RO 90 and Caked Dust

D

Deadskins

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Joined
Dec 15, 2012
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104
I just got a new RO 90 and it worked great in my first try.  But, after sanding wood using the delta shaped pad, I noticed dust was caked under it.  See picture.  I trying vacuuming it out, but most still stayed in.  I had to use a butter knife to wedge the chunks out and then the rest came loose.  Is this normal and would it hurt it if I left it? I was using the sample sanding pads that came with it.

Thanks in Advance,
 
Deadskins said:
I just got a new RO 90 and it worked great in my first try.  But, after sanding wood using the delta shaped pad, I noticed dust was caked under it.  See picture.  I trying vacuuming it out, but most still stayed in.  I had to use a butter knife to wedge the chunks out and then the rest came loose.  Is this normal and would it hurt it if I left it? I was using the sample sanding pads that came with it.

Thanks in Advance,
Click to expand...

Ranny

Wow, you must have done alot of Delta sanding.

You will find that the dust extraction in that mode is not as ideal as it is in the other two modes. It is one of the few downsides of that sander, but usually not an issue if you use that mode only as needed.

I have seen that type of buildup behind the pad, and it is especially noticeable if the wood had any kind of moisture to it - either excess moisture content in raw wood (pt would be an extreme example, to give you an idea) or if sanding out not fully cured stain or something like that. You should definitely keep it cleaned out, a popsicle stick works really well.

My advice on the workaround would be to only use delta mode when needed in corners and crevice work, and stay with the cleaner (round) modes as much as possible.

Congrats on your RO90, it's a great all around sander. I refer to it as the Ultimate Generalist because of its diverse skill set.
 
Alex said:
The caked dust doesn't hurt at all. Just clean it periodically.
Click to expand...

I'm with Alex here.  I get this all the time with my RO90, I've scraped it out and it's back in short order.  I really don't give it a second thought anymore.
 
It is basic maintenance for the RO 90, I use a bamboo skewer. I am keeping my DX93 because it has a better dust collection then the RO 90 in delta mode.
 
When I want to really clean my sanders, I take them outside and blow them out with compressed air.  Only takes a few seconds.
 
I get that caked on dust with all of my RO sanders -- the 90, 150 and even the 150/3.  I do not think it is a big deal at all and as others have said, a quick clean-out every so often and you are good to go.

Scot
 
Only heavy caked dust I get is with my RO 90. Delta or round pads. I clean it every 20 to 30 minutes. Click pad off and use a stiff toothbrush that has a rubber pick at other end. Suck out air vents also and good to go. MARK
 
Although the Delta pad for the RO 90 DX makes that a versatile sander, early in my purchasing of Festools I bought a Deltex DX.

I have only used that for finish sanding of very dry plywood and hard wood, so clogging it has never been a problem.

None of the other 6 cabinet makers working for me at ever used the DX. Frankly when the RO 90 DX came along, they felt it had replaced the older sander.

Fortunately before the new prices, some of my folks changed their minds. Consequently I ordered two more of the Deltex.

Personally I believe strongly for the way I use it the smaller motor is an advantage. But then for me 120 grit on the Deltex is coarse. So the last thing I need is more power.

As for cleaning my Festools, at the south end of my building, where there is less height, I have a sand-blasting cabinet. No, I do not sand-blast Festools, but it is hooked up to the plant dust collection system very close to the blowers and it has a lot of compressed air. So, into the cabinet go tools needing to be cleaned. The compressed air does its thing, and all the exhaust is taken care of by the DC system. Best of all, the sand-blast cabinet was being thrown out by a neighboring business, so it was given to me for free.
 
Thanks very much for all the answers.  Glad I will not be risking damage to this very expensive but great tool.  I think I will put a baby toothbrush in my systainer.
 
ccarrolladams said:
Although the Delta pad for the RO 90 DX makes that a versatile sander, early in my purchasing of Festools I bought a Deltex DX.

As for cleaning my Festools, at the south end of my building, where there is less height, I have a sand-blasting cabinet. No, I do not sand-blast Festools, but it is hooked up to the plant dust collection system very close to the blowers and it has a lot of compressed air. So, into the cabinet go tools needing to be cleaned. The compressed air does its thing, and all the exhaust is taken care of by the DC system. Best of all, the sand-blast cabinet was being thrown out by a neighboring business, so it was given to me for free.
Click to expand...

I usually clean my Festool power tools using a small brush and vacuum, and a pointed stick if needed to break up caked deposits as you have described.  I am concerned that use of compressed air may drive debris into sealed bearings causing premature failure.  Has anyone experienced such?  Whenever I do use compressed air, I keep the pressure low, e.g. 20 to 25 psig.
 
I use a thin sliver of wood and my Festool CT22 to clean out the caked fine dust collection.  It's still one of the best sanders that I own.

Jack
 
Deadskins said:
Thanks very much for all the answers.  Glad I will not be risking damage to this very expensive but great tool.  I think I will put a baby toothbrush in my systainer.
Click to expand...

Toothbrush?  They are just tools.  Made to be used like tools, I would hope to shout a little dust wouldn't ruin them.

 
Cleaning out a sander is nothing. I spent like 6 hours this week detailing our 395 aaa sprayer inside and out. Thats a task.
 
This is quite normal. Everyone should take the time to look after their tools and this is a necessity, from time to time, with the Rotex. I know some tradesman are busy but it really does pay to spend a few minutes every day giving a bit of TLC to the Festools.

Peter
 
Thanks Peter,
I was using my RO 90 to day and again remembered to clean it out?  Really enjoy your YouTube posts!
 
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