Ras to the rescue

[danrush]

In anticipation of an upcoming job that I need to scribe a 10lf reclaimed mantle to a river rock wall, I ordered a Ras115 early this week.  It arrived 2 days ago.  Yesterday, I received a frantic call from one of the design shops I regularly install cabinets for.  

It seems that the "other" cabinet installer was not very careful in setting the base cabinets in the main kitchen.  It was a U shaped run about 15 lf x 10 lf x 6 lf.  All continuous granite tops.  The elevation varied by well over 3/8", with dips and valley's throughout the run.  And the stone setters were there to install!!!!

Usually in a case like this I would either take out and reset some cabinets, shim some, and sand the tops of others with a belt sander.  Probably take the better part of a day, and make a huge mess...  I pulled out the new toy.

Keep in mind that I have never touched this machine, and I had an audience:  The general contractor, the design shop production manager, the designer, and 2-3 granite guys.  A bit of pressure!

Set up the laser, marked the high spots with a black sharpie, loaded a 36 grit on the tool, and had at it.  Less than an hour later, the stone guys were setting tops, and I was the hero that saved the day.  It really was a very short learning curve.

I should have purchased this tool years ago.

Dan

 

[justinmcf]

good work dan. did you have the ras hooked up to a vac?

regards, justin.

 

[peter halle]

Congrats Dan,

The tool is fabulous, but so are your skills.

I know you use the collins coping foot.  I would love to see you try coping 8 scrap pieces of crown with the RAS and then posting you thoughts.

Peter

 

[EcoFurniture]

In anticipation of an upcoming job that I need to scribe a 10lf reclaimed mantle to a river rock wall, I ordered a Ras115 early this week.  It arrived 2 days ago.  Yesterday, I received a frantic call from one of the design shops I regularly install cabinets for.  

It seems that the "other" cabinet installer was not very careful in setting the base cabinets in the main kitchen.  It was a U shaped run about 15 lf x 10 lf x 6 lf.  All continuous granite tops.  The elevation varied by well over 3/8", with dips and valley's throughout the run.  And the stone setters were there to install!!!!

Usually in a case like this I would either take out and reset some cabinets, shim some, and sand the tops of others with a belt sander.  Probably take the better part of a day, and make a huge mess...  I pulled out the new toy.

Keep in mind that I have never touched this machine, and I had an audience:  The general contractor, the design shop production manager, the designer, and 2-3 granite guys.  A bit of pressure!

Set up the laser, marked the high spots with a black sharpie, loaded a 36 grit on the tool, and had at it.  Less than an hour later, the stone guys were setting tops, and I was the hero that saved the day.  It really was a very short learning curve.

I should have purchased this tool years ago.

Dan

Wrong wrong wrong... Not only did you pay big $$$ for the RAS, you also only got payed for one hour instead of possible a full day!  [eek] [scared] [big grin] [wink] [wink] [tongue]  But I hear ya! I would have been proud too!

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Great story, Dan.  Where are the pictures?  [big grin]  I think the RAS is finally receiving some of the praise that it deserves.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Hey Dan, I want at least 10% of that!! [big grin]
Or  a nice size medium Festool Polo. [big grin]
I just got my Mizuno mp-29's polished up and ready.

I told you that was a sweet little sander!!

Did you use the shapir or rubin?

 

[Brice Burrell]

That does it, I'm ordering one! Besides, I've got some paint to strip at my house. Thanks to all you guys that helped me see the light about this tool. [thumbs up]

 

[danrush]

Justin, Yes I had it hooked up to the mini.  GREAT dust collection.  Darn close to the rotex. The belt sander is going in storage.

I'll post pics of the mantle job in a few weeks.  10" x 10" x 10' reclaimed beam scribed on a river rock wall.  Probably one of the bigger challenges I've faced in a while.

Darcy, used 36 grit Rubin, ( but also ordered 50 grit for less aggressive work)  Thanks for the advice.

Brice, I also held off too long in aquiring this tool.  I see a lot of uses in carpentry ( aside from paint removal)  Get one!

Dan

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Anytime I can help you spend your money!!

Did the sander pay for itself it's first time out?

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Nice steps. I have a question. Are they going to finish that
basement?  I hope it's a walkout or some is going to
do a heck of a job covering them up.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

That's good, I would have felt bad if those steps got
buggered up. 

 

[DavidW]

Wow, mitered raisers and skirt board, that's a class act, seldom seen these days.
David

 

[Brice Burrell]

....Brice, I also held off too long in aquiring this tool.  I see a lot of uses in carpentry ( aside from paint removal)  Get one!

Dan

I took the plunge, one is headed my way.

Brice

 

[BMH]

I always said the RAS is the hidden jewel of the Festool line up. I always take it with me on my different project and it has saved me so much time.

Bruce

 

[danrush]

Peter,

As you know, ( and Darcy has so eloquently put it on other threads) I am digitally challenged when it comes to cameras.  Fortunately my daughter may be visiting this weekend, and we can take some photos.  She's my designated photog.

I will have plenty of crown to play with, as I was awarded the crown contract on the job listed above.  Nice 3 and 4 piece build up in rustic alder.  I will try some coping with the RAS. I know plenty of guys use grinders, I have never tried that technique, mainly out of stubbornness, I suppose.  (and a hatred of dust)

Dan

 

[Wood_Junkie]

I'm unfamiliar with this tool.  What's the main / substantial difference between this and the Rotex in rotary mode??

I found a YouTube video and think the rotating dust cover is brilliant...

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

The rotex has a gear driven eccentric mode.
As well as random orbit.

Think of a ras as a gear driven low rpm grinder,
made for sanding and removing things.