Which sander, RO125 or 150?

butzla

butzla

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Joined
Feb 5, 2008
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In the market for a new sander.  This being my first Festool purchase.  I'm looking to sand raw wood on furniture and cabinet projects. I'll also polish between finsh coats.  I want to get a dust extractor combo (CT22?)  Which sander should I get, RO125 or 150?  What are the differences besides disc size?  Please advise.  Thanks in advance!

PS Also,  which accesories do you recommend?
 
I'll be the first to suggest you use the wonderful search feature up above. You can easily spend hours reading all the threads where this has been discussed.
If you have a chance to feel them, the RO150 uses 6" paper and it is a monster, meaning very big physically and requires two hands when operating Rotex mode.  The RO125 uses 5" paper and is easier to handle. However, the 1" difference means you do a lot less sanding with the RO150 (and your arms and shoulder will get a work-out).

Jerry Work explains the capabilities extremely wellhttp://www.festoolusa.com/Web_files/Getting_the_most_from_Festool_sanders.pdf

 
I'd rather have dudes like you look it up for me.  I'm lazy and computer inept.  Many thanks,  you're aces!
 
butzla, I just recently picked up a TS55, RO150, and CT22, and have been very pleased with all of them. The RO150 is definitely a large sander, and I was initially rather leery of how maneuverable it would be. I made MANY trips to a local Festool dealer who has demo models of both the RO125 and RO150 and just played around with them. The RO150 really needs two hands when in Rotex mode, but you can easily sand with one hand when in random orbit. The RO125 is smaller, and may fit your hand a little better, depending on how big your hands are. Also, the RO125 has a tighter sanding stroke, so you can probably get a slightly nicer finish, at the cost of not as aggressive.

I have been VERY pleased with my CT22, my first suggestion would be to buy the Hose Garage, I use mine to store both my hose AND power cord, rather than trying to wrap it around the little cleats on the rear of the unit. As for the RO150, it comes with a very nice sampler of sanding sheets. I use mine for scribing quite often, so my next purchases will likely be a 5 pack of the 24 grit Saphir sheets, and a Hard sanding pad. As suggested earlier, there are many threads dealing with this issue, very helpful. I hope this helps!
 
Thanks Tom,  Some good insight there.  As I'm usually doing smaller furniture pieces,  I think I'll go with the RO125.  As I've heard, I get a 30 day money back guarantee so I can't go wrong.  I'll go for that caddy too as you recommended.  And that link to Jerry's work's got me thinking seriously of the boom whip for the hose and cables.  I'm always tipping over my sears shop vac when I push it rearward.  The wheels catch on the cord.  It would be nice to have them up out of the way.
It is a lot of money but I love woodworking but have reactive sinuses with sawdust so this will make it more enjoyable.
 
Butzla, yeah, the Boom Arm is a really neat accessory, and if I had a home shop I'd DEFINITELY pick one up! Right now my work is performed mostly on-site, and transporting the Boom Arm in my truck isn't very feasibly right now. As far as reactive sinuses go, I don't think I have them, but I have noticed that I am much more aware of sawdust now, particularly when using tools without dust extraction, such as my Fein FSC 2.0 Supercut as a detail sander, it really stings my nose and eyes! By the way, I think my next Festool purchase will be the DX93, so I can use my Supercut specifically for cutting. I imagine you'll be very happy with the RO125, be sure to post your experiences with it online soon!
 
Butzla,

I have the CT22 + Boom Arm + etc, etc.  My review of the Boom Arm is here:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=324.0.  The Boom Arm is excellent, but it does add some weight and the CT22 + Boom is 1365mm tall (53-3/4") after disconnection for transport.  If the vac is for shop use, it can't be beat (IMO).  For on-site use, it might not be the best option.

I have the RO150 and agree with the comments about it.  For your use, the RO125 might be better.  Check out the LS130 too.

Regards,

Dan.
 
butzla said:
It is a lot of money but I love woodworking but have reactive sinuses with sawdust so this will make it more enjoyable.
Click to expand...

