Hidden marvel - RAS 115 sander.
There aren't many publications about the RAS 115 sander. I'll try to fill this gap.
This is a rotary 115mm (4 1/2") sander. This sander will be shipped in Systainer 2 and it comes standard with:
- RAS-115 sander
- Systainer 2
- StickFix sanding pad soft
- Wrench
- Several sanding sheets
- Extra side handle.
- Instruction manual
[attachthumb=1]
The sander's length is around 300 mm or 12". Sander uses 115mm (4 1/2") round sanding pads. Festool produces sandpaper for RAS 115 from P24 to P180 grits.
[attachthumb=2][attachthumb=3]
RAS 115 uses sandpaper without holes. That's because RAS-115 uses "Debris collection" system instead of "Dust collection" system.
[attachthumb=17]
Festool produces soft and hard sanding pads. To remove the sanding pad, press and hold a button on the top of the sander and turn the pad counter clock wise. Sanding pads have M14 thread.
[attachthumb=4]
The standard side handle accessory gives more convenience and extra control. This would be helpful for lefties.
[attachthumb=5][attachthumb=6]
The power switch is conveniently located on the left side of the sander.
[attachthumb=7]
Sander has 27mm dust chute, and permanently attached power cord.
[attachthumb=8]
Sanding near the edge is not problem. You can use the sander's body as fence for sanding floors.
[attachthumb=9]
Why is this sander unique and worth looking at it? Because it is a material eating beast.
Let's compare two similar size sanders RO-125 and RAS 115 in real life.
There is vintage board with poly varnish and paint on it. There are 5+ layers of finish on it.
[attachthumb=10]
First test is for RAS - 115 with P80 sandpaper. After 35 seconds board is completely clean of varnishes. There is a deep stain that goes too deep into the wood, so I decided do not sand through board
.
Second test is for RO-125 in the rotary mode with P60 sandpaper. After one min and 15 seconds there is still some paint and varnish. Plus RAS 115 used finer grit sandpaper. I left my 4 1/2" P36 for more tough finish removal job .
[attachthumb=11][attachthumb=12]
For another test I took rough sawn board. RAS-115 flattened it in 25 seconds with P120 sandpaper, RO-125 spent 50 seconds with P50 sandpaper. Still RAS spent less time with finer grit sandpaper.
[attachthumb=13]
RAS 115 is faster than RO-125, but RO-125 makes smoother surface, plus RO-125 collects 99% of dust, RAS-115 collects around 80-90% brush inserts helps to collect more dust.
[attachthumb=14]
There is another "undocumented" possibility for RAS-115: it can accept polishing accessories from RO-125. Polishing pads are just couple millimeters bigger than sanding pad of RAS-115
[attachthumb=15][attachthumb=16]
Conclusion:
This is a great sander for stripping paint and varnish and for rough sanding. With Saphir P36, RAS-115 chews floor varnish without hesitation. The Sander is well balanced and easy to control. The sander met my expectations.
There aren't many publications about the RAS 115 sander. I'll try to fill this gap.
This is a rotary 115mm (4 1/2") sander. This sander will be shipped in Systainer 2 and it comes standard with:
- RAS-115 sander
- Systainer 2
- StickFix sanding pad soft
- Wrench
- Several sanding sheets
- Extra side handle.
- Instruction manual
[attachthumb=1]
The sander's length is around 300 mm or 12". Sander uses 115mm (4 1/2") round sanding pads. Festool produces sandpaper for RAS 115 from P24 to P180 grits.
[attachthumb=2][attachthumb=3]
RAS 115 uses sandpaper without holes. That's because RAS-115 uses "Debris collection" system instead of "Dust collection" system.
[attachthumb=17]
Festool produces soft and hard sanding pads. To remove the sanding pad, press and hold a button on the top of the sander and turn the pad counter clock wise. Sanding pads have M14 thread.
[attachthumb=4]
The standard side handle accessory gives more convenience and extra control. This would be helpful for lefties.
[attachthumb=5][attachthumb=6]
The power switch is conveniently located on the left side of the sander.
[attachthumb=7]
Sander has 27mm dust chute, and permanently attached power cord.
[attachthumb=8]
Sanding near the edge is not problem. You can use the sander's body as fence for sanding floors.
[attachthumb=9]
Why is this sander unique and worth looking at it? Because it is a material eating beast.
Let's compare two similar size sanders RO-125 and RAS 115 in real life.
There is vintage board with poly varnish and paint on it. There are 5+ layers of finish on it.
[attachthumb=10]
First test is for RAS - 115 with P80 sandpaper. After 35 seconds board is completely clean of varnishes. There is a deep stain that goes too deep into the wood, so I decided do not sand through board
.Second test is for RO-125 in the rotary mode with P60 sandpaper. After one min and 15 seconds there is still some paint and varnish. Plus RAS 115 used finer grit sandpaper. I left my 4 1/2" P36 for more tough finish removal job
.[attachthumb=11][attachthumb=12]
For another test I took rough sawn board. RAS-115 flattened it in 25 seconds with P120 sandpaper, RO-125 spent 50 seconds with P50 sandpaper. Still RAS spent less time with finer grit sandpaper.
[attachthumb=13]
RAS 115 is faster than RO-125, but RO-125 makes smoother surface, plus RO-125 collects 99% of dust, RAS-115 collects around 80-90% brush inserts helps to collect more dust.
[attachthumb=14]
There is another "undocumented" possibility for RAS-115: it can accept polishing accessories from RO-125. Polishing pads are just couple millimeters bigger than sanding pad of RAS-115
[attachthumb=15][attachthumb=16]
Conclusion:
This is a great sander for stripping paint and varnish and for rough sanding. With Saphir P36, RAS-115 chews floor varnish without hesitation. The Sander is well balanced and easy to control. The sander met my expectations.
