RAS 115 to sand end grain cutting boards

[aaduranh]

Hi,

I have a shop online. I have been selling some cutting boards lately. My drum sander leaves big marks.
Could you please tell me if that Ras 115 would help me remove those marks faster. I have some Festool products, but I don't have any festool sanders. I just need a sander that can be very aggressive and easy to control. Is the Ras the right sander for big marks on a cutting board?
Thank you very much!
Alex

 

[ear3]

I would probably not chance a RAS for that, as it can go very south very quickly -- the RAS is ideally suited for scribing and sculpting work, or when you have to strip a lot of gunk or build-up off a piece you're rehabbing.  What about a Rotex or even a belt sander?  The RO150 (or RO125) would be much easier to control and deliver pretty quick results for that application.

 

[aaduranh]

I would love to have a Rotex, but I don't have the right vacuum. I have a Ridgid vacuum with just one intensity. I heard you have to have one that you can decrease the intensity to use it succesfully with the Rotex. It would be cheaper tyo but the RAS for the moment. 

I was thinking to buy the Ras with 80 grit and use it at 2 or 3 level intensity. Would that be still a bad idea?

 

[ear3]

What CFM is your Ridgid vac?  I operate my Rotex at full suction on my CT26, and don't find there to be any interference in the sanding action. It's only the most powerful Ridgid Vacs that exceed the CT26-48 in CFMs I believe.  There are cheaper variable speed Vac options out there, like the Fein, or you could get a dedicated lower power Rigid vac for pretty cheap.

Are the marks you're talking about ridges or furrows/scratches?  If the former, then you might be able to get away with it (though I personally would not want to go this route).  If the latter, then I would think you would have a really tough time, as you would have to be cutting into the entire surface in multiple places on the workpiece, and so would find it difficult to level everything out.

The RAS is essentially like working with a low-speed angle grinder outfitted with a sanding pad.  Except the pad has a lot of give in it, which makes it difficult to get a flat surface when pressing down the entire surface area of the pad.  EDIT: There is a fiberfix pad accessory for the RAS that is a bit more rigid, equivalent in rigidity to the soft pad on the Rotex, which would give you slightly better odds.

I would love to have a Rotex, but I don't have the right vacuum. I have a Ridgid vacuum with just one intensity. I heard you have to have one that you can decrease the intensity to use it succesfully with the Rotex. It would be cheaper tyo but the RAS for the moment. 

I was thinking to buy the Ras with 80 grit and use it at 2 or 3 level intensity. Would that be still a bad idea?

 

[RJNeal]

I clean up my cutting boards after the drum sander with a rotex. I reread your OP and you asked if the RAS was easy to control. Yes on scribing. NO on flat surfaces that you want to keep flat.
If you can’t a afford a variable speed sander. Try putting a wye in the hose somewhere and covering most of the open port with tape to reduce the suction at the tool.
Rick. 

 

[aaduranh]

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I think it is the Rotex 150.  I will buy later the Festool dust extractor.

 

[antss]

Buy the rotex.  Cheaper shouldn't figure into it.  Use the relight tool for the job.  You could hand plane and sand those boards which would be very cheap.

Roll the expense into the cutting boards like you do the wood, glue and labor. 

 

[Michael Kellough]

For this purpose the Rotex is better but I'd spend time figuring out how to get better results from the drum sander.

I've found wrapping the abrasive strip tightly on the drum is not the best way to go.
Short version; The drum is the enemy of good results. Wrap the drum with soft Velcro and use a longer strip of abrasive.

 

[Pnw painter]

What grit are you using with your drum sander? Maybe you could should switch to a higher grit and add more passes.

My RO125 in Rotex mode with 80 grit is a very effective tool at removing material quickly, but it can also leave unsightly scratches at 80 grit. Although it doesn't remove material quite as quickly, I prefer the finish my ETS EC 150 produces with 80 grit. If possible I'd ask your local dealer if they have any demo models available to try.

Have you considered upgrading your drum sander? I'm not sure what you're using, but it might more cost effective to buy a better quality drum sander.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk