Planex Easy vs Planex 2 for popcorn ceiling removal and wallboard finishing

[Sulzu]

I’m new to Festool and I’m looking for advice on whether I should buy a Planex Easy or the new Planex 2 for Popcorn ceiling removal and finishing the walls.

Is it possibly worth getting both the Easy for popcorn removal and the Planex 2 for finishing? I’m leaning towards the Planex 2 when it becomes available in May. I’ll be mating whatever I get with the 36 AC dust extractor.

I’ve got an 1800 square foot house that needs all ceilings done and most walls refinished. The popcorn ceiling has been painted at least once or twice. I do a lot of remodeling so I expect that these tools will get used for more than this project.

 

[guybo]

Hi, I own the easy,and use it for stipple grinding(popcorn) we take it down to something that look like nock down texture, then skim it over.If festool had a trade-in and up program we get the planex 2,just for the random orbit,it might even sand a floor or two.I include apic of the texture we use the most.guy[attachimg=1]

 

[afish]

I would get the 2 hands down.  Not sure where you are located but in my area the roofs are mostly low slope 4:12 and the attics are almost impossible to navigate since our mechanicals are there too. Top that off with temps 160+ here in S. Florida.  If it an older home I would advise you to consider just removing the drywall completely and reinsulate while your there if its a similar situation.  I have seen so many new home owners buy a house and have all the popcorn removed before ever moving in only to find out the insulation was insufficient. If the planex 2 cant handle your painted popcorn I would spray & scrape it first.  If its been painted a lot I would also just pull down the drywall it wont take much longer if at all.   

 

[Joebuck]

Does anyone know if the new Planex 2 can be used effectively with a CT26?

 

[Ron B]

If its been painted a lot I would also just pull down the drywall it wont take much longer if at all. 

Instead of tearing down the ceiling drywall, could you just screw another layer of drywall and therefore have two layers of drywall?  It would avoid the mess of tearing down the drywall ceiling and fighting the insulation mess and you would only loose about 1/2" ceiling height.  Electrical boxes are easy enough to extend.  I realize another layer on the walls would mess up the window and door casements.  I am only saying this because I did this once.  I opened up a foyer by removing the 2nd floor and a number of 2nd floor walls.  My thought was to just drywall where the walls were removed, but the ceiling varied in height too much from one room to the next.  To avoid a patched uneven mess, I just added another layer of drywall to the ceiling-it came out very nice. 

 

[Peter_C]

OP Welcome to the FOG

What year was the house built? Is it possible there is asbestos in the popcorn ceiling? Covering it with another layer of drywall could be an option too.

Owning a Planex I might still be inclined to wet the ceiling and scrape it. Depending on how many times it's been painted it can be super fast, or a royal pain in the backside.

Does anyone know if the new Planex 2 can be used effectively with a CT26?

With limited use yes, but the bags will plug before full, and it could plug the Hepa filter over time. Using a Cyclone extractor would help some.

 

[afish]

If its been painted a lot I would also just pull down the drywall it wont take much longer if at all. 

Instead of tearing down the ceiling drywall, could you just screw another layer of drywall and therefore have two layers of drywall?  It would avoid the mess of tearing down the drywall ceiling and fighting the insulation mess and you would only loose about 1/2" ceiling height.  Electrical boxes are easy enough to extend.  I realize another layer on the walls would mess up the window and door casements.  I am only saying this because I did this once.  I opened up a foyer by removing the 2nd floor and a number of 2nd floor walls.  My thought was to just drywall where the walls were removed, but the ceiling varied in height too much from one room to the next.  To avoid a patched uneven mess, I just added another layer of drywall to the ceiling-it came out very nice.

You can add another layer over old, but I dont.  It wouldnt help with any insulation issues either. Yes if its blown in it can be messier for sure.  If I had a situation of unevenness, maybe I would consider adding a second layer but it would probably still be better to pull it down strap the ceiling if its bad and re-drywall.  Thats just me though their are plenty of people who will screw an extra layer over old.