Yet Another "Which Rotex" Question

[Arimaguy]

Greetings to all from a new FOG member.

I recently discovered Festool while researching dust extraction for an upcoming project (or 2). I have a 17' boat, 6' beam which I am going to strip and redo the bottom paint. The current paint job was very poorly done. Looks and feels like the paint was applied with a mop or a 1" nap roller.  [crying]  So I have modified epoxy paint, no sand primer, and maybe even epoxy barrier coat to remove and/or smooth out.

I orginally looked at the Rotex 90, primarily because of the price point. After lurking here and some other sites for some time I have pretty much decided the 90 is a little small for the task at hand. I have been wavering between the Rotex 125 and Rotex 150.

The 125 wins on price point and weight. Weight and manuverability come into play because I cannot flip the boat over so most of the sanding will be done crouching or laying on my back. 

I am considering the 150 because I can forsee getting the Rotex 90 at some time later for unforseen future projects. ( I am becoming a full time retiree next month). It seems the 150/90 combo would be more versitile than the 125/90 combo.

Please help me decide any provide any insight you may have.

Thanks
Alan

OBTW: The second sanding project in que is a 4'x12' deck with a cedar 2x4 surface.

 

[tbellemare]

Although the RO 150 is heavier than the RO 125, it can theoretically do the job about 40% faster.

There are ways to help suspend it for boat hulls also.

Tom

 

[AlexThePalex]

I'd go for he 150, it's bigger size will mean the job is done quicker. A boat is a sizeable object, so the bigger the sander the better. Overall, I find the 150 a better sander than the 125. Bigger, more powerfull, better sandpaper availability, and even a bit better controllable.

 

 

[blk65brd]

Greetings from another first poster and way under the green water by now.

I had the same questions and the answer which may help you as well is that the 150 also has a screw in handle which the other sanders lack, the weight and size will help unless you are laying under the boat, but none the less 2 hands with a firm grip will help as well as the 40% faster.  I did go with the 90/150 combo by the way.

Boat sounds like the first car I had, someone had painted the VW purple with a roller, spent many days hand sanding all of that off, not fun but that was decades ago.

 

[peter halle]

Welcome to the Forum.  Go Big!  As Tom said, there are ways to help minimize the weight issue.  When you get done doing the bottom paint you can also use the Rotex as a polisher for above the waterline.

Peter

 

[semenza]

Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

I'd go with the 150 for stripping. The size may or may not speed up the task depending on how much pad  will be on the surface of the curved  hull. But the 150 should still be faster  due to power and it has a larger sanding stroke.

Seth

 

[tbellemare]

Seth makes a good point about how much of the pad is in contact with the hull. Using an Interface Pad or two will aid in keeping more of the abrasive in contact with the curvature.

Tom

 

[Sparktrician]

Whichever Rotex you choose, you can't go wrong.  Just take the time to learn to hold it correctly (NOT by the barrel grip), and let the abrasives and the tool do the work.  Little manual pressure is needed.  Learn to balance the sander on its pad holding it by the Plug-It connector and lightly on the sander's head.  Think of the big 18-24" floor buffers that can throw you across the ballroom.  Once you learn to use the buffer, you can use it one-handed and very successfully.  The same principle applies to Rotex sanding.  

Oh, and welcome to the FOG.  

[smile]

 

[Arimaguy]

Thanks to all for the suggestions and tips. Really appreciate it.

I am leaning towards the 150. Although I am sure for at least the overhead part of the job the speed will be determined by my physical endurance much more than the surface area of the abrasive.  [embarassed]

Will probably pull the trigger in the very near future. And continue to lurk and learn.

Alan

 

[rljatl]

A mechanics creeper may be more comfortable and maneuverable when laying on your back.

 

[ScotF]

As others have indicated, going with the 150mm size is exactly what I would do for this application.

Scot

 

[peter halle]

One of our members who isn't very active here (GROWL!) did a project wet sanding and polishing her sailboat.  She did a whole detailed write up on it and provided links here to it.  Those links don't seem to work any more.  Perhaps she saved the information elsewhere.

You might be able to get some support ideas from this very quick fun video from YouTube:

Black Magic Gets its Shine On

Peter