What's your favorite Festool Sander?

[ccarrolladams]

I believe my favorite sander is made by Festool. The specific favorite is whichever Festool sander I am using at that moment.

Like many of us I started with an RO 150 back in 2006. Since then I have bought all of the Festool electric sanders, available since 2006, except the ETS150/5. I have tried those belonging to others, but for me the RO 150 accomplishes the same function. Actually I use my ETS150/3 quite often.

I had used the RO 90 DX during trips to Europe and also in Festool classes before they were available in the USA. I pre-ordered one, but I did not see why it would improve my work. The problem was that because of shortages, I had not used the hard pad. A week or so after I picked up my first RO 90 the hard pad I had ordered arrived by UPS. That made the difference. When I am sanding narrow face frames of frameless cabinets usually I want crisp edges. Of all the sanders I have used the RO 90 with a hard pad is ideal for the task.

Because my shop makes so many cabinets with exceptionally narrow frames, I am sure I use an RO 90 more than any other sander. Once the hard pad arrived, all of the cabinet makers working for me wanted to use the RO 90. Consequently by July 2011 I had bought a total of 7 RO 90. This way each of us can use one in a different part of my shop.

 

[ShawnRussell]

I believe my favorite sander is made by Festool. The specific favorite is whichever Festool sander I am using at that moment.

Like many of us I started with an RO 150 back in 2006. Since then I have bought all of the Festool electric sanders, available since 2006, except the ETS150/5. I have tried those belonging to others, but for me the RO 150 accomplishes the same function. Actually I use my ETS150/3 quite often.

I had used the RO 90 DX during trips to Europe and also in Festool classes before they were available in the USA. I pre-ordered one, but I did not see why it would improve my work. The problem was that because of shortages, I had not used the hard pad. A week or so after I picked up my first RO 90 the hard pad I had ordered arrived by UPS. That made the difference. When I am sanding narrow face frames of frameless cabinets usually I want crisp edges. Of all the sanders I have used the RO 90 with a hard pad is ideal for the task.

Because my shop makes so many cabinets with exceptionally narrow frames, I am sure I use an RO 90 more than any other sander. Once the hard pad arrived, all of the cabinet makers working for me wanted to use the RO 90. Consequently by July 2011 I had bought a total of 7 RO 90. This way each of us can use one in a different part of my shop.

Wow, 7x RO 90. Too bad Festool does not do group discounts or buy 6 festools and get 1 free frequent customer card.

 

[ScotF]

I believe my favorite sander is made by Festool. The specific favorite is whichever Festool sander I am using at that moment.

Like many of us I started with an RO 150 back in 2006. Since then I have bought all of the Festool electric sanders, available since 2006, except the ETS150/5. I have tried those belonging to others, but for me the RO 150 accomplishes the same function. Actually I use my ETS150/3 quite often.

I had used the RO 90 DX during trips to Europe and also in Festool classes before they were available in the USA. I pre-ordered one, but I did not see why it would improve my work. The problem was that because of shortages, I had not used the hard pad. A week or so after I picked up my first RO 90 the hard pad I had ordered arrived by UPS. That made the difference. When I am sanding narrow face frames of frameless cabinets usually I want crisp edges. Of all the sanders I have used the RO 90 with a hard pad is ideal for the task.

Because my shop makes so many cabinets with exceptionally narrow frames, I am sure I use an RO 90 more than any other sander. Once the hard pad arrived, all of the cabinet makers working for me wanted to use the RO 90. Consequently by July 2011 I had bought a total of 7 RO 90. This way each of us can use one in a different part of my shop.

Wow, 7x RO 90. Too bad Festool does not do group discounts or buy 6 festools and get 1 free frequent customer card.

They kind of did with the last promo -- buy 10, get one free...

Scot

 

[Scott B.]

This week it is the LS130. It is amazing how many finish sanding tasks that tool can do competently.

 

[Oldwood]

The one I don't have..... [eek]

Cheers,
Steve

I have been trying to ignore that fact but when your your right [big grin]

Gerry

 

[ccarrolladams]

Wow, 7x RO 90. Too bad Festool does not do group discounts or buy 6 festools and get 1 free frequent customer card.

The majority of my Festools have been purchased from my favorite local dealer. Some of my Festools were bought slightly used from individuals I know well. When the new-style CT26 and CT36 were announced several of my friends asked if I wanted to add to my CT22 fleet. They know back in 2006 I bought my first CT22 because I did not want to lift a full CT33 bag. At the time the CT26 was announced I owned 4 CT22, all purchased new and from the same dealer. I told a few wanting to sell me their used CT22 that I would pre-order, so they could use them until their new CT arrived. Now all my CT22 co-exist in harmony.

Before I opened my shop when my first Kapex was being used, it was connected to a CT22 with a 2.3m 36mmAS hose. Although my new shop has a sophisticated Dust Collection system, even the two permanently located Kapex still used CT22. Eventually we designed an accelerator device to connect the Kapex collection port to the plant DC system. So long as the velocity and volume of suction meets the Kapex minimum, my experience is that additional suction , within reason, causes no harm. Even with the CT22 I power Kapex from a dedicated circuit, so the choice to keep extraction going during a cross cut session is within my control. I own many foot switches that keep the power flowing until tapped a second time. For the permanently located Kapex now a tap on a switch opens a blast gate. A second tap closes that blast gate.

