Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | May 21, 2006 06:46am | #1

   It's hard to beat the Festool sanders.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   Mitremike | May 21, 2006 09:00am | #3

      
   It's hard to beat the Festool sanders.....Ya spent enough time with the guy at Seven Corners---did you got one or was it the jig saw you were looking at?BTW---for the budget minded---the 5" DeWalt with variable speed has been my choice of RO.Got a buddy with the Makita that I had a turn with and liked as much. Just a slightly smaller grip.Mike"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" Mitremike c. 1990" I reject your reality and substitute my own"
   Adam Savage---Mythbusters

1. 
   nikkiwood | May 21, 2006 04:40pm | #6

   You mean at the 7 Corners show earlier this spring? That was actually a Festool rep I spent so much time with. With his advice, I bought the 150-5, and was trying to decide about also getting one of the Rotex sanders. After I talked some other guy into buying a CS set-up, the Festool guy whispered to me that I should wait for the new model of the Rotex. Then he later sent me a whole box of sandpaper discs gratis.One more Festool purchase ought to qualify me to apply to Matthew Schenker for official "Festool Fanatic" status.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   DougU | May 21, 2006 07:03pm | #10

   One more Festool purchase ought to qualify me to apply to Matthew Schenker for official "Festool Fanatic" status.

   If that comment gets us a visit from Banyantree then your going to be banned from this site for a year!  :)

   Doug

1. 
   andy_engel | May 21, 2006 09:19pm | #11

   I wrote the most recent FWW review of 5-in. RO sanders. Of the bunch, my favorite was the Bosch. Most aggressive, user friendly, good DC. The Festool was my second favorite, particularly now that non-oem 9 hole pads are available.

   That said, I own a Festool Rotek. You will get it when you pry my cold, dead fingers from around it.Andy

   "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." Robert A. Heinlein

   "Get off your dead #### and on your dying feet." Mom

2. 
   nikkiwood | May 22, 2006 06:03am | #13

   I'm not pointing a finger at you, but all this tool talk is one of the reasons forums like this are so valuable, to me at least. Years ago, and probably several models before the Bosch you like, I bought a Bosch after it was touted highly in some mag review. Worst sander I ever owned; kept it around for a while, then gave it away. The generic problem with magazine tool reviews is that the recommendations reflect the tastes and viewpoints of a single person -- perhaps passed through the editorial vetting process. Admittedly, most tool buyers push the tool they own in these forums, often times, I think, as a way of justifying the buy decision. But still, forum readers can weigh the opinions and process the information to come to their own conclusion.********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

3. 
   andy_engel | May 23, 2006 03:23am | #14

   Well, I do try to be objective, but you're absolutely right. Tool articles are one writer's view.Andy

   "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." Robert A. Heinlein

   "Get off your dead #### and on your dying feet." Mom

4. 
   nikkiwood | May 22, 2006 05:49am | #12

   Well, so far he has focused on Knots for his contributions. Let's hope it stays that way.............********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

2. 
   bolts | May 21, 2006 06:59am | #2

   The festool sanders are  excellent I own two of them,for agressive stock removal look at the Rotex 3 in 1 regards from Melbourne Australia

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/21/2006 12:01 am ET by Bolts

3. 
   jayzog | May 21, 2006 02:12pm | #4

   I have been very pleased with PC 7335 's

4. 
   JonE | May 21, 2006 03:00pm | #5

   I use both an older Bosch and one of the new Ridgid VS models.  I like the Ridgid better.  Both use the same 5" H&L 8-hole disks.

    

5. 
   frenchy | May 21, 2006 05:46pm | #7

   markgibbesh,

    Fine wood working tested them all and based on their test results I purchased Mikita. It was both the most aggressive and the least vibration in addition it was the quietest.   It didn't hurt that it was among the lower priced units either..

6. 
   gordsco | May 21, 2006 06:39pm | #8

   I like the PC's, I also have a Bosch and a Makita. Guy I'm working with has a DW.

   All are decent.

   I usually grab the Makita for comfort, but that cloth bag on the back has a few pieces of tape on it to stop the dust from blowing in my face.

   The Bosch is the most agressive and has the least vibration, the dust collector on the back works well, is huge and gets in the way sometimes.

   My pick? Makita with a PC dust collector.

   May neighbors respect You, and troubles neglect You.

   Gord

                           

    

    

7. 
   RW | May 21, 2006 06:44pm | #9

   Festool. Nothing compares. The rotex in particular I think is pretty slick with its adaptability. You can chew paint, rust, wood, drywall, polish out a finish, whatever pretty much. Just use the right paper and settings. Pretty versatile.

   "Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think -- there are no little things" - Bruce Barton

8. 
   woodguy99 | May 23, 2006 04:41am | #15

   I've gone through 2 or 3 Porter Cables and one Dewalt that didn't last long at all. 

   Guys I work with have a Makita and a Ridgid--it's tough to decide which one I want.  I also like most of my Bosch tools, and their sanders usually get good reviews, but I've never used one.  Don't really want to step up to Festool yet. 

   I'm thinking Ridgid for the lifetime guarantee.

    

   Mike Maines

9. 
   LEMONJELLO | May 23, 2006 12:42pm | #16

   I just skimmed over this thread and I think Festool is mentioned in every post....
   BTW, Festool-Rotex user and still addicted.

   Judo Chop!