Rts or Dts 400

[Tayler_mann]

I am going to buy one of these two sanders. I am having trouble deciding which sander I would like to get. I feel the dts might be a little more versatile but I have always had troubles with the delta pads unless I was doing small areas and corners. I feel the the rts will cover more areas but might not work as well in tight spots. most of the sanding being done will be on bare wood no less than 180 grit. Which sander would be he best buy Im just having to much trouble deciding?

 

[peter halle]

If corners are involved than the DTS is the one to go with.  If not, then go with the RTS.  If you want the most versatile, then in my opinion the DTS.  BUT the tendancy of usage and characteristics of the pad usually means that the point wears out faster as well as the backing pad.  Trade off of versatility versus longer life.  I personally own only 4 Festool sanders (RAS,Rotex 150, ETS-150/3, DTS-400) and am very satisfied with the flexibility and performance of my arsenal based on what varied projects I do.

Peter

 

[w802h]

Generally, I try to use the fastest sander appropriate for the task and use the detailed sanders in a more limited way after the fact.  That said I still went with an RTS, since more than 95 percent of my occasions to use still involve square corners. 

 

[SS Teach]

When I was refinishing my kitchen cabinets the RTS 400 worked like a charm in the corners. When the corner of a paper wore I could simply flip the paper. The DTS 400 is well loved by those who own one. Its one downfall is the front corner. When it is worn get a new paper. Sand paper is a consumable you always need more. So it's a matter which shape will work best for you, rectangle or triangular. Oh one more thing, I thought I only needed two sanders. Somehow I ended up with 5. Good luck with getting just one. 

 

[Holmz]

I am going to buy one of these two sanders...
A) dts
B) rts
...

or...
C) None of the above?

A do-it-all sander with a corner attachment sounds like it does it all.
However there is only 1 point available for corners, so it is somewhat of a compromise.

I got a second hand DX93 a while back... It only does corners, but it sounds like something that would be perfect for what you require.

Have you considered looking for that type of unit?

 

[tbellemare]

I just read this thread and didn't see where a very important difference was mentioned...

Aside from what has already been stated, the pad on the DTS has beveled edges where the pad on the RTS has normal edges (90-degrees). This allows the DTS to bump up against an adjacent surface in corners and it isn't likely to mar it.

Tom

 

[Scott B.]

DTS

 

[Tayler_mann]

So I feel everyone is for the DTS. I am still hesitant because at time I have hated he delta. However, it seems that the pad on this one has enough room on the back of the pad that it still can do a lot of sanding. I have used other deltas such as the fein multi and a few different brands. Something that I always hated about those is that when doing corners you come across grain sometimes just by the way you have to get in and out of the corners. Does this sander leave cross grain scratches on bare wood or doesn't have a fine enough stroke to which it leaves a smooth surface. With the rts I feel it would be possibly to just push it straight to the corner and pull back carefully where he delta pad needs a slight rotation. I have never used any of the Festool pad sanders this is why I am curious. I have been more than satisfied with all of there other sanders which is the reason I have decided to go with the festool for my finish sanders. My RO 150s are the workhorse of the shops I work in.

 

[Scott B.]

So I feel everyone is for the DTS. I am still hesitant because at time I have hated he delta. However, it seems that the pad on this one has enough room on the back of the pad that it still can do a lot of sanding. I have used other deltas such as the fein multi and a few different brands. Something that I always hated about those is that when doing corners you come across grain sometimes just by the way you have to get in and out of the corners. Does this sander leave cross grain scratches on bare wood or doesn't have a fine enough stroke to which it leaves a smooth surface. With the rts I feel it would be possibly to just push it straight to the corner and pull back carefully where he delta pad needs a slight rotation. I have never used any of the Festool pad sanders this is why I am curious. I have been more than satisfied with all of there other sanders which is the reason I have decided to go with the festool for my finish sanders. My RO 150s are the workhorse of the shops I work in.

DTS has very little in common with delta sanding other than a point at the end. It is basically an orbital that is shaped like an iron. While you can't rotate the abrasive on the pad, you can use all three points where space allows. Out of the ets, rts and dts, the dts is definitely the one I prefer for the most types of tasks.

