Should I buy a Festool ROS

[Ed Surowiec]

I do not own a ROS or any Festool. I am considering the RO150 and CT22 package as my first Festool.

My next project will be to refinish a flight of stairs (about 12 steps). I realize that the ROS will not get into the corners, however I thought that the RO150 would be a good all round sander to add to my shop.

Do you think the ETS 150 would be a better choice??

Your advise and comments will be appreciated.

Thanks  Ed

 

[Bill]

The RO 150 is a great all around sander, and you will save money with a package deal.

Our customers that specialize in stairs have sung the praises of the linear sander 567 777, especially when it comes to sanding railing.  There are several convex and concave pads to help you, and even a custom kit for making your own shape specific to your contours.

Bill

 

[Tinker]

The RO 150 is a good choice.  Then get yourself some sticky shoes to protect you on the slippery slope as you will want the DX 93 to get into the corners.  then you will want the LS130 to do corners both horizontal and vertical with one pass.  That one, with the right concave pad could save you lots of time on the tread nosings also >>>>>> and so it will go.
Right now, I have the three i have mentioned and hope I can stay there, but it is a tough fight to resist
Tinker

 

[DaveM]

My first Festool purchase was the RO150 and CT22 package and I have absolutely no regrets.  The RO150 is a great all purpose sander and together with the CT22 makes sanding practically enjoyable, which is really saying something.  One comment I would add is the RO150 does take some effort to control when using in rotary mode--I don't find it to be overly difficult and have used it that way on vertical surfaces and also overhead, but you do have to be careful.

I'm also planning to get the Deltex--it's a great compliment to the RO150 for hitting the corners. 

DaveM

 

[James Metcalf]

Ed

I have both sanders and I think for your first all round sander the RO 150 would be a good choice.It has a edge guard that will help you some. Corners will be the hard part.You will not be sanding on the stairs for long. It will cover rough and fine sanding. No one has noted what a great polisher the RO150 is. For a first step it would be a good sander.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

      I have the ETS 150. It is a great, great finish sander and is pretty good at material removal also. But the RO 150 is the way to go for refinishing as well as all around sanding.

Seth

 

[Dan Clark]

Ed,

As an all-round sander, I think the RO150 is an excellent choice.  Using it in combo with the Deltex and LS130 would handle anything those stairs could throw at you.  I have the Rotex and plan to get the other two for projects similar to yours.  And for the same reasons that Tinker outlined above.

Dan.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I recommend the RO and Deltex 93, and have both in my collection as well as an LS 130.  The Deltex is surprisingly versatile, and I use it frequently on moldings as well as on flat surfaces.  If you have a lot moldings to refinish, the LS 130 and its "make your own contoured pad" kit is recommended by others on this site.  Look for Per Swenson's writeup on it.  I like to use my LS 130 (or a belt sander) to sand the edges of veneered surfaces and plywood because its linear action minimizes the risk of tearing out the edges of the surface veneers.  One size and type sander does not fit all applications, but the RO 150 or RO 125 (which I have) comes rather close.

Dave R.

 

[ROb McGilp]

Hi Ed,

I concur with everyone here that you won't look back if you buy a Rotex 150FEQ. It is an excellent all round sander. It'll rip just about anything of your work piece in Orbital mode and using lower grits like 36 or 50g, but will give a mirror finish to the same piece with a 4000g Platin pad in RO mode. It puts the joy back into finishing, where the most satisfying work is and where the final reward for all the work that's gone before shows through.
Regards,

Rob

 

[Bob Childress]

Ed,

As I mentioned elsewhere, I will soon have a fourth Festo sander. I started with the RO150 and it is still the workhorse. Great for many applications, including the one you described. But of course I needed the Deltex for the corners ( ;D) and kind of fell into a 150/3 for fine finishing ( ) and just ordered the LS130 to cover all the bases. ( :)  I hated sanding until Festo came along. With the DC and smooth operation, it is almost a pleasure. Plus, SWMBO enjoys sanding with the Festo tools, so I get double credit. 

 

[Dan Clark]

...Plus, SWMBO enjoys sanding with the Festo tools, so I get double credit.   

She sounds like a keeper!  Maybe she could convince the LOML take up sanding!  ;D 

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Hey Ed,
No way you can go wrong with an RO150 and a vac.  My first purchase was the plunge saw + vac, followed shortly by the Rotex.  The Rotex is a very versatile machine and it can get aggressive enough to need your undivided attention.  The 150/3 is as smooth as warm butter.  The vac will suck up almost all the dust, so sanding is faster and a lot more pleasureable.  Also, if you are used to 5 inch paper, you won't believe how much faster 6 inch paper gets the job done, although the diameter is just an inch larger, the area is almost 50% greater.