Festool RO 125 FEQ Plus Supplemental User's Manual - Operation
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Rotex Series Dual Mode Sanders
Operation
Aside from installing sandpaper, your Rotex sander is
ready to use right out of the box. There is no special setup,
adjustment, or break-in procedure required before using
your sander. However, new users may want to practice with
the sander to become familiar with its operation, function,
and even the best way to hold the sander.
Sanding is frequently considered one of the most important
stages of any type of project because it is often the first
stage of the finishing phase. Even given its great impor-
tance, the nuances of sanding are often overlooked, and it
is viewed as more of a chore than a productive aspect of
the overall project. Discovering the optimal nuances of your
sander will help you get the most out of your sander, but
may take some practice and learning.
Using Dust Extraction
Using dust extraction on a Rotex sander isn’t just a matter
of keeping the work area clean or protecting your health;
which of course is very important. The sander itself is
specifically designed to perform best when used with dust
extraction.
Sanding wouldn’t be very effective if a layer of sanding
dust was permitted to accumulate between the sanding
pad and the sanded surface. Festool sanders incorporate
Airstream technology to help get the sanding dust away
from the sanding surface as efficