Sanding metal w/150feq
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AlexThePalex
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The 150FEQ should do just fine. If you're uncertain about it's aggressiveness use the higher grits, 220 and above. If you're really worried about it's aggressiveness, try to get Platin 2 or Vlies sanding paper (pads) if you can, but they're very expensive unfortunately. They are both softer than normal sandpaper, will sand less aggressive, and let you follow curves better.
You can also use Titan 2 paper, which Festool developed for the automotive sector. But it comes only in large packages of 50 and 100 pieces.
And don't use the rotary mode, random orbit only.
If you think the 150FEQ is too aggressive, you can always go for the ETS125, which will certainly fit very good for this task.
You can also use Titan 2 paper, which Festool developed for the automotive sector. But it comes only in large packages of 50 and 100 pieces.
And don't use the rotary mode, random orbit only.
If you think the 150FEQ is too aggressive, you can always go for the ETS125, which will certainly fit very good for this task.
AlexThePalex
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The DTS400 will work too. Only quite a bit slower since it not that of an aggressive sander. But if you got other plans for the DTS400 also it can come in handy.
In theory you can do any job with any sander you like. What makes all the difference is mostly how fast you do it, and with how much ease. I was raised in a body shop and we always used 150 mm random orbit sanders. They're the fastest sanders, especially on large surfaces. They also come in great when dealing with curves. A DTS400 requires more skill to sand the curves in the right way. Don't know if your tractor has all straight body work or curves also. That depends on the model of the tractor.
You could also use the Deltex. Will take you a very long time though to sand the whole tractor. But it is possible.
I think the choice of a new sander depends heavily on what you already got. I sand a lot and I sand about everything possible with my Rotex and the Deltex. In my opinion a detail sander and a random orbit sander are the basic two sanders needed to sand all you need. I myself would like to add a RTS400 as a third to make it really complete.
So I'd say, if you got a RO150 already, add a detail sander like the Deltex or the DTS400. If not, get a random orbit sander first. Depending on the work you want to do, you can choose between a 125 mm model like the ETS125 or the RO125FEQ, or the bigger 150 mm models like the ETS150/3 or the RO150FEQ.
In theory you can do any job with any sander you like. What makes all the difference is mostly how fast you do it, and with how much ease. I was raised in a body shop and we always used 150 mm random orbit sanders. They're the fastest sanders, especially on large surfaces. They also come in great when dealing with curves. A DTS400 requires more skill to sand the curves in the right way. Don't know if your tractor has all straight body work or curves also. That depends on the model of the tractor.
You could also use the Deltex. Will take you a very long time though to sand the whole tractor. But it is possible.
I think the choice of a new sander depends heavily on what you already got. I sand a lot and I sand about everything possible with my Rotex and the Deltex. In my opinion a detail sander and a random orbit sander are the basic two sanders needed to sand all you need. I myself would like to add a RTS400 as a third to make it really complete.
So I'd say, if you got a RO150 already, add a detail sander like the Deltex or the DTS400. If not, get a random orbit sander first. Depending on the work you want to do, you can choose between a 125 mm model like the ETS125 or the RO125FEQ, or the bigger 150 mm models like the ETS150/3 or the RO150FEQ.
I guess I should have stated that I do have the RO FEQ150 now and love it. However, getting into tight corners is a problem and I do have some wood floors to tackle in my kitchen.
The tractor I have is a Ford 8N. For wood floors and a "curvy" tractor would your choice be the Deltex or the DTS400?
The tractor I have is a Ford 8N. For wood floors and a "curvy" tractor would your choice be the Deltex or the DTS400?
AlexThePalex
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I'd say the Deltex.
