Replies

1. 
   dustinf | Feb 11, 2006 01:20am | #1

   Do you already have the vac, and saw?

   I've been drooling over it for a couple months, and almost bought it around Christmas.

    

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Feb 11, 2006 01:37am | #2

   I have the saw, just got it back from Festool, the trigger would stick in the on position.  I don't have the vac, but might spring for a combo kit with the sander.  Quite alot to spend, though.  I intended to spring for an HVLP unit later this spring, which will devour a good portion of the annual tool budget.

   Still, I've used my old 6" Bosch ROS to the point where it will not turn on in the cold, I have to warm it up first.  It needs to be replaced, and the Festool looks like a good replacement for it. 

   I worry about closeouts, however.  If repair parts and consumables will still be available later on.  Their saws are being redesigned/replaced also.  It figures, 6 months after I buy the larger saw, they replace it with one with even more bells/whistles.

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

1. 
   zorrosdens | Feb 12, 2006 11:16pm | #5

   I think everyone who sands ALOT will gripe on the longevity of a sander and that failing in them.  I have a Porter-Cable 5" ROS and it was dieing, too.  Used a TON of them in cbinet shops and they just won't hold up to hard use.  They just will not last the hard-haul.  I rejuvenated one recently by removing the lower housing and dripping some gun-oil where it would down into the bearing to see if it would get moving again and it did spin free again......BUT I do want the 5" ROM from Festool, they do feel like they will last the LONG-HAUL and it just CAN'T be worse than the others.

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Feb 13, 2006 01:47am | #6

   Actually, I have several 5" ROS from Bosch - the in-line variety - and have no complaints for what they do - which admittedly isn't a whole lot.  I used them a lot more when I was just doing cabinet/furniture making.  The 6" angle-type sander is the workhorse machine I reach for when sanding leveling compound, rough sanding of durabond, etc., and the sander has taken a beating, but has also served me well.

   I'm thinking to either replace it with the Bosch replacement 6", or spring the extra bucks for the Festool.  Problem with Festool tools is, they're so darn expensive I hate to subject them to the meat grinder of every day remodeling life.

   But, if you're gonna pay that much for a sander, you might as well get some useful work out of it.

    "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

2. 
   nikkiwood | Feb 13, 2006 06:35am | #7

   I assume you're aware of the different types of sanders from Festool. they have the plain jane ROS, but the one they're closing out now (for a mere $350 vs. $420 regular price) is the 6" Rotex. It has what thye call a "dual action" so you can use it agressively (almost like a belt sander), switch it over to the other mode for fine, dlicate sanding. If you're going to buy just one, it is probably the one to have; I'm not crazy about its ergonomics though, since you pretty much have to keep both hands on it.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   DougU | Feb 13, 2006 06:45am | #8

   since you pretty much have to keep both hands on it.

   Well that sucks, how you going to eat a Snickers bar while sanding.

   Does that sander use Festool only sandpaper? I wouldnt mind getting a Festool sander that I can hook up to a good vac but it isnt just the cost of the sander, its all the extras!

   Doug

2. 
   nikkiwood | Feb 13, 2006 06:57am | #9

   Paper -- they certainly want you to use their paper; but I don't know if their hole pattern is close enough to others so some non-Festool brand would be useable. If you don't care much about dust collection, I'm sure any 6" paper would work. However, the Festool fans' also claim their paper is way better than others -- lasts maybe 1/2 again, or even twice as long. Also, they also say the dust collection is really first rate. I learned all that before I got kicked out of the Festool forum. I'll bet I could hold that Snickers in my mouth, and steal a hand away to move it down for the next bite............********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

3. 
   DougU | Feb 13, 2006 07:44am | #11

   I learned all that before I got kicked out of the Festool forum.

   Better be careful, Banyantree, or whatever his name is this week, will be in here to refute that claim! Just got done reading the threads in the Cafe regarding all that jazz, to damn funny.

   Doug

    

4. 
   nikkiwood | Feb 13, 2006 08:09am | #12

   You are a glutton for punishment ...................********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

2. 
   BillBrennen | Feb 11, 2006 02:00am | #3

   Nick,

   The question I have is, "Will the new one be better?" Wish I had a crystal ball. The Rotex sander is tempting, but I have to wait for awhile.

   Bill

1. 
   maverick | Feb 11, 2006 04:16am | #4

   I gotta tell ya, It took me years before I broke down and bought the rotex and vac combo. One of the best purchases I ever made. Its gotta be the best engineered set-up I've ever seen.

   For some one who does a lot of sanding dont walk - run and get yourself one

3. 
   Kowboy | Feb 13, 2006 07:09am | #10

   I bought a Rotex 150 with vac, paper and shipping for $950.00 several months ago.

   Probably the best tool I've ever owned. Second one I bought, sold the first with the business. Service is spectacular.