Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Plano (Dallas) Texas, U.S.A.
    Posts
    26

    Default An ROS question sander question for the box makers here

    My workshop is small. Accordingly, I build small stuff. Boxes and such. I have always used a 5" ROS. My wife recently bought me a Festool 5" ROS (not the Rotex) at Woodcraft. I think I will return it for the Rotex. I just can't figure out if I should move to the 6". As I understand it, the Festool 6" sanders run smoother with less vibration than the 5" - and this is what attracts me to them. I know the 6" dominates the Festool ROS sales, but am concerned that it might be too large for the kind of work I do.

    I'd love to hear the opinion of others. Since all of us here work on smaller than average sized projects, your opinions are particularly valid. Anyone using on (or more) of Festool's 6" sanders for boxes? Do you feel the sanders are too large and/or heavy for small work?

    Sometimes decisions like this can be painstaking.

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Toowoomba Q 4350
    Posts
    9,217

    Default

    Hi Molarman,

    I'm sorry I can't help. I still do 90% of my sanding by hand

    Personally, what benefits does the 6" give you that the 5" can't?

    Cheers
    Wendy

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 1999
    Location
    Westleigh, Sydney
    Age
    77
    Posts
    9,542

    Default

    For sanding small boxes, I always hand sand. The ROS does a good job on larger flat surfaces, but for boxes it's going to round the edges.
    Visit my website
    Website
    Facebook

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    forest. tasmainia
    Age
    90
    Posts
    1,586

    Default

    I use a 6" x 48" belt sander.
    (put wheels on it and use it outside if room is a problem"
    Sorts the dust out as well.
    Last edited by ptc; 18th February 2007 at 09:37 AM. Reason: spelling
    p.t.c

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Council Bluffs, Iowa
    Posts
    297

    Default

    I have two ROS's and never used them on a box. I use my belt/disc sander and hand sand after that.

    Corey

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Plano (Dallas) Texas, U.S.A.
    Posts
    26

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rufflyrustic View Post

    Personally, what benefits does the 6" give you that the 5" can't?
    Well, the only reason I am pondering this is that Festool's 6" sanders are a bit smoother and have a bit less vibration than the 5". However, the 5" is what I am used to and I wonder if the 6" sander would be too large/heavy for the type of woodworking I do. Thus the dilemma.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Toowoomba Q 4350
    Posts
    9,217

    Default

    very good point!

    are you able to try out the 6"?

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Council Bluffs, Iowa
    Posts
    297

    Default

    You seem to use the ROS without no problems in your box making and you do make some larger items. Seems like the 5 inch would be enough . Wendy is on the right track though I think..... try the 6 out if you can. If your option is the web only (like me) that might now be an option though.

    Corey

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Plano (Dallas) Texas, U.S.A.
    Posts
    26

    Default

    Thanks everyone for all the help. My wife and I went down to Woodcraft yesterday afternoon and did side by side comparisons of Festool's 5" vs. 6" sanders - both ROS and Rotex. That 6" Rotex is indeed of significant size. After using a 5" ROS for a good while, even the 150/3 seemed quite large to me - at least considering my style of woodworking. In the end, we walked out of the store with both the 5" ROS and the 5" Rotex.

    Thanks again for the input.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Council Bluffs, Iowa
    Posts
    297

    Default

    Enjoy them Molerman! I would like to take your wife tool shopping with me!

    Corey

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    Glenhaven, NSW
    Age
    81
    Posts
    1,064

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by molarman View Post
    My wife and I went down to Woodcraft yesterday afternoon and ... we walked out of the store with both the 5" ROS and the 5" Rotex.
    .
    What a lucky sod!!!

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Plano (Dallas) Texas, U.S.A.
    Posts
    26

    Default

    Saturday it was the Festool 5" Rotex. Today I pre-ordered the DF 500 Domino and the CT22 dust extractor.

    Is this the slippery slope everyone talks about?

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Bradenton, FL US
    Age
    62
    Posts
    323

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by molarman View Post
    Saturday it was the Festool 5" Rotex. Today I pre-ordered the DF 500 Domino and the CT22 dust extractor.

    Is this the slippery slope everyone talks about?

    yep! and mine led to a SawStop before it Stopped.


    ICN,

    Bill

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Plano (Dallas) Texas, U.S.A.
    Posts
    26

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bwillie View Post
    yep! and mine led to a SawStop before it Stopped.

    You went in the wrong order. I got my SS first (early Dec.)

Similar Threads

  1. When is a box a BANDSAWN BOX
    By baxter in forum BANDSAWN BOXES
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 3rd January 2007, 10:13 PM
  2. Cutting a bandsaw box...!!,.....a question
    By Pauls_49 in forum BANDSAWN BOXES
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 28th July 2006, 01:09 PM
  3. Building a box question..
    By mnd643 in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 4th November 2005, 07:23 PM
  4. Question about ETS 150/3 EQ sander
    By sam63 in forum FESTOOL FORUM
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 10th August 2005, 11:50 PM
  5. belt/disk sander question
    By Sean in forum HAND TOOLS - POWERED
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 5th August 2003, 05:26 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •