RO-90DX vs DTS 400 REQ

[AlexThePalex]

[member=5277]Alex[/member], between the DTS and RTS I'm guessing you would opt for the DTS?
From where I'm sitting they are pretty much doing the same thing, they just handle different "shaped" corners/follow edges differently?

Yes, I would opt for the DTS. I also have the RTS but that one gets used a lot less. I work with the DTS on an almost daily basis, I think the RTS came out of its box only twice this year. I only use the RTS if the DTS doesn't fit when it's too wide.

I think the RTS due to its thin pad is very prone to tipping sideways, so not that ergonomic to work with for me. The DTS on the other hand is very stable.

 

[aloysius]

I absolutely love both the Deros and the Deos. They feel so light and smooth but they have so much power. And are still virtually dust free.

I emailed the Delmeq folks, the sales guy says he "doesn't recommend" mounting their delta pad to a Mirka. I have no idea why. Warranty issues perhaps? He recommended I get one from Mirka but of course they don't offer one. I may try to order one without all the questions

That makes sense.  Nobody from Delmeq would suggest using a couple of their parts only (platen & delta-shaped platen upper cover) on somebody else's machine.  They want to sell you a sander & a bunch of (Sia) papers, not a handful of parts.  The fact that s/he doesn't RECOMMEND this action makes it even clearer that it's possible to accomplish.  If the feedback had stated ".....it's impossible.  Are you mad?" or ".....it CAN'T be done;  they're completely different machines" then it'd be pretty clear that it's a near-impossible task!.

My Dutch language skills are terrible.  I haven't been there since 1983.  Thankfully, most "Cloggies" have far superior English skills.  From what little I can understand from the few Delmeq websites the 2 DEOS & DEOS Delta-type tools are exactly the same apart from the 2 obvious part differences.  A nice, big, powerful and aggressive delta sander is just what I need.  Without the AU$800 odd expense of a dedicated new machine preferably.

What both the sales rep & you have said so far makes me even more confident to give it a go too!  I'd really appreciate a PM with the relevant email address/es, contact name/s & relevant part no's if that's not too much trouble....

 

[ben_r_]

I was in the same boat, doubting between delta and straight. In the end I decided I really don't have that many corners smaller than 90 degrees and a straight model is somewhat quicker/easier along edges. I can still break out the Rotex 90 delta pad in a pinch though. Probably the most common real work scenario where a delta is easier than a straight model is stairs.

I came to the same conclusion when trying to decide between the RTS and the DTS. I just never need to sand into any corners smaller than right angles, so the RTS just made more sense. Havent regretted it sense.

 

[Sanderxpander]

I absolutely love both the Deros and the Deos. They feel so light and smooth but they have so much power. And are still virtually dust free.

I emailed the Delmeq folks, the sales guy says he "doesn't recommend" mounting their delta pad to a Mirka. I have no idea why. Warranty issues perhaps? He recommended I get one from Mirka but of course they don't offer one. I may try to order one without all the questions

That makes sense.  Nobody from Delmeq would suggest using a couple of their parts only (platen & delta-shaped platen upper cover) on somebody else's machine.  They want to sell you a sander & a bunch of (Sia) papers, not a handful of parts.  The fact that s/he doesn't RECOMMEND this action makes it even clearer that it's possible to accomplish.  If the feedback had stated ".....it's impossible.  Are you mad?" or ".....it CAN'T be done;  they're completely different machines" then it'd be pretty clear that it's a near-impossible task!.

My Dutch language skills are terrible.  I haven't been there since 1983.  Thankfully, most "Cloggies" have far superior English skills.  From what little I can understand from the few Delmeq websites the 2 DEOS & DEOS Delta-type tools are exactly the same apart from the 2 obvious part differences.  A nice, big, powerful and aggressive delta sander is just what I need.  Without the AU$800 odd expense of a dedicated new machine preferably.

What both the sales rep & you have said so far makes me even more confident to give it a go too!  I'd really appreciate a PM with the relevant email address/es, contact name/s & relevant part no's if that's not too much trouble....

