice and then you guys completely replaces it with a new one after the third time. They are nice looking, nice colors, balanced and do a great job. I just don’t know if they do a great job for a long time or not. Change my mind. Thanks. Oh an I’ve looked at Mafell but haven’t got one in my hands yet. Not sure they are any more duty that festool.

Mafell won't be any better than what you already have....  Mafell market a basic 1/2 sheet orbital, & a basic 150mm random, but that's it.  They once had a joint venture with Kress to produce a big, heavy, extremely powerful Rotex-type tool, that was beset with gear troubles, which faced an early demise.

Festo/ol has always been a bit of a "specialist" sander manufacturer, well at least since the 80s or so when the Rotex was first marketed.  Even then they were at least as good as anything else available, if not better.  That aforementioned Rotex was definitely a bit of a game-changer in the marketplace, & probably singlehandedly established Festo as a premium tool manufacturer.

Should you indeed wish to "change up" then maybe look at other premium sander specialists, such as Indasa, Rupes or maybe Mirka.

Mafell makes the world's best & probably most comprehensive range of circular saws, & all but indisputably best Jiggy available.  But frankly their meagre "range" of sanders is best avoided.  Others, including Festool, simply do it better.

 

[Rob Z]

Hello again Woozal

Someone mentioned the heat build up with the extended run time. I don't recall  that it was ever uncomfortable, but it did get hot.  My RO90 used to get hot, as well. I just attributed it to the fact that the machine is sucking up a lot of electricity and doing a lot of work but never felt there was a problem.  I did sell the RO150 when I closed my business and it ended up being one of two FTs I wished I had kept.  The other is the TS75. 

Recently I was doing work at church and needed the heft of a sander like the RO150. I couldn't really justify buying another one just for one project so I ended up getting the Makita version and it worked just fine. I would say that it is a bit less smooth compared to the RO150, or in other words, it's a little bit more wearing on the hand and wrist when using it for an extended period of time.

Good luck with your projects.

Woozal

I had a RO150 for years and we used it for all kinds of "non-standard" work, including extended periods of operation with few, or no, breaks.  My dealer, Tom Bellemare, told me that this tool was built like a bulldozer and he was right.  Never had any concerns about that tool.

Nice response, I’ll keep giving it a go then. I was just concerned when it got warm so quick.  No bearing down or anything just gliding along with Saphir paper. It does a great job. Thinking about longevity is all. Thanks for the info.

 

[AlexThePalex]

My dealer, Tom Bellemare, told me that this tool was built like a bulldozer and he was right.  Never had any concerns about that tool.

He sure was. I have never seen a sander that was so rugged as this one. Mine is 12 years old now and I have used it so many times, on so many different jobs with so many different materials. Tons of plaster also, which load up the tool with very abrasive dust, but it doesn't care. It just keeps going.

I never needed to service it or even clean it inside.

First week I had it I was a bit careless and let it drop down the stairs from 3 meters heigt, with a couple of bounces, but no problem.

The heat of the sander is just friction of the gears wearing in. The heat will go away eventually.

People that start their postings by claiming what kind of super-power serious user they are, calling others fanboys or tool-collectors - but obviously lacking any experience to decide for themselves if a tool is up to the job or not, are just not worth the time and effort.

Yeah, I agree. Just feeling a bit of heat and then making a post like this .... yeez.

 

[semenza]

Seemed like a legit question to me.  [huh]

Basically ...........  'How long can the Rotex run?  It gets hot.'  'Based on a previous experience I question the durability'

We have had the heat question many times.

Seth

 

[Woozal]

Woozal

Put it in the classifieds if yer unhappy with any festools or other tools they wont last long.

youll get most of your money back .

Once theyre sold yer free to buy whatever tool you want.

lots of brands out there that make sanders.

Isnt America great that we have some many tool brands which we can buy if were unhappy with one.

Another one that ldoesn’t get it’, but thanks for trying bud.