RO 125 FEQ durability

[jw]

Hi,

Just found this group. Great stuff. I'm a newbie in the Festool world. Purchased a TS55 (loving it) and a Trion PS300 (nice, but not always easy to follow the cutting line. I seem to have read that before..)

No I have an opportunity to purchase a used RO 125 FEQ. Everything seems to work fine. Switches are less than smooth, but I get the feeling that's just the way they are. The machine isn't exactly quiet either, and there's my qestion. It's not the level of noise that worries me, but rather the rough edge to it.

Anyone care to offer an opinion on what the machine is supposed to sound like? Is it supposed to sound a bit gritty? Or is it supposed to sound loud but smooth? I realise that describing a sound in writing is not the most effective way to discuss it, but this group is all I have to go on!

Are the RO 125's pretty bullet proof?

Appreciate any responses (and all the work that is put into keeping this group online)

Thanks,

JW
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

 

[Matthew Schenker]

JW,
Welcome to the forum!  Excellent questions, and I'm sure other customers are wondering the same thing.

OK, I'll put my reactions together for you.  In the meantime, while you're waiting for responses, here's some background reading: Review of the RO 125.

Be back in a bit with more information for you.

Stay in touch,
Matthew

 

[contendernut]

The two switches on my 125 are rather hard to operate at times.  The rotex/random orbit switch is works well but turning the unit off sometimes it seems like it is hung up.  The 125 was my first festool.  I got it last november.  I have sanded lots with it but I don't see the tool slowing down.  I use mine mostly in rotex mode as I'm renovating a house that was built in 1918.  Mine does seem to sound like something is wrong with it but it sounded the same since new.

 

[jw]

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for the link to your more than complete review. I notice you mention a mechanical grinding sound. This sounds familiar and therefore (strangely) reassuring considering my purchasing opportunity. I'm assuming here that you noted this sound while running the machine without actually using it, as well as in anger. While checking out the machine I was not able to actually sand anything with it, ie it was running unloaded (if that's the correct term in english).

JW

 

[jw]

Thanks Contendernut. It does sound kind of rough doesn't it? Maybe it's all those strong and long lasting metal gears meshing (as opposed to plastic gears in other products).

Thanks for the feedback.

JW

 

[Steve Jones]

JW,

I use an RO125 Daily, that "grinding" noise is Festool's speed control, rather than simply (and cheaply) limiting the voltage to the motor, festool uses electronically controled pulses to control the speed of their motors, the grinding (particularly under no-load conditions) is the motor cutting on and off to maintain the selected speed, combined with the normal backlash through some rather hefty gears.

The switches (in the case of the mode switch, it's not actually a switch, more comparable to gear change since that's actually what it does) are fairly tight, intentionally so, In a few years after a few thousands of cycles they'll still be tight and still doing their job.

In other words, the items you describe are normal for a Festool, and actually signs of a healthy tool.

Steve

 

[jaegerhund]

I have a RO 125 FEQ and the thing seems to be built like a tank -- it also sound like one at times and can be clunky at the controls.  In "hyper mode" , it does have a grinding sound that I have come to appreciate -- it just seems fitting.  I've been using mine regularly and hard for the last 6 months and it doesn't seem to mind.  One of these days I'm going to have to give it a  little cleaning and inspect it a bit.

Justin

 

[tbellemare]

JW: I want to second what Steve J said above...

Since you stated that you have a TS 55, you must have noticed a similar, though different unusual sound from it. It is the MMC electronics pulsing it also. As Steve said, it's normal and healthy.

Tom

 

[poto]

I've not noticed the switches being stiff on my RO125. While the mode-changing switch took a few tries to figure out how it worked, the on/off switch moves quite smoothly. Just a flick of the thumb and it turns off. Or on. (My RO125 is about 4 months old, and has been used about 20 hours.)

 

[Neill]

JW -

I have an RO 125 that I just started using this week.  I flat out love it.  It does take a little getting used to as far as the proper speed and correct abrasive to use.  It is also pretty powerful.  In the aggressive mode, it wants to take you with it.  I cannot imagine using the power and size of the 150, although I am sure I would eventually get used to it.

I agree that the switch movement is stiff, but I think it should be that way.  You don't want to find yourself inadvertently switching it on / off or changing modes while it is running, which could happen with  loosey-goosey switches.

I have not noticed any noises that my other sanders do not make.  The only difference is that they may be amplified because of the additional power of the 125 over my other sanders.

Neill

 

[jw]

Hello everyone,

I'd like to thank you for your comments. You've been very helpful. Especially the info on the method of machine speed regulation which I was not aware of. I've gone ahead and bought the tool. The price was approximately 30% of the best price on offer for a new machine in my part of the world. So I figure it's a risk worth taking.

Thanks again. I'll be checking this group out regularly. What a huge amount of very usefull information!

JW

 

[Ted Miller]

jw,

Do like I do when using the Trion, of course with the stock securely clamped down, stay in front of the tool as you cut. So you bring the tool towards you. Since the blade sits back so far.

I found this the best way to follow my lines to the tee...

 

[Neill]

Ted -

Do you think that Festool may have designed the Trion, especially the barrel grip model, to satisfy the non- U. S. woodworker method of using the jigsaw in the inverted position?  I'm not sure I could get used to it but maybe.

Neill

 

[Ted Miller]

Neill,

You have a good point, since we here in the US would never turn our jigsaws inverted to do any type of cutting. Ok never say never. I think we here like the old idea of being able to turn the blade as we go when cutting with jigsaws. So the Trion blade being set so far back makes it difficult for us to get used to. When I first got this saw it was very frustrating to see what I was cutting especially out doors. Learning to stand in front of the stock made my life so easy and cuts are very smooth.

I have to admit that the Trion is a excellent tool and now my bandsaw sits quite. I really thought that nothing could beat my Bosch barrel grip. Now it sits along side my bandsaw as well.

I think most look at the Trion and freak at the price, but after using this saw they will see how great and underated this tool really is...

 

[Zaphod]

With all do respect, no jigsaw is a viable substitute for a well-tuned bandsaw.

 

[Ted Miller]

I never said any tool can replace another. Every tool in one way or another has its place with each finish carpenter/wood worker and what kind of work they do.

For the work I do, my jigsaw is used 9 out of 10 times over my bandsaw...

 

[Wonderwino]

I like my RO125 a lot.  Coupled to my CT33, there is virtually no dust, no matter which grit I am using.  I wish I had found this sander years ago - I could'a saved half a forest with the kleenex I'd have saved from not having to blow my nose all day.