A quick run down on the 11 Festool Sanders
August 7th, 2007
Festool RO 150 FEQ (571594)
- Big, 6″ disc, Dual Mode (direct spin or random orbit), edge protection, plug-it cord dust port into vac only.
Festool ETS 150/5 (571541)
- Big, 6″ disc, 3/16″ throw pattern for intermediate sanding, plug-it cord, dust bag capabilities, turbo dust extractio
Festool ETS 150/3 (571540)
- Big, 6″ disc, 1/8″ throw pattern for finish work, plug-it cord, dust bag capabilities, turbo dust extraction.
The above sanders are the 6″ series of sanders. Junkie money goes to these bad boys/girls (staying politically correct). Here is a tip: decide what size of sander you are going with, 5″ or 6″, and stay with your decision. This way, you are not buying two sizes of Festool abrasives.
Another note about the Festool six inch sander line-up. The random orbit mode on the RO 150 FEQ Rotex is 3/16″. Therefore, if you don’t mind the bulkiness of the Rotex, you may get buy with not having to purchase the Festool ETS 150/5.
Check Out The Sander Packages <<
RO 125 Rotex (571536)
- Smaller than it’s brother/sister, 5″ disc, Dual Mode, tighter than the RO 150 FEQ with a 9/64″ throw in random orbit mode, Plug-It cord.
ES 125 (soon the ETS 125) (571568)
- Small, 5″ disc, Lightweight, EXCELLENT BALANCE, 3/32″ pattern (tight little sucker), dust bag capabilities.
RS 2 E (567669)
- If you are doing large surfaces this sander is a must. See the recent review by Mr. Brice Burrell. The Festool Junkies around here feel the RS 2 is the most under-rated Festool Sander. It is big, and not very sexy looking; but is a horse in the shop. Tight too with only 3/32″ pattern.
RTS 400 EQ (567187)
-Small, Tight 5/64″ pattern, the ultimate finishing sander, rectangular pad, dust bag capable. Get into tight spots along rebates and edges.
DTS 400 EQ (567825)
-Small, Tight 5/64″ pattern, the ultimate finishing sander, delta shaped pad, dust bag capable. Get into tight spots along rebates and edges and into corners with the pointed tip of the pad.
NOTE TO SELF: THE PADS FOR THE RTS AND THE DTS ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. In essence, they are the same motors and features with different pad configuration.
The following sanders are more in the line of “specialty” sanders. Each has some specific usages and really do the trick.
LS 130 Duplex (567777)
- AWESOME SANDER, This is a Junkie favorite! In-line sander that has interchangeable pads for profile work. This sander even has a scraper attachment. Basically, this sander replaces hand or block sanding. It goes back and forth. 5/32″ stroke pattern gets the job done 3 times faster than sanding by hand. Killer dust extraction, and a plug-it cord. This sander is pricey, but worth every penny to me.
RAS 115 4 1/2″ Rotary Sander (570738)
-Get your safety glasses on and fire this sucker up. The RAS is the ultimate stripper. The pad spins in one direction and will take paint off a house like crazy. Excellent sander! Once again, special application, but worth it if you need it.
DX 39 E (567738)
-Detail sander, random orbit, tight pattern 3/32″, gets into tight spots, dust port for vac, small barrel to fit in your hand, gear driven. This is a go to sander for the shop. Junkieville uses the DX in the shop primarily for edge work. Great dust extraction when hooked up to a vacuum.
Just remember kids, whatever sander you choose, make sure you buy it with a vac. If you are only doing sanding, don’t spend the extra dough on the CT 22 and CT 33. Do yourself a favor and hook it up to a CT mini or CT midi. There are some great Festool accessories for the dust extraction systems out there. Many will make life much easier in the shop. As always,
Dust-ain’t-cool!!!
Timmy
Festool RS 2 E Half Sheet Sander
August 4th, 2007
One of the most under-rated Festool Sanders is the Festool RS 2 E half sheet sander. Festool Junkie would like to than Mr. Brice Burrell of Burrell Custom Carpentry for his recent review on this awesome tool. Anybody that is flattening large horizontal surfaces has got to check out his review.
Thanks again Brice! You rock!
Timmy C.
Common CT Calls
August 3rd, 2007
I just received a call from a West Coast Junkie regarding his CT 22 shutting off unexpectedly. I thought I would take a moment to share this common “scare” with all of you. The problem has to with the thermal cut-off device on the vacuum. In other words when the vac ain’t suckin’, there is no air to cool the motor causing the motor to heat up. To protect the motor, the CT will shut off on it’s own when you are in “auto.”
The list to follow is a real simple checklist to trouble shoot the problem…here are my questions:
1. If you disconnect the hose from the Dust Extractor (vacuum), is there negative pressure at the port?
In Junkie terms: does the thing suck when the hose is not hooked up?
If you answer “YES” then all is cool, have no fear brother. More than likely, your hose is clogged. Take the rubber end off, shake the hose, rattle the hose, do anything to it you need to until it is clear. Reinstall the rubber end and you’re ready to start sucking again.
To reset the vacuum, turn the vac to “on” and then back to “auto”. This should work.
If the answer is “NO” to the question 1. Here we go.
A. Check the bag. If it is full, there ya go, change your bag dude.
B. Clean out your filters. THOROUGHLY! Not just a couple of little wimpy pulls. Clean ‘em like you mean it!
C. Ensure that there is not debris clogging your inlet port to the bag. Get on your hands and knees and look too; don’t be lazy!
If A, B and C do not work, call Festool 1.888.337.8600 and discuss the problem further with a technician. The dudes at Festool are awesome! In true German fashion, they will review your issues thoroughly with you….Great People.
Don’t forget about the 1+2 warranty. With the vacs, they have made it more economical to send back to the repair center. An owner can simply dismantle the motor from the housing and just send the motor rather than the entire vacuum…this saves a ton-o-cash in shipping.
Timmy C
Ya gotta think a bit differently! Log-in to Festool Junkie and Review a product or two.
August 3rd, 2007
One thing I have learned over the past several years is: Ya gotta think different when you slappin’ around the Festools. For example, upon first glance, a prospective user views the Festool Domino DF 500 Q as a new fangled biscuit joiner….the Domino is so much more than that limited only by the woodworkers imagination. The Domino has been used to cut tenons, through mortise to expose decorative woods used to join mitred corners, used on bench tops to insert the actual dominos that act like bench dogs, the list could go on and on; these types of stories are all over the place with many of the Festool products.
One approach that I have used with my Festool TS 55 EQ plunge cut circular saw is to glue up large panels and simply draw lines where I need the saw to cut. I once made a compound angle, 4 shelf, entertainment center with a base, simply by drawing the sides of the cabinet in mirror image, and placing my rail on the respective lines. The cool thing is, prior to the cut, I made sliding dovetails for the shelves by utilizing the Festool OF 1400 EQ router into the rail adapter. It was pretty slick when I cut the sides with the saw, the shelve dado’s lined up perfectly.
There have got to be a ton of creative/resourceful ideas out there in Festool Land. Let me know what some of your favorite uses are.
Timmy C
