RO 90 or Deltex?

[fidelfs]

Hi,

I want to hear some opinions about my dilema.  First a little background.  I am hobbyist and work is only a few hours a day and weekends.
I have the RO125, and the reason that I selected that one was money  [big grin]. 

I am one of the few that like to sand material, for me it is very zen.  The only festool sander that I own is the RO125.

I have a Bosch 1293 half sheet sander, dewalt and Porter and Cable.  I have several festool tools (TS55, MFT 1080, Domino, OF1400 and the CT22 ) and I like the sander very much.

I had some moments that I need a sander like the deltex for some corners and areas where I cannot reach with any other.

I didn't buy it the other day, because I heard the RO 90 was coming to USA, and I said that is so cool and it looks a very good sander with options.

I have now put everything on perspective and I wonder what the RO90 offers that I cannot do with my RO125 plus a deltex.  If I buy the RO90, then I won't be able to use the same sandpaper  between RO125 and RO90.
In my case wich makes more sense to buy?  I know it is a personal question, that depends in many factors, but I am wondering what could the RO90 offer over the RO125+deltex combination?

??? ??? ???

 

[GPowers]

Sounds like the big question is going to be price. And we do not know the price of the Rotex 90 is yet. Is I you can wait I would.

 

[d8b]

Sounds like the big question is going to be price.

To give you an indication. In Belgium the Deltex cost EUR 296.45 and the RO90 EUR 480.37. I suppose the ratio is going to be in the same league.

greetz,

Philippe

 

[Michael_MA]

If your work mainly consists of sanding effectively small and narrow surfaces, like frames and windows.. the RO90 is the one to go.. or at least wait for..
on the other hand.. your'e sanding equipment seems to perfectly do the rest already.

You may want to have a look on my short live video, i've shot on a fair in switzerland about the RO90 and the new GRANAT abrasive paper.

kind regards, Mike

FESTOOL_ROTEX_90_ROUGH_SANDING

 

[Brice Burrell]

I bet the Festool will discontinue the Deltex sander when the RO90 is released and there will be some good deals on used  come March.  Might be a good way to get the capability you need a good price.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I bet the Festool will discontinue the Deltex sander when the RO90 is released and there will be some good deals on used  come March.  Might be a good way to get the capability you need a good price.

Negative. To my knowledge, there are no intentions to discontinue the Deltex.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

In talking with the "wizard", the 2011 Spring Promo will be at that time, so maybe that's the plan for the Deltex.

 

[d8b]

Insert Quote
Quote from: Brice Burrell on Today at 09:26 am
I bet the Festool will discontinue the Deltex sander when the RO90 is released and there will be some good deals on used  come March.  Might be a good way to get the capability you need a good price.

Negative. To my knowledge, there are no intentions to discontinue the Deltex.

In Europe the deltex is still available... Although the deltex won't be discontinued, I think you will find more used deltex machines on e-bay after the NA launch of the RO90

greetz,

Philippe

 

[AlexThePalex]

I've been following this matter very closely for some time now because I'm one of those people who think about changing their DX93 for the RO90. And I read some misconceptions here in this thread.

First, I sincerely doubt Festool would take the DX93 of the market. The RO90 is not a replacement of the DX93 , it is a more complicated and more expensive model that offers more functionality than the DX93 but also has quite the higher price tag.

Second, people here somehow have the expectation that everybody will jump on the RO90 like a fly on honey. I sincerely doubt that too when I look at how well the RO90 is sold over here. And 'well' is not the right word because it doesn't sell so spectacular at all. I follow this very closely because when I get one at the right price I will jump on it asap. And I see sellers who are stuck with their hard to sell RO90's.

People should not forget that the RO90 is a machine for a pretty small niche. It is not a machine that will do it all so it's typically a machine that people buy as an 'extra', to compliment one or more sanders they already have. Knowing the cost of Festool equipment, there are very few people who are willing to invest such a lot of money in a complimentary machine.

So why would I like to get one? Well, I'm a Festool nut like most people here on the forum are. And contrary to most people, I actually like sanding, and I already got me 6 sanders so what the heck, lets add one more if it makes my life easier. And still I'm on the fence. I'm not just gonna run out to the store and blow 470 euros on it, I'll only get me one if I can get it for a much better price. For what I already can do with my 6 sanders, the added functionality of the RO90 does not justify spending 470 euros.

But I have another problem. I REALLY like my good old DX93. It's a marvelous machine and a joy to work with. And I really wonder if the delta function of the RO90 will be as good as that of the DX93. Unfortuntely, Festool's information on the delta function of the RO90 is lacking. They're constantly showing off the Rotex functionality in their videos and brochures, and I don't blame them, but if I want to swap my DX93 for the RO90 I'd like to be darn sure I get the same performance. I would like to see in videos also how good the delta pad works. And then I do not just mean power or stroke orbit, but also the dimensions of the machine itself. The DX93 is great for getting into tight spots. From what I've seen, the RO90 is a bit higher than the DX93 so it might be more difficult to get into tight spots now. Like when a window sill runs behind a rain pipe for instance. Many a times have I been in a spot where only the DX93 could help me.
   
