Ken Nagrod said:
Thanks for the info, Frank.
If anyone here does have both the LS130 and RTS400, I'd be interested in knowing if you'd have used the RTS or not or you feel the same as Frank, worried about swirl marks.
Thanks.
Ken, I have all six of the possible sanders for this job: Deltex 93, LS130, ETS125, RS2, RTS400 and DTS400.
The ETS125 being a ROS, I don't think I would trust it on this narrow area. The Deltex, in my opinion, is for very small areas and not that easy to keep flat for a long distance. I use it where nothing else will fit. that leaves the other four flat sanders.
I don't use the LS130 unless I really have to , such as on straight profiled sections, such as molding. The sander has the tendency to bounce occasionally, or more often, so I would go with a sander that was more controlled.
If the sections are long enough, and they seem like they are, I would use the RS2. The true value of the RS2 shows when you apply finish. The shinier the better. For a truly even and flat surface, the best of the Festool sanders is the RS2.
If the area is too narrow or short for the RS2, then I would use the RTS400. The difference between the RTS400 and DTS400 is mighty small for long rectangular areas and I just keep coming back to using the RTS400.
When sanding up to or past P180 Brilliant 2 with the three orbital sanders RS2, RTS400 and DTS400 I haven't had swirl marks with mahogany, walnut or cherry. But, I usually wet down the piece after sanding, let it dry and then hand sand lightly with the last piece of sandpaper that had been used on the machine to get rid of the fuzzies that pop up. Maybe that helps remove any swirl marks.
Gary