Which is most efficient?
- Thread starter Lbob131
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Holzhacker
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I have both sanders and have used both for windows. Just did two garage windows on saturday with the dts400. Overall though I prefer the RO90 for windows.
I would recommend thinking about it in terms of size and quantity. Lots of big windows to cover the 400. Fewer smaller windows that need to turn out great, the RO90.
I would recommend thinking about it in terms of size and quantity. Lots of big windows to cover the 400. Fewer smaller windows that need to turn out great, the RO90.
The DTS pad is considerably larger than the triangular pad on the RO 90 and the way that it is shaped and oriented it only has one point to get into corners with, when that it is worn out you need a new piece of sandpaper. It is orbital and has a 2mm stroke. The DTS is a great finish sander with or without the need to get into corners.
The RO90 triangular pad is smaller and it is an equilateral triangle so once a point is worn you can rotate the paper and have two more good points to work with. The RO90 is a random orbit sander finish sander as well as a rotary sander with a 3mm stroke so it’s capable of being a little more aggressive than the DTS. The RO 90 is a Rotex which means that is a versatile beast. It has gear mode which is great for tough jobs, is has random orbit mode which is great for finish sanding. It has the triangular head which is small and can get into more places than just about any other Festool sander and it can even be used as a polisher. For a Rotex it’s just their smallest offering which is not the greatest if you need to cover a lot of ground. Many consider the RO90 the most versatile of the Festool sanders.
I’m not a pro and don’t do windows so I own a DTS and a larger Rotex (125) but there are tons of pros here who swear by the RO90’s for window work as well as stair work.
The RO90 triangular pad is smaller and it is an equilateral triangle so once a point is worn you can rotate the paper and have two more good points to work with. The RO90 is a random orbit sander finish sander as well as a rotary sander with a 3mm stroke so it’s capable of being a little more aggressive than the DTS. The RO 90 is a Rotex which means that is a versatile beast. It has gear mode which is great for tough jobs, is has random orbit mode which is great for finish sanding. It has the triangular head which is small and can get into more places than just about any other Festool sander and it can even be used as a polisher. For a Rotex it’s just their smallest offering which is not the greatest if you need to cover a lot of ground. Many consider the RO90 the most versatile of the Festool sanders.
I’m not a pro and don’t do windows so I own a DTS and a larger Rotex (125) but there are tons of pros here who swear by the RO90’s for window work as well as stair work.
AlexThePalex
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The DTS is a much more efficient all round sander and will do best with windows of all Festool sanders.
leakyroof
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what shape is the finish that's currently on the Windows? Peeling/Alligator paint, or stained on the inside of the window and painted on the outside? Or, decent but faded paint?
As noted, the Rotex mode of the RO 90 would be great for aggresive paint removal if Lead Paint is not an issue.
Neither sander will get into fine detail , which would mean reaching for a small carbide scraper or similar tool.
If the windows are weatheed and need alot of work, I'd reach for the Ro 90 in a heartbeat, esp. if epoxy work like from Abratron is needed. If it's just a case of scuff sanding to prep for painting, and the pad of the DTS 400 fits where you need to go, I'd go with it since it's stable, small, light, and has great dust collection.
As noted, the Rotex mode of the RO 90 would be great for aggresive paint removal if Lead Paint is not an issue.
Neither sander will get into fine detail , which would mean reaching for a small carbide scraper or similar tool.
If the windows are weatheed and need alot of work, I'd reach for the Ro 90 in a heartbeat, esp. if epoxy work like from Abratron is needed. If it's just a case of scuff sanding to prep for painting, and the pad of the DTS 400 fits where you need to go, I'd go with it since it's stable, small, light, and has great dust collection.
The windows are quite weathered on the outside. But in very good shape.
The timber is pine.
Which served its first life for at least 100 years as huge floor supporting beams in some of Belfast cities old buildings which were demolished in the eighties.
Coated with a thick layered combination of stain and varnish.
I have 11 large casement windows in total.