So if the RO90 could be a good replacement for the DX93 it would be easier for me to buy it because then I could sell the DX93 again to recuperate some of the cost. But I will only do that if I am really sure I won't regret the loss of my DX93. Unfortunately it is too difficult yet to get good information on this matter.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Alex,

As I'm sure you're well aware, some things sell well in certain market areas and others don't.  Sometimes it's understandable and other times there's just no rhyme or reason.  It seems from the responses on here the RO90 will do well in North America and if not, it'll probably go on a promotional special at some point  [smile].  I got to try out the RO90 with both pads at the Baltimore, Maryland show and all I can say is that I liked both pads, however I did not think about the compactness comparison to the DX93 in real world conditions that you talked about, so it's a good point to take notice of when released here.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The dimensional differences between the DX 93 and RO 90 are fairly negligible. The RO 90  is slightly taller.

While it may or may not be doing well in the Netherlands, part of the reason it has taken so long to come to the U.S. is that it sold much better than expected in Europe as a whole, based on my understanding.

I know I'm not unbiased, but I think that this sander will do extremely well in the U.S., in fact I wouldn't be surprised if demand exceeded our expectations.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I like my DX 93 a lot, it is a sweet little machine.

 

[Michael_MA]

The dimensional differences between the DX 93 and RO 90 are fairly negligible. The RO 90  is slightly taller.

While it may or may not be doing well in the Netherlands, part of the reason it has taken so long to come to the U.S. is that it sold much better than expected in Europe as a whole, based on my understanding.

I know I'm not unbiased, but I think that this sander will do extremely well in the U.S., in fact I wouldn't be surprised if demand exceeded our expectations.

According to infos .. from my dealer.. the Ro90 is selling very well ..  it convinced almost everybody.. who not only talked about getting one, but really took it into his hands and tried it out..
they already sold more RO90's than they've sold Deltex since available on the market..

kind regards, Mike

 

[ccarrolladams]

I own a lot of Festool sanders. Like many of us shortly after I bought my first TS55 with a CT22 back in January 2006, within a week I was back at Eagle Tool of Los Angeles for an RO 150 FEQ.

In November during classes in Nevada, Steve and Brian asked us what Festools we own and the order in which we bought them. I had brought with me a list, but without going back through receipts and warranty registration forms I cannot say the exact order.

I have, use and love the RO 125 FEQ. I also use both the ETS 125 and the ETS 150/3.

For me both the DTS 400 EQ and the DX 93 E do similar jobs in different ways, so I use both.

The downside to running a comprehensive cabinet shop is that I cannot attend every show. I had to pass the Baltimore Show. Yet woodworkers I know and respect were there, did try the RO 90 and will be buying them.

Sometimes it cannot be avoided stocking another size of paper. I use a lot of paper, but the more sanding we do, the more money we make. When we do the sanding right, our clients are happy campers. Cabinets would hardly be considered custom made if only sanded with a wide-belt auto machine!

Not only have I told my dealer that I want a RO 90 with all the accessories when it is available, at whatever the price, I also want a generous supply of the papers in this 90mm ish size. Fortunately the Delta paper from the DX 93 is going to fit on the RO 90 with its Delta pad.

I remember as a US Marine OCS trainee hearing the order for "A clean sweep-down fore and aft." That was always followed by "And hit the corners!"

My policy is sanding is not just with round and rectangular paper. To effectively "Hit those corners!" you need Delta-shaped paper. Semper Fi, do or die!

 

[VictorL]

Lets return to original question. It depends on what you want to do. RO-90 will be more suitable for tight places and narrow stock. For larger surfaces the bigger pad is better. The same is true for polishing.  RO-90 is excellent as additional sander, but not as single sander in the shop. RO-125 was my  first sander, and  DX-93 was my second sander, then I got the rest of Festool's sanders line.
As per second hand market prediction, I don't see a lot of CT-22/CT-33, RO-150E, OF-2000. MFT-1080, RS, DS or PS-2 on eBay. Definitely some DX-93 will go there, but this machine is very reliable, and much cheaper, so many people will keep it.

Regards,
VictorL

 

[fidelfs]

So in other words the only advantage of having RO90 is that it is more suitable for narrow places than my RO125.  I might accomplish the other RO actions with my RO125.  I sometimes wish to have bought the RO150, but like I said money wise the RO125 is better  [big grin] $$$$$.

So I guess I will pass on the RO90 for now and I will go with the Deltex.  [wink]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

It's also better suited for narrower items that need to be sanded to keep the sander balanced flat so your edges stay crisp or like I believe you were saying, confined spaces that the RO125 can't fit.

 

[Michael_MA]

It's also better suited for narrower items that need to be sanded to keep the sander balanced flat so your edges stay crisp or like I believe you were saying, confined spaces that the RO125 can't fit.

Thanks Ken,
this is and excellent comment..  exactly what i tried to explain with my first posting..
To my experience, the RO90 is so efficient on this confined work, it outperforms eveyrthing we have been used before.. but Yes ,it is a very special tool, not ment to replace an ordinary sander..
I did a short comparison to the LS130, which is used before to sand down window frames and door trim,  and it outperformed this one as well..

kind regards, Mike

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Michael,

That's some good info comparing the performance of the RO90 to the LS130 for window work as I was interested in the LS130 for that.  Have any more details or video of your comparisons?

 

[VictorL]

Michael,

That's some good info comparing the performance of the RO90 to the LS130 for window work as I was interested in the LS130 for that.  Have any more details or video of your comparisons?

They are different species. RO-90 won't work on curved profiles, LS-130 will. with LS-130 you can create ANY custom made profiles too.

Regards,
VictorL