Thread: ROS- what to look for,

In my price range, (up to $300), the various units were pretty similar.

The power of the motor is an obvious consideration.

I ended tossing up between the Bosch and Metabo.

In the end I went for the Metabo as it seemed a bit better made than the Bosch.

Sxe 425 is the model no. From memory, it cost around $280.

I have had no problems with it and don't regret buying it.

I'm only a weekend warrior though.

The pros will say Festool but I couldnt justify one of them.

Cheers

Craig

I am using the Festool ES 150/3 connected to the Festool CT 11 dust extractor, a great combo. Very little dust, very little vibration, very little noise - a joy to use. What swayed me was seeing how many people at the various wood shows were using the unit. Expensive - yes, but unlike many of my cheap tools I don't expect to have to replace it.

Himzo
I don't own one, but I've brought one home from work a few times, A Bosch Pex 400 I think, 6" pad 400 watts. Great little unit but the dust extraction outlet is an odd shape, when I tried to connect a vacuum cleaner it was a pain in the ars3.Why don't they put a round outlet?
Hope this helps, I've got to go SWMBo is chucking her usual he's on the net tantrum, cya

I bought a cheapo GMC which I'm returning - the button holding the switch in the 'on' position has broken off and it's only a couple of months old.

For a bargain price, I like my Triton which attaches to the grinder. Got it new on ebay for $60 and no competition. You can probably get another form there now. It really gets into the job but has no dust extraction port , unlike the GMC.

I've had a play with the Festoool and you can't beat it but as others have said, the price has to come into it.

I have the Bosch PEX400 and the PEX270. I like the 270 a lot more for most things - more than enough power and easier to handle. You don't want anything too heavy for most jobs.

As mentioned, the Festo is the Rolls Royce, but in the reasonable range I'd go for the Bosch PEX270 again no problem, or look at the similar unit in the Bosch blue range - looks very nice for the money. The newer Bosch units (like my 270) have a pretty good dust collection/filter system too.

Ive had a dewalt palm ROS for a couple of years.
It is great.
Have used both Bosch an air machine, but the dwalt wins on comfort for use.
I also use it to sand paster board joints. Makes for quick work.
Matt

Himzol,get yourself a Farthers Day present,buy a Festool ROS,i have an older type Festo RE 150,it has been the best investment i have made in my power tools, and a pleasure to work with,and it does a great job,on wood,plaster and painted surfaces.GO ON SPOIL YOURSELF!

Good luck with the choice.

I recently bought a ROS, and I am more than happy with the Bosch 270PEX, from memory around $210 from Bunnings - don't quote me on that, although I do remember that it was only about $10 more than the Ryobi.
I bought this sander because it was better specs than the lower brands and not much dearer - also, I have a Bosch hammer drill, saber saw, detail sander and cordless drill all of which are great.
I briefly considered the Matabo but I think the Bosch has a better feel than the Metabo, and the Bosch is better specs than the Metabo and the Makita for less money.
So far I've used the sander a fair bit and I am more than happy with it.
Cheers
Paul

Not sure what people are talking about when they mention "specs", but what is important is:

How are your hands going to feel after using it for an extended period of time?

How full of sawdust are your lungs and workshop going to be?

How good a job does it do?

Remember also that good extraction will enhance the life of your abrasives, take this into account when thinking about the total operating cost of the tool.

It is a great feeling picking up a tool knowing it is going to do the job well and you are going to enjoy using it. It is no fun picking up a tool knowing that if you are going to use it for any length of time you are going to have numb hands and a chest infection.

Go on - do yourself a favour

Originally Posted by Gumby

I bought a cheapo GMC which I'm returning - the button holding the switch in the 'on' position has broken off and it's only a couple of months old.

My GMC ROS did exactly the same thing after about a week - I'm using the warranty replacement one now. I'm real careful with the lock-on button now, must be a very fragile design.
Still, for $39 or whatever it was in that sale a while back, can't really complain.

I know people knock GMC, but they really do live up to their 2 yr replacement guarantee...I just had a hedge trimmer replaced after 1 yr and 9 months - delivered right to my door. Service like that can't be beat.

I guess I wouldn't want to be relying on a such a piece of equipment for income producing purposes, but they fit my needs pretty well.

Cheers,
Geoff

Based on Chris's criteria I would say the Bosch fits the bill - no soreness or fatigue after long use, and from the amount of dust in the collection cartridge I would say it really takes the dust out.
All it lacks was an anti idiot warning suggesting that you should not clean out the filter cartridge with an air blower INSIDE the shed.
Cheers
Paul

Originally Posted by chris_hewett

I am using the Festool ES 150/3 connected to the Festool CT 11 dust extractor, a great combo. Very little dust, very little vibration, very little noise - a joy to use. What swayed me was seeing how many people at the various wood shows were using the unit. Expensive - yes, but unlike many of my cheap tools I don't expect to have to replace it.

I have the same Festool 150/3 sander and find it great ... works really well. I have it connected to a Metabo auto start vacuum and agree with you that the dust is really dimished. One problem I have had is the sanding pad just split in 2 ... half way up through the foam padding. Bought a new one at the Sydney Wood Show and it cost $55.00 just for the new pad ... seems a lot when GMC are selling a whole sanding unit fot $39.00!!

Picaroon

I have an older version of this ROS. I think that you'll find that the Bosch 6-hole pad will be a direct replacement (and cheaper). The disadvantage is a minor degree of reduced dust suction (moving from 8- to 6 holes). The overwhelming advantage is the lower cost of sanding disks.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I use the Festool Rotex which is a ROS and rotary, all at the twist of a heavy cast alloy knob.
Beautiful machine and almost dust free, with a DC hookup.
Is a bit pricey but well worth it, I pay about $1 for a disc and clean them on a regular basis with rubber and the sander on the rotary mode.
I think they now cost about $800.00.