I am hardly going to disclose my deals with any dealer. I can prove all transactions involving Festool products are within the contract between Festool USA and those dealers. I have never requested quantity discounts, nor have I received such a discount. Of course I buy many other products from my favored dealers. Few of those products are limited to minimum selling price. Honestly I am thrilled to support a combination of local B&M dealers as well as ethical on-line remote dealers. Even the largest dealers cannot stock the entire Festool line. I do tend to pre-order, but when I need something that is physically small immediately if it is not in stock locally I reach out to an on-line dealer.

Besides the multiple RO 90 DX, I own almost as many OF 1010, MFK700, TS55 and Kapex. I own more than one of several sanders and 2 OF2200. All of these tools are essential to my operation, so I want back-up in the rare case of a tool needing repair. Also, my shop is large enough we save a lot of time bringing needed tools to the place where we are working. The idea is that each cabinet maker has enough room to non bump into another, but all of us can call for assistance when a task requires more than one person. In case of emergency one person can phone 911 while others are performing first aid. It would be a waste of good people to have anyone wait for a tool to become available. Therefore I have multiple tools.

 

[Kev]

The one I don't have..... [eek]

Cheers,
Steve

I have been trying to ignore that fact but when your your right [big grin]

Gerry

Yeh - gone and done it now ... collect the entire set !!!

[scared]

 

[stairman]

These things are like the Pokemon Cards my kids were collecting several years ago.  "Gotta Catch 'em all!"  was the slogan / catch phrase,  and it surely makes sense with Festool!

My favorite is the RO90.

Look at it like you would a hand plane.
the first plane you generally grab is a small capable block plane.  (akin to the RO90)

this gets you close,  and then you can move on to a Bench / Jack  (like the RO125/150)  finally, you finish with a jointer  (RS2)

The RO90 is usually the first sander I pickup,  and it is often the last sander I put down,  just because it is so versatile and capable!

Really,  they all have their place,  and you'll use all that you have... 

if you're considering your FIRST FESTOOL SANDER purchase:  Buy an RO90.  next, an ETS125 or a larger Rotex 125 or 150 as your budget allows...

then, -go "catch 'em all"    8)  -there isn't a Festool Sander that you won't love once you have it in your hand

 

[tbellemare]

there isn't a Festool Sander that you won't love once you have it in your hand

I agree with that. I would like to add one caveat... Don't use so much suction that you are pulling the sander into the work piece. It makes them jump around. If the sander isn't "floating", you probably have too much suction on it. The only exception to that is the Rotex sanders in the aggressive, gear-driven orbital modes. The same also applies to them in RO mode.

Merry Christmas!

Tom

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

RAS 115.

 

[Rawls]

The Rotex 90 has changed how I work in the shop.  It is great.

 

[semenza]

The Rotex 90 has changed how I work in the shop.  It is great.

Hi Rawls,

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

Rotex 90 is a very nice tool. Glad you like it.

I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite, depends on the criteria... most useful, best handling, etc.  I pick all of them !

Seth

 

[Steve R]

The one I don't have..... [eek]

Cheers,
Steve

I have been trying to ignore that fact but when your your right [big grin]

Gerry

Yeh - gone and done it now ... collect the entire set !!!

[scared]

There should just be a program where every three months you dealer sends you your next one.... Just like collect US State Quarters... you have already build your storage racks... so you have a space for each new shipment for the next new one and media systainer...  [not worthy]

 

[peter halle]

The one I don't have..... [eek]

Cheers,
Steve

I have been trying to ignore that fact but when your your right [big grin]

Gerry

Yeh - gone and done it now ... collect the entire set !!!

[scared]

There should just be a program where every three months you dealer sends you your next one.... Just like collect US State Quarters... you have already build your storage racks... so you have a space for each new shipment for the next new one and media systainer...   [not worthy]

I am totally open to that idea!  Any dealer wants to send me a sander every three months?  Problem is I can't pay for them.  Any takers?  [scared]

Peter

 

[NoBreyner]

I bought the Ro90 as my first and so far only Festool sander.  I got it October 1 and use it as my go-to sander for everything!  I've sanded rough stock smooth, finish sanded to 240 before applying a finish.  I've used the Deltex head a few times, which I never thought I'd find a use for it.  I've even bought platin 2 paper to sand all of my project's finishes (usually Arm-r-Seal semi-gloss) to 4000 grit leaving something so smooth I didn't think was possible.  Lastly I bought some 4" Sponges of varying applications from autogeek and used the sponges with my Ro90 to polish my 12 year old GMC Sierra.  The paint is still in good shape all these years later.  I'm just amazed at how many uses I get out of this little machine!  I once thought if I could get it cheaper without the accessories I would, but after using everything the Ro90 then the CXS kit comes with I'll just put a little more money into getting the kit of any Festool I buy, it'll pay for itself in the long run.

FYI  my 5" Porter Cable ROS hasn't seen the light of day in months.  [wink]

 

[Steve R]

The one I don't have..... [eek]

Cheers,
Steve

I have been trying to ignore that fact but when your your right [big grin]

Gerry

Yeh - gone and done it now ... collect the entire set !!!

[scared]

There should just be a program where every three months you dealer sends you your next one.... Just like collect US State Quarters... you have already build your storage racks... so you have a space for each new shipment for the next new one and media systainer...   [not worthy]

I am totally open to that idea!  Any dealer wants to send me a sander every three months?  Problem is I can't pay for them.  Any takers?  [scared]

Peter

What have to pay for them..... [jawdrop] ...now I would pay for them... they are have there place and use....

Cheers,
Steve