RO 90 and boats: Is it waterproof?

[Deadskins]

Thinking of getting an RO 90 for around the house finish work, but, also for on my boat.  The problem is the boat is on a boat lift, so is always in or above the water.  If I were to accidentally drop an RO 90 overboard, and immediately retrieve it, would it be OK.  Or, would I need to send it into Festool?  Would it be under warranty?

On another matter, did you know that a five year old Bosch PS31 drill will still work (in forward only) after taking a short swim in the lake?  [scared]I really loved that tool, especially when setting 12 inch center joists!

Thanks in advance,

Ranny

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Ranny,

No, it's not waterproof, wouldn't do well taking a dip, and wouldn't be covered under warranty. So, tie it off with a rope. [wink]

Our drills have brushless motors and will run underwater.

 

[Brice Burrell]

There was a member that posted about his Rotex sander falling into a bucket of water.  He quickly retrieved it with no ill effects.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

There was a member that posted about his Rotex sander falling into a bucket of water.  He quickly retrieved it with no ill effects.

Let me clarify... My concern was the corrosive nature of salt water. If it's dropped in salt water, flush with fresh water as quickly as possible. Air dry, or disassemble the plastic housing and dry by hand. I would let it sit for a day or two to completely dry out.

Assuming there is damage, while it's not covered under warranty, it would likely be something that could be easily and inexpensively repaired.

 

[ccarrolladams]

There was a member that posted about his Rotex sander falling into a bucket of water.  He quickly retrieved it with no ill effects.

Let me clarify... My concern was the corrosive nature of salt water. If it's dropped in salt water, flush with fresh water as quickly as possible. Air dry, or disassemble the plastic housing and dry by hand. I would let it sit for a day or two to completely dry out.

Assuming there is damage, while it's not covered under warranty, it would likely be something that could be easily and inexpensively repaired.

Let me add a suggestion,

After flushing the tool with clean cold fresh water and disassembling the plastic housing drying by hand as best you can, place the tool in an open container filled with uncooked rice. The rice will wick-away residual moisture fast enough it should prevent damage caused when moisture dries on its own.

 

[Deadskins]

Good suggestions, my lake is fresh water.  But I like the idea of tying it off and have heard of the rice thing before.  i used the wife's hair dryer on my drill.  Maybe I will also have my son-in-law hold onto the electric cord.  Oh darn, I just remembered I had a GFI installed at the dock. 8)

 

[BravoRomeo]

How about a pneumatic sander? Festool makes a few. Needs a big air compressor, though...

 

[AlexThePalex]

Whenever I go up a ladder with my RO150 or RO90 I tie them to my wrist with a cord. If they accidentally slip through my fingers they won't drop. I made the cord from an old bicycle inner tubing.

 

[Alan m]

i was on site a while ago and the satalite guy(internet ,some thing like that)  was using a really fancy expensive tool.
he had one of those cloths lines that pull out of a spring loaded housing (like an air line real). he had his tools cliped onto this.
it allowed him to use the tools as much as he liked but it coulnt fall.

 

[hockey_magnet]

This looks good for what you need and very reasonably priced. You'd just have to figure out how to attach it to the RO

Lee Valley Tool Tether

 

[Deadskins]

Excellent idea from Lee Valley.  Maybe a mod to the RO should be in the future.

 

[semenza]

You guys are behind the times... a new version of the 90 will be released in the second half of 2013.   :

The RO 90 FEQL (L for lanyard).

[attachimg=#]

[big grin]   [big grin]

Seth

 

[leakyroof]

You guys are behind the times... a new version of the 90 will be released in the second half of 2013.   :

The RO 90 FEQL (L for lanyard).

[attachimg=#]

[big grin]   [big grin]

Seth

. Really cute... Could make it into a limited edition and probably sell them at dealers