RS2E Quite Possibly my new Favorite Festool

[ScotF]

I only have a few hours use on my new RS2E, but so far I am very, very impressed.  What an amaziong sander.  With 80 grit, it gives you the capability of controlled aggressive sanding.  Overall it is very smooth and easy to push around.  I did notice that if it skittered about that it was usually due to a non-flat area and the sander hitting the high spots.  Once that area was flattened the RS2E smoothed right out.  I also noticed that this sander removes material at a good rate with the courser grit papers, much faster than I had originally anticipated.  The pad covers such a wide area that I could smooth a large surface quickly and I do not think I spent more time with it than I would have with one of my 6 inch sanders (although I did not time anything).

I will get the opportunity to log more hours today and work up through the grits to see how it works with the finer grits.  My only regret is that I did not buy this ander sooner -- it would have saved me a lot of time on projects.  I am not sure why this does not get more press, but I would argue that this should be one of the first sanders that you get if you need to sand furniture.

Scot

 

[tvgordon]

I bought one about a month ago and haven't got around to spending much time with it.  The only thing I did was sand a small board to make sure there was nothing wrong with the sander.  After reading the reviews, I'm looking forward to the project I have coming up where the sander should see some use.

Tom

 

[ScotF]

It is a great sander.  It does take a little bit of time learning how to drive it, but once you get the hang of it the sander works well.

Scot

 

[Mac]

I seem to remember Brice Burrell calling the RS2 the 'Cadillac' of the Festool sander range in his excellent review...that stuck in my mind!

 

[RonMiller]

I just used mine to flatten a cherry kitchen countertop I'm making for someone. 4 boards wide (33") so needed this to ensure flatness. Really like this beast.

 

[PaulMarcel]

I use it a lot; great at higher grits to finish, but I also use some P40 sheets to help flatten quickly. My only complaint is the oval dust port cuz the D27 pops out sometimes.  Used to complain about the lack of a Plug-It port, but not anymore  [cool]

So, Scot, what did this sander smell like new?  [tongue]

 

[John Stevens]

A couple of questions for Scott or anyone--

I do not think I spent more time with it than I would have with one of my 6 inch sanders (although I did not time anything).

1.  I thought it would take less time to sand a given area with the RS2E than with an ROS 150.  I'm mistaken?

2.  I'm assuming that you wouldn't use an RS2E on a "small" work piece.  What would be the narrowest or shortest dimensions you'd want to use this sander for?  For example, if I'm making a top for a credenza that measures 20" x 40" (500mm x 1000m), do I reach for the RS2E or the ROS 150?  How about if I'm making a top for a side-server that's 20" x 60" (50mm x 1500mm)?

Many thanks in advance for sharing your experience and opinions.

Regards,

John

 

[ScotF]

Hi John,

I will let some others weigh in, but I think that you can use this sander on just about any work piece that you want to ensure that you have a flat surface.  I used mine on several shelves that are roughly 12x37 for a bookcase I am building and it worked beautifully.  I am also going to use it to final sand some rails and stiles on the piece and to remove minor assembly dings before I apply the finish.  This sander excels at sanding narrow pieces and edges since it is orbital.  I find that a random orbit some times rounds the edge or I have a tendancy to sometimes tilt it and this has not been the case with the RS2E so far.  Wonderful tool.
BTW, I think it is faster than my random orbit simply because of the bigger pad - again, this is non scientific, but you can cover a lot of ground quickly with this machine.

Scot

 

[ScotF]

I use it a lot; great at higher grits to finish, but I also use some P40 sheets to help flatten quickly. My only complaint is the oval dust port cuz the D27 pops out sometimes.  Used to complain about the lack of a Plug-It port, but not anymore  [cool]

So, Scot, what did this sander smell like new?  [tongue]

It smelled just like grape candy  ;D

40 grit, huh?  I have only gone down to 80 grit so far but maybe I should try it on my next project when I need to level a glue joint.

Have you tried one of the other pads or have you just stuck with the standard StickFix pad?

Scot

 

[ScotF]

I seem to remember Brice Burrell calling the RS2 the 'Cadillac' of the Festool sander range in his excellent review...that stuck in my mind!

Yes - this is in his title of the review and it is a good analogy. You just push it around the work and guide it to where you want to go.

Scot

 

[PaulMarcel]

I seem to remember Brice Burrell calling the RS2 the 'Cadillac' of the Festool sander range in his excellent review...that stuck in my mind!

Yes - this is in his title of the review and it is a good analogy. You just push it around the work and guide it to where you want to go.

Scot

So you get 12 boards to the gallon? yikes.  [crying]

 

[ScotF]

Actually it is much, much better than that since it is "electric"...

 

[peter halle]

And it is Green.

Peter

 

[John Stevens]

Thanks Scot, that's very useful info for me, with an explanation that even I can understand.

I will let some others weigh in, but I think that you can use this sander on just about any work piece that you want to ensure that you have a flat surface.  I used mine on several shelves that are roughly 12x37 for a bookcase I am building and it worked beautifully.  I am also going to use it to final sand some rails and stiles on the piece and to remove minor assembly dings before I apply the finish.  This sander excels at sanding narrow pieces and edges since it is orbital.  I find that a random orbit some times rounds the edge or I have a tendancy to sometimes tilt it and this has not been the case with the RS2E so far.  Wonderful tool.
BTW, I think it is faster than my random orbit simply because of the bigger pad - again, this is non scientific, but you can cover a lot of ground quickly with this machine.

 

[leakyroof]

I use it a lot; great at higher grits to finish, but I also use some P40 sheets to help flatten quickly. My only complaint is the oval dust port cuz the D27 pops out sometimes.  Used to complain about the lack of a Plug-It port, but not anymore  [cool]

So, Scot, what did this sander smell like new?  [tongue]

  Yeah, why is that?  Why is the dust port not round after this tool has been around as long as it has?  Why Shane, Why... [wink]  I just used my RS2 for the first time in awhile.  Forgot how easy it is to maneuver around, esp. for its size.  [cool] [cool] [cool]

 

[TomGadwa1]

Just bought one recently. Seems to be very nice. Going to sand my first real tabletop with it. I think we will have nice results together. Feels Smooooooth!

 

[Roseland]

I use it a lot; great at higher grits to finish, but I also use some P40 sheets to help flatten quickly. My only complaint is the oval dust port cuz the D27 pops out sometimes.  Used to complain about the lack of a Plug-It port, but not anymore  [cool]

So, Scot, what did this sander smell like new?  [tongue]

Mine came with a wire clip that you push over the hose after forcing it over the oval.  It seems to hold it on.

Andrew

 

[leakyroof]

I use it a lot; great at higher grits to finish, but I also use some P40 sheets to help flatten quickly. My only complaint is the oval dust port cuz the D27 pops out sometimes.  Used to complain about the lack of a Plug-It port, but not anymore  [cool]

So, Scot, what did this sander smell like new?  [tongue]

Mine came with a wire clip that you push over the hose after forcing it over the oval.  It seems to hold it on.

Andrew

Is your sander older, or a recent purchase?  That clip is a new thing to me, unless it's for an older production model. My RS2, which I bought around 2005 or so, doesn't have one at that location on the tool-Or is your clip something you attach to the hose and not mounted on the sander itself?  A picture might explain everything at once...  [huh]

 

[nickao]

Never had a clip on mine either.

 

[kdzito]

Wire clip, what wire clip? Mine did not come with a wire clip either.

Andrew, did you put your own wire clip on it or was this a part that Festool supplied with a new sander?