RS2E vs LS 130 w/ flat pad

[Dave Schwarzkopf]

I'm relatively new to Festool; slipped down that green slope during the sander sale, and now I'm better acquainted with Bob M. and Peter from Tool Nut. 

I've been selling off a lot of the heavy stuff in my shop as the Navy is moving me to Hawaii.  In the mean time I've been replacing a few items with green things stashed safely away in sysports.  I'm trying to shrink my shop while still keeping it well equipped. 

My question is this:  Do I need both the RS2E and the LS130 or would I be 90% of the way there (for flat panels) if I put the flat pad onto the LS 130. 

I'm already planning on purchasing the LS 130 for corners and molding, I'm just wondering if adding the flat pad would get me a pretty good finishing panel sander as well without having to buy another sander, different paper, another systainer to hold different sandpaper, and probably another sysport 'cause at that point I won't want any homeless systainers.

Yes, I do know the LS 130 is linear and the RS2E is orbital; I just don't know what I'd be missing by going the cheaper/minimalist method.

Your thoughts?

 

[Kev]

I'm probably no help in what I'm responding with here, but I'll throw it in anyway (I don't know what work you're doing, so I may be way off the mark).

personally, I'd mix an ETS150/3 or ETS125 with the LS130.

The RS2E ... though it's a 200 over here in Oz, it the ultimate in large flat sheet finishing - I'd like one, but I don't think I'd ever have the need. To me, the LS130 is the clever swiss army knife of sanders, for all of those peculiar corners and coves (but know what I'd go to for large flat area finishing.

Botton line, I'd add another sander, but maybe the first I'd add wouldn't be the RS2E.

Kev.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Dave,

Welcome to the forum. Can you share what sander(s) you already have? That might help us give you some advice.

Shane

 

[Dave Schwarzkopf]

Thanks for the quick replies guys, I guess the FOG never sleeps!

I already own the RO125, RO90, and I'm planning on buying the ETS 125 and the LS 130, (and maybe the RAS later on...wish it came w/ the plug-it cord).

Dave

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Dave,

I'm not sure the LS 130 will do what you want but I think that the RO 125 and ETS 125 would serve the purpose of being good sanders for panels.

The LS 130, which I personally own, its a niche sander. It's great at what it's designed to do which would be things like edges, profiles, contours, etc. I wouldn't use it for sanding panels. I just don't think you'd get a good finish because it is linear. That being said, I've not used it for sanding panels either even though I have the extended flat interface which doubles its sanding surface size (491862). The dust extraction on the LS 130 is not going to be as good as on most of our other sanders because of the linear motion and smaller extraction holes if that matters to you.

So, I think if you're looking for a good sander for doing large, open, flat surfaces then look to your RO 125 or ETS 125. The RS 2 would be a great sander for that purpose but I think there would be some overlap with your existing and planned sanders.

So, I guess what I'm saying is that if you're looking to choose between the RS 2 and the LS 130, I would go with the LS 130 but not use it for sanding panels. Use it for what it was designed to do. Use the other sanders you have for finish sanding on panels.

I'm sure other members will have advice and opinions which may or may not align with my own.

Hope that helps.

Shane

 

[Dave Schwarzkopf]

Shane,

Very helpful, appreciate that.  Glad you mentioned the dust collection piece; that's what sold me on Festool ever since my dealer got me hooked on the RO90...funny, I don't remember the first hit being for free, but my family hasn't intervened yet, so it must all be good.

One of the tools I just sold was a Porter Cable 505, and while I'm really missing it's panel sanding abilities, I am not missing the ability to breath nor the fine coating that would adhere to everything in my garage errrr, I mean shop afterwards.  I guess my only worry or concern then is how the 125 will compare to the 505 when I've got a table top to make pretty.