 

[ear3]

Since no one has mentioned it yet, I'll just add another option c), being the Rotex 90.  Yes, it's more expensive, but you get a delta pad (same as DX93) that you can rotate the corners of (unlike the DTS) and so maximize pad and abrasive life.  You also get a Rotex sander, which will make very quick work of slight height differences between joined narrow pieces on things like face frames.  When you throw in the ability of the interface pad to handle contoured surfaces, the RO90 is t5he sander to get in my opinion.  I haven't used the DTS, so I can't make a true comparison, but it's my impression that the DTS might have a slight advantage in confined spaces, since you aren't dealing with the long tail of the RO90.  On the other hand, you can get the extended delta pad on the RO90 that will allow you to replicate, and possibly even exceed the reach the DTS can give you on something like wooden shutters. 

 

[Cheese]

When I decided to refinish our stairway, I contacted the local Woodcraft store and they were kind enough to let me try their RTS & DTS demo units at the house. I ended up purchasing a DTS because I noticed as [member=2298]Tom Bellemare[/member] stated, that when it hit the risers or stringer/apron it just lightly kissed it rather than heavily impacting it like the RTS.

 

[Tayler_mann]

Well I feel my mind must be made up than. Since I have 2 Rotex sander the RO 90 doesn't yet Interest me. Plus my fathers shop was thinking about getting the 90 and he would keep it in my shop so none of his employees could ruin it (if you've seen the movie idiocracy it totally explains the future of their offspring). I think I will try the DTS and if it doesn't meet my requirements within the 30 days I'll trade it for the RTS. Everything you all told me helped a lot and changed my mind on which sander I wanted. I appreciate the help and also if there is any other advice please post as I will still be able to have my mind in the next 40ish days.

 

[Saskataper]

One thing to keep in mind is the DTS is one of the only sanders that doesn't have interface pads available for it. I love mine and really wish they made some for it like they do the RTS.

 

[Scott in Bend Oregon]

I own and recommend both.  I bought the RTS many years before the buying the DTS.  But, I ended up liking the DTS 400 more for all of the reasons stated above.

FWIW...Multi-tools are great saws, decent scrapers and lousy sanders.

One thing to keep in mind is the DTS is one of the only sanders that doesn't have interface pads available for it. I love mine and really wish they made some for it like they do the RTS.

I've never had a need for an interface pad on a DTS.  In a pinch, it seems that you could trim up a 150 interface pad to fit.

 

[Saskataper]

I own and recommend both.  I bought the RTS many years before the buying the DTS.  But, I ended up liking the DTS 400 more for all of the reasons stated above.

FWIW...Multi-tools are great saws, decent scrapers and lousy sanders.

One thing to keep in mind is the DTS is one of the only sanders that doesn't have interface pads available for it. I love mine and really wish they made some for it like they do the RTS.

I've never had a need for an interface pad on a DTS.  In a pinch, it seems that you could trim up a 150 interface pad to fit.

I'm a drywall contractor and use mine for mostly prep work and removal, it cuts a to much even with really fine paper for most finish sanding. If I had an interface pad I could likely finish sand with it when dust was a real concern.

 

[Kev]

The DTS400 is a great sander and is certainly more than a "one trick pony". It's a worthwhile addition, but also can be a complete sanding solution for applications like small cabinetry work.

I rate it highly.

 

[Tayler_mann]

One thing to keep in mind is the DTS is one of the only sanders that doesn't have interface pads available for it. I love mine and really wish they made some for it like they do the RTS.

Please explain the interface pads please?

 

[Saskataper]

This is the RTS interface pad. Foam pad that allows the sander to follow the contours.

 

[Tayler_mann]

This is the RTS interface pad. Foam pad that allows the sander to follow the contours.

Could you show me a pic of how extreme of contours it can follow. Are we talking slight round overs or thin tight reveals and bevels?

 

[leakyroof]

If corners are involved than the DTS is the one to go with.  If not, then go with the RTS.  If you want the most versatile, then in my opinion the DTS.  BUT the tendancy of usage and characteristics of the pad usually means that the point wears out faster as well as the backing pad.  Trade off of versatility versus longer life.  I personally own only 4 Festool sanders (RAS,Rotex 150, ETS-150/3, DTS-400) and am very satisfied with the flexibility and performance of my arsenal based on what varied projects I do.

Peter

  Peter, how do you DO IT.  only 4 sanders.... [eek] [eek]  [wink] [wink] [wink]