Removal of the fanlight and 2 casements and benched in my workshop has made the job easier.
Have the outside almost completed using a Rotex 150. Quite a lot of flat sanding.
Using up about 6 x 80 grit discs per window just to get back to the grain.
The insides will prove more challenging as so many internal corners to deal with.
Think I'll go with the RO90 and see how it performs.
As it is so adaptable.
Though I might just buy both.
Thanks all. [big grin]
The timber is pine.
Which served its first life for at least 100 years as huge floor supporting beams in some of Belfast cities old buildings which were demolished in the eighties.
Coated with a thick layered combination of stain and varnish.
I have 11 large casement windows in total.
Removal of the fanlight and 2 casements and benched in my workshop has made the job easier.
Have the outside almost completed using a Rotex 150. Quite a lot of flat sanding.
Using up about 6 x 80 grit discs per window just to get back to the grain.
The insides will prove more challenging as so many internal corners to deal with.
Think I'll go with the RO90 and see how it performs.
As it is so adaptable.
Though I might just buy both.
Thanks all. [big grin]
ear3
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Make sure to buy some spare triangle pads for the RO90. Especially for an operation like that, which may require a fair amount of digging along the edges and corners, the velcro on those pads can burn out pretty quickly. There are few things more frustrating than burning out your last pad in the middle of a job, and have to wait for a mail delivery or a future trip to the dealer to get more.
Lbob131:
If I’ve understood correctly, the Rotex 150 + about 6x 80 grit discs per window used for outside faces – just curious as to what abrasive was used?
Do you have / use carbide scrapers at all? Might be particularly useful on those pesky internal corners – used with care of course.
Where appropriate, I like using scrapers – then abrasives for final prepping.
(BTW: everyone, if possible, should have a Delta sander... [scratch chin])
Richard (UK)
If I’ve understood correctly, the Rotex 150 + about 6x 80 grit discs per window used for outside faces – just curious as to what abrasive was used?
Do you have / use carbide scrapers at all? Might be particularly useful on those pesky internal corners – used with care of course.
Where appropriate, I like using scrapers – then abrasives for final prepping.
(BTW: everyone, if possible, should have a Delta sander... [scratch chin])
Richard (UK)
FestitaMakool
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Since you are going ty buy the RO 90.. [wink]
This set might be handy, as they allow for working with variable distance to areas you don’t want to have the pad or paper bump into:https://www.festool.com/accessory/497936---fp-ro-90#Overview
[attachimg=1]
This set might be handy, as they allow for working with variable distance to areas you don’t want to have the pad or paper bump into:https://www.festool.com/accessory/497936---fp-ro-90#Overview
[attachimg=1]
Attachments
I have a set of steel scrapers which have proven very useful.
Though not carbide.
My discs are....https://www.siaabrasives.com/pl/media/central_pool/downloads/file/siacar_en.pdf
Though not carbide.
My discs are....https://www.siaabrasives.com/pl/media/central_pool/downloads/file/siacar_en.pdf
I purchased both sanders.
The DTS 400 has a larger sanding pad area and so for sanding larger areas is faster than the delta mode Ro90.
However I have found out that the RO90 is in a league of its own when it comes to sanding large wooden casement windows.
The DTS 400 has a larger sanding pad area and so for sanding larger areas is faster than the delta mode Ro90.
However I have found out that the RO90 is in a league of its own when it comes to sanding large wooden casement windows.
Crazyraceguy
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There are quite a few who have issues with the RO90, but I think they are fantastic. It was the first Festool sander I ever bought, simply because of the versatility it provides.
I use it on solid surface material on edges and smaller areas. I used it more often and more aggressively before I got the RAS115, but it still gets plenty.
The RAS can be extremely aggressive though, more like a grinder than a sander. I stepped up to the RO125 for more general use.
I use it on solid surface material on edges and smaller areas. I used it more often and more aggressively before I got the RAS115, but it still gets plenty.
The RAS can be extremely aggressive though, more like a grinder than a sander. I stepped up to the RO125 for more general use.
