Sander Purchase Advice

[Steve F]

I hate sanding, but Festool makes it bearable.  I have and love my RO 150 and ETS 150/3 and just re-did my kitchen table with them.  Unfortunately, I now have to sand the chairs and, unless I get a sander that can get into the corners, I will be doing a lot of this by hand.  The chair components are all flat and it would be really easy to do if they weren't already assembled.  But I'm not taking them apart, so I need to deal with legs, frames, stretchers, slats, and a slew of inside corners where each of the parts are joined together. 

Which sander would you get?  My initial reaction was to get the RO 90 because it seems so versatile and seems made for this kind of project.  But then I started thinking whether I could use this as an opportunity to get an LS130.  It is such a unique sander and I have always wanted one, but will the LS130 work in corners or is that just a stupid idea?  I really don't want to force a tool to do something that it wasn't designed for.  I also don't want to buy both (yet).

Thanks in advance.

Steve

 

[Scott B.]

Steve

It sounds like you need the ability to point, which means a triangular option would be good. I would go ro 90 here. If there chair components were not flat, the LS130 would be more of a consideration. I have a video of the ro90 in deltex doing rail system finish sanding all flat stock spindle and rail components if it would help you to see it in a similar application.

 

[davee]

The RO90 rounds out the RO150 and ETS 150/3 perfectly.  I don't have the LS130 so I can't really compare.  I have use the RO90 for chairs and benches with good result.

 

[Kev]

I'm also itching for an excuse to pick up the ES 130 - but the job you're describing really sounds like you need a delta head. I wouldn't personally bother with the DX 93, I too would go straight for the RO 90.

The DTS 400 is an interesting option, but may have issues it tight corners of a chair.

 

[jacko9]

I think the RO 90 would be a better fit for this application and I use mine in similar situations.  I intend to also buy the LS 130 at a later date for profile sanding but, with flat surfaces I don't think you can go wrong with the RO90.

 

[Steve F]

Thanks everyone.  I assumed the RO 90 was the logical choice, just thought I might be overlooking an opportunity to get the ES 130.  I can understand considering the DTS400 because of the price and weight, but it doesn't have an extended length pad to be able to get into deep corners.  Given the relatively small price difference, I can't come up with a reason to select the DX 93 over the RO 90.

Thanks again.

Steve 

 

[dltflt]

RO 90 without a dought

 

[vrasilla]

I've got an LS 130 and i absolutely love it. About the only game in town for effective profile sanding other than your own hand but doesn't do well in corners because you've got to push against the adjacent surface to get into the corner and the base pad edges essentially hammer the heck out the adjacent surface.  When I sand trim profiles that butt into a wall i switch the RO 90 delta pad to finish out the end.