Rotex - help choosing between the 125 and 150

[jhall]

i was doing some drywall work and the home owner wanted it to be dustless.  so i bought the rotex 125.  work perfectly with the vacuum.  my question is should i get the 150.  I want it for sanding wood and stripping paint.  i hope, no more drywall work.  I am still under the 30 day return and can only afford one sander right know.  any advice would be great.  love the tool just dont want to re-great not getting the 15o.  I am new to the forum and quickly adding tools.

 

[tbellemare]

The Rotex 150 has just under 50% more surface area so it saves a lot of time on big surface sanding. I, personally, like the way it feels better also.

There's a lot of subjectivity in that last statement so I recommend trying it before you make that sort of decision.

Tom

 

[Frank Pellow]

If it were me, I would upgrade to the 150.  I have had my Rotex 150 for over 7 years and it just keeps going and going and going (as long as you replace the pads and brushes every now and then).

 

[MTRANGER]

IMO, returning the Rotex 125 would be abuse of the 30 day return policy, especially since you used on to make money on specific use job and now you want a different sander. If you used and said it was a total piece of junk, I would probably be singing a different tune.

I know you are allowed to return the tool, I couldn't\wouldn't

Just my opinion

 

[Brice Burrell]

The Rotex 150 has just under 50% more surface area so it saves a lot of time on big surface sanding. I, personally, like the way it feels better also.

There's a lot of subjectivity in that last statement so I recommend trying it before you make that sort of decision.

Tom

Tom hit the nail on the head, try before you buy, if that is at all possible.  The 150 has much larger body and some people have a harder time holding it.  No question it will cover more ground than the 125 but at the expense of more weight and bulk (and of course more money).

IMO, returning the Rotex 125 would be abuse of the 30 day return policy, especially since you used on to make money on specific use job and now you want a different sander. If you used and said it was a total piece of junk, I would probably be singing a different tune.

I know you are allowed to return the tool, I couldn't\wouldn't

Just my opinion

I respectfully disagree.  This is exactly what the 30 return policy is for (and I'd guess exchanging the Rotex sanders is one of the most common reasons people take advantage of the return policy).  

 

[waho6o9]

+1 for the 150. No doubt about it.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Oh, I almost forgot, welcome to the FOG Jhall!

 

[Frank Pellow]

IMO, returning the Rotex 125 would be abuse of the 30 day return policy, especially since you used on to make money on specific use job and now you want a different sander. If you used and said it was a total piece of junk, I would probably be singing a different tune.

I know you are allowed to return the tool, I couldn't\wouldn't

Just my opinion

I disagree.  I expect that a big reasson that Festool has this policy is to encourage upgrades like Jha.ll is contemplating.  It encourages folks to try out tools and then to pick the one that best suits them.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Oh, I almost forgot, welcome to the FOG Jhall!

I seem to have forgotten too.  Welcome! [welcome]

 

[nickao]

IMO, returning the Rotex 125 would be abuse of the 30 day return policy, especially since you used on to make money on specific use job and now you want a different sander. If you used and said it was a total piece of junk, I would probably be singing a different tune.

I know you are allowed to return the tool, I couldn't\wouldn't

Just my opinion

Well that opinion IS TOTALLY WRONG!

It is a return for ANY REASON POLICY. Hey you can return it becasue you don't like the green. It is not a you have to hate it to return it. You should use the tool for 30 days and work it hard and at day 30 if you decide against , even if it made you 5000.00, RETURN it and Festool is GLAD to take it back!

Everything he is thinking is on the up and up and you do not understand an 30 day return for any reason guarantee.

Festool is a company the return thing is in their numbers. They do not feel bad for you when a tool explodes after day 45 and will not take it back. They do not feel bad upping the prices on already really high prices.

You act like he bought it from the neighbor or something. It is not going to hurt Festool and is exactly what Festool says for you to do. Feel bad about taking them up on something that pushed you over the edge to get the tool in the first place? Get over it.

Festool is a company not one person, this turning back of tools does not hurt them in the least. It is buried in their high prices to account for it!

 

[MTRANGER]

I figured I would get lit up for stating an opinion, shame on me for posting my wrong opinion

 

[Brice Burrell]

Well that opinion IS TOTALLY WRONG!......

In all fairness Nick a guy's opinions can't be wrong, you may not agree with them but that doesn't make them wrong.

