Sanders

[dshtrains]

Can anyone provide any information about the RS 2E sander.  Does it work similarly to a belt sander?  Can it be used for table tops and larger flat surfaces.  I have the Rotex 150 -- will the RS 2E be duplicative or necessary -- or should I just use the RO150 for the table tops?

Thanks.

David

 

[jvsteenb]

Hi David,

Welcome to the forum!

For as far as I know ( it's no longer available where I live ) the RS2 E is a 1/2 sheet sander, the predecessor to the RS200 EQ.
Though it's not really comparable to a belt sander ( I think it's called an orbital sander ) it may well be your best choice for tabletops and large flat surfaces - it's designed with just that task in mind - it's more or less designed to be a cabinetmakers best friend, so to speak.

For flattening large surfaces OTOH you may want to look for a different sander - it all depends on how much flattening is desired.

In my opinion, it would be a great addition to a RO150, for there's some overlap, but not too much.
I have a RO150 ( and an RTS400 ) and would sure like to have one....

Regards,

Job

 

[dshtrains]

Thanks.  What would you use for flattening surfaces?  I don't think the 200 eq is available in US where I am.

 

[sw1211]

Jerry Work's manual should answer a lot of sander questions.  Hope it helps.

and the flowchart should help with selecting a sander.

 

[jvsteenb]

David,

It depends. For flattening a tabletop glued up from 4" boards that cup a little ( say 1/16" irregularity ) I'd probably use a few quick sweeps with a belt sander across the grain ( I expect some flak for that ) and check with a good quality straightedge, followed by the RO150.
Planing is another option, but in my experience it's not that easy to plane cupped boards to flat, the plane tends to tip "into-the-cups" and it's easy to take off more than is necessary.  I love handtools ( especially handplanes and chisels ) but experience has showed me my own limitations.....
A planer like the EHL 65  is an option for heavily cupped boards, but it's rather tricky, be it superfast. Run it along the grain and take off minute amounts per pass.......

A decent straightedge of sufficient length is probably your most important tool. Once within the 1/64" mark, the RS2 E will most likely shine.

I don't think the differences between the RS2 E and the RS200 EQ are large - the Plug-It powercord comes to mind, but other than that?

Regards,

Job

 

[Brice Burrell]

David, I think the replies so far are pretty good. The RS2 E is not a particularly aggressive sander and it can be difficult to to use on surfaces that aren't already fairly flat. I suggest using your RO150 in rotary mode with 60 or 80 grit to flatten your table tops, then with the same grit hit it in random orbit mode to clean it up a bit. After the bulk of the flattening is done with the Rotex let the RS2 E go to work. The RS2 E really does a fabulous job of making large surfaces perfectly flat. I preferred to finish with my ETS150 to give a super fine finish.

One thing to note, there is a learning curve to getting the most out of the RS2 E and it works better after 6-8 hour of use (break in period). Good luck and welcome to the FOG. 

 

[Brice Burrell]

I forgot, I did a review of the RS2 E, you can check it out at my website.

 

[dshtrains]

Brice,

Thanks for the information.

David