RAS 115 for plastic

[Plasman]

G,day, I have a plastics fabrication biz in Australia and am looking for a  cleaner way to grind off our plastic welds.  We make tanks from thick hdpe, and polypropylene and for the last 10 years have just used a 4" angle grinder with a flapper disc which is very messy.

The Ras has dust extraction but only spins up to 3800 rpm apparently.  Festool Australia don't know much so has anyone anywhere in the world used this product on poly?

 

[DirtyOldMan]

How does the flap disc go apart from the mess? I would have thought that spinning at 10000RPM plus it would cause a lot of melting. If melting isnt a problem maybe the RAS115 will work well or you could get a dust shroud for your existing grinder. I regularly use a shroud with diamond cup discs for concrete grinding and the setup catches well over 99% of the dust.

Another random idea that might be helpful, how about using and electric planer hooked up to a dust extractor. A planer would cut rather than melt. Or even one of these may be useful: http://www.metabo.com.au/Product-catalogue-Metabo-Building-Trade-handheld-powertool.35052+M5a9105a91c6.0.html

M

 

[rst]

I also do plastic fabrication and I use an RO-90 and my other Festool sanders at slow speed to prevent melting.

 

[DirtyOldMan]

Out of curiosity which festool abrasive works best on plastics?

 

[Kev]

I'd try giving Rob an Northern Abrasives a call. They're a Festool premium dealer, but more so for this they're an abrasives specialist.

Their web site isn't much use ... best by phone (02) 9939 3359

 

[Plasman]

Thanks for the responses.  The angle grinder with sandpaper disk removes a lot of material fast which it what we need in a commercial environment. Melting isnt a problem with PE so much (lots of practice i suppose) but definitely an issue with PP - it goes like sugar.

I also use the r90 or the es150 to tart things up after the grinder but they are too slow to remove the bulk of the weld.

It is really the mess, lack of variable speed and dust extraction that is the problem with the grinder.  Just not sure if the Ras has enough grunt so was hoping for some input from experienced users.

Granat seems to be the go for plastics.

 

[rst]

I also use Granat for the most part, but Brilliant for radius'.

 

[Kev]

Another option could be the surface renovator version of the angle grinder - my Protool variant also has variable speed. I'd even take a look at some of the rennovation wheels to see if they'd work on your application - may be even quicker ...

http://www.festool.com.au/dsg-125mm-diamond-grinder

And maybe ..

http://www.festool.com.au/130-mm-thermo-diamond-grinding-disc

 

[Plasman]

I did look at that tool Kev but thought it was a bit too aggressive for our work.  Plus you need the shroud on all round for the dust extraction but we need to see the front of the wheel which you can do on the RAS. Considering Germany has such an advanced plastics industry I am surprised there isn't more knowledge within festool about the application of their tools for plastic.  Lots of blank faces in festool australia at least when you mention plastic.

 

[Kev]

I did look at that tool Kev but thought it was a bit too aggressive for our work.  Plus you need the shroud on all round for the dust extraction but we need to see the front of the wheel which you can do on the RAS. Considering Germany has such an advanced plastics industry I am surprised there isn't more knowledge within festool about the application of their tools for plastic.  Lots of blank faces in festool australia at least when you mention plastic.

Yes, can believe that - but that's not a German issue!

 

[DirtyOldMan]

You could try one of these dust shrouds on a 5" grinder.
http://www.festool.com.au/Diamond-Grinder-Hood-for-125mm-Angle-Grinder

You can flip the green part of the cover out of the way so the wheel is visible. Don't think Festool has a variable speed grinder available in Australia though.

There are other dust shrouds available with a flip up front that you could use on a variable speed bosch or metabo or whatever your grinder preference is. This one might suit your needs being clear:
http://www.stonex.com.au/collections/power-tools/products/dust-shroud-transparent-5-125mm

 

[Kev]

You could try one of these dust shrouds on a 5" grinder.
http://www.festool.com.au/Diamond-Grinder-Hood-for-125mm-Angle-Grinder

You can flip the green part of the cover out of the way so the wheel is visible. Don't think Festool has a variable speed grinder available in Australia though.

There are other dust shrouds available with a flip up front that you could use on a variable speed bosch or metabo or whatever your grinder preference is. This one might suit your needs being clear:
http://www.stonex.com.au/collections/power-tools/products/dust-shroud-transparent-5-125mm

Heh ... I was looking at Stonex the other day ... looking at tile saws (Rodia). They also sell Flex, another good Euro brand, particularly in polishing and angle grinders. I have a Flex polisher (with rotex style action) - excellent tool.

 

[Plasman]

I have ordered the RAS.  The rep said if it is not suitable I have 30 days to return it which seems pretty fair.

I'll let you know how it goes.

For the record, the only variable speed grinder I could find that allows a shroud was 125mm which is pretty hefty to use day in day out.

 

[DirtyOldMan]

Will be interested to see how the RAS115 works out for you.

Know what you mean about holding a larger grinder all day. Variable speed 4" grinders are pretty rare. One of the few that I know of is the makita 4" but still pretty heavy and chunky.