To understand this, you got to look at the nature of the two machines. The DTS400 is more of a pure finishing sander. It has a 2mm stroke and the pad is directly connected to the motor. It also has a bigger pad so the force of the motor will be spread out over a bigger area. This makes it less aggressive but leaves a finer result. The Deltex on the other hand has a slightly bigger stroke, 2.4 mm, and the motor is connected to the pad through an angular gear mechanism. This makes it a stronger and more aggressive sander. And since the pad is also about 40% the size of the DTS400's pad, that force is concentrated on a smaller area.
So if you're sanding on rough surfaces, like a floor, or that of an industrial machine like a tractor, the Deltex will do much better than the DTS400. Both floors and tractors don't require the very fine surface quality needed on exclusive hand made furniture like a lot of the woodworking guys here make. In the last case, the DTS400 would be better overall.
When working on the tractor, the Deltex would also reach into tighter corners than the DTS400 because it has a lower profile.
Now if you had no sander and the Deltex or the DTS would be your first, I'd say the DTS400 since it will allow you to do both detail work and larger surfaces. But since you want a sander to compliment your Rotex, I'd definitely go for the Deltex. Use the Rotex for the large surface work and the Deltex to get in all the corners.
To be honest, I had the Rotex and wanted to get me a DTS as second sander, but I got me a deal on a brand new Deltex that was to good to walk away from (only 60% of standard price). Been using it for a month now on house trimming and I am very pleased by its overall performance. With 40 grit paper, it cuts through thick paint like it's butter. And with 120 grit or higher, you leave a very nice finish. Dust collection is excellent. Only thing I'm less pleased with is the on/off switch which I think is too big and placed wrongly. I keep turning it off by accident when reaching.
To understand this, you got to look at the nature of the two machines. The DTS400 is more of a pure finishing sander. It has a 2mm stroke and the pad is directly connected to the motor. It also has a bigger pad so the force of the motor will be spread out over a bigger area. This makes it less aggressive but leaves a finer result. The Deltex on the other hand has a slightly bigger stroke, 2.4 mm, and the motor is connected to the pad through an angular gear mechanism. This makes it a stronger and more aggressive sander. And since the pad is also about 40% the size of the DTS400's pad, that force is concentrated on a smaller area.
So if you're sanding on rough surfaces, like a floor, or that of an industrial machine like a tractor, the Deltex will do much better than the DTS400. Both floors and tractors don't require the very fine surface quality needed on exclusive hand made furniture like a lot of the woodworking guys here make. In the last case, the DTS400 would be better overall.
When working on the tractor, the Deltex would also reach into tighter corners than the DTS400 because it has a lower profile.
Now if you had no sander and the Deltex or the DTS would be your first, I'd say the DTS400 since it will allow you to do both detail work and larger surfaces. But since you want a sander to compliment your Rotex, I'd definitely go for the Deltex. Use the Rotex for the large surface work and the Deltex to get in all the corners.
To be honest, I had the Rotex and wanted to get me a DTS as second sander, but I got me a deal on a brand new Deltex that was to good to walk away from (only 60% of standard price). Been using it for a month now on house trimming and I am very pleased by its overall performance. With 40 grit paper, it cuts through thick paint like it's butter. And with 120 grit or higher, you leave a very nice finish. Dust collection is excellent. Only thing I'm less pleased with is the on/off switch which I think is too big and placed wrongly. I keep turning it off by accident when reaching.
AlexThePalex
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Glad to be of surface er ........ service 
suds said:
Suds,
I believe that the Rotex would work great on your deck. It might take a little longer, but would certainly be easier to handle with less risk of damaging the surface than any of the alternatives such as one of the floor sanders. Also no learning curve. You will already know how to use your Festool sanders.
Neill
John Langevin
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IIRC your Ford tractor has nice longitudinal (lengthwise) radii along the hood and gracefully flared fenders? You can use the RO150EQ (which I have used for about 5 years) but definitely get the foam interface pad, stick to orbital motion (as previously suggested) and don't press down on the sander (let its weight do the work). If you are looking to really get into the fillet radii that blend into the contour radii, you might consider the LS130 and the various stock pads or the custom pad kit.
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