Thanks again!
Dave

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Dave,

The RO 125 is a good finish sander but you'll get even better results with the ETS 125. It has a finer, smaller stroke. So, while it won't hog off material very well, it will provide you with an exceptionally fine finish. I think between the two of them, you'll be in good shape. The stroke on your PC 505 was 1/8" and it's 5/64" on the ETS 125, 9/64" on the RO 125. So, the stroke on the RO 125 is almost identical to your PC 505. The ETS 125 is even finer.

Obviously, from the standpoint of appearance, the RS 2 is the closest match. But from the perspective of finish quality, the RO 125 and ETS 125 will do just as good of a job, if not better.

Remember, you've got the 30-day money back guarantee if you get one and try it and it's just not working for you. So, virtually no risk regardless of your choice.

Shane

 

[Dave Schwarzkopf]

Bang-on Shane, appreciate that advice.  You just saved me $30 for the flat pad, and $355 on the RS2....now I get to be creative with which other flavor of green I divert those funds to...

 

[Kev]

Bang-on Shane, appreciate that advice.  You just saved me $30 for the flat pad, and $355 on the RS2....now I get to be creative with which other flavor of green I divert those funds to...

What? No honourable mention ?  [crying]

 

[Tim Sproul]

RS2E sander is good for sanding large flat surfaces.  I use mine for larger table tops, large panels and large frames - like passage/entry door frames.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Definitely agree that the LS-130 can be niche and I wouldn't use it for a panel; I'd even use the DTS-400 before the LS-130 for that.  But the RS2e isn't limited to large panels.  I've often used it on face-frame sized work; it's big, but surprisingly easy to use on even narrow stock.  I also like using it to flatten .  For example, tonight I was trying to get further on a Christmas present for my mom.  The base of the box is a frame about 8"x11" with a 5/8" wide rails on the top surface, 3/4" for bottom surface.  I straddled the sander across the rails to flatten them after the miter glue-up.  I've often used this on larger furniture as well as the larger surface of the sander avoids dishing.  In a sense, I treat it like a hand-held drum sander (er, maybe sandflea since it doesn't use a thickness reference).

For this present, I also flipped it upside down in a vice and moved the smaller box sides over it; crazy fast to do all sides from P80 through P400.

 

[Kev]

Definitely agree that the LS-130 can be niche and I wouldn't use it for a panel; I'd even use the DTS-400 before the LS-130 for that.  But the RS2e isn't limited to large panels.  I've often used it on face-frame sized work; it's big, but surprisingly easy to use on even narrow stock.  I also like using it to flatten .  For example, tonight I was trying to get further on a Christmas present for my mom.  The base of the box is a frame about 8"x11" with a 5/8" wide rails on the top surface, 3/4" for bottom surface.  I straddled the sander across the rails to flatten them after the miter glue-up.  I've often used this on larger furniture as well as the larger surface of the sander avoids dishing.  In a sense, I treat it like a hand-held drum sander (er, maybe sandflea since it doesn't use a thickness reference).

For this present, I also flipped it upside down in a vice and moved the smaller box sides over it; crazy fast to do all sides from P80 through P400.

So ... where's the video??

You've set an expectation ;-)

 

[ossietim]

Dave I think the rs2e would suit you better.(even the Rs3e which can have  a delta pad)
You already have a ro90 that can take care of the LS130 stuff
I have the LS130 and it is not as good as I assumed.

I have ALMOST all the Festool sanders except the BS 75,RAS180

I have the : Rs 1,2,3,4 ,RO 90,125,150 LS130,BS105,WTS 150/7,ETS 150/3,4,5
RAS115.04,115.08,DTS400,DX93,DT400,RTS400 also the RAP80,150
But then I am a floor sander and have lots more bigger stuff!

I made /modified the ETS150/4 myself!
Ossietim

 

[waho6o9]

Hello Dave & welcome to the Fog.
I would go with the lS130 in your situation.  It has more options, and works quite well for flatting panels.  [smile]

 

[Dave Schwarzkopf]

Appreciate all the responses guys;

I'm certainly jealous of your sander collection, Tim! And sorry about the lack of manners on my part Kev.  Oh, and long time fan, first time caller, Paul!

