RTS 400 "squiggles"

[jbasen]

So good news and bad news:

Bad news is the Bosch adapter won't fit on, it's probably around 50mm in diameter, so no quick $20 fix. There might be a series of adapters you could use, but I didn't have any handy to test it out.

Good news is the Bosch antistatic hose is a direct replacement, fits the tools like original, though you need a minute to sand off a locking tab on the vac side. I have the VH1635A, which is 35mm, 16 ft long. They make a VH1022 as well, which (as you might have guessed) is 10 ft long, 22mm. The smaller diameter might help with the aforementioned issue by itself, but both have the vacuum escape at the tool side as well. Both are rather inexpensive and there's $25 off $100 at most Bosch outlets through the end of the month.

That is a bummer.  I GREATLY appreciate your giving it a try. 

Does the tool end of the Bosch adapter fit on the sanders?  Is it just the hose end that is a problem.  I have some adapters so if it is just a hose end issue I might invest in one and give it a try.  I've also been know to throw vacuum adapters on a lathe and cut them down to fit.  I modified a vacuum adapter this way so i can use my wife's Dyson with a Festool sander and I don't have to drag my CT Mini/UDD around the house  [big grin]

Thanks again for trying this.

 

[sae]

Yes, the Bosch hose fits the Festool tool-side dust outlets directly. The rubber they use is a little higher durometer, but works the same.

I'll measure more accurately when at home, but the adapter you'd need would be a 36mm ID -> ~46mm OD adapter. I guess you could also go outside the adapter and go to a 50mm ID as well.

 

[jbasen]

Yes, the Bosch hose fits the Festool tool-side dust outlets directly. The rubber they use is a little higher durometer, but works the same.

I'll measure more accurately when at home, but the adapter you'd need would be a 36mm ID -> ~50mm OD adapter.

THANKS!

 

[JCLP]

This is a sore point with me.  I understand that UL listing and other factors mean that certain items are NAINA.  I may not like it but I understand it.  However, when Festool understands that there is an issue with a tool, designs a part to solve the problem, and then chooses to make it NAINA; that I have an issue with.  Why should people in NA be forced to live with this issue when there is a solution that is sold in other markets. 

Here is a link to a vacuum adapter specifically designed for the RTS-400, and other similar sanders, to reduce the suction so the sander doesn't "squiggle" even when the CT is turned all the way down.

http://www.festool.com.au/epages/tooltechnic.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/tooltechnic/Products/496112

[mad]

I certainly learned something new today.  I wasn't aware that there was such an adaptor / solution available somewhere.

Thanks for posting that.

Peter

So I am wondering - might it make sense to pick up a spare 27mm hose end and drill a few strategically placed holes in it to accomplish the same thing for the smaller sanders? I assume the DTS400 has the same issue, right?

I've had the DTS400 for about a year now and have never experienced this issue with it. I use a 27mm hose with the CT26 at about 1/5 suction. Maybe it's because the DTS400 has only 7 holes for suction and the RTS400 has 14 holes. More holes more suction?
JC

 

[DavidW]

I got the RTS400 to use mostly for scuff sanding between finish coats. I had a white finish kitchen to do awhile back and was using 220x on ML Campbell Clawloc undercoat and top coat with Krystal. I could see a lot of "squiggles through the clear coat. I sanded everything with 320 with no squiggles. I now use a low raking strong light before finishing to inspect for blemishes in the wood or finish.
I do feel that the dust extraction on this sander is too strong and still needs to be cut down beyond the turtle setting on the extractor, I will be looking for the Bosch adapter.

 

[tiralie]

I do feel that the dust extraction on this sander is too strong and still needs to be cut down beyond the turtle setting on the extractor, I will be looking for the Bosch adapter.

Same here.
Tim

 

[sae]

I measured the hose side of the Bosch adapter, it's about a 46mm ID, 50mm OD. I will edit my post above to reflect this.

 

[laanguiano]

im hoping to do some testing this weekend of different scenarios to see if i can pinpoint the issues

 

[jbasen]

I've managed to come up with a solution for adapting the Bosch vacuum hose end to a Festool hose.  I bought a 1 1/2" x 6" plastic, drain extension from my local hardware store.  I cut off the wide threaded section and most of the long, narrow extension tube.  The narrow extension tube is just the right diameter to insert a Festool, 27mm hose end into.  However, the wider portion of the drain extension is a little to narrow to fit tightly into the Bosch adapter.  So, using a trick from Oneida, I wrapped the tube with metalic tape (same kind of stuff Oneida used on their UDD before they changed to conductive plastic) to increase the diameter.  I also put some strips of the same metalic tape on the inside of the drain extension that were long enough to overlay the wrapping I was doing on the outside.  This assures a fully conductive path from the Bosch adapter to the Festool hose.  I've attached a series of pictures below. 

The result is a fully adjustable vacuum connection to my RTS-400 and it only cost me a few bucks.  [thumbs up]

Thanks again sae for pointing out the Bosch adapter  [not worthy]