RS 2 E - Precut Paper or Punch Your Own ?

[Owego]

Based on responses to a recent post, I'm getting an RS 2.  But, of course, now I get to have more choices: Festool pre punched (with the hook backing) or cut my own plain backs.  I already have a full range of 9x11 stock,  purchasing a full range of pre-punched will equal or exceed the cost of the RS 2.  Recommendations ?

Tom

 

[Shane Holland]

Tom,

Not sure if you're aware of it, but there's also a hole punch for the RS2.

https://www.festoolproducts.com/Festool-481523-Hole-Punch-For-RS-2-Half-Sheet-Sand-p/481523.htm

Shane

 

[mike_aa]

Tom,
If you are looking to save money on an assortment, Tom at Tool-Home makes up smaller assortments of Granat paper.  He has two for the RS2 listed on his website, but you should call him because he has been known to make up custom size assortments if that's what you would need.

Mike A.

 

[jtwood]

Based on responses to a recent post, I'm getting an RS 2.  But, of course, now I get to have more choices: Festool pre punched (with the hook backing) or cut my own plain backs.  I already have a full range of 9x11 stock,  purchasing a full range of pre-punched will equal or exceed the cost of the RS 2.  Recommendations ?

Tom

I picked one up during the reconditioned tool sale last year.  i had some 9x11 paper, as you do, but not the full range.  I picked up the grits I was missing, in Granat, from Aldo at In-Touch Tools in Palm Desert, CA, the closest Festool dealer.  He was more than willing to put together exactly what I wanted in the amounts I needed.  Did not have to order full boxes.  I have several Festool sanders and love the Granat paper.  As I run out of the stock I had of the old paper, i'll replace it with Granat.

I have purchased assortments from Tom at Tool-Home in the past, as well, and received great service.  Both dealers will ship.  It may depend on where you live.
Steve

 

[Brent Taylor]

I have had a Makita 1/2 sheet sander and punch my own paper, it will take hook and loop but I have always used sheet goods. Did the same with my old Festool. Plus it's cheaper. 

 

[AIPDX]

Festool still sells RS/2 abrasives in 10-packs which this year are priced at $10 a pack. While small size packages are not the most cost efficient way of buying abrasives, one can get a full set of grits at a price which is just a fraction (in the ballpark of 25-30%) of the cost of the sander. It is not "equal or greater" than the cost of the sander.

Obviously, a hole punch is the alternative route, but it is not necessarily a much cheaper route. It all depends on how much sanding you will do and how much you pay for the regular sand paper. I would imagine one can buy it in bulk, although retail stores usually sell small packages with pricing between $1 to $2 per full size sheet. With such price, it makes little or no difference, minus lack of hook and loop.

I bought both the punch and the 10-packs across all grits. But I did not use my sander nearly enough to tell which option works better.

 

[ear3]

Are there any dealers out there still doing 10 packs on the RS2, preferably in Granat?  Just picked one up and don't really feel yet like spending $$$ to outfit myself with the full range of grits, especially since I only have some targeted use of the sander planned in the near future.

Failing that, any recommendations on full sheets of hook and loop paper that I can cut and punch myself.

 

[Poindexter]

I took advantage of some Rubin deals when picking up the RS2 last year.  Haven't burned through it yet.  But is there that much of a difference between the Rubin and Granat on this sander?

 

[HarveyWildes]

I have the Makita half sheet sander and use Festool paper with it almost exclusively.  I also have the Festool punch, so I could punch my own - but I only got the punch for those times when I don't have the grit that I need in the Festool paper.  I like the Festool paper for these reasons:
*  I like the positive grip of the hook and loop over the whole surface. Smooth-backed paper eventually
    loosens up, doesn't sand well, and then tears.
*  I like being able to quickly change to another grit, and back.
*  The paper is good quality paper.
*  I don't have to cut it.

 

[HarveyWildes]

I took advantage of some Rubin deals when picking up the RS2 last year.  Haven't burned through it yet.  But is there that much of a difference between the Rubin and Granat on this sander?

I noticed a big difference in loading, even with dust collection, on deck wood that had been oiled a couple of years previously.  I think Rubin is good for dry wood that has never been finished, and doesn't have a lot of natural oils or gum in the wood, but that's about it.  Granat is good for that as well as everything else that I do as a woodworker, so I always buy Granat if it's available.

 

[ear3]

Agreed.  And even on bare wood the Granat performs better IMHO.  I know there are people who swear by Rubin, but in my own informal testing the lifespan of Granat is noticeably longer.

I took advantage of some Rubin deals when picking up the RS2 last year.  Haven't burned through it yet.  But is there that much of a difference between the Rubin and Granat on this sander?

I noticed a big difference in loading, even with dust collection, on deck wood that had been oiled a couple of years previously.  I think Rubin is good for dry wood that has never been finished, and doesn't have a lot of natural oils or gum in the wood, but that's about it.  Granat is good for that as well as everything else that I do as a woodworker, so I always buy Granat if it's available.