Question for Rotex users

[Rob-GB]

After reading this thread and watching the cool video Sanding to a polish
with all random orbit/rotary sanders I have used the biggest gripe has been the way the sanding disc tears up or disintegrates at the edge when the machine/pad overhangs the workpiece edge or a groove/ rabbet, this did not appear to happen in the afore mentioned vid'...so is this an issue at all? Or is it I have been rubbish at sanding with these tools for so long there is no hope left?

Rob.

 

[AlexThePalex]

It is not an issue at all for me. What you describe never happens to me. Not by simply going over the edge. I don't know what kind of paper you've been using, maybe that's the problem?

 

[Floorman70]

After reading this thread and watching the cool video Sanding to a polish
with all random orbit/rotary sanders I have used the biggest gripe has been the way the sanding disc tears up or disintegrates at the edge when the machine/pad overhangs the workpiece edge or a groove/ rabbet, this did not appear to happen in the afore mentioned vid'...so is this an issue at all? Or is it I have been rubbish at sanding with these tools for so long there is no hope left?

Rob.

Do you keep the sander perfectly flat on the workpiece? If the sander tilts even slightly over an edge of the workpiece,then it`s quite likely to damage the paper.
Just a thought [smile]

 

[Timtool]

I have/had that problem as well, it will happen quicker with thinner sanding paper like the brilliant.
It usually happens when i am sanding narrow drawer edges and such, besides the obvious remark of holding the sander flat, you can avoid it by lifting up the sander and placing it down on the dangerous spot, usually a sharp corner and sand away from that area. don't sand towards it and avoid at all costs that the area outside of the last circle of sandpaper holes stays too long on a dangerous spot. Because of the random orbit mode, that area goes constantly on and off off the area and increases the chance of tearing.

 

[Rob-GB]

Hi guys, thanks for your replies.
The papers I use depends on for whom I am working for but generally Mirka branded or Bosch, have used others cheaper and even more problematic ones though.
Sanders are generally Makita's or Bosch, don't see many others in workshops over here.
The failure occurs most, as I mentioned, with areas that have grooves or trenches cut in them or square edges, less so on edges that have been rounded over.
I keep the sander flat and let the weight of the machine do the work.
The tearing is usually along the edge not from the punched holes.
Interesting that this happens with the brilliant papers.
Maybe it is a pad issue?
Will have to try and get pics next time it happens.

Rob.

 

[Alan m]

what sander are you useing. is it one of the festool rotex sanders or just a random orbit sander.
i dont know but suspect that the problem is that other branded sand paper would stick as well to the festool pad and their papers. i have the same problem with my multimaster  nad ro90 delta papers as they wont stick

 

[Timtool]

The papers I use depends on for whom I am working for but generally Mirka branded or Bosch, have used others cheaper and even more problematic ones though.
Sanders are generally Makita's or Bosch, don't see many others in workshops over here.

Now were talking! before i went Festool i used a Bosch gex 125 sander with siarex paper, cheaper and weaker paper than the Festool, though i think it didn't wear out as fast as rubin.
With that combo i used to have allot of tear out problems, but not anymore and i think part of that is explained by the ruggedness of rubin paper but also because of the sanding pad on the ETS 150's. The outer edge isn't covered with velcro and i think that somehow helps.

It's simple, before i went Festool i usually replaced the sanding paper when too many chunks of it were missing, now with Festool i replace the sanding paper when it's worn out.