RS2E - tips please

[Warrior]

I have a new RS2 Sander. It has maybe 2 hrs or more of run time. I am having a real hard time controling the sander. I have tried adjusting the vac, the sander's speed, and various amounts of downward pressure. It wants to bounce excessively or vears off course unpredictably.

What gives?

 

[Eli]

For purposes of future generation's enlightenment, what grit and what material are you using? Is it possible this is a sander that needs some break-in time? I think Brice has one.

 

[Qwas]

I have one with about 10 hours on it. Never gave me any troubles. I use a Fein Turbo I vac, full sander speed, very light downward pressure. Even with more downward pressure it has been no problem to control.

 

[Bob Marino]

I have a new RS2 Sander. It has maybe 2 hrs or more of run time. I am having a real hard time controling the sander. I have tried adjusting the vac, the sander's speed, and various amounts of downward pressure. It wants to bounce excessively or vears off course unpredictably.

What gives?

Eiji,

There sould be no such uncontrolability in the sander. Give Dave M or Les W a call ata Festool Repair 800-554-8741.

Bob

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  Me thinks this is not the first time someone had this trouble.  See this thread

Seth

 

[Warrior]

Well,
I talked with David Mcgibbon, FestoolService, and he informed me that the brushes need to be fully seated before the sander will run smoothly. Also the main bearings are very large and will be stiff until broken in. The break in time is a min. of 10 hrs of run time before the brushes will seat. he also informed me that the pad must be flat for the sander to work properly. It should be flat with a slight upward bevel for the first and last 1" on the length of the pad.

After I got off the phone I headed back to the shop and plugged in the sander, hung it on a bungee and turned it on. I left it running all day(10:00 to 5:00) When I got back to the shop the motor was just slightly warm. I checked the pad for flatness and it looks exactly as David described.

I put some paper on and played just for a couple of minutes. The sander is deffinately running smoother. It can still vear off couse rather easily.

A couple of things I noticed that a new operator should know.

1. The sander must be broken in.

2. There is a learning curve in the operation of this sander. You cant just push it around like a ROS or even the RS/DTS 400 sanders. You have to learn you to drive this baby.

    a)  VERY slight downward pressure on the trigger grip moves the sander forward.
    b) VERY slight downward pressure on the front grip moves the sander backward.
    c)  VERY slight tilt to the left and the sander moves right.
    d)  VERY slight tilt to the right and the sander moves left.

Now a new operator that does not figure this out right away will think the RS2E has a mind of its own because it does seem to shudder and take off in its own direction. I think all that is needed is a little break in time and some practice.

I will report back after I complete my driving lessons.

Eiji

 

[Qwas]

Eiji,

I don't have that problem with mine. Mine is very much like the ETS-150 that I own and drives about the same. Slight pressure doesn't do much, you really need to steer it.

I think yours still has a problem!

Other owners jump in and let's find out what is right.

 

[Woodenfish]

After I got off the phone I headed back to the shop and plugged in the sander, hung it on a bungee and turned it on. I left it running all day(10:00 to 5:00) ...

I wouldn't think that method would be as ideal in helping the brushes or bearings to seat as would physically using the tool like one would do normally?

 

[Warrior]

After I got off the phone I headed back to the shop and plugged in the sander, hung it on a bungee and turned it on. I left it running all day(10:00 to 5:00) ...

I wouldn't think that method would be as ideal in helping the brushes or bearings to seat as would physically using the tool like one would do normally?

Why not?

 

[Warrior]

Eiji,

I don't have that problem with mine. Mine is very much like the ETS-150 that I own and drives about the same. Slight pressure doesn't do much, you really need to steer it.

I think yours still has a problem!

Other owners jump in and let's find out what is right.

Well,
That is just not good news. Shoot 

I will play around with it a bit. I sure would prefer to have a sander that is easy to move around. I should have an answer on Monday.

Eiji

 

[Warrior]

Qwas,
My name is almost as easy to type as yours ;D. It is easier for me since I am a righty.

Eiji

 

[Qwas]

Almost as easy! Your name drives me nuts, I keep thinking I see an "L" in it somewhere.  ;D

 

[Joe Jensen]

Wow, all these experiences are ver interesting.  The RS2E was my first Festool, and it is still the smoothest running, nicest to use tool I've ever used.  If I had all the issues listed here, I've have returned it and never looked at Festool again.

There must definitely be something here.  The Festool RTS400 was my 4th sander, and it behaves like some of the posts here indicate.

I think you should have your dealer let you try another, or if not possible, send it back and find a local dealer who has one to try.  Mine is amazing, from the first minute I used it...joe

 

[Warrior]

Thanks Joe and Steve,
I will try and get a different sander.

Eiji

 

[Warrior]

Update-

the sander seems to be getting smoother and smoother in operation every time I play with it. it is also way easier to control. Unfortunately I dont have any sanding tasks at the moment so I cant tell how it will work in task. I guess I could sand my workbench but I recently flattenned and sanded it out with the rotex so it does not need it.

Eiji