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Festool RO 125 sander

1K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  Betsy 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
For those that have this sander - can you tell me what the life span you get from the gripper pad. I've had mine a little more than 2 years and its no longer doing a very good job of holding onto the sanding disc. I've cleared it and it did do a better job holding on for a few short sanding sessions.

I'm going to have to get a new one - but wanted to see what others say about life expectancy for the pad.

In a way to measure usage in the last two years - I've used this sander on a tick more than 1,400 cutting boards of varying sizes and types.

Look forward to your responses.
 
#3 ·
I got a $20 B&D sander. In a very short time the sanding disks I used started flying off. I asked B&D for an advise and they immediately sent me a replacement pad, which did not help. It appeared that the sanding discs i used was the problem. The velcro on them just was subpar and would not work more than a couple of times.
 
#4 ·
I had a Dewalt sander that I was always replacing the pad on. If you have sanded that many cutting boards with that sander I think you have done very well. I think the vibration of the sander wears out the contact of the pad just like sand paper wears out. Replacing the pad on the bottom of the sander is not hard to do. I now have the festool sander and it does a great job compared to the dewalt. Contact Festool and they should be able to guide you through the process.
 
#5 ·
Thanks guys. I sent an email to Festool to see what they say. Carlos - it seems like it is only the 60 grit Festool paper - it's happened a couple of times with the Rhino paper also. I've gone ahead and ordered a new pad,

I can attest to those discs flying off. Not only do they fly off but they are like little knives. I sand in my living room while listening to audio books - one pad flew off and lodged itself in between pages of a book I had on the table. It was pretty impressive - I would have thought it would bounce off - but it sliced itself between pages like a round bookmark.

Curly - I was thinking the same thing about the longevity - that sander really has performed well over the long haul. I can't estimate the number of run time hours, but I've used the sander every day.

thanks for your replies guys. I'll let you know what Festool says.

Betsy
 
#7 ·
The new pad came in. Tried to take a picture to show the difference, but , since both are black, it's a fail. Regardless if you were in my living room looking at both the old and new you'd be impressed. I've had a chance to use it and I can tell you the new one has convinced me I was working with a very worn out pad. The new pad holds onto the disc with such stickiness it's difficult to pull it off to change grits. The old pad, barely hangs on to the disc. I think I should have broken down and got a new pad a long time ago. Lesson learned.
 
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