RTS 400 and Drywall Sanding

[Brian Livingstone]

Hi,

I just purchased the RTS 400.  One of the applications I intended to use this for was some light drywall sanding.  I am installing a new kitchen, and I took out a small wall, which meant I needed to do some drywalling.  As the old kitchen is still in use, it was important that I did not make too much of a mess.  All I can say is that the RTS 400 is one sweet sander- absolutely no drywall dust in the kitchen !

I have had a good run on Festools lately, acquired a used OF1400 which I haven't used yet and the parallel guides and extensions.  I do my woodworking in my two car garage, and it has been a little too cold in Nova Scotia to venture out into the garage.  I am selling my Makita 12inch SCMS and when it is sold, I will be buying a Kapex.  I can't wait !

 

[skids]

Hi,

I just purchased the RTS 400.  One of the applications I intended to use this for was some light drywall sanding.  I am installing a new kitchen, and I took out a small wall, which meant I needed to do some drywalling.  As the old kitchen is still in use, it was important that I did not make too much of a mess.  All I can say is that the RTS 400 is one sweet sander- absolutely no drywall dust in the kitchen !

I have had a good run on Festools lately, acquired a used OF1400 which I haven't used yet and the parallel guides and extensions.  I do my woodworking in my two car garage, and it has been a little too cold in Nova Scotia to venture out into the garage.  I am selling my Makita 12inch SCMS and when it is sold, I will be buying a Kapex.  I can't wait !

Isn't it an awesome little sander? I just got a DTS400, same sander different pad, and I am in love with it.

 

[jeep jake]

is there special sand paper for drywall?

 

[neeleman]

When you look at the available sandpaper meant for the Planex drywall sander there are a few types available:
- Brilliant 2: for sanding plaster/drywall
- Cristal: for removing paint
- Saphir: for really tough sanding

Also take a look at the abrasives guide from Festool which I added as an attachment.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I think the paper that performs best with drywall is Granat. Brilliant2 will also do fine, but Granat doesn't clog as quickly as Brilliant, so you need less sheets to do the same job.

 

[Deadskins]

I think it is the whole system that is great.  I just have some small areas to finish, so I used my RO 90 and my 36 for dust extraction in a living room.  I carefully covered speakers and chairs nearby.  But, as I was sanding away I noticed almost no dust and found nothing on a glass table about 10 feet away.  Amazing!  Now, the next time the wife wants a wall moved I will have an excuse to purchase the Planex.

 

[kcasser]

What grit are you using for drywall?

And, I agree completely that this sander is fantastic.  I picked up the RTS 400 several years ago - it was my first Festool - to sand flat frames that I make for a certain customer.  It has exceeded my expectations.  I was a little annoyed at the retailer because he tried very hard to talk me out of this sander. He said I could get a lot of other sanders that do the same thing for a lot less $$$.  But, I wanted to try a green machine, and I justified the price because it was for my business.  I'm glad I did.  I've had a lot of other sanders, but this thing is light, quiet, efficient, and does a terrific job.  I thought the sandpaper would be a bit expensive, but I think it's priced competitively with other sticky sandpapers, and it saves so much time just slapping a new piece on and changing grits, and it lasts much longer than other papers.  It's well worth it even if it does cost more.

I subsequently bought a RO 90 thinking that that would take the place of the RTS 400, but I have to tell you, the RTS 400 is still my go-to sander for doing those flat frames.  The RO 90 is fantastic for a lot of other work, but for this application, the RTS 400 is lighter and easier to control on a narrow frame.

I went back to that retailer a couple of years later and bought a T12 drill.  Again he tried to sell me a less expensive brand which I'm sure would do well for most folks, but once you drink the green Kool Aid, there's no going back to ordinary.  Now I'm looking at the CXS for my picture frame shop...

 

[leakyroof]

What grit are you using for drywall?

