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mike9

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May 28, 2014
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Iam looking at the rotex but it seems people don't like the 125 compared to the 150. It sound like the 125 is harder to control.
I currently own a ros and 1/4 sheet sander ( not festool ) . What applications do members most use their  rotex for.
 
Tom,
How does your rotex compare to a ros and what do you use it for. I need to refinish stairs but don't want to buy it as a one time tool.
 
mike9:

You really need to go try them out for yourself.

I *do* think many of us here have a bias toward the RO150 - myself included - but it's simply because the RO150 is such a beast...and I mean that it a good way. Many of us have the RO90 as well, so the RO 125 just doesn't seem to be enough difference in size to make sense. The RO90 and RO150 make a great combo! Of course, that ASSUMES that you are going to have more than sander.

[big grin]

If you only plan to have one sander - for now - the RO125 is a great choice. The 5" size is what a lot of woodworkers are used to, and it's absolutely the best 5" combination finish sander and stock-leveling brute (depending on setting) on the market. You really can't go wrong with it...but if you don't like it, you can always return it within 30 days.
 
More people seem to work on stairs with the RO90 since you have a smaller diameter round pad, AND, the Delta ability in one sander. You lose some surface area coverage with the 90mm versus the 150mm/6" pads, but you only drag out or buy 1 tool/sander for the stairs for the most part since you have 3 modes and stairs are usually small/tight quarters anyway, esp. with older homes.
You can always resale a sander that you're not using down the road if it doesn't still meet your needs in a few years, they hold their value too.
 
I didn't really look at the ro90 but it's looking like the better option. How aggressive are the 40 grit granat paper.
 
mike9 said:
I didn't really look at the ro90 but it's looking like the better option. How aggressive are the 40 grit granat paper.
Click to expand...
  Agressive, and resists clogging from old finishes that you're removing, so, bonus... [big grin]
 
I use and love the RO 125, but I think that as others have mentioned, you're better off with the RO 90 for its ability to get into the corners and tight spaces.  If you can spring for two, go for the RO 90 and the RO 125.  Both require some break-in, but both are really sweet to use.  Be sure to turn down the suction on your DE to no more than 1/3 power to prevent the suction from pulling the abrasive into the wood.  Also, hold the RO of choice by the Plug-It connector and DE hose connector for better control and balance.  Think of the RO as a small version of the 18-24" floor buffers that will throw you across the room until you learn to balance them.  Don't push the abrasive into the wood.  Let the tool do the work with you just guiding it.  Granat is a wonderful abrasive, too.  You'll find that the Rotex sanders with their dual mode (Rotex = aggressive and RO = refined) are not just a one-trick pony, but a very versatile tool. 

 
I was looking at the package deals and see the midi and mini are only a $40 difference but when you jump from the midi to the 26e, it's a $100 difference . What vac is sufficient for the ro90 . I use a ridgid vac with a dust deputy and that's works well in my shop but it doesn't have different settings. I do have a smaller vac I could use to reduce the suction.  Is getting the vac worth it or will my vacs do the job. I also have the domino so Iam looking at the midi as an option for both tools.
 
mike9 said:
I was looking at the package deals and see the midi and mini are only a $40 difference but when you jump from the midi to the 26e, it's a $100 difference . What vac is sufficient for the ro90 .
Click to expand...

All of them are sufficient for the RO90. The only noticable difference between them is size, and therefore bag capacity. If price is your main concern, go for the Mini, it will do the job just as good as the others when you work mainly with sanders. I mostly use the Mini when I'm sanding. You don't need to worry about the vac's storage capacity because with sanding it takes ages to fill up the Mini's 10 L bag.

The Ct26 with its bigger bags comes in handy when you do things that create a lot of chips. Like sawing, planing and routing. I've read about professional people here who can fill 4-5 bags of the 26 per day, so in that case, the bigger the vac, the better. I myself do not come close to such capacities, so I'm generally still fine with the Mini, whatever I do. I also have the 26 and it also works fine with whatever I do. Just a lot bulkier to carry around. I move a lot with my tools so the smaller Mini works better for me, but it's nice to have the 26 as back-up.   

mike9 said:
Is getting the vac worth it or will my vacs do the job. I also have the domino so Iam looking at the midi as an option for both tools.
Click to expand...

I'd say getting a Festool vac is always worth it. As vacs themselves, they are great. Very high quality and very comfortable to use. The adjustable speed dial is also a very useful feature. I don't think you really need it with the Rotex sanders, I always use the vac on full speed with them, but with some smaller sanders like the DTS400/RTS400/ETS125, being able to turn suction down is a must. If you use those sanders on the vacs' high suction setting they can be sucked into your work piece like a vacuum clamp.

But if you ONLY plan to use a Rotex with the vac, your old non-adjustable Rigid will do just fine. Problem is, once you get used to a Festool sander, they tend to multiply in numbers faster then you'd anticipate. You're treading on a slippery slope, my friend.
 
mike9 said:
I was looking at the package deals and see the midi and mini are only a $40 difference but when you jump from the midi to the 26e, it's a $100 difference . What vac is sufficient for the ro90 . I use a ridgid vac with a dust deputy and that's works well in my shop but it doesn't have different settings. I do have a smaller vac I could use to reduce the suction.  Is getting the vac worth it or will my vacs do the job. I also have the domino so Iam looking at the midi as an option for both tools.
Click to expand...

All of the Festool DEs have the same suction power.  What varies is the capacity of the dust collection bag.  I use an older CT 22 in the shop with a boom arm and use a Mini for site work due to the convenient size and weight.  The Mini/Midi are more than sufficient for the RO 90.  

 
I have a mini and and ro90dxfeq that i use in conjunction all the time.  i do turn down the DE and the amount of dust after sanding is pretty much nonexistant.  Fantastic combination! Plus with the 90 you get the availabiility of the dx to get into those corners!  I have NEVER said that I liked a sander before, and i actually like using this sander...alot.  You won't be disappointed.  But the beauty of FESTOOL's return policy makes it worry free.  I will say that the mini can fill quickly when using it for other tasks like site cleanup.
 
It's your choice - but my vote is for the Midi.

I think it's the perfect compromise between size and portability. Again, go see a dealer and touch one. Perhaps put some weight in it to simulate a full bag and then try (or imagine) carrying it UP a flight of stairs. I don't think I would want anything smaller than the Midi, but the CT26 seems a WHOLE bunch bigger if you have to carry it.

 
Do any of you have the edge protector. I see they sell a single and a kit of three. What's the difference.
 
The RO 90 comes with an edge protector.

The set of 3 is called the Window Protector Set. It has various configurations for detail work.

Tom
 
If you're doing stairs get the RO150.  I've stripped and finish-sanded oak stair treads and small floors with it.  It's also my go-to sander for fine finish work on tables, cabinets, etc. before applying finish.  The RO125 is the exact same sander, only smaller.  It's great if you do a lot of overhead work (house paint prep, etc.) because it's lighter and easier to handle.

- Jason

mike9 said:
Tom,
How does your rotex compare to a ros and what do you use it for. I need to refinish stairs but don't want to buy it as a one time tool.
Click to expand...
 
I went round in circles with the whole Ro125 or 150 and eventually sprung for the 90 and the 150. If I had to use either for stairs, the 90 would be the clear choice with the delta pad option for corners.

However, the bottom line is you could buy an Ro90, Ro125 or Ro150 and be happy with any of them.
 
Think I've said this before in another thread

I've a Ro90 and a ro125 love them both .but am thinking of a ets125 to compliment them and to keep abrasive compatibility

Can't see the need for a 150 yet
 
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