RO 90 or DTS 400???

[andrew.wickes]

So, pretty sure my next tool purchase, Festool wise after the Centrotec installers set, will be a sander. I already have a 5" Dewalt ROS so I won't be getting an ETS or tge RO 125/150 yet. I'm eyeing either the RO 90 or DTS 400. The 400 is a full time delta while the 90 has the ability along with be a dual mode orbit sander. The only downside to the 90 is relearning my technique with holding the sander. So what would y'all do in my shoes?

 

[peter halle]

One advantage of the RO90 is that the delta pad is basically triangular.  The tip of the paper on the DTS wears out sooner so if that is the case with the RO you can rotate the paper two more times.  The DTS - nope.

Peter

 

[Acrobat]

Get the Rotex 90. Having the capacity to change from delta to round and having the rotex rotary mode for more aggressive sanding is a real bonus. I have both and find I still use both but the rotex 90 more and more.

 

[Kev]

They're very different creatures and I like them both.

The DTS400 to me is the sort of thing you go to if your working on a fairly regular bookcase, cupboard, etc. the RO90 comes out for more intricate stuff like window frames or for aggressive shaping.

A big plus of the RO is its polishing prowess. Intricate bodywork, dull headlamps, etc.

I'd make the decision based on your next project as I can't imagine a future where you won't have both [wink] [big grin]

 

[rst]

I have and use them both but if I could only have one first it would be the RO90.  It is just so versatile.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that the DTS is a gem of a sander, but the RO90 is more versatile. I used my RO90 today for hours sanding a Maloof inspired chair. Use the Delta pad and the round pad, in both agressive and RO modes. So, took vull advantage of what the sander offers. It is a great sander.

 

[andrew.wickes]

Mmmm....Maloof. One of his style chairs is definitely on the workbench list.

So far I'm getting positive vibs for the RO 90.

 

[Mort]

People on this site talk about Festool's "game changer" tools a lot, I think the RO90 deserves that title without hesitation. It would be fantastic if all it did was sand wood, but I use mine to polish aluminum, headlights, sand metal, and whatever else.

 

[bdiemer]

1 Vote for ro90. Very versatile go to tool.

 

[Holmz]

I am not a fan of the RO sanders, and I mostly do flat stuff, so I would be looking an RS2E.

However this...

Mmmm....Maloof. One of his style chairs is definitely on the workbench list.

...Would make me think that an RO-90 seems a good choice, and it has the corner attachment.  [smile]

At the RO-150 size that are many good arguments in favour of the ETS EC 150 (or a 125 with the 150 pad).
But for flat stuff and corners the RS2E type of 1/2-sheet can also be a good choice worth looking at.

 

[andrew.wickes]

Seems like the RO 90 is the way to go then...Now, save some cash then onto Woodcraft!

 

[SS Teach]

The DTS 400 is a great sander with one problem not major but somewhat problematic. The delta pad is not an equilateral triangle. This means the front tip will wear out before the rest of the sheet. You will end up changing paper more often. The delta pad on the Ro 90 is equilateral. If one tip wears out just turn the paper. The 400 pad is much bigger, so you will sand a larger area. The circular pad on the 90 is almost 3 inches, the delta pad is not much wider at its widest. Paul Marcel has some YouTube videos on both sanders in action. I'd be a good idea to watch them before you buy. Either way the papers for both are proprietary, I believe, so you will be getting Festool papers which also means a sandpaper sustainer will come in handy and dust extraction of course. Your lungs will thank you. One sander is just the beginning, they have a way of multiplying. Good luck in deciding and enjoy.

 

[AlexThePalex]

The DTS 400 is a great sander with one problem not major but somewhat problematic. The delta pad is not an equilateral triangle. This means the front tip will wear out before the rest of the sheet. You will end up changing paper more often.

I never get this argument. The DTS400 is not a dedicated corner sander, it is a general orbital sander you use on medium sized surfaces, which can ALSO do corners. This way you can use a single sander to sand your entire object, like doors, furniture or window trim. You do not wear out the tip before the rest of the paper, unless you solely use it for corners like you would with a RO90 delta pad. In normal use, you use the entire surface of the sander, and sometimes only the tip, and sometimes only the back.

Either way the papers for both are proprietary, I believe, so you will be getting Festool papers

Seems in the States the DTS is the only sander with this shape of paper, in other parts of the world it is a common format used by lots of other brands.

- In regard to OP's question. I had both sanders, still have the DTS and it's predecessor the DS400, but the RO90 had to go. Not because it's a bad sander, it's great, but because it is expensive in use, with paper costing 2,5 times as much as for the DTS, which my wallet didn't like at all. The RO90 being a great sander, I think the DTS is an even greater sander and my most used one. Very comfortable to use and it fits for almost every project I do, which is mostly paint prep on houses and furniture. The RO90 in rotary mode is nice for fast removal, but the pad is really small so it is not a real all-round sander to me, just one for the smaller things, while the bigger sanders like DTS, RO150 and ETS125 do the grunt of the work.

 

[Kev]

The DTS 400 is a great sander with one problem not major but somewhat problematic. The delta pad is not an equilateral triangle. This means the front tip will wear out before the rest of the sheet. You will end up changing paper more often.

I never get this argument. The DTS400 is not a dedicated corner sander, it is a general orbital sander you use on medium sized surfaces, which can ALSO do corners. This way you can use a single sander to sand your entire object, like doors, furniture or window trim. You do not wear out the tip before the rest of the paper, unless you solely use it for corners like you would with a RO90 delta pad. In normal use, you use the entire surface of the sander, and sometimes only the tip, and sometimes only the back.

Yeh - my Rupes delta was the same from memory.

I agree with you on "not getting" the criticisms of the DTS400. If you asked someone that irons clothes if they'd prefer a small triangular iron plus a large rectangular iron they'd probably give you the strangest of looks !! [eek]

The RO90 is hungry on abrasives .. if you're doing commercial work it's a good thing to factor.