RS2 anybody else love it???

[jcrowe1950]

I picked up an RS2 soon after Festool discontinued it in the NA market.  I really like this sander. Sometimes when I have planer snipe on a piece that I want to use all of, I will flatten it with this sander...it's not really that time consuming and can be faster, believe it or not, than a drum sander. I know that in Europe it has been replaced by the RS 200 with a plug-it cord.....other than the hassle of making a 110 volt version can anybody speculate why we are not seeing it in the NA market?

 

[ScotF]

It is one of Festool's gems - sad they got rid of it. I had one burn up and immediately bought another with no regrets. It is an awesome sander.

 

[aloysius]

Might pay to get extra stickfix & plain platens whilst they're still available.

 

[mino]

I would guess the RS2 was not sufficiently "high volume" to break-even so they decided not to make a new 110V model.

I have the Narex version of RS200, and truth be told - I had my share of "rectangle pad sanders" before, and none of them comes even close to the smoothness and the quality of surface the RS200 produces.

I bought it simply because the Narex version was for a great price (ca $250) and was going out of sale too.

Realized how useful the sander is for big-surface-sanding only after owning it and having the pleasure to put it through its paces. I would have probably never bought it was I not "pushed" by the end-of-sale-at-great-price situation ... and something tells me many are in the same position.

The thing is that RS200 pads do not create marks like the other rectangle sanders do so they can take the role of an ETS EC150, but with more comfort even. This property is probably too unexpected so people do not even look at it for a finish-sanding task assuming it is no-good for that by default ... hence no (volume) sales.

 

[Mjolner174]

This was my first and is still my favorite Festool sander. My favorite sander for 15 years, before I got into Festool, was the Porter Cable 550 1/2 sheet sander, although using the paper holders was like putting my fingers into rat traps.  I am amazed that I still have all my fingers.  Using the paper clamps on the RS2 is a sooth as closing a door on Mercedes. I bought the hole punch, so I'm not locked into Festool paper, which as a hobbyist is great. The ability to occasionally go to a home center and purchase a few sheets of sand paper on a weekend is a great thing.

 

[Cheese]

I moved from a Milwaukee 6010 sander which was actually made by AEG to the RS 2, what a huge difference in feel and sanding finish. Like others have mentioned, getting an extra pad and keeping it in a protected area would be a good idea.

 

[jeh]

I bought one used that was all but brand new. Had probably been in a "tool collection". What a great product that I use all the time for sheet goods as I typically I apply a coat of primer or clear to before starting a project.

 

[afish]

Has anyone used both the RS2 and the Bosch half sheet sander?  The Bosch seems like the next best option for US customers.  I like the option of using sheet paper "cubitron"  but been holding off since I havent had a big need my EC150/3, 125req, ls103, and DTS are doing a good job of covering my needs but a half sheet will probably be added at some point. Looks like the only 2 good options here are Bosh or Makita. 

 

[rst]

I still have that PC sander... it's relegated to sanding and conditioning sheets for metal reconditioning

 

[rvieceli]

[member=73094]afish[/member] Take a look at the Makita half sheet sander as well. BO4900V

I have one and like it.

It has the clamps for a regular half sheet. It has the same hole pattern as the RS2 and will also take Festool hook and loop paper for the RS2. Runs around 200.

My understanding is that the Bosch does not take hook and loop paper.
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-BO490...HT/ref=sr_1_2?crid=F8OC010R6F2P&keywords=half+sheet+sander&qid=1645202115&sprefix=half+sheet+sander%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-2

Ron

 

[afish]

I saw the Makita but based on my reading, it sounds like the dust collection and particularly the Bosch paper clamps are superior.  Since my main motivation for getting one other than sanding large flat panels is the benefit of using cubitron paper from HD.  Its pretty cheap when purchased in the big packs and they are just down the road. So, the clamping system kind of becomes a big deal at that point.  While the hook and loop is nice feature this will require making sure I have all the sheets on hand since I cant just run down and buy more and will require stocking yet another paper  [mad] Kind of over that if I can help it. Plus Makita makes you buy the punch plate separate which adds to the cost, granted its still cheaper than the Bosch.  It is slightly annoying though. 

 

[FestitaMakool]

An ever so slightly bend off topic..

There’s a new cordless 1/3 sheet sander from Makita.
DBO380/DBO381(With AWS). It comes with a punch plate, a rubber protector/grip/inverted adaptor for the battery.
2mm stroke, 3 speeds, quick detachable front handle. So far the reviews seems very positive.
And the pricing I’ve seen is very good. Tools and Stuff have tested an early version - which didn’t come with accessories mentioned.
Especially for those who have Makita LXT 18V it’s worth a serious look.
Though I have a RTSC, this might be added to my LXT line. The fact that you can use any sheet sandpaper makes it worth the look.

Link to Makita UK: (will probably soon be in the US as well) BO380D/XOB03?https://makitauk.com/product/dbo381zu

View attachment 1

 

[mino]

An ever so slightly bend off topic..

There’s a new cordless 1/3 sheet sander from Makita.
DBO380/DBO381(With AWS). It comes with a punch plate, a rubber protector/grip/inverted adaptor for the battery.
2mm stroke, 3 speeds, quick detachable front handle. So far the reviews seems very positive.
And the pricing I’ve seen is very good. Tools and Stuff have tested an early version - which didn’t come with accessories mentioned.
Especially for those who have Makita LXT 18V it’s worth a serious look.
Though I have a RTSC, this might be added to my LXT line. The fact that you can use any sheet sandpaper makes it worth the look.

Link to Makita UK: (will probably soon be in the US as well) BO380D/XOB03?https://makitauk.com/product/dbo381zu

View attachment 1

No anti-static body and the stupid miniscule Makita dust port where pretty much no hose fits /except the special Makita one/. Pass here.

 

[idratherplaytennis]

I saw the Makita but based on my reading, it sounds like the dust collection and particularly the Bosch paper clamps are superior.  Since my main motivation for getting one other than sanding large flat panels is the benefit of using cubitron paper from HD.  Its pretty cheap when purchased in the big packs and they are just down the road. So, the clamping system kind of becomes a big deal at that point.  While the hook and loop is nice feature this will require making sure I have all the sheets on hand since I cant just run down and buy more and will require stocking yet another paper  [mad] Kind of over that if I can help it. Plus Makita makes you buy the punch plate separate which adds to the cost, granted its still cheaper than the Bosch.  It is slightly annoying though.

I have the Makita half sheet and bought the RS2 punch plate since it matched- I had no clue Makita even had a punch plate at the time and I was too broke to break into the Festool stuff. I'm sad now though- I always wanted to get the RS2 eventually but never got around to it. Wound up getting an RO90, ETS EC 150/3 and RO150 along with the cordless 125.. and haven't touched my Makita since getting the ETS 150/3. Part of me is sad but I know the Makita is nice enough if I ever need to do a good large flat finish sand.