And, I agree completely that this sander is fantastic.  I picked up the RTS 400 several years ago - it was my first Festool - to sand flat frames that I make for a certain customer.  It has exceeded my expectations.  I was a little annoyed at the retailer because he tried very hard to talk me out of this sander. He said I could get a lot of other sanders that do the same thing for a lot less $$$.  But, I wanted to try a green machine, and I justified the price because it was for my business.  I'm glad I did.  I've had a lot of other sanders, but this thing is light, quiet, efficient, and does a terrific job.  I thought the sandpaper would be a bit expensive, but I think it's priced competitively with other sticky sandpapers, and it saves so much time just slapping a new piece on and changing grits, and it lasts much longer than other papers.  It's well worth it even if it does cost more.

I subsequently bought a RO 90 thinking that that would take the place of the RTS 400, but I have to tell you, the RTS 400 is still my go-to sander for doing those flat frames.  The RO 90 is fantastic for a lot of other work, but for this application, the RTS 400 is lighter and easier to control on a narrow frame.

I went back to that retailer a couple of years later and bought a T12 drill.  Again he tried to sell me a less expensive brand which I'm sure would do well for most folks, but once you drink the green Kool Aid, there's no going back to ordinary.  Now I'm looking at the CXS for my picture frame shop...

If I'm sloppy with my mud, or repairing plaster, I use 80 grit with no pressure on the sander for the most part. But 120 grit is more common for me. I rarely go above the 120.

 

[JUDOKA]

Could this sander be used for sanding hardwood floors ?

goran

 

[skids]

Could this sander be used for sanding hardwood floors ?

goran

The RTS? Maybe ok for like some fine clean up sanding in corners. But not a flooring sander..you would want to look to the Rotex 125 or 150 for a flooring sander.

 

[tjbnwi]

I use 220 Brilliant 2 for drywall on my DTS. 220 is the paper I use the most on the Planex for new drywall sanding also.

Tom

 

[Saskataper]

I just picked up DTS 400 as well to get where my Planex cannot on Reno jobs where dust is a concern. Unfortunately Lee valley had no paper to go with it at all and the other dealer had only 320 brilliant 2.
So far it seems like a great little sander.

 

[FulThrotl]

Could this sander be used for sanding hardwood floors ?

goran

i've used a RO 150 for floor sanding.... most i've ever done is 700 sq ft.

the planex probably could do a light sanding on a new floor, but to remove
a bunch of old finish, and level the floor, i'm using 24 grit, and a bunch of
pressure, speed set on 2 or so, agressive mode. the planex isn't gonna work
well if that is what you need.

however, the RO 150 is pretty amazing doing that.... you just move it
along nice and slow, and what emerges  has an excellent scratch pattern.
hit it with 60 grit, then fill the floor, then 100 grit, then stain, then 120,
then 4 coats of bona traffic, close enough between coats you don't have
to sand...... the ratio of grits is 50 sheets 24 grit, and about 5 of each of
the other ones. the first sanding is all the work. the rest is pretty quick.

 

[skids]

Could this sander be used for sanding hardwood floors ?

goran

i've used a RO 150 for floor sanding.... most i've ever done is 700 sq ft.

the planex probably could do a light sanding on a new floor, but to remove
a bunch of old finish, and level the floor, i'm using 24 grit, and a bunch of
pressure, speed set on 2 or so, agressive mode. the planex isn't gonna work
well if that is what you need.

however, the RO 150 is pretty amazing doing that.... you just move it
along nice and slow, and what emerges  has an excellent scratch pattern.
hit it with 60 grit, then fill the floor, then 100 grit, then stain, then 120,
then 4 coats of bona traffic, close enough between coats you don't have
to sand...... the ratio of grits is 50 sheets 24 grit, and about 5 of each of
the other ones. the first sanding is all the work. the rest is pretty quick.

How much square footage are you doing with the RO150?

 

[JUDOKA]

thanks so-cal [cool]