RS 2 E

[jimmy986]

I am thinking about my next Festool purchases and it may be another sander. I currently have an RO 125 and DX 90. I think I will eventually get an ETS 125. I build mostly occasional tables like cocktails, chair side, ends, etc. I will graduate to larger projects as my skills increase but that is what I do right now. I have been looking at the RS 2 E. Obviously it would be for the tops of the tables. I really like the large size for flattening large surfaces. With the type of motion it has, would it be a sander that would still need and ROS before staining/finishing? Would it be a sander that could be used with super fine sandpaper on poly as a final sanding step?

With my two festool sanders as well as a bosch ROS, with the type of work I do would it be better to get an ETS 125 or and RS 2E first? Or is one of those unnecessary?

 

[rst]

The RS 2 is a finishing sander, not really designed for flattening surfaces other than finish.  The ETS 125 is also a finish sander.  The RO is more suited for flattening wood.

 

[DrD]

With the large platen and ability to use non-Festool sandpaper, slap on some 40, 60, or 80 grit paper, connect the dust extractor, and you can flatten, smooth out dips, etc., and go thru the 120, 150, 180, 220 grits or even more fine if you wish, and go to sealing, staining, painting.  I have an ETS 150/3 that I haven't used since getting my RS2.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that every woodworker should have a 1/2 sheet sander in their arsenal and the RS2E is a very nice sander. Pretty much every piece that comes out of my shop is touched by this sander at some point and when you need to ensure flat is flat, then the RS2E will get the job done. It can remove lots of material with coarser grit paper too, but not as fast as say the Rotex. But for intermediate and fine sanding it is a gem.