Rotex RO 150 FEQ Sander

[Benjamin Miner]

Dang! I'm trying so hard to not think of reasons to go out and buy a boom arm...

Seems to me Festool can render those big floor sanders obsolete by coming up with RotexSkates! Can you see it?

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Does that help?

Stay in touch,
Matthew

Thanks for your reply - exactly what I was looking for. Good to get a response from someone who has used the tool. I thought it was a little strange that the manual suggests higher speeds in Rotex mode than ROS mode.

Mike

 

[Matthew Schenker]

...I thought it was a little strange that the manual suggests higher speeds in Rotex mode than ROS mode.

Does the manual say that?  I stopped reading Festool manuals a couple years ago -- right around the time this forum came together!
Sometimes, I do use high speeds in Rotex mode.  But with some material, a lower speed is better to prevent gunking up of the paper.
Let us know what your experiences are, once you give it a try!
Stay in touch,
Matthew

 

[Benjamin Miner]

I've found it depends what application you're using. For delicate "can't screw this up" work (cabinet doors, face frames), a relatively slow Rotex speed works well - it's much more aggressive than random orbit, so the work still goes quickly. For larger, flat surfaces (baseboards, or cabinet drawer fronts - or for what Matthew is doing), a bit more speed is not a hazard; for preparing smaller parts, I slow it down to maintain control.

I haven't had control problems in Rotex mode - the trouble starts for me in random orbit at slow speed. Almost like jumping - sometimes rather violently! The faster the speed, the smoother running. Still open to tips on this.

Incidentally - a couple of years ago I used my older model 150 to do a quick takedown of paint on my front porch (old t&g). It was totally awesome! I wasn't after a beautiful, stainable finish, but I think the whole porch was done in about 90 minutes. I'd recommend it for sure.

 

[mntbighker]

Just a couple of weeks ago I finally got my RO150 via craigslist (another great find NEVER used at pre-April prices with a bunch of polishing stuff and all the pad types included) and soon after finally gave up waiting for a used CT22 and got that too. Your review is great, but I noticed one omission that the sander deserves credit for. You may want to go back and edit to indicate the side handle is ambidextrous. Far be it from the design masters to leave out the south paws (not that I'm one).

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I've found it depends what application you're using. For delicate "can't screw this up" work (cabinet doors, face frames), a relatively slow Rotex speed works well - it's much more aggressive than random orbit, so the work still goes quickly. For larger, flat surfaces (baseboards, or cabinet drawer fronts - or for what Matthew is doing), a bit more speed is not a hazard; for preparing smaller parts, I slow it down to maintain control.

I haven't had control problems in Rotex mode - the trouble starts for me in random orbit at slow speed. Almost like jumping - sometimes rather violently! The faster the speed, the smoother running. Still open to tips on this.

Incidentally - a couple of years ago I used my older model 150 to do a quick takedown of paint on my front porch (old t&g). It was totally awesome! I wasn't after a beautiful, stainable finish, but I think the whole porch was done in about 90 minutes. I'd recommend it for sure.

I have the same problem on a Bosch ROS. I also have a P-C ROS and the only thing I can notice different is that the Bosch seems to have a harder pad.

Mike

 

[Aspiring FT Owner]

I've had my RO 150 for a few projects now.

The jumping issue also happens to me when it's used on slower speeds, usually the nut behind the tool is the problem.  If you get it even a bit out of level in Rotex mode it will jump all over once and awhile depending on the surface you are working on.  (knotty wood seems the most prone, w the hard and soft areas etc...)  Keep the pad flat, minimal pressure on the pad and it's smooth sailing.

Glad I got the big one, it took me over 12 hours of initial prepwork to get all the raw lumber purchased to a finished condition for my kid's sandbox.  Only the slightest buzzing in the hands after going for about 4 hours straight sanding.  Not bad, not bad at all.

All the 2x12's and 4x4's were sanded down to 120 grit.  I found that the Brilliant paper worked better on the rough cut and milled cedar.

My garage still smells great, but glad that 90+% of the dust was captured by the CT22.  That and a little leaf blower action and it looks better than when I started.

 

[John Langevin]

Someone asked about the various available sanding pads. I have used several of them and they definitely have their place. The supplied pad is excellent for general use. The hard pad will yield a flatter surface; especially on softwoods where the hardness of the wood varies according to the grain pattern. I also like the hard pad for finish removal.

The soft and softer pads are excellent for polishing finishes (up to 4000 grit) since you may want the surface smoother rather than flatter. You can also apply oil using the 400 grit and higher pad as Rob's photo near the top of this post shows so beautifully. I also use the foam pad for applying wax and the wool bonnet for removing it.

I have the older Rotex and must say that it is my most productive Festool; it measurably reduces the time involved, produces great results and when connected to my CT-22 it is so pleasurable to use. As Matthew mentioned I always wear hearing protection, on long jobs I plug in the headphones to my old Bang & Olafson stereo and crank up the Allman Bros .

 

[cskinfo]

Matthew, I just wanted to add another voice of appreciation for your review.  As a newbie I sometimes read reviews that skip over things that must be really obvious to most people (but not to me!) -- I didn't have that problem here, because your review was clear as could be.  Thanks!  Carl

 

[martinNL]

Hi Mathew,

Nice review of the RO 150.  As a flooring specialist I use the RO 150 mainly, I should say uniquely, for sanding the edges of a floor. Sanding a entire floor is backbreaking and a sure killer for your knees. On tradeshows I often speak colleagues and the majority work only with festool, and just a small minority with DeWalt. (FYI, this was the reverse 15 years ago!)

I used to own a METABO sander, but got rid of it. After about 15 min. of sanding the thing got hot and I had a tingling feeling in the palm of my right hand, like I had been sitting on my hand for a hour!

This machine is a joy to work with.

Greets,
Martin

 

[Alpine WW]

I am a long time user of Festool equipment. I bought the RO 150 this week to sand down a 16' x 54" Claro Walnut table.... it is amazing!!!! I have never been so impressed by a tools capability in 23 years in this business. i cannot recommend this tool enough.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I'd like to see a picture of that board!

 

[Alpine WW]

I will be shooting it Tues/Wed and will post by the end of the week.

 

[erikfsn]

I have the Rotex 125 and I have to say I feel the same about it. It is not even in the same league as other sanders I have tried.