Rotex RO150 Accessory - Front Grip

[Forrest Anderson]

A Scottish dealer showed me an accessory for the Rotex RO150 that I'd never seen before - it was a front handle that clips on to the body of the machine:

I found it listed as an accessory on the Festool UK website with the following description and photo: Handle BG-RO 150, for RO 150 FEQ. Price exc. VAT: 11.80 GBP. Order number: 495188

I don't think it's ever been discussed here on FOG, so I thought I'd mention it. It seems to be available in Europe, Australia and South Africa, but doesn't appear to be for sale in North America 

Forrest

 

[nickao]

I would use that.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

I would use that.

I could get one when I pop in to the dealer next week, and post it to you. I know from previous posts that you use PayPal, so the money side shouldn't be a problem. Cost would be 27.45 USD plus whatever method of postage you wanted. It's very light, so postage shouldn't be too much.

Drop me a PM if you want me to go shopping!

Forrest

 

[nickao]

I'll take you up on that, thanks!

Nickao

 

[Fred West]

Forrest, I sent you a PM and would very much like to pick up that front grip as well if you are willing. Fred

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Forrest, I sent you a PM and would very much like to pick up that front grip as well if you are willing. Fred

No problem. I'll take one more order on top of that (to make three), but after that I think it best to wait for the all-clear from Nick and Fred to make sure that they do fit to USA-spec RO150s. I'd hate to ship a dozen of them off to the USA, only to discover that for some unforeseen reason they didn't fit!

Forrest

 

[Fred West]

Forrest, thank you very much. I just replied to your PM but forgot to tell you that I do have the newest RO 150.  Fred

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Afternoon Forrest

Just wondering whether You received this front grip?  It looks interesting, I often find my hand wandering down that area on long sanding sessions.  Could be a winner

Yes, I got the last one at my dealer's. Here are two photos of it:

I have a Rotex RO125, so it won't fit on my sander, but the handle is being sent to nickao for testing on his RO150, and I'm sure that he'll let you know how he gets on with it.

Forrest

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Being the last one, does that mean they aren't available? 
It's funny...before You posted this, I'd never seen one anywhere, or even heard of them.

It appears to be a new item, that has probably only been released in the last few months. It's not in the dealer's thick printed catalogue, but it is mentioned in his "latest goodies from Festool" brochure, which lists the new OF2200 and MFT3 etc. The handle has also made its way onto the Festool UK website as an accessory for the RO150.

By "the last one", I mean that he initially got three of them, and sold two of them before I came in to buy the third one. He's now ordered more stock from Festool, which should arrive in a week or two.

Forrest

 

[nickao]

Thanks, I got it today and it fits on perfect! It snaps right in the tab holes in the sides of the RO 150 within and in the rear(both sides) of the little slot that comes across the face of the sander. There is no reason this should not be available here in the US.

I like it and will use it for an hour tonight on a project. Initially I put in on upside down. When put on correctly it is actually situated like the bottom picture in the thread below. It just looks like the little wings should go the other way. It snaps in both ways, but one way there is NO clearance for your fingers in between the handle and the surface you are sanding.

Forrest you rock!

Thanks again,

Nickao

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Thanks, I got it today and it fits on perfect! It snaps right in the tab holes in the sides of the RO 150 within and in the rear(both sides) of the little slot that comes across the face of the sander. There is no reason this should not be available here in the US.

I like it and will use it for an hour tonight on a project. Initially I put in on upside down. When put on correctly it is actually situated like the bottom picture in the thread below. It just looks like the little wings should go the other way. It snaps in both ways, but one way there is NO clearance for your fingers in between the handle and the surface you are sanding.

Glad to hear that it has arrived and fits nicely!

I phoned the dealer today, but he hasn't yet received his new supply. When he does, Fred's one will be in the post.

Forrest

 

[nickao]

Arrived perfectly and my son got a kick out of the post coming from "across the world" as he put it.

I have some flooring to sand and I see this much simpler to use than the screw in handle in that situation. I will find out how well it stays put as it does not screw in and  only snaps in. I'll post my experience with it.

What do you need from  this end Forrest? Just let me know.

nickao