Which sander

[Devonbachi]

Hi guys,

I've joined the world of Festool and so looking forward to using my domino and dust extractor. I'm in the world of making taiko drum stands and also making taiko drum bodies. Since the bodies and cylinders and of various sizes. 10 inches diameter and 6 inches in height for an example of a small drum and going up from there. I was wondering which festool sander might be best for the job. Some bodies will just need a simple sand, while others I would like to get up to a polished finished, which is probably a big ask.
Probably a simple question that has been asked a million times, but here is a million and one

 

[leakyroof]

The Rotex sanders will allow you to sand AND polish if you want to.
I love my ETS 150/5 sander as a larger all round sander but I have a Shinex too for polishing or burnishing a piece, so I rarely drag out my Rotex 150 to polish with since the  Shinex is lighter.
A Rotex 125 sounds like it would work great for you, do you have a variable speed vacuum to hook up to it for increased performance, longer abrasive life and almost zero dust output?

 

[wow]

First,  [welcome] to the FOG!

I would vote for the RO-90 based on the size and curves that you're going to be dealing with. Whatever you THINK you want. please visit a Festool dealer to hold and perhaps demo the sander you're thinking of buying. You'll get a much better idea of whether it will work for you.

And don't get yourself too worked up over your choice. There's a 30-day return option if you're wrong, and it WON'T be the only Festool sander that you'll end up owning. Ask me how I know....

[big grin]

 

[Devonbachi]

Thanks for the answers guys, and the welcome. Dust extractor is variable as it's a festool. I'll probably end up going for the 125, maybe the 150. Only because of the sizes of bodies I will be doing the 10 inch is the smallest, but I have done a 4 foot diameter body. I rounded that with a belt sander, but now using jigs and a router to round the inside and out sides. So much easier. What appeals to me about the festool sanders is the near zero dust. As the one I use at the moment the dust removal is truly bad. Maybe get the 90 to do the small drums. Oh my, it's so easy to think about buying so many. I will have to think which is best to start with  [eek]

 

[bkharman]

Thanks for the answers guys, and the welcome. Dust extractor is variable as it's a festool. I'll probably end up going for the 125, maybe the 150. Only because of the sizes of bodies I will be doing the 10 inch is the smallest, but I have done a 4 foot diameter body. I rounded that with a belt sander, but now using jigs and a router to round the inside and out sides. So much easier. What appeals to me about the festool sanders is the near zero dust. As the one I use at the moment the dust removal is truly bad. Maybe get the 90 to do the small drums. Oh my, it's so easy to think about buying so many. I will have to think which is best to start with  [eek]

ETS 150 with all the pads and interfaces might do you well. I think that might be your best bet.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think the Rotex series would be a good choice -- the 90 for smaller work and the 125 or 150 for larger.  The interface pads are a great suggestion to help with the curves.

Scot

 

[Kev]

On your small diameter drums, the RO 90 with two interface pads and the thinner backing abrasives like Granat are the go!!!! Good on the bends [wink]