Rotex 150 dust collection expectation

[y62ti]

Hi guys, first post so please be gentle 

I cashed in some of my junk around the house and invested the proceeds into a number of Festool tools so I could pick wood working back up from my school days using professional grade tools (applying the 'buy once' philosophy).

I am very impressed with the Festool kit I've bought and used so far but have a question regarding the dust collection on the Rotex 150 when combined with a CT36 (I did a search but couldn't find a similar relevant post).

More for practice than anything, I am replacing the damaged top of a cheap bedside table using a pine board. After cutting to size with the TS55 (lovely saw!) and before applying my sanding sealer and stain, I started to sand with 80 grit on Rotex mode. This went fine up through 120 before I switched to random orbital mode for the 180 and onto 220 - this is when dust started pooling at the edges of the sanding disc rather than being sucked into the vac, and after only a very short sanding time (30s or so) with the 220 grit.

I had the settings on high for the vac, and was using new festool brand sandpaper discs. I checked the vent holes were all lined up correctly between sandpaper disc and pad, and that these were not blocked. I could also feel the vac pulling air through the Rotex when putting my hand over the pad.

Does anyone know if what I experienced is normal (perhaps something to do with pine)?

Many thanks.....

 

[Gregor]

This went fine up through 120 before I switched to random orbital mode for the 180 and onto 220 - this is when dust started pooling at the edges of the sanding disc rather than being sucked into the vac, and after only a very short sanding time (30s or so) with the 220 grit.

Possibly you didn't move the machine enough. When you let it sit in one space (which isn't a good idea anyway, as it'll lead to heat buildup that can melt stuff onto your pad) then the outside of the pad will push dust both in (where it'll be sucked in) and outwards (where it'll sit).

Moving the machine over the workspace evenly will counter dust sitting and acuumulating (in addition to the heat buildup issue) as you'll be basically vacuuming it constantly.

 

[y62ti]

Thanks Gregor, maybe that is it.... I know I was focusing on the one inch a second speed for movement that I'd seen in various videos but now looking back in my memory, perhaps I was way slower than this. I'm going to give it another go tomorrow on a different piece of pine and see if it happens again with constant movement.

 

[aloysius]

I concur:  keep that big Rotex in motion.

Make yourself a "loading jig" from a scrap of ply, MDF or the like. Mark it up through your sanding pad for the hole centers, & drill holes for 8mm dowels.  That way, all your discs can be rapidly & precisely loaded with accuracy.  If you preload the jig with extra discs, or even in descending order of grits it can be useful up a ladder, for instance.

An extra wide hole in the centre aids handling & helps prevent any reluctance of discs to load from partial suction.

 

[y62ti]

Make yourself a "loading jig"

Awesome idea... it does seem to be a pita to align those discs by hand, even just the few times I've done it... thanks aloysius!

 

[aloysius]

I keep one in each & every sander box I own.  Even the little delta & 80mm Metabo's.  Done it all my life.  The litt'luns in particular are eminently pocketable.

 

[Gregor]

Make yourself a "loading jig" from a scrap of ply, MDF or the like. Mark it up through your sanding pad for the hole centers, & drill holes for 8mm dowels.  That way, all your discs can be rapidly & precisely loaded with accuracy.  If you preload the jig with extra discs, or even in descending order of grits it can be useful up a ladder, for instance.

Damn, another project on the todo-list

 

[peter halle]

You may want to experiement with turning down the suction.  I know that sounds strange but on high the sander might be sucked too tightly to the workpiece and not allowing the dust to the extraction holes.

Peter

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  Welcome to the forum !  [smile]

      I second trying what Peter said about turning down the suction especially in random orbit. May take some experimentation. I have has lessened DC when sanding pine. I think maybe the dust is just a bit "sticky". 

      On a grit / Rotex / sanding note ......  do a test with mineral spirits on the surface before applying stain or finish. You may still find swirls from the Rotex (aggressive) mode.  They can be hard to take out with a normal moving up grit progression.  If I use Rotex first I like to then do a pass with the same grit or even back track one grit in random orbit mode. It helps to eliminate any deep scratches from the Rotex mode. 

Seth

 

[SS Teach]

Welcome. Ditto with what the others have said, turn down the suction. I use my Ro 150 with a CT 36 with suction turned down and it’s virtually dust free. On smaller pieces I get dust when the sander goes over the edges.

 

[y62ti]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the advice..... so I thought I'd report back now I've had a chance to sand down another pine board..... it seems the combination of lowering the suction to about 3/4 and moving the sander with more pace has solved the issue - I went up through all my grits without seeing any dust and have a wonderful silky smooth finish! Fantastic!

I'm now just about to put Seth's suggestion into action and wipe down with some mineral spirits to make sure there are no remaining Rotex marks and clean those up if necessary. Definitely going to be building the 'loading jig' as it took me 5 attempts to get the 220 grit on properly!

Thank you all again!

 

[semenza]

    Glad the advice  was helpful!  [smile]

Seth

 

[Birdhunter]

This, in my opinion, was a great thread. The OP presented the problem without the rancor I see all to often. Suggestions were offered and tried. The OP ended up satisfied and we all got a great tip on the sandpaper jig.

 

[SS Teach]

I agree wholeheartedly with Birdhunter. This is what I’ve found to be most valuable about the FOG, helpful advice without the rancor. An OP presents a problem, others repond with helpful advice and the issues are solved. Key words no rancor.