The King: The RS2 E

butzla

butzla

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Feb 5, 2008
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Love it or hate it,  when it comes to flattening doors or face frames, there is no better hand sander than the RS2E.  This seldom used linebacker of an orbital sander in my shop is a joy to use.  Coming off an ETS125 or 150, it feels like stepping into a Cadillac El Dorado after white knuckling it down the highway in an old VW Beetle.  The large footprint gives little chance of rounding over an edge.  It's silky smooth with minimal vibration.  My only gripe is no Plug-it but I added a Plug-it pigtail, someone on this forum was kind enough to sell to me from the UK (I can't remember who, it was years ago)

If you are making a lot of cabinets, I recommend it highly.

46609675875_f77b55794b_c.jpg
 
Love the sander too. Used to have one and regret selling it. I will get one again.
 
Yep. A gem. My first one went kaput and I bought another the next day. Indispensable sander for me. When you have large surfaces and need flat, there is no better option in Festool's arsenal.
 
I often flip mine upside down in a bench vise for sanding small parts. Works very well that way.
 
Coincidentally, I noticed someone is selling a Plug-It pigtail in classifieds (haven't verified if it is the tail that works here though)
 
PaulMarcel said:
Coincidentally, I noticed someone is selling a Plug-It pigtail in classifieds (haven't verified if it is the tail that works here though)
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I saw that, but yikes!  I didn't pay near what he's asking.  Even with the pigtail, it still gets in the way.  It would be nice if it was integrated in the back of the handle like most other tools.  I don't know the thought process Festool had when they designed it.

PS, great to see you back, Paul!
 
Hadn’t heard of the new one so I went googling.  Found this.
 
I’m the one selling the pigtail and yes it will work. There are previous threads about this type of pigtail working on the RS2E and other non-plug it power tools.
 
[member=5467]Bert Vanderveen[/member] the RS200 is not available in North America.

There are very few half sheet sanders still available. The RS2 talked about here.

A very nice sander from Makita the BO4900V. That one even has the same hole pattern as the Festool paper. it is a great sander usually under $200
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-BO490.../dp/B0000789HT/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=makita+bo4900v&qid=1554299483&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Bosch also makes one, the OS50VC. But I don’t think the Bosch takes hook and loop paper. Around $300
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-OS50VC.../dp/B00B7EU1I4/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=makita+bo4900v&qid=1554299563&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Ron
 
rvieceli said:
[member=5467]Bert Vanderveen[/member] the RS200 is not available in North America.

There are very few half sheet sanders still available. The RS2 talked about here.

A very nice sander from Makita the BO4900V. That one even has the same hole pattern as the Festool paper. it is a great sander usually under $200
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-BO490.../dp/B0000789HT/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=makita+bo4900v&qid=1554299483&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Bosch also makes one, the OS50VC. But I don’t think the Bosch takes hook and loop paper. Around $300
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-OS50VC.../dp/B00B7EU1I4/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=makita+bo4900v&qid=1554299563&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Ron
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Ron,  I think you're missing the point.  Yes there are cheaper alternatives, as there are for every tool Festool makes.  But comparing a Makita to an RS2 E is like comparing an El Dorado to a Yugo.  Both will get you to where you're going, but completely different rides.
There are many RS2 users that are dissatisfied with their purchase.  Not so much as they don't think it works great but more that it isn't as versatile as other sanders.  My own is 11 years old but looks brand new.  It's rarely used.  I sometimes think of selling until I use it for the above mentioned tasks and then I remember why I keep it.  ...so you often see them for sale in the classifieds for short money.  Keep an eye open.
 
Actually my point was that in the old days  [big grin] many manufacturers that made sanders had a half sheet sander in their line up. Now they are few and far between.

Ron
 
rvieceli said:
Actually my point was that in the old days  [big grin] many manufacturers that made sanders had a half sheet sander in their line up. Now they are few and far between.
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I have an older Milwaukee 1/2 sheet sander with a plastic frame that snaps around the perimeter of the pad. That was the highest level of dust containment for any of the US tool producers at the time.

But like you said, that model was obsoleted about 8-9 years ago. It weighs more than my RS 2, vibrates more, is several times louder, has no holes in the pad and the paper is held on with some sharp toothed jaws that after using for a while, round over and then the paper falls off. What a relic [eek]

I paid $165 for it in 2001...the RS 2 probably wasn’t much more than that at the time.  [crying]
 
rvieceli said:
the RS200 is not available in North America.
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Still amazed they never bothered to update you guys to the RS200. I wonder if they still have loads of old stock or that they can't find a 110v motor for it.

I had the RS200, just as the RS100, but I could never find a use for them in my workflow so I sold them off again.
 
You cannot go wrong with RS2E especially with sheet goods. The cord is a non-issue so don't let that slow anyone down. Way too much worrying about cords and pigtails. The problem if there is any with cords is the Festool cords which leave a lot to be desired. I have several Mafell tools and their cords are significantly better in terms of flexibility which keeps them out of the way. Absolutely no memory as well. The good thing is that if Festool ever improves their cords it will be plug and play.

I picked up mine with a sustainer full of sand paper and the hole punch for non-Festool 1/2 sheets for the cost to the sander. The person I purchased it from had never used it.
 
Alex said:
Still amazed they never bothered to update you guys to the RS200. I wonder if they still have loads of old stock or that they can't find a 110v motor for it.
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Hey Alex, what did they update, anything significant?
 
Cheese said:
Alex said:
Still amazed they never bothered to update you guys to the RS200. I wonder if they still have loads of old stock or that they can't find a 110v motor for it.
Click to expand...

Hey Alex, what did they update, anything significant?
Click to expand...

Plug-it and better vibration control. Not much, but the SR200 is here for at least 10 years already, just baffled they still sell the old model in North America.
 
I think that in North America it is very much a niche sander as posters above has demonstrated.  Changing models and spending the money for certifications for a niche tool might not make the best business sense.

Of course these are just my opinions.

But it is cool to see one being demonstrated and seeing it sand a plywood sheet while guiding it around by the hose.

Peter
 
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