Kev,

I'm with you on Flex tools. They are awesome. Have a Flex 5" inox variable speed grinder and it is a work of art and is super powerfull. Metabo grinders used to be my favourite but the Flex is in another league. It can grind concrete with a diamond cup disc for hours on end and it doesn't even get hot. Similar price to the Metabo too.

With cutting tiles what are you planning on cutting? If it isn't stone you are better off sticking with a snap cutter. Much quicker and less messy. I have never used the Rodia's but they look nice. Most people around here use Raimondi or Rubi tile saws.

 

[Michael Kellough]

G,day, I have a plastics fabrication biz in Australia and am looking for a  cleaner way to grind off our plastic welds.  We make tanks from thick hdpe, and polypropylene and for the last 10 years have just used a 4" angle grinder with a flapper disc which is very messy.

The Ras has dust extraction but only spins up to 3800 rpm apparently.  Festool Australia don't know much so has anyone anywhere in the world used this product on poly?

If the surplus is on an outside corner maybe try a trim router with bottom pilot flush trim bit.

If the surplus is on the surface I second the Metabo paint remover DirtyOldMan suggested. The height of the cutter head is adjustable. It has dust collection and it can cut flush to a vertical surface on an inside corner.

 

[Kev]

Will be interested to see how the RAS115 works out for you.

Know what you mean about holding a larger grinder all day. Variable speed 4" grinders are pretty rare. One of the few that I know of is the makita 4" but still pretty heavy and chunky.

Kev,

I'm with you on Flex tools. They are awesome. Have a Flex 5" inox variable speed grinder and it is a work of art and is super powerfull. Metabo grinders used to be my favourite but the Flex is in another league. It can grind concrete with a diamond cup disc for hours on end and it doesn't even get hot. Similar price to the Metabo too.

With cutting tiles what are you planning on cutting? If it isn't stone you are better off sticking with a snap cutter. Much quicker and less messy. I have never used the Rodia's but they look nice. Most people around here use Raimondi or Rubi tile saws.

A bit of everything .. pavers .. floor tiles .. large bathroom wall tiles .. etc

I've got DSG230 & DSG125 diamond cutters, not certain I want a messy wet saw as well, but you know how it is when you start looking and get something in your head!

I was seriously looking at this one from Aachenhttps://sydneytools.com.au/aachen-2000w-305mm-12-industries-tile-stone-saw

.. but I can't stand dealing with Sydney Tools ... they never have the stuff they promote (which to me is crooked) and they're useless as far as a business goes.

There's a lot of choice in tile saws ... many seem to be Italian !! [smile]

A tile cutter is the sort of tool I'd probably buy, use, sell when the jobs are done. I've no long term passion for tiling and paving [eek]

 

[DirtyOldMan]

Seriously use your DSG125 for the pavers and get a snap score cutter for the tiles. Wetsaws are a major pain unless you have to cut stone.

The process is something like this:
mark tile
walk outside to wet saw
cut tile
dry tile off
stick tile in
REPEAT 1000 TIMES

I started off in the building industry as a tiler and very rarely do I pull out the wet saw.

Get yourself a Sigma for $400 or $500 and your life will be way simpler. Cuts glass beautifully as well. For your large format tiles use something like Raimondi RLS will make it much easier.

Yeah Sydney Tools suck. Rubbish service, and never come to the party when you ask them to price match. Bunch of cons.

 

[Holmz]

G,day, I have a plastics fabrication biz in Australia and am looking for a  cleaner way to grind off our plastic welds.  We make tanks from thick hdpe, and polypropylene and for the last 10 years have just used a 4" angle grinder with a flapper disc which is very messy.

The Ras has dust extraction but only spins up to 3800 rpm apparently.  Festool Australia don't know much so has anyone anywhere in the world used this product on poly?

If the surplus is on an outside corner maybe try a trim router with bottom pilot flush trim bit.

If the surplus is on the surface I second the Metabo paint remover DirtyOldMan suggested. The height of the cutter head is adjustable. It has dust collection and it can cut flush to a vertical surface on an inside corner.

^I like it!^

One could probably set up a route like the old School Japanese wooden sandals with the wood blocks fore and aft to keep one out of the the water.
So essentially like a pair of skis with one on each side of the bump.

Then the router could remove the plastic down to the base level or just above it.
Perhaps that would remove the bulk?

 

[Plasman]

So I received my RAS today and it is a very clever tool and absolutely perfect for the task.  I am just so surprised that no one within Festool australia or any of their dealers suggested it to me.  It must be a little unpopular but I am glad I stumbled upon it.  Such a joy to be able to grind with dust extraction and still see what you are doing.  the extra size over a 4" will take a little getting used to but it definitely gets the thumbs up.  Just need to find some 120 grit in 115mm and it will be perfect.

Shortly prior to buying the RAS I bought the Rotex 90 which I nearly sent back because it seemed like too much of a toy for my needs.  I let it sit in the box for a few days before giving it a go but now that I have put it to work it is an extraordinary tool.  By far the best sander in the shop.  Anyone sitting on the fence considering the 90 should definitely take the plunge - you won't be disappointed.