Sanding wood floor with the Rotex
- Thread starter fesfrank
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Is it the 125 or the 150 Rotex? From what i've read even using the 150 is very slow and laborious process. If you can you should probably rent a floor sander. I guess it depends on the size of the room and how much time and effort you are willing to put into it. Thats my advice to go for the floor sander but I have never done this before so maybe wait for someone who has some experience to reply.
Wood_Junkie
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Buying a floor sander is buying a large machine that's a one-trick pony. It sands floors... Urp.
You could maybe resell it after your job is done and recoup some of the money..
Buying a Rotex would be a purchase you could use on a wide range of projects, and is basically a 5-10 year investment tool (e.g. it's lifespan.. probably longer!)
The floor sander would be much quicker. You would need to have a very robust dust collection setup.
The Rotex would require lots of time on your hands and knees. You can use a shop vac with a hose adapter. The job will take more time-- how much more depends on the state of your floor and desired end result...
However, probably the most cost and time effective solution is to simply rent a floor sander. Dunno where exactly you are, but for example a place in Myrtle Beach rents a small sized floor sander for $39 a day. However, you have no tool to show for it once you pay the rental fees.
http://www.rent-a-partyonline.com/toolrental.cfm?category=Sanders&showitem=&noshow=
However, you have no tool to show for it once you pay the rental fees. So you should think about your threshhold for cheaper vs. purchase. 12.5 days with the sander = cost of Rotex.
You could maybe resell it after your job is done and recoup some of the money..
Buying a Rotex would be a purchase you could use on a wide range of projects, and is basically a 5-10 year investment tool (e.g. it's lifespan.. probably longer!)
The floor sander would be much quicker. You would need to have a very robust dust collection setup.
The Rotex would require lots of time on your hands and knees. You can use a shop vac with a hose adapter. The job will take more time-- how much more depends on the state of your floor and desired end result...
However, probably the most cost and time effective solution is to simply rent a floor sander. Dunno where exactly you are, but for example a place in Myrtle Beach rents a small sized floor sander for $39 a day. However, you have no tool to show for it once you pay the rental fees.
http://www.rent-a-partyonline.com/toolrental.cfm?category=Sanders&showitem=&noshow=
However, you have no tool to show for it once you pay the rental fees. So you should think about your threshhold for cheaper vs. purchase. 12.5 days with the sander = cost of Rotex.
You might take a look at this Rotex review (including notes on sanding a floor)
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/rotex-ro-150-feq-sander/
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/rotex-ro-150-feq-sander/
AlexThePalex
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I bought my Rotex 150 from a professional painter who bought it for this exact same reason: to sand a floor.
After 3 days of using it he was very unsatisfied with it, and that's the reason why he sold it. He told me it was way too slow compared to the floor sanders he'd normally use and it was also too much of a strain on his back and knees working with it sitting on the floor.
After 3 days of using it he was very unsatisfied with it, and that's the reason why he sold it. He told me it was way too slow compared to the floor sanders he'd normally use and it was also too much of a strain on his back and knees working with it sitting on the floor.
Tim Sproul
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fesfrank said:
If you go with the rotex, start with really coarse grit - 36 or so. Starting with too fine a grit will really make it a slow process.
Me? Even though I already have a rotex, I'd go rent a floor sander for anything more than a small room.
This conversation is getting crazy, and should focus on the practical rather than the art of the possible.. sure a RO150 can sand a floor, but don't complain if it takes forever, or your back aches. A belt sander would be a better choice if you really want to use a small machine, but otherwise I would hire a drum sander.. about ?37 for a day for one of these, am sure it would be even cheaper in the US
I did an 11x11 room with a rotex 150. Rather painful but it works great. Practically no dust. Make sure you wear hearing protection and knee pads, and take care not to lean on the sander or you will be spending a lot of time removing swirl marks. Would a drum sander be faster? Probably. Never used one.
Mike
Mike
mastercabman
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I also did a 11x11 room. Make sure you have some Advil!!!! Your knees and your back are going to be sore for a while!!! [laughing] [laughing] [laughing]
AlexThePalex
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mike1967 said:
I sure hope you're talking in feet [big grin] and not meters [scared]
It took me about 3 days to sand 30 sq m. of floor with a Rotex 150 - about 2 hours at a time.
breaks mainly because of backache & boredom...
I'm very happy with the finish, but would echo the points about knee pads and ear defenders (actually iPod & sound isolating headphones)
I took it to 80 grit (180 resulted in too slippery a finish) so I ended with 80 on an RTS 400 just to ensure the last sanding was along the grain.
I'd have paid more than the cost of the tools to have it done professionally, so very pleased
breaks mainly because of backache & boredom...
I'm very happy with the finish, but would echo the points about knee pads and ear defenders (actually iPod & sound isolating headphones)
I took it to 80 grit (180 resulted in too slippery a finish) so I ended with 80 on an RTS 400 just to ensure the last sanding was along the grain.
I'd have paid more than the cost of the tools to have it done professionally, so very pleased
WarnerConstCo.
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I use my RAS, RO125 and Deltex for closets, edge work and small hallways.
They are a great compliment to my big drum sander.
They are a great compliment to my big drum sander.
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