Vac and sander

[jacko9]

You asked for opinions and we certainly have that on the FOG.  I have 4 of the Festools sanders and I would recommend either the ETS 150/3 or the 125 Rotex.  I had the Bosch RO and it was easy to couple that sander to my CT22 dust extractor but, the ETS 150/3 sanded so much smoother, I gave the Bosch to my son with my collection of 5" sand paper.

Jack

 

[rljatl]

From the pictures in the catalog, it looks like you could put the rectangular pad from the RTS 400 on the DTS 400 and vice verse with the delta pad on the RTS?  True?

 

[skids]

From the pictures in the catalog, it looks like you could put the rectangular pad from the RTS 400 on the DTS 400 and vice verse with the delta pad on the RTS?  True?

No this is not the case unfortunately...The stroke and performance on these are basically the exact same outside of the shape of the pads.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

From the pictures in the catalog, it looks like you could put the rectangular pad from the RTS 400 on the DTS 400 and vice verse with the delta pad on the RTS?  True?

There is an older thread on here somewhere that shows that this mod can be done, but it is somewhat time consumming and not sure it is worth the hassle to swap out the bases -- I think Wood Junkie did this.  You have to buy the extra parts and you risk damaging the unit in the process.  

Scot

EDIT:

Found the link to this modification -- Wood_Junkie had referenced this mode in a previous thread that I found, but looks like another user did the modification.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/converting-an-rts400-to-a-dts400/msg90361/#msg90361

 

[rljatl]

From the pictures in the catalog, it looks like you could put the rectangular pad from the RTS 400 on the DTS 400 and vice verse with the delta pad on the RTS?  True?

There is an older thread on here somewhere that shows that this mod can be done, but it is somewhat time consumming and not sure it is worth the hassle to swap out the bases -- I think Wood Junkie did this.  You have to buy the extra parts and you risk damaging the unit in the process.  

Scot

EDIT:

Found the link to this modification -- Wood_Junkie had referenced this mode in a previous thread that I found, but looks like another user did the modification.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/converting-an-rts400-to-a-dts400/msg90361/#msg90361

Thanks for info.  I am surprised they were not designed to be interchangeable.  From the catalog specs and photos, the basic motor and base appears to be exactly the same.  Oh well...

I think the DTS and RTS should be combined into one machine with interchangeable bases.  The specialty LS bases should also work on this new machine, preferably with a switch that changes between linear and orbital.  [big grin]

 

[johninthecamper]

Here is my take on this question and I am sure others will weigh in too.  There is a lot of overlap within the sanders, but each one has its place.  Some sanders that are ideal for finish work are capable of rougher stock prep with coarser grit paper -- and time.  Sanders with a smaller orbit will take longer to hog off lots of material than a sander designed for more aggressive work.  There are lots of special purpose sanders available to assist with linear sanding only (great for profiles, for example) and delta sanders ideally suited to reach corners.  Pad size determines how wide a path you make with each pass -- some folks prefer 5 inch size and others prefer a larger 6 inch size.  The smaller the pad, the longer it can take to smooth a surface and you have to pay attention to moving the sander to keep a surface flat -- it is easy to oversand in an area if you are not careful -- that is why I really like the RS2E sander for larger panels and for surfaces that I want to ensure stay flat.

Generally the orbital sanders (DTS, RTS, RS2E) excel at finish work.  Great with higher grit papers; capable of more aggressive sanding with coarser grits but not as fast as an RO sander.

ETS 125 and the 150 /3 or /5 are good all around sanders -- capable of more aggressive sanding and fine finish work -- wide range of paper in different grits and pad density improve their versatility.  Great for open field work and bigger areas.

Rotex Sanders -- very versatile machines -- good for hogging off lots of material quickly in orbit mode as well as finishing work in random orbit mode -- the 150 has the same orbit in RO mode as the ETS 150/5.  Again, grits, pads, paper will determine how effective each one is for the task at hand.  RO90 is a true multifunction tool with the Delta pad -- see below.

RAS -- truly an aggressive wood eating machine that is easy to tame -- think of it similar to a grinder -- excels at rough material removal, paint removal and carving, coping and sculpting wood.

LS130 -- Linear sanding -- great for sanding profiles like mouldings and hand rails, edges, etc...  you can customize the pad to fit the profile at hand.

Delta Sanders - the DTS fits in here as does the RO90 with the delta pad and the DX93 -- again, getting into corners is what these excel at and into tight, narrow spaces.  The RO90 is extremely versatile as it does the RO, agressive and delta modes in one machine.  Smaller pad size makes it ideal for smaller surfaces like rail and stiles and smaller fields.

Air sanders -- not as popular, but for use when you have to sand for 8+ hours daily -- less parts to wear out, quiet sanders but need air.

Scot  

good description, one small thing, festool says that the air sanders trade off is at 3 hrs a day

 

[Scott B.]

In reference to the idea of a hybrid LS/rts/dts...My guess is that this would require more than a switch, it would probably require the addition of a linear stroke motor. The ergonomics of which could be cumbersome in a finish sander.

 

[skids]

From the pictures in the catalog, it looks like you could put the rectangular pad from the RTS 400 on the DTS 400 and vice verse with the delta pad on the RTS?  True?

There is an older thread on here somewhere that shows that this mod can be done, but it is somewhat time consumming and not sure it is worth the hassle to swap out the bases -- I think Wood Junkie did this.  You have to buy the extra parts and you risk damaging the unit in the process.  

Scot

EDIT:

Found the link to this modification -- Wood_Junkie had referenced this mode in a previous thread that I found, but looks like another user did the modification.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/converting-an-rts400-to-a-dts400/msg90361/#msg90361

Thanks for info.  I am surprised they were not designed to be interchangeable.  From the catalog specs and photos, the basic motor and base appears to be exactly the same.  Oh well...

I think the DTS and RTS should be combined into one machine with interchangeable bases.  The specialty LS bases should also work on this new machine, preferably with a switch that changes between linear and orbital.   [big grin]

But then you would only buy one sander, and one systainer.  [wink]

 

[johninthecamper]

swapping out the parts has to cost reasonably close to the cost of the sander you don't have,then you have to switch for each use,that's certainly not faster easy smarter,personally I want more tools and systainers

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Here is my take on this question and I am sure others will weigh in too.  There is a lot of overlap within the sanders, but each one has its place.  Some sanders that are ideal for finish work are capable of rougher stock prep with coarser grit paper -- and time.  Sanders with a smaller orbit will take longer to hog off lots of material than a sander designed for more aggressive work.  There are lots of special purpose sanders available to assist with linear sanding only (great for profiles, for example) and delta sanders ideally suited to reach corners.  Pad size determines how wide a path you make with each pass -- some folks prefer 5 inch size and others prefer a larger 6 inch size.  The smaller the pad, the longer it can take to smooth a surface and you have to pay attention to moving the sander to keep a surface flat -- it is easy to oversand in an area if you are not careful -- that is why I really like the RS2E sander for larger panels and for surfaces that I want to ensure stay flat.

Generally the orbital sanders (DTS, RTS, RS2E) excel at finish work.  Great with higher grit papers; capable of more aggressive sanding with coarser grits but not as fast as an RO sander.

ETS 125 and the 150 /3 or /5 are good all around sanders -- capable of more aggressive sanding and fine finish work -- wide range of paper in different grits and pad density improve their versatility.  Great for open field work and bigger areas.

Rotex Sanders -- very versatile machines -- good for hogging off lots of material quickly in orbit mode as well as finishing work in random orbit mode -- the 150 has the same orbit in RO mode as the ETS 150/5.  Again, grits, pads, paper will determine how effective each one is for the task at hand.  RO90 is a true multifunction tool with the Delta pad -- see below.

RAS -- truly an aggressive wood eating machine that is easy to tame -- think of it similar to a grinder -- excels at rough material removal, paint removal and carving, coping and sculpting wood.

