RO 90 vs. Deltex 93

[Kodi Crescent]

I have several round sanders.  I don't have a delta head sander or a sander that allows corner sanding.

Since the RO 90 takes the delta head, is there any reason to purchase the Deltex over it?j  What are the pros and cons of these, considering the delta head use only?

 

[ccarrolladams]

By the time the RO 90 DX was announced, I already was hip-deep in sanders.

Before the end of 2006 I owned a Deltex 93. I still love it as a small finish sander for corners. It has a 150 watt motor.

The RO 90 DX has a 400 watt motor, so clearly in delta mode it was a whole lot more power than does the DX 93. This is not always a bad thing, to be powerful. However once you are accustom to sanding a finish with a fairly gentle machine, it does require significant practice to achieve the same results with a far more powerful machine.

On the other hand, for people who have not used a DX 93 extensively and have used the RO 90 DX, they might not care for the lack of power.

In my way of making cabinets I never am faced with sanding off paint. I always have the chance to work on the individual components before assembly. For that reason any component needing to be flat or smooth I can process in a joiner or thickness planer. Consequently I use hardly any abrasive coarser than 80 grit. Even than I consider what I am doing to be finish sanding.

Yes, I have used the delta head on my RO 90 DX. After months of experience I am as confident of it as I am the DX 93. Still, since I do have a DX 93 which works as well as when new. I very seldom break out the delta head of my RO 90 DX.

 

[NoBreyner]

However if you do not have a corner sander like the deltex it makes more sense to get the Ro90 and get the most out of the sander you can.  It is the best of both worlds.  I didn't think I'd need the delta attachment, but it was the very first thing I used on the ro90 to clean out corners around doors.

 

[Brice Burrell]

As far as the delta function they are nearly the same but I'd give the edge to the RO90 since it has more power.  The DX93 might have slightly better dust collection.  However, the RO90 is way more versatile overall with the different sanding modes.  Also, with the 10% off deal going on now the RO90 is less than $50 more than the DX93, that makes it a no brainer in my opinion.

 

[ccarrolladams]

Actually, after I bought one of the first RO 90 DX sold in Los Angeles (I had used them on trips to Europe and in Festool Classes) I bought enough more of them for my shop so that each of the cabinet makers working for me has one.

Perhaps I calculate the price of ownership differently than do others. I expect my tools to last many years, so have more than one of a certain tool is to me hardly extravagant. On the other hand, wasting expensive labor changing a tool from one function to another is extravagant. If I were starting out with no tools today, I would buy 2 RO 90 DX. One could be left with the delta pad in place and would still be the back-up to the other. The price of the RO 90 DX includes both round and delta pads.

It is hardly my place to speculate about the future. I remain thankful that long ago when I needed it Festool made the DX 93. Thrust me, in the years I have owned it I have made a lot of money using it. Still, as I was considering buying a back-up DX 93 I learned the RO 90 DX was being introduced in Europe. I felt sure it would arrive in NA eventually. I also guessed that once the RO 90 DX did reach NA some folks would sell used DX 93 and low prices. That guess was wrong. I was not offered what I considered desperation deals on used DX 93.

 

[Dan Clark]

I have an RO90.  Love it.   I found the delta pads to be VERY useful for corners and difficult areas.  Consider getting the extended lenght delta pad too: http://www.festoolusa.com/products/sanders/pads/thin-extended-triangular-sanding-pad-496803.html

While refinishing my front deck, I found a bunch of places that could only be sanded with the extended length delta pad.   Even the standard delta pad wouldn't fit.   The extended length pad made short work of those spots.  

I agree with Brice - the RO90 is a no-brainer vs the DX93.   WAY more versatile.  

Regards,

Dan.

 

[NoBreyner]

Indeed a No-brainer

 

[Brice Burrell]

....Perhaps I calculate the price of ownership differently than do others. I expect my tools to last many years, so have more than one of a certain tool is to me hardly extravagant. On the other hand, wasting expensive labor changing a tool from one function to another is extravagant. If I were starting out with no tools today, I would buy 2 RO 90 DX. One could be left with the delta pad in place and would still be the back-up to the other. The price of the RO 90 DX includes both round and delta pads.....

I understand your logic here but there is a flip side too.  Part of the value of the RO90 is being able to have only one tool up on the ladder or scaffold instead of two.  Pulling the other sanding head out of my pocket or tool belt to change modes is much easier that storing and changing out sanders on a ladder.  I suppose it is about how and where you use your tools.  

 

[ccarrolladams]

I understand your logic here but there is a flip side too.  Part of the value of the RO90 is being able to have only one tool up on the ladder or scaffold instead of two.  Pulling the other sanding head out of my pocket or tool belt to change modes is much easier that storing and changing out sanders on a ladder.  I suppose it is about how and where you use your tools.  

Brice, this is why I do my best to make clear I am sharing my experience. Even years ago when I bought my DX 93, I built my cabinets while standing on the ground or seated on a shop stool.

Certainly I can understand the desire to have the fewest Systainers on a scaffold or tools hanging from a tool belt on a ladder.

Festool did a marvelous thing designing the RO 90 DX. They are versitile. Like many others, I did buy the extended delta pad as well as all the round pads and guards.

I also want to make clear that I am not suggesting anyone ignore the DX93, while also saying that if I were to be starting today with no tools I would be inclined to buy 2 RO 90 DX, with at least one extended delta pad, and I probably would not buy a DX93. Since I do already own a DX93 and I can justify a spare, I have budgeted for a back-up DX93 before the end of 2011.

Since as far as I know the DX93 is not part of the round sander promotion, and I am in the market for another CT36, I will be buying the DX93 in combo with the CT36. I do my best to take advantage of such deals.

 

[Timtool]

No word about the DTS400? I see both of the mentioned delta sanders more as re-finish or restoration sanders, to either go in very tight spots with the DX or to remove rapidly alot of material/paint with the RO.
If those are the OP's intended uses then it's ok, but in my case as a cabinetmaker i get more use out of the DTS400 to sand assembled furniture pieces in between lacquer/varnish coats.
Compared to the DX it does more surface and is more stable to hold, compared to the RO it's smaller, lighter and goes inside smaller areas, greatly balanced with the grip above the pad and less aggressive to avoid marking or removing too much finish.
If you need a delta pad to sand lightly in between coats of finish then the DTS is the best choice IMO.

 

[Neill]

I have not had any interest in purchasing the RO90 because I can't see any need for it at this point having a rather large selection of sanders already.  I also don't want to get into the whole financial issue of investing in more sanding pads and abrasives.

I usually antipate my sanding needs by doing most of it prior to assembly.  I don't get into the removal of finish so that's a nonissue.  When I do need to sand along an edge or into a corner it is usually between layers of stain or finish.  As a result, I want something that is easy to control and is on the more "gentle" side.

Unless I missed it, no one mentioned the height of the sanders.  The RO90 is taller than the RX93 which could limit access in certain situations.

Neill