I wasn't doubting how useful the Rs2E would be; it looks like a great piece of kit.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that the Navy moves me every 3 years or so, and the less I have to pack/unpack the better.  So would including the RS2E give me that much value-added in my case?  After I retire and stop being so mobile I have no doubts about including more sanders/tools, but right now, less is more, unless I can justify the purchase/space/weight.  Although you all are doing a pretty good job of talking me into it....Enablers!

Would it save me a significant amount of time/effort/frustration compared to my current lineup for any of the various sanding chores?  By that I mean even for large panels would I be shaving 10/15/50% of my time?  Shane, I know if I bought one, I wouldn't likely be returning it, the slope is entirely too slippery to climb back up, especially when you're having too much fun sliding down it!

Thanks again Gents,
Dave

 

[PaulMarcel]

So ... where's the video??

You've set an expectation ;-)

ha ha! On my hard drive!  It'll be a different video simply because I have no time to describe things; no time to edit, either, so there's hours of video on the hard drive waiting for post-Christmas editing, but it'll make it up early next week.  The RS-2e segment is pretty short, but if you never thought to clamp a sander in a vice, the idea is there.  Do use some soft cloths in the vice, though... you'd hate to scratch through the Armor-All  [tongue]

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Appreciate all the responses guys;

I'm certainly jealous of your sander collection, Tim! And sorry about the lack of manners on my part Kev.  Oh, and long time fan, first time caller, Paul!

I wasn't doubting how useful the Rs2E would be; it looks like a great piece of kit.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that the Navy moves me every 3 years or so, and the less I have to pack/unpack the better.  So would including the RS2E give me that much value-added in my case?  After I retire and stop being so mobile I have no doubts about including more sanders/tools, but right now, less is more, unless I can justify the purchase/space/weight.  Although you all are doing a pretty good job of talking me into it....Enablers!

Would it save me a significant amount of time/effort/frustration compared to my current lineup for any of the various sanding chores?  By that I mean even for large panels would I be shaving 10/15/50% of my time?  Shane, I know if I bought one, I wouldn't likely be returning it, the slope is entirely too slippery to climb back up, especially when you're having too much fun sliding down it!

Thanks again Gents,
Dave

Hi Dave,

If you build furniture or things with big fields (cabinet panels), you need flat and smooth surfaces and the RS2E is a great sander.  I would go as far as to say this is one of 3 sanders that you should have in your arsenal.  It is great for face frames and narrow work (as Paul states) and when it comes to making larger surfaces smooth, it is pretty fast -- faster than using an RO sander in my opinion.  I do not own an LS, although it would be nice for sanding profiles and such.  I think that the RS2E would complement what you already have nicely and give you a wide range of options.  An LS would certainly give you some capacity that you may not have in other tools, but as others have indicated, it is more of a niche tool.  The RS2E has become my go-to sander for most finishing work these days -- it does take some time to learn how to drive it, but once you learn, it is a great sander to have.  Just my .02.

Scot

 

[PaulMarcel]

For this present, I also flipped it upside down in a vice and moved the smaller box sides over it; crazy fast to do all sides from P80 through P400.

So ... where's the video??

You've set an expectation ;-)

So my Christmas project video is up now; it's done differently than the others... a "no comment" video where it's just the action shots, etc.  There are a couple of the RS-2e being used "fixed" and upside-down to sand smaller components.  Also shots of using it to flatten parts across spans.

Here's the "No Comment #1" video.

 

[Joe Jensen]

If it's not too late, I'll chime in too.  The RS2E was my first Festool, and I quickly added the RO150, 150/3, RS400, and I also bought an LS130 with like 20 pads.  I use the RS2E when I want a really flat surface.  When I used random orbit sanders the flat surfaces are not perfectly flat.  I found the LS130 to be a really niche sander and I found that is was usally easier to just sand profiles by hand.  I ended up selling the LS130 with few hours on it.  It was just too slow and finding the perfect pad for each situation was fussy.  I love the RS2E, and it's also the smoothest running tool I've ever held.