Rotex 90, Not Overly Impressed.

Locks14

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Apr 19, 2015
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290
Recently got the Rotex 90 and have to say thus far I haven't been blown away.

I don't find the rotation mode any more effective than the random orbit mode, maybe it's because the pad is so small and the RPM doesn't multiply up to create an outer pad speed that is notably better than plain old random-orbit mode. The dust collection is also mediocre and the machine seems to get pretty hot in a small space of time.

I'll keep it because, at the risk of sounding vulgar talking about money, £350 is neither here nor there for me, but I really don't see what the hype is about...
 
Nippychippy said:
Why not just ask for help or tips on the ro 90 [poke] [dead horse]

If anyone wants to offer some tips that's fine.

But to be honest, this isn't my first rodeo. I have a fair bit of experience and when I was younger did some summer work in a car bodyshop so I am pretty clued up on techniques involving rotary/random orbit machines on clearcoat, etc, so I'm pretty sure I don't need any tips. Just offering some observations on the machine.
 
The DC is not that good indeed, and it does get hot, especially when it's brand new.

But I don't get why the aggressive mode is almost the same as the RO mode to you. Maybe if you throw 240 grit on it. But with 60 or 80, mine is considerably faster in aggressive mode.

What I don't like about the RO90 has nothing to do with the sander, but with the price of the abrasives. Per square inch they're about 2,5 times as expensive as for any other sander, and I find that unacceptable. I love the sander, but I hardly use it anymore because it is too expensive to operate. And of course, no 3rd party paper available like for other types of sanders. 
 
Alex said:
The DC is not that good indeed, and it does get hot, especially when it's brand new.

But I don't get why the aggressive mode is almost the same as the RO mode to you. Maybe if you throw 240 grit on it. But with 60 or 80, mine is considerably faster in aggressive mode.

What I don't like about the RO90 has nothing to do with the sander, but with the price of the abrasives. Per square inch they're about 2,5 times as expensive as for any other sander, and I find that unacceptable. I love the sander, but I hardly use it anymore because it is too expensive to operate. And of course, no 3rd party paper available like for other types of sanders.

I had considered it being new and the heat, used it for about 12-15 hours, maybe I'll give it a few more weeks run in time before passing final judgement.

As for the paper, I'm not too bothered about that, for me it won't be a tool that's used that regularly. More of a problem solver for the occasional situation where a larger sander is too big.

The DC I guess is just something that is what it is.
 
I'm not Mr Festool but I have no issue at all with my RO90. The main problem was they didn't do smaller boxes of abrasives in the smaller size, so the initial outlay was phenomenal given the grades I needed to buy. Still, I'm golden for a while on those I reckon...I do eek them out.

Dust collection has always been fine for me too. It's probably my favourite sander out of what I have to use. Doesn't help at all, but gives you kudos perhaps if you were ever planning to try to impress me.
 
Locks14 said:
I'll keep it because, at the risk of sounding vulgar talking about money, £350 is neither here nor there for me, but I really don't see what the hype is about...

Well hey big spender, one has to say one has no particular ****** affiliation but one does have an acutely tuned ****** radar and it is on Defcon 5. If $350 means shit to you why bother to post?
 
andy5405 said:
Locks14 said:
I'll keep it because, at the risk of sounding vulgar talking about money, £350 is neither here nor there for me, but I really don't see what the hype is about...

Well hey big spender, one has to say one has no particular ****** affiliation but one does have an acutely tuned ****** radar and it is on Defcon 5. If $350 means stuff to you why bother to post?

Then how should the OP improve things to get hyped?
 
I'm another that likes the RO90.  I mostly use it for trim and paint prep, and other exterior sanding.  The rotary mode works well for me and I find the delta pad gets into lots of places other sander can't.

My least favorite mode is the random orbit mode.  I find it is far too easy to defeat the rotation of the pad on any surface not perfectly flat.  I find it even more frustrating that the same is true of the RO125, it can become a very heavy and expensive orbital sander. 
 
Before I purchased my RO125 I tried out the RO90. I spent a couple days with it over a weekend and returned it for the 125 which I love. I picked up a Bosch detail sander that did basically what the 90 did in terms of finish work.

Can I say it wasn't a good sander? No, it is a nice sander but when I could do nearly the same things at a fraction of the price. The 150 and 125 are both awesome and to me worth the money, in my opinion the 90 wasnt.
 
Wow, I'm really surprised to see that someone isn't impressed with the RO90. I'm a carpenter by trade, I've had a lot of sanders over the years and love the 90. Between the small pad and delta pad it gets a lot of work done that would otherwise be a PIA. I use it in combo with my 150/3 for much easier finishing.
The 90 also functions as my motorcycle polisher, not sure how to beat that.

 
I bought the ro125 and returned it the very next day. I then got the ro150. I am blown away by this machine it has great power and dust collection.
 
I bought my RO 90 for refining my sculptures after carving them with an Arbortech wheel on an angle grinder, which leaves some pretty coarse marks.  I use it in Rotex mode from 40-120 grit, then switch to random orbit mode with a foam interface pad from 120 up.  I like the ergonomics, the aggresiveness, and dust collection of the tool.  It does a good job finish sanding, too.
 
Locks14 said:
..The dust collection is also mediocre and the machine seems to get pretty hot in a small space of time.
..
which VAC are you using? I have CTM26 and no issue with getting hot or dust collection.
 
I like my RO90.

My only issue is that I must clean the cavity for dust collection every time I change paper when grinding oily wood such as teak etc. Otherwise the dust collection won't work.
 
I like my RO90 as a sander, but I'm also impressed with it as a polisher.

If I want to really remove material I use the RAS115. Get one .. it's only money after all.
 
I to am one that likes the RO 90. Is it good for all projects? No not really. I use it for smaller things picture frames ,face frames, and smaller bits. Does a great job.

You can go to Festool TV there are quite a few videos on the Festool sanders. There is one on proper finishing which is awesome.

There are various pads you can buy hard soft, viles, sheep skin etc to do what you want.

Only thing I can determine by your post is that you bought the wrong sander for your needs. For larger things I use the RO 150.

You can always get a hold of Festool UK and they can put you in contact with a rep who can show you all the ins and outs of the sander.
 
Holmz said:
andy5405 said:
Locks14 said:
I'll keep it because, at the risk of sounding vulgar talking about money, £350 is neither here nor there for me, but I really don't see what the hype is about...

Well hey big spender, one has to say one has no particular ****** affiliation but one does have an acutely tuned ****** radar and it is on Defcon 5. If $350 means stuff to you why bother to post?

Then how should the OP improve things to get hyped?

I was reading this and wondering who the hell would post something so stupid and then realised it was me! Must remember the age old lesson of not mixing forums with alcohol. I don't even remember posting it.
 
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