I figured I would get lit up for stating an opinion, shame on me for posting my wrong opinion

Hey, don't worry about it and don't afraid to post your opinions even if they may not be poplar.  For example, my opinion is I kind of like Ken Nagrod even though everyone else here doesn't. [tongue]

 

[jhall]

thank you for the input.  i bought the tool for many reasons.  needed a dustless sander for drywall.  I wasnt looking at festool, until the sales guy told me to try the 125.  he sold me on the 30 day trial.  I try not to buy a tool based on one day.  I have wanted a sander to replace a portal cable 5" random orbit sander. (no dust collection)  I bought it because i  like everything festool i have.  It was a no brainer until i started to wonder if the 150 would be a better investment.  i have 4 tools from them and this will be my first return.  I could have bought a cheap (dustless) system and done it by hand.  I do not plan on using it for drywall in the future.  (maybe some).  i just bought the ct 26, about a week ago,  if i really wanted to i could return that as well and get both for less.  I would rather not because i am happy with it.  huh, or do i need the ct 36. lol

thank you for everyones reply

 

[Corwin]

Well that opinion IS TOTALLY WRONG!......

In all fairness Nick a guy's opinions can't be wrong, you may not agree with them but that doesn't make them wrong.

I figured I would get lit up for stating an opinion, shame on me for posting my wrong opinion

Hey, don't worry about it and don't afraid to post your opinions even if they may not be poplar.  For example, my opinion is I kind of like Ken Nagrod even though everyone else here doesn't. [tongue]

Poplar?   [unsure]

 

[jhall]

oh, thanks for all the warm welcomes.

 

[nickao]

So true I mis-phrased that. Your opinion is your own. I should have said I disagree vehemently.

The idea of using the 30 day return policy not being right is wrong though, as it is allowed IN writing and in Festools actual selling package.

My point is if you don't think we all pay for that return privilege you are mistaken. We pay for that privilege and some people feeling bad does not make sense at all, we paid for it. This is a business decision.

And actualyl an opinion can be wrong if your opinion is 2 plus 2 is 5, its not, its 4, but that's something else altogether.

I think the poster did not factor in a few ideas becasue they did not know or realize that that 30 day feature is a selling point by Festool and is in the price of all the Festools we buy. This 30 day return thing should have  nothing at all with morals.

It's a case off someone being to nice and not rally understanding how Festool makes money and why they give that return policy. Most upgrade when they use that 30 day return. The 30 day return is in festool s best interest or they would simply not do it.

 

[MTRANGER]

So true I mis-phrased that. Your opinion is your own. I should have said I disagree vehemently.

The idea of using the 30 day return policy not being right is wrong though, as it is allowed IN writing and in Festools actual selling package.

My point is if you don't think we all pay for that return privilege you are mistaken. We pay for that privilege and some feeling bad does not make Seminole., we paid for it.

And actual an opinion can be wrong if your opinion is 2 plus 2 is 5, its not, its 4.

I think the poster did not factored in becasue they did not know or realize that that 30 day feature is a selling point by Festool and is in the price of all the festools we buy.

I totally get the the 30 day feature, and may have mis-used the work "abuse".

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Let’s assume the OP did not buy the RO125 with the intention of returning it, after “renting” it.  That is unethical at every level.

So, he got it thinking it would be the right tool for the job, and entered the 30 day evaluation/return period.  Discovering that the 150 might better suit his needs and business, is totally within rights for the 30 day policy.  Perhaps your dealer can give you a loaner to use and try.  Rather than buying the RO150 and deciding to change your mind back.

I had both the RO125 and RO150 for a few months.  I much prefer the 150 for most work.  I decided to sell the RO125 when the RO90 was officially on the horizon.  The RO90 is much more suited to the smaller work I’ll need to do.

 

[nickao]

Yeah, its not abuse and I your opinion  is your own.  

I think you will find that MOST returns in the 30 day period are not from guys abusing the policy, heck for the same money they can get DeWalt stuff, abuse the crap out of it and have 90 days to return it. That type of person to begin with is not buying a Festool.

Most 30 day return guys upgrade, not use and run. Especially at Festools price point.

 

[jhall]

festool dosn't loss any money on the return.  my guess is that it shows up in an employee of the stores hand or is returned to be resold as factory reconditioned.  Plus i am thinking of spending 100 dollars more for a tool.  sounds like a win win.  didnt mean to start a debate about the return policy.  I dont like returning things.  if i was just using it to finish a job and return it with out buying  a new festool, i could see your point.  I bought based on the return.