ROTEX 90 - New Purchase - Tips for a Newbie

[DickyCox]

Just picked up a Rotex 90 on Friday, my first sander from Festool.  Any tips for a newbie?  Planned uses for the Rotex 90 are both small applications (sanding face frames on cabinetry) and larger applications (sanding down wooden garage doors on rental properties, etc.).  I realize the 90 may be a bit small for some of the larger applications I have in mind. 

Thanks for your insight!

Dicky

 

[sancho57]

Your going to have to learn how to hold it. Its very aggressive .

But once you figure that out you'll love it

 

[RJNeal]

Congrats on picking a great sander. I like mine. It and the RAS are the only sanders that go to work with on a daily basis. The other only come out to play as needed.

Start with two hands, later you be sanding with one. Make sure you are sanding with the pad level. If you are not level the sander will jump around a bit. Turn your dust extraction down to low. Practice on some scrap wood.
And have fun.
Good luck
Rick

 

[andrew.wickes]

Check out Eric's video, The Poplar Shop, on breaking in the Rotex's. Apparently that's an issue.

 

[DickyCox]

Check out Eric's video, The Poplar Shop, on breaking in the Rotex's. Apparently that's an issue.

Good call on the video!  Hadn't seen the The Poplar Shop on Youtube before.  Looks like I'm going to be spending a lot of time watching his videos!

Very best,

Dicky

 

[andrew.wickes]

Yeah, I don't own a Rotex, yet > But I have seen the video and thought it'd be good advice. Good luck!

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Yeah, I don't own a Rotex, yet > But I have seen the video and thought it'd be good advice. Good luck!

Spring Lake NC,  are you in the Army?

 

[andrew.wickes]

I am actually. 12yrs. I'm actually getting out very soon. I start terminal leave in less than 2 weeks and will be out out in September. I'll have lots of time in the shop/garage once the wife and kid are back at school Lol

 

[Paul G]

It's my favorite sander by far. I was able to buy sample packs of abrasives and it's been very helpful to have grits from 40-4000 plus the buffing/polishing pads. Also the different hardness sanding pads comes in handy. Here's some storage ideas to keep all these things on hand
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-and-tanos-systainers/customized-sys-2-for-ro90-abrasives/

 

[ear3]

If you plan on doing a lot of butt-edge or corner sanding, it's good to have extra delta backing pads around, as these can be burned through fairly quickly.  When you first start using the delta pad, try not to be overly aggressive in digging the pad in, as this will quickly melt the backing pad.  Sometimes you can't avoid it, but just be patient when you're starting out.

The interface pad makes the RO90 great for contoured sanding.  I started sculpting wood once I got the RO90, because I could now smooth the pieces that were roughed out with an angle grinder + sanding disc (and later the RAS).

 

[DickyCox]

If you plan on doing a lot of butt-edge or corner sanding, it's good to have extra delta backing pads around, as these can be burned through fairly quickly.  When you first start using the delta pad, try not to be overly aggressive in digging the pad in, as this will quickly melt the backing pad.  Sometimes you can't avoid it, but just be patient when you're starting out.

The interface pad makes the RO90 great for contoured sanding.  I started sculpting wood once I got the RO90, because I could now smooth the pieces that were roughed out with an angle grinder + sanding disc (and later the RAS).

Thanks!  I'm not sure I understand your reference to the "interface pad".  Which pad is this?

Thanks,

Dicky

 

[peter halle]

This one:

[attachimg=1]

Peter

 

[DickyCox]

This one:

[attachimg=1]

Peter

Many thanks!

Dicky