Problems mounting other pads on the ROTEX 150

[ear3]

Just wanted to report a problem I had with the ROTEX 150, which ultimately seems to have been solved, but which I was curious to see if anyone else had encountered.

I got the sander only a couple of weeks ago as I had to sand through a surface area that would have taken forever to do with the RO90.  I simply used the supplied medium pad for the job.  The other day I needed to change over to the hard pad, and when I tried to do so I could not for the life of me get it to lock into place.  I tried so hard that I could see the indentations on the lips under which the metal tabs were supposed to go (but didn't).

So I took it over to my local Festool dealer today, and after trying unsuccessfully with several additional hard pads he had in stock, he compared my RO150 with his demo model.  He noticed that the spindle elements (forgive me, I don't know the technical names) were much looser on his unit, allowing enough play for the pads to turn easily on and off and into place.  I suggested that maybe if we loosened the center hex arbor screw, it might reduce the tightness of the various elements so that the metal tabs could then slide under the lips of the pad.  Sure enough, after a minute turn of the screw, we were able to get the pad on.

So problem solved - but I haven't used the unit yet and so don't know if this slight reconfiguration has done anything to its performance.  Incidentally, I did also have a problem early on with switching between aggressive and random orbital mode -- a problem ultimately solved upon the recommendation of another FOGGER by a strategic bang of a hammer.  Not sure if these problems were connected, and whether I should be concerned about the sander going forward such that I should send it in for a service looksee.

Anyone else run into this issue?

UPDATE: No problems sanding since adjustment to arbor screw was made.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Never had this problem. If you had two of these pretty uncommon problems in a row, I do suggest you send it in for service. Seems to me something is not aligned properly.

Loosening screws on a sander is never a good idea. The vibrations of the sander will make them become even looser over time.

 

[Grasshopper]

I was messing with my rotex 150 tonight that arrived yesterday (fresh from the reconditioned sale).

For the life of me, I couldn't take the pad off. The green button was way too hard to press, and I was sure something was wrong.

I found that if I pressed the button at an angle it went much better.

Not sure if that is what you are describing, but I was less than impressed with my first trial of taking the pad on and off.

 

[AlexThePalex]

If the green button doesn't work as advertised, try switching the green button at the top of the sander, the one you use to switch between fine and aggressive mode. It has influence on the pad button, because for some reason Festool made it so that you can only switch pads in one mode, and not the other. No frigging clue why.   

 

[Stephen B]

[size=14pt]

You can only change pads in ROTEX mode.

 

[ear3]

For the life of me, I couldn't take the pad off. The green button was way too hard to press, and I was sure something was wrong.

He's not talking about the mode, but rather the fact that the action on the button is very stiff.

I had forgot to mention, but mine also exhibited the same issue (mine's new btw, not recon-ed).  The button is indeed designed to depress at an angle rather than straight on, but for whatever reason (button slightly oversized?) it catches on the metal housing as you try to press it.  Mine was not quite as difficult as yours seems to be, and I just assume that through consistent use it will abrade enough to where the action will eventually be smooth.  It's not connected to the spindle tightness, however.

 

[AlexThePalex]

OK, I played around with the button a bit and I think I found what might be the problem.

You really have to push the button in a certain direction.

There is a little green tab (yellow arrow) on the front side of the button and if you push the button straight down (red cross)  it will prevent the button from going down. But if you push the button in the direction of the green arrow it will go without problems. 

[attachimg=1]

 

[Jim Metzger]

I know this thread is a few months old but I am having the same problem with a recon RO150. New hard pad won't twist on, the plastic flange of the pad does not fit under the metal  flange of the RO.

I tried to loosen the center hex bolt but it wouldn't budge. Any further thoughts, I'll call service tomorrow.

Thanks in advance

Jim

 

[CO_JCD]

I think it is just a matter of using brute force to fit the new pads until things loosen up.  I remember it was almost impossible to change pads initially, however, after swapping the pads three or four times, things became much more manageable.

John

 

[ear3]

Curious, since the tool has been previously used.  Maybe they overtightened the center bolt when reconditioning it in the factory?  If you don't feel comfortable loosening it any further, then by all means give service a call.  My RO150 continues to run fine BTW after that initial adjustment.

I know this thread is a few months old but I am having the same problem with a recon RO150. New hard pad won't twist on, the plastic flange of the pad does not fit under the metal  flange of the RO.

I tried to loosen the center hex bolt but it wouldn't budge. Any further thoughts, I'll call service tomorrow.

Thanks in advance

Jim

 

[Jim Metzger]

Thanks all, I tried brute force yesterday, hard to hold the green "brake" while turning the pad or the hex bolt.

I'll call service.

Jim

 

[Jim Metzger]

Just spoke to Lester in Service. The legend lives on, he is sending a replacement pad and flange to make sure all is right. If only all service worked this well.

Jim

 

[mike_aa]

Those guys at Festool service are really great.

I also had trouble figuring out the "green" button and it took several tries before I finally got the technique down.  So far the pad changing is good on mine.

Mike A.

 

[Jim Metzger]

Just wanted to report back, Lester took great care of me, sent appropriate replacement parts and responded to an email exchange with photos to make sure I got the various washers and spacers oriented correctly. Excellent!

I did have to "sneak up" on tightening the bolt which holds the flange assembly by putting the hard pad on at increasing levels of tightness. I think the blue plastic may be a harder durometer than the black on the semi soft pad and it required "breaking in" to be able to seat properly at full tightness.

All is good now  [smile]

Jim

 

[SS Teach]

I know your problem occured a few months ago, but I just saw it. When I tried to switch from the soft pad to the hard pad on my Ro 150, it could not be done. I shaved a miniscule amount of plastic off the wings(?) that connected the pad to the sander. Where the plastic met the metal was a bit to thick. There simply was no way the pad could be twisted on and click in. After removing less then a mm of plastic the pad went  on and clicked in. The hard pad worked beautifully.