Which sander for tabletops?

[Acarper76]

I am using a Bosch orbital sander and I’m getting swirls regardless of how I move through the grits. I want to use a festool. Which model is best for
Tabletops?

 

[AlexThePalex]

That will be the Festool RS 2 sander. Large and flat for big surfaces like tabletops.
https://www.festoolusa.com/products...ine-sanding/567696---rs-2-e-plus-usa#Overview

 

[gsdvorak]

Agree with Alex- RS-2 is the best sander for this purpose.  It's a beast so I only pull this out when I'm doing large flat surfaces, but the beefiness makes it a joy to use- once you set it on the surface you let the sander do the work.

Regards,
Gerald

 

[Mike Goetzke]

Since you are getting swirls - are you using dust collection?

 

[Acarper76]

Do I have to use another sander first for the heavier grits?

 

[Acarper76]

I am getting little pigtail swirls, I have a dust collection bag but I’m going to buy the festool dust collector.

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I am getting little pigtail swirls, I have a dust collection bag but I’m going to buy the festool dust collector.

That's why I asked - years ago I had these issues when not using good quality paper and no active dust control. Sometimes grit is left behind and causes these marks you describe.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I am using a Bosch orbital sander and I’m getting swirls regardless of how I move through the grits. I want to use a festool. Which model is best for
Tabletops?

Too little information, unless you just want to buy another sander.

I use a couple of Bosch RO sanders with good results.

Dust collection? Too much suction?

 

[Dogberryjr]

Too little information, unless you just want to buy another sander.

I use a couple of Bosch RO sanders with good results.

Dust collection? Too much suction?

This. I was getting those swirls, reduced suction on the DC and :oof:: gone.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I am getting little pigtail swirls, I have a dust collection bag but I’m going to buy the festool dust collector.

That's why I asked - years ago I had these issues when not using good quality paper and no active dust control. Sometimes grit is left behind and causes these marks you describe.

I read too fast, Mike is on the right track, dust and grit debris from the previous grit needs to be thoroughly removed before starting the next grit. You need a dust extractor to get the surface clean. Ideally you’ll get a dust extractor that allows you to reduce the suction in order to prevent the abrasive from digging too deep.

Even with my Bosch sanders I find it sufficient to increase the grit in 50% increments,
for example, 60 to 100 to 150 to 220 to 320. Or 80 to 120 to 180 to 240. It’s better to jump les than too much. I decide which grit schedule based on the final grit needed for the finish and make adjustments at the lower end (coarser grits).

 

[bertv]

That will be the Festool RS 2 sander. Large and flat for big surfaces like tabletops.
https://www.festoolusa.com/products...ine-sanding/567696---rs-2-e-plus-usa#Overview

Funny: the RS 2 is called RS 200 in Europe. On the US website the same images are used as on the German, but there has been done some very sloppy Photoshopping to change the labeling : )

 

[junk731]

While you can get swirls from any sander with improper technique you asked about getting a Festool sander for table tops. The RS2 has been recommended but personally I do tabletops and large flat surfaces all the time using an ETS 150/3 or ETS EC 150/5. Both with a hard blue pad which is the key to keeping the tops flat. IMHO the ETS EC/5 is a much more versatile sander that will achieve the same finished product with proper use.

 

[AlexThePalex]

That will be the Festool RS 2 sander. Large and flat for big surfaces like tabletops.
https://www.festoolusa.com/products...ine-sanding/567696---rs-2-e-plus-usa#Overview

Funny: the RS 2 is called RS 200 in Europe. On the US website the same images are used as on the German, but there has been done some very sloppy Photoshopping to change the labeling : )

Where'd you find those pictures? The pictures in my link to the US website show the real RS 2, which has a different top shell (the black part) than the RS 200. That's no photoshop.

[attachimg=1]

 

[bertv]

These pages:https://www.festool.de/produkte/sch...scher-fuer-den-feinschliff/567764---rs-200-q#Übersichthttps://www.festoolusa.com/products...sanding/567696---rs-2-e-plus-usa#/Accessories

Note the similarities between the two side shots: same bottom halves, etc. Lettering changed and contour of handle reshaped.

(I tried to post a picture, but it doesn't work…) == Well, it did, don't know what mojo is happening.

 

[AlexThePalex]

ROFL, that's indeed a photoshop. Pretty disgraceful if you ask me, you should always show your buyers exactly what they get.

They can tell a guy to do some photoshopping, but they can't tell a guy to make some pictures. Sad.

 

[Marven]

Here are a couple of great videos.

And this table top in action.