The ad actually says it's a single body with an interchangeable sole. Although I don't really get what you mean with an upper/lower part, there seems to be only a single delta sole replacement part, here;http://onlinecatalogus.maiburg.nl/l...rtechniek/schuurpads/delmeq-schuurzool delta/

For my question I just filled out their contact form. It was obvious from the reply that I got a general sales guy, not the resident expert.

 

[aloysius]

OK, please forgive me if I'm repeating the bleeding obvious here, but the "sole part" on DEOS (& I assume Delmeq's DEOS-equivalent machines) is in 2 parts.  From underneath, there's the velcro hook-covered platen to which the protector &/or papers or mesh abrasives attach. 

This is attached with 4 screws to a "soleplate upper"  to form a dust receptacle "sandwich" from whence the dust is vacuum extracted.  This "sandwich" assembly is necessary to create sufficient vacuum for dust extraction.  Without a sealed assembly,, there would be no low-pressure zone created above the platen to draw dust through the abrasive & platen.  The dust instead would simply react to gravity & fall downwards.

This soleplate upper is attached by 4 extra screws to two white elastic 4-posted "vibration pillars" the top of which are in turn attached (by yet another 4 screws [2 ea.]) to the sander superstructure/upper.  These assemblies are independent of the centre-mounted vibratory eccentric coupling, which is allowed to freewheel within the sub-base moulding.  This coupling provides the sander's eccentricity, the vibration pillars provide sub-assembly location & suspension.

What this means is that whilst the vibration pillars & assemblies above remain common to all 3 orbital models of Mirka or Delmeq sanders (small or large rectangle or delta), the "sub-assembly" must form a matched set.  Each separately shaped orbital base must form a 2-piece assembly for dust extraction purposes with a corresponding pair of platen & matching top.  To change the shape of the base of DEOS-type sanders between the 3 alternatives requires ordering new base assemblies in matching pairs.

I apologise for the rather convoluted explanation of sander anatomy 101, but I'm attempting to make it as sufficiently succinct as possible for ESL readers.  If in doubt grab a small metric allen key (2mm??) & your DEOS & it'll all become glaringly obvious.  It should also be clearly illustrated in the exploded diagram within the instruction leaflet that came with your DEOS.  Assuming that - unlike me - you actually read instruction manuals!

 

[Sanderxpander]

I understand what you mean but as I said; the only delta part that's separately available is the bottom part of the sole - at least it looks this way from the picture. Delmeq claims it's a single sander running both types of soles though.

 

[aloysius]

I understand what you mean but as I said; the only delta part that's separately available is the bottom part of the sole - at least it looks this way from the picture. Delmeq claims it's a single sander running both types of soles though.

That was my impression too:  the last part of your response, not the first.  The 4 sanders (the 2 orbital Delmeqs & the 2 Deos sizes) are so superficially similar as to be virtually indistinguishable.  The only operational differences between any of 'em appears to be the size & shape of that soleplate.

Referring to PP 4-7 of the DEOS manual (?!?), it clearly shows individual sizes of "backing plate" & "backing pad"  (parts 26 & 28 respectively).  In addition, there's a soleplate size-specific "counterweight" (part 23 on the diagram).  I'm guessing the delta head of the Delmeq would need the larger pad size's (70 x 198mm) counterweight.  The 3 parts (pad, plate & counterweight) form a matched "set" for each of the 3 different soleplate formats.

In addition to the 2-part sole, & attached to it's upper there's a rectangular "seal" (part 25) that I'm guessing is common to all 3 sole sizes or formats.  Maybe the source of confusion arises from the fact that part 28, the backing pad is a common consumable, as it is in each & every sander made whereas part 26, the backing plate, is much less frequently replaced & therefore considered a spare part.  Companies usually maintain full stocks of consumable parts, but seldom keep stocks of spare parts that aren't being regularly ordered by customers.  The 2 extra parts - plate & bigger counterweight - SHOULD be available from the manufacturer.  It might just take a little longer to source them.