I am struggling with this very thing....sinusitis!  You should check this out if you haven't already.  Twice a day, and DEFINITELY after an outing in the shop!

Sinus Rinse

It has really done wonders for my schnoz! ; and, I don't get beat up nearly as much from "momma" at night for snoring...."TIM ROLL OVER".  So it has helped in many ways  :D

Timmy
 
Hi,

    Just a thought - if you get the Boom Arm, you probably won't get much use out of the Hose  Garage unless you end up with multiple hoses, or plan to take your CT to job sites. You can always add it later if you want it. Also you mentioned the boom whip. Do you mean the Boom Arm (#492 753) or the wire loop Hose Holder (#487 072). There is also a Hose Hook (#452 998) but I think that is more of a storage holder. Not trying to get picky, is just easier to give and recieve good advise when everyone is on the same page. :)  If you get the Boom Arm you will also need the Handle. If you are looking to save some money, there are alternatives to the Boom Arm for getting the hose out of the way, see these threads  http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=1223.0 . 
            http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=635.0
            http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=907.0
            http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=1579.0

    The CT22 or CT33 would be the right way for you to go since you are especially sensitive to the dust. Those have HEPA filters and the Mini and Midi do not. Plus they can't utilize the Boom Arm with out making your own mounting set up.
      I can't help with the sander choice - I don't have either one.

Seth
 
Shouldn't you consider the ES125 or ES 150?  It sounds like you won't need the coarse (Rotex) mode very often (and you can do pretty well with very coarse paper on the ES).  I don't have a RO sander, but my understanding is that the ES models are lighter, quieter, smoother, and less expensive than the corresponding RO models.  I'd like to echo someone's suggestion that you look at Jerry Work's manual on sanders.

 
Tom's point is valid, but I must admit I've had my Rotex (RO125) for six months, and I still grab anyone who comes in the shop and give them a demo, I LOVE being able to change gears and eat some wood with that lil' sucker. Every time more time sanding would be appropriate (or changing sanders, paper, whatever) I change gears and get the job done right now!
 
Butzla, I have the CT22 and the RO150 and bad sinuses. I have used the RO150 in both modes over extended periods of time and it has very, very much lowered my need for extra doctors visits. :o

Timmy C, I too use one of them there Sinus thingys and while you look like a total dork doing it the results have been fantastic.  ::) :D Can't wait to get my shirts dude.  ;) Fred
 
Wow!  Sander and sinus advice all in the same topic!  What a boon for us men for all seasons.

;D ;D :o :o
 
LOL....that is the beauty of the FOG.  We are all just looking out for the betterment of "the wood" experience....  There are not many outside the FOG that are still Renaissance Men. 

As for the sander question, the standard response for me is to go 5" or 6" and stay with it.  PPPPPPP

Timmy
 
OK,  I finally made the Festool plunge.  I found a private sale for some used swag in the creek forum.  A TS75 saw with a CT33 dust extractor, a 56" and a 106" guide rail for $850.  Almost new condition. I saved a few hundred this way. 
Next on the list is the boom arm, handle and an RO 150 sander.  Going to buy this month and beat the price increase.  I sense that I'm going to soon become a Festool Junkie
Thanks to all for the advice, particularly the tip on sinus rinse.  Good stuff!
 
Dan Clark said:
butzla said:
...
I sense that I'm going to soon become a Festool Junkie
...
Click to expand...
butzla,

You're making excellent progress.  The first step on the road to recovery from your addiction is to admit it! This site provides help in managing your sickness:http://www.festoolusa.com/catalog.aspx.  ;D

Regards,

Dan.
Click to expand...

? Reply #8 on: March 1, 2008, 02:19 PM ?
Reply with quoteQuote Modify messageModify Remove messageRemove
Quote from: Dan Clark on February 29, 2008, 11:17 PM

Please accept my sincere gratitude for your assistance with my addiction.  Grin

Dan.

We admitted we were powerless over Festool - that our shops had become unmanageable!

Tim C
 
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