Ok, I have tried using the 90 twice now. First time, that thing jumped all over the place on me. Yes, the vac was turned all the way down [big grin]. I did the "break-in" on it this weekend and tried it again. Still jumped around but not nearly as bad as the initial try. Am I doing something wrong here? I know it's a powerful sander but jeez [eek]. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!! Thanks!!!
Sanding with a RO90
- Thread starter kris
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How long did you break it in for?
Mine was very jumpy when new in random mode as well, struggled with it for quite a while until I found out about the break in and that helped me out a lot. Maybe just some more mileage will tame the little beast for you.
Mine was very jumpy when new in random mode as well, struggled with it for quite a while until I found out about the break in and that helped me out a lot. Maybe just some more mileage will tame the little beast for you.
AlexThePalex
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Shows once again the break in period for the sander is not needed. One person puts a video up and suddenly everybody believes he's an authority that knows how it works.
The break in is for the user. The Rotex sanders put a lot of power in your hands and you have to get used to it. This generally does not happen over a weekend.
Once you get the hang of it, the Ro90 is easily controlled with one hand. We don't call it the baby Rotex for nothing. I even use the big 150 one handed if the need arises.
The break in is for the user. The Rotex sanders put a lot of power in your hands and you have to get used to it. This generally does not happen over a weekend.
kristherookie said:
Once you get the hang of it, the Ro90 is easily controlled with one hand. We don't call it the baby Rotex for nothing. I even use the big 150 one handed if the need arises.
Stephen B
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[size=11pt]Alex said:
+1. Like Alex, we have said it all before! [eek]
This is not an old and battered 150 in this video.
And Paul, I like reading many of your posts, but this is one issue in which we will just have to accept we disagree. [smile]
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Alex said:
And you can rest assured that the new manual will specifically state this in print so it gets put to bed once and for all. Now that I have all sander models in my possession to examine, I can emphatically say that they do not need any break in period.
Alex said:
What does erock gain from posting a vid sharing his own experience? Nothing. A guy shares his personal experience in a how-to vid and a bunch of folks pile on saying he is wrong.
Alex said:
I was a skeptic who tried it and it made a very noticeable difference with my sander. I gain nothing from sharing my own experience, don't know how it works, just know that it worked for me. I'm curious, have you tried it for yourself? Did you use my sander before and after? Did you use erocks sander before and after? 2 no's for sure, probably all 3. I get it that you disagree with the concept, but you really don't know how it improved the behavior of my sander. With two screwed up elbows my RO90 sanding went from painful to productive after trying the break-in. The RO90 was breaking me down, not in. It did a great job sanding from day 1 but I considered returning it after a few weeks simply because using it seriously aggravated my elbows even 2 handed. No amount of technique would change that, I could sand fine with any of my other sanders but not the RO90 without pain. That all changed one day when I tried the break-in, immediate change. Now I can use it one handed just fine, no pain like before. Again I get it that you disagree with the concept, you're completely entitled to your opinion, but it worked for me with my sander. Saying I needed breaking in, had to get used to it and assuming I only used it for a weekend simply isn't factual in my situation and is borderline insulting. Feel free to believe it is all in my head but the proof is in my elbows. Sorry for the rant, I guess I'm just tired of any mention of the Rotex break-in attracting skeptics who throw stones. It's almost as bad as mentioning the dreaded inch.
jaymon5 said:
I think that this is the best method of holding any Rotex sander.
As for the RO90 needing a long break-in period... even if Mr Festool wrote me a personal letter about it I would disagree. Neither of my RO90 or RO150 needed any break-in. What a waste of energy, effort and tool life!
It may take a few practice goes to learn to use any rotary sander. Random orbit mode will always be easier to control that pure rotary motion. Imagine the sanding disk is a bicycle wheel spinning round and you are holding it horizontally with some form of grip attached to its axle. If you let the spinning edge touch the ground then the whole thing will try and disappear in one direction (with you attached). If you lower it so that it touches the ground evenly then there is some axial symmetry and it is less likely to go off in any particular direction - this requires practice that's all.
Peter
NYC Tiny Shop
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The first time that I used my Rotex, the thing practically jumped out of my hands! It was a wild beast that was hard to control. I turned down the vacuum, but this didn't help much. Then, I slowed the speed down to 4 and this helped quite a bit. I found that it tamed it and afforded me more control. With lower grits, I got just as much removal as using higher grits on a higher speed. I liken using the Rotex to learning to coordinate the different speeds and oscillations of my jigsaw with various wood species and thickesses.
I have used the Rotex every day now for the past five or six days. I'm liking this sander more each time I use it...and, find myself going to it first at times when I would have called on another sander. I have concluded, for myself, that it's hands down the best sander for rails and stiles, ladders, etc.
As far as a break in period to tame it. I don't know. The other day, I had the Rotex 90 on its highest speed in rotary mode with the vac on high using 60 grit on douglas fir and the thing ran like a stallion.
Give it and yourself a chance to learn how to use it.
I have used the Rotex every day now for the past five or six days. I'm liking this sander more each time I use it...and, find myself going to it first at times when I would have called on another sander. I have concluded, for myself, that it's hands down the best sander for rails and stiles, ladders, etc.
As far as a break in period to tame it. I don't know. The other day, I had the Rotex 90 on its highest speed in rotary mode with the vac on high using 60 grit on douglas fir and the thing ran like a stallion.
Give it and yourself a chance to learn how to use it.
jaymon5 said:How are you holding the ro90? If you are only using one hand, it is definitely harder to control. I usually use two hands
There's a certain irony in this image, the suggested use is to not use the handle [big grin]
You're absolutely right it is easier to manage with two hands, but it's designed to be used with one.
jools
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I sand badly degraded sash windows and frames with the RO90 prior to painting including the rebates prior to re putty and painting. With practice it is a joy to use and very controllable. You have to play with speed and suction till you get the right combination that works and it is best with 2 hands when in rotary. My initial use of the 90 was negative and disappointing but after a couple of hours of use you gain control. Peters analogy with the bicycle wheel is correct and direction of sanding is very important not only travelling with the grain but against the rotation. I find it very comfortable and less tiring than the other sanders I have used in the past. I used to use a fein but the vibration was high frequency and very bad on my hands and the dust was horrendous as well as dangerous with its pre 1970s high lead content. An angle grinder is just the same motion and is also hard to control without practice and proper technique
Regards
Regards
