Rotex 90 gets hot

[Allyson]

I've had my Rotex 90 for about a year.  I use one hand on the top and one on the bottom to hold it.  It gets really hot on the bottom close to the motor -- almost too hot to hold it comfortably. I keep the dust build up inside clean, etc.  It is really hot within about 10 minutes of use. Just curious to know if this is normal for the tool?  I asked the folks where I bought it, and they didn't know. 

 

[Brent Taylor]

I try to clean all my tools after I use them by brushing them off and follow that with a couple of blast of compressed air to get rid of as much dust build-up as I can, I also use the vac on the unit where I see dust building-up when I change grits, plus I vac off the fave of the pad and both sides of the sand paper. A little OCD I know, but the stuff cost a bunch and alot of my tools are over 30 years old (none of those are Festool sorry to say) and I am a professional user. I also did not read that you were or were not hooked up to some sort of DC or vac? My RO 90 does heat up a little bit, but not to an uncomfortable temp.,but I live in FL. and I'm old w/nerve damage to my hands so it might be hotter than I think. the only other thought I would have would be you method of holding the tool, for most of the sanding I hold the head ( area above the pad ) in one hand and the plug-it cord and hose in the other lightly. For one handed work, I hold the barrel ( upper part of the tool in between the head and the plug-it ) of the tool firmly. You may be just covering the vent ports of the tool making it over heat and try taking a breack every now and then,  [smile]B

 

[ear3]

I looked at the heat as bonus so my carpal-tunneled hands stay warm in the winter as I'm sanding in my unheated shop  [wink].  Actually, my RO90 does not get that hot after extended use, or at least not hot to the point where it causes discomfort or that I worry about it's health.  And I use the same two-handed method that you employ.

 

[Allyson]

Thanks folks.  I am OCD as well about cleaning it.  It does build up a lot of compacted dust on the inside, and I clean it every time and do have the Festool dust system.  It could be the way I am holding it.  I hadn't thought to look at is as a good thing, but perhaps it is good that my hands stay warm.  Yes, these are definitely tools that we have to take care of!!

 

[Phil Beckley]

Hi
The R.O.90 is belt driven to link the motor at the rear and the gearing at the front. The heat that is felt is the friction on the rear drive wheel. Mine does exactly the same and it is quite ok for this to happen.
If you have any concerns contact Festool Service.
rg
Phil

 

[Allyson]

Thanks, Phil.  I just want to make sure that the heat is normal.  I surely love the 90 and want it to last a while.

 

[Brent Taylor]

Allyson, as said in the other posts it is normal for the tool to get hot, but you may want to check if the dust port at the attachment point of the pans is open. With the pads removed you will see an aluminum ring that can be swiveled around, yours maybe covering the vac port. Just a thought. B

 

[Allyson]

Thanks, Brent.  I will check this out.  I appreciate your help.

 

[Scott B.]

Oddly, now that cold weather is setting in, I notice the heat of the tool more - and appreciate it. This time of hear, I keep the MIDI sidled right up to my ankle.