LS130 -- Linear sanding -- great for sanding profiles like mouldings and hand rails, edges, etc...  you can customize the pad to fit the profile at hand.

Delta Sanders - the DTS fits in here as does the RO90 with the delta pad and the DX93 -- again, getting into corners is what these excel at and into tight, narrow spaces.  The RO90 is extremely versatile as it does the RO, agressive and delta modes in one machine.  Smaller pad size makes it ideal for smaller surfaces like rail and stiles and smaller fields.

Air sanders -- not as popular, but for use when you have to sand for 8+ hours daily -- less parts to wear out, quiet sanders but need air.

Scot  

good description, one small thing, festool says that the air sanders trade off is at 3 hrs a day

Good catch...thanks for clarifying it for folks.  I thought I had read somewhere about the 8 hours, but 3 makes sense if you are using them that long day in and day out. 

Scot

 

[AlexThePalex]

swapping out the parts has to cost reasonably close to the cost of the sander you don't have,then you have to switch for each use,that's certainly not faster easy smarter,personally I want more tools and systainers

It's nowhere near the cost of a new sander. Here you can buy the parts needed for around 45 euro while the sander is 321. It also doesn't take a lot of time to convert it, Wood_Junkie mentions in his post it takes him 4 minutes.

Thanks for info.  I am surprised they were not designed to be interchangeable.  From the catalog specs and photos, the basic motor and base appears to be exactly the same.  Oh well...

I think the DTS and RTS should be combined into one machine with interchangeable bases.  The specialty LS bases should also work on this new machine, preferably with a switch that changes between linear and orbital.   [big grin]

They were specifically designed to NOT be interchangeable. Because with their predecessors DS 400 and RS 400 it was possible to swap out the pads and their bases. I have the DS 400 and you need to unscrew 8 screws, so that with a T15 at hand it takes less than 2 minutes to change pads. But with the introduction of the new types DTS and RTS they made sure that wasn't possible anymore unless you go the route Wood_Junkie goes.

In reference to the idea of a hybrid LS/rts/dts...My guess is that this would require more than a switch, it would probably require the addition of a linear stroke motor. The ergonomics of which could be cumbersome in a finish sander.

Nah, it would only need a mechanism to convert rotation into linear motion, a fairly simple thing to do. They can make the RO 90 with 3 different motion types, they should be able to do it with an RTS. They would need to make the sander a bit bulkier though, for the extra layer with the mechanism in it, a change I personally wouldn't appreciate. I don't need linear motion. I'd only like to see a way to change out the RTS and DTS pads with a FastFix system. That would be so incredibly easy and very user friendly.

 

[Scott B.]

[/quote]

Nah, it would only need a mechanism to convert rotation into linear motion, a fairly simple thing to do. They can make the RO 90 with 3 different motion types, they should be able to do it with an RTS. They would need to make the sander a bit bulkier though, for the extra layer with the mechanism in it, a change I personally wouldn't appreciate. I don't need linear motion. I'd only like to see a way to change out the RTS and DTS pads with a FastFix system. That would be so incredibly easy and very user friendly.
[/quote]

Hmm. How would you explain the considerable size and weight differences between the RTS400 and the LS130 then?

 

[AlexThePalex]

Hmm. How would you explain the considerable size and weight differences between the RTS400 and the LS130 then?

One, because it was simply designed with different ergonomics in mind, and two, the LS has a different motor, a bigger one that delivers 260 watts instead of 200. That has nothing to do with the motor being linear or not. In fact, the LS doesn't have a linear motor, it has a standard rotational electric motor, with a mechanism that changes the rotational motion into a linear motion.

 

[Scott B.]

Hmm. How would you explain the considerable size and weight differences between the RTS400 and the LS130 then?

One, because it was simply designed with different ergonomics in mind, and two, the LS has a different motor, a bigger one that delivers 260 watts instead of 200. That has nothing to do with the motor being linear or not. In fact, the LS doesn't have a linear motor, it has a standard rotational electric motor, with a mechanism that changes the rotational motion into a linear motion.

Very interesting, Alex. Thank you.