RAS115 vs RAP150

[festoolsnob]

I am contemplating the idea of getting a RAS115. I have a ES150/5 which is a great sander, but I have some need for a rougher sander, but then I also want to be able to polish the car and bike.

I know the RAS is a good rough sander, but will it also be a decent polisher?
I know the polishing pads of the Rotex125 will fit on the RAS.

More questions:
Is the screw thread of the RAP150 also M14 like the RAS? (I read somewhere the RAS115 has M14 thread, I hope that is correct)
The RAP has a speed range of 400-2100, vs the RAS 1500-4000. So there is some overlap in speed, which tells me there are some jobs( the ones that require 1500-2100rpm) that either tools can do. Is 1500rpm too fast to polish a car?

 

[nickao]

Sounds like you want a Rotex really.

 

[fdengel]

The RO 150 is a Rotex and can be rather agressive, but I don't usually see it listed as RO 150/5, though if referring to the 5mm stroke width that would be accurate...

[unsure]

Assuming what you have is in fact the Rotex (RO 150):

Have you tried using the more agressive abrasives (coarse-grit Crystal or Saphir) in the sander's rotex (not random-orbit) mode?  It may very well be sufficient for what you are trying to do.

The Rotex is also the one which is normally used as a polisher; they make a special polishing pad for it.

 

[nickao]

Oh yeah once I saw 150/5 I assumed it was an ETS, my bad. If he has a Rotex then he has what he needs and just doesn't know it. 

 

[AlexThePalex]

I know the RAS is a good rough sander, but will it also be a decent polisher?

You don't want to polish with the RAS, trust me. Mistaking an angle grinder for a polisher is not very good for your finish.

 

[festoolsnob]

Oh yeah once I saw 150/5 I assumed it was an ETS, my bad. If he has a Rotex then he has what he needs and just doesn't know it. 

Sorry, my mistake, I have an ES150/5, not RO. Just a regular random orbit sander 5mm stroke, not the Rotex.

The Rotex would probably be a good choice as opposed to the RAS or RAP.

PS, I will go and edit my original post.

 

[tbellemare]

The Rotex is the best all around sander I've ever seen. You can do rapid material removal, finish sanding, and polishing - all with one tool.

Tom

 

[nickao]

Well yeah if you do not have a Rotex that is what you want and is exactly what you described, more power and polishing.

The Rotex is one of my favorite and most used sanders for sure.

 

[greg mann]

Agree with all the advice given. Just for reference, the 1500 RPM of the RAS (roughly 4 inches) would equate to about 1000RPM on a 150mm( 6 inch) machine. I don't really know how the Rotex is rated for RPM because it is still orbiting when it is in Rotex mode. Maybe Shane can get one of the tech guys to elaborate.

 

[VictorL]

You don't want to polish with the RAS, trust me. Mistaking an angle grinder for a polisher is not very good for your finish.

There are two pictures. One is RAP-80, 80mm polisher (I love dust port on the back) and RAS-115.04. RAS-115 supplied with the same handle (as standard accessory), and two mounting holes.  RAP-80 just a little bit slower.  Do you see other differences? [smile]

[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]

P.S. Shane, why background for png pictures became black?

 

[nickao]

Well isn't the RAS strictly a rotary and the RAP an orbital motion?

No I guess it is rotary too.