RO 90 opinion

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that an ETS 150 5 or 3 would be a great choice or the RO150 for even more versatility.  The RO150 was my first sander and it worked well as my only sander until I added the DTS400 to the mix for corners.  I have since added several others as my needs have grown but for furniture and bookcases, etc... I think that a 6 inch sander would be great.  You can get it and a supply of paper and stay within your budget.  They are all great sanders and you really cannot go wrong.  I am not sure that the RO90 would be my first choice for larger work -- it would take forever to sand and you risk causing dips and hollows unless you are careful.  The ETS or RO with a hard pad and you are good to go. 

Scot

 

[Wing79]

i would go with the ETS 150/5 .  The RO 90 is a great versatile sander but the ETS will standout with the projects you said you have lined up.  I look at the RO 90 as something to add down the road but not a everyday sander.  Have fun!

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Ashton

My only Festool sander is the RO90. I have two other sanders left (I am giving them away bit by bit) and one of these is a fully working Bosch with (I think) 125 mm pads. Even when I am doing large areas I stick with the RO90 - it is fantastic and very versatile. The Bosch and the old Stanley will never be used by me again and will be given away the next time I meet a deserving budding woodworker.

I have no experience of the other Festool sanders but still enjoy picking up the Rotex 90 to do a job. I have done loads of small intricate work with it and also re-finished tables and benches. It punches above its weight and has the 3 modes that make it the one stop solution for most sanding tasks.

So, yes it is small but if you are only getting one sander you will not be disappointed with this gutsy machine.

Let us all know what you end up buying.

Peter

 

[semenza]

The /5 is a bit more versatile than the /3, but the /3 would be a good choice also. I recommended the /5 thinking it may be your only sander for a while.  I used the /5 for everything from stripping to sanding between coats of finish. Given the choice I would pick the /3 for the finish sanding but the /5 can do it quite well. If you get the /3  an excellent partner for it down the road is the RO150.  Or even the RO90.

The RO90 would still be the most versatile , but the first projects in your line up seem to have quite a lot of large surfaces.

Seth

Well, if the cabinets/bookcases/builtin part of his life is loaded with faceframes, it'd be nice to have something small around.

I generally do agree with you, Seth.

Very true, which is why getting the hard pad to use on the narrower stock is important.

Seth

 

[Scott B.]

The /5 is a bit more versatile than the /3, but the /3 would be a good choice also. I recommended the /5 thinking it may be your only sander for a while.  I used the /5 for everything from stripping to sanding between coats of finish. Given the choice I would pick the /3 for the finish sanding but the /5 can do it quite well. If you get the /3  an excellent partner for it down the road is the RO150.  Or even the RO90.

The RO90 would still be the most versatile , but the first projects in your line up seem to have quite a lot of large surfaces.

Seth

Well, if the cabinets/bookcases/builtin part of his life is loaded with faceframes, it'd be nice to have something small around.

I generally do agree with you, Seth.

Very true, which is why getting the hard pad to use on the narrower stock is important.

Seth

Here's my take on the size issue.

There are times when you are putting a small sander on large surfaces, and times when you are putting a large sander on small surfaces. The first scenario is workable, but usually slow, and your technique and relationship with the sander has to be perfect. The latter scenario is usually a bit of a mess. When the surface being sanded is smaller than the diameter of the sander, things are way less than ideal. You pretty much lose extraction, and it is difficult to maintain good balance. Referring here to edge type of sanding on large scales, but the basic premise seems to hold true every time that scenario comes up. I do think its important to have something small around. If all I had was an RO125, I am not sure I would look at bigger sanders first. But it is completely a reflection of they type of work you do the most and what your needs are.

 

[Ashton]

Wow, this is hard.  [blink]

My original thought was the RO 90 because I figured larger surfaces could be done, just take more time, while still having detail ability. I really don't want uneven issues from the small pad though, and sanding isn't my most practiced art. Also, I don't want to lean on my Porter Cable 6" because it is like the grand demon of dust. No collection at all, just solid pad. Also it really likes to act more like a surface grinder than a flat sander.

It seems like the only real solution to do it right for the range of projects I'm making is to get two sanders. I'm trying to keep cost fairly low. In my head from what you guys have discussed it seems something like an RO 125 with a DTS 400 might be a good solution. That is about $670, plus abrasives. More than I wanted, but doable. (Not sure if my wife feels the same. [wink])

 

[Scott B.]

Wow, this is hard.   [blink]

My original thought was the RO 90 because I figured larger surfaces could be done, just take more time, while still having detail ability. I really don't want uneven issues from the small pad though, and sanding isn't my most practiced art. Also, I don't want to lean on my Porter Cable 6" because it is like the grand demon of dust. No collection at all, just solid pad. Also it really likes to act more like a surface grinder than a flat sander.

It seems like the only real solution to do it right for the range of projects I'm making is to get two sanders. I'm trying to keep cost fairly low. In my head from what you guys have discussed it seems something like an RO 125 with a DTS 400 might be a good solution. That is about $670, plus abrasives. More than I wanted, but doable. (Not sure if my wife feels the same. [wink])

DTS is a great choice. You might be able to put 40g on it and do some slow (and clean) removal work in corners, but its primarily a finish sander...and its extremely good at it and handy to have around. I would take it over the ets125 (for most typical tasks I run into).

 

[Bob Marino]

  Since I am guessing you are going to a brick and mortar; why not check out the sanders suggested to see which feels better in your hand?

Bob

 

[Ashton]

Alright, went nuts. Wife is going to kill me.

TS 55 w/2 55" rails
CT 26
PS 300
RO 90
ETS 150/5

 

[skids]

Alright, went nuts. Wife is going to kill me.

TS 55 w/2 55" rails
CT 26
PS 300
RO 90
ETS 150/5

And he comes ROARING out of the gate folks!!  [poke]

Honestly though, thats a heck of a start. I kind of wish I went for an ETS along with my RO 125. You have a nice combo there. And getting the CT26 is smart to, sets you up for boom arming in the future. Which means more $$!! Cha-ching!

Honestly, enjoy it, you only live once and these tools do bring a smile to your face whenever you use them.

 

[peter halle]

Great Start!  You are in so much trouble!  [crying] [crying]  It would have been great if you could have gotten one 75" rail versus the additional 55", but it works.  Did you remember rail connectors?  You will need 2.

Good luck and I hope the reconciliatory dinner and gifts aren't too expensive.

Peter

 

[Scott B.]

That gets the attaboy.

 

[Ashton]

Pics! I'm going to have some fun... Now how can I sneak this in the house?  [scratch chin]

 

[skids]

Pics! I'm going to have some fun... Now how can I sneak this in the house?  [scratch chin]

haha nice! Well get rid of the boxes for starters! break em down slide em alongside a wall somewhere. Then wait until she goes to bed?

Would like to hear how you like the TS55

 

[Ashton]

Are you watching me?  [eek]

 

[skids]

Are you watching me?  [eek]

YES!!! Now quit drooling and pull it together before she sees you!

 

[semenza]

There you go, no decision making on the sanders. Good choice on them too.   [thumbs up]

As Peter said take one of the 55" rails back and get a 75".  It gives you more options, and a better size for 48" cuts.

In regards to your wife, you could buy a Systainer five and put everything in it, and claim it was one set   [big grin]

Seth

 

[Ashton]

I'll go and swap for a 75". Makes sense, just wish it wasn't so much more expensive than the 55". I did get two rail connectors. I also got the hose guide for the end of the rail, a pair of rail clamps, and a hard pad for the RO 90.

 

[Scott B.]

I'll go and swap for a 75". Makes sense, just wish it wasn't so much more expensive than the 55". I did get two rail connectors. I also got the hose guide for the end of the rail, a pair of rail clamps, and a hard pad for the RO 90.

Ashton

Find every door in the house that rubs. Every nightstand that needs to be refinished. Make this work on all fronts. Shine on you crazy diamond!

 

[GPowers]

Alright, went nuts. Wife is going to kill me.

TS 55 w/2 55" rails
CT 26
PS 300
RO 90
ETS 150/5

Great starts, now you need a Domino and a MFT/3.. [wink]