RAS115 for carving

[Mark]

Anybody use the RAS115 for carving? I'm interested in "trying" to create Maloof like elements in some furniture experiments. I've seen a angle grinder used and I've seen Maloof shaping on a jointer in a DVD. Yikes! Question about the RAS115 is purely from the dust collection mode. I've been using some old tools of my Dad and am amazed at how much crap gets blown around the work area not to mention my lungs, eyes and clothes. I've got a Rotex and it's pretty aggressive in rotary mode but I'm assuming that the RAS is even more aggressive and closer to and angle grinder. I'v also seen these cheese grater microplanes for grinders... do these really work? Thanks in advance.

 

[mysterium]

Mark,

I think the RAS 115 would be a great choice.  It is a very aggressive tool, but at the same time with the small  4 1/2" rotation & the slow rpm's it gives the use very good control.  You also can increase/decrease the aggressiveness of stock removal by increasing/decreasing the abrasive.  This sounds like a "dah factor statement about the abrasives, but touch a piece of wood with the RAS 115 swinging 24 grit and you have an immediate deep gouge.  Thus this is a tool you need to keep moving on the piece, check often, and not let your attention wander...  As so vacuum pickup the RAS 115 if not nearly as good as the rest of the Festool sander lineup, but still is very effective.

jim

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Mark,
With some practice, you definitely could use the RAS 115 for carving.  The RAS 115 is easy to handle and fairly precise in it's motions.  Put 24-grit paper in there and watch out!  I'd start off at slower speeds until you get used to this machine, because it is quite powerful.  When I used it for some projects in my old house, it did not take me very long to feel confident about using it.

If you want, check out the review I wrote for the forum ---> click here.

As Jim said, you should keep in mind that the RAS 115 does not have the same kind of dust collection as other Festool Sanders.  The RAS 115 produces dust, but it also creates coarse debris, and only a portion of that is collected by what I call "the vacuum zone" on the sander.  By positioning the brush, you can contain as much of the debris as possible, and you can prevent it from flying about.

Make sure to wear ear and eye protection if you are using this sander.

I really like this sander for a few jobs, although I have not tried carving yet.  If you do carving, please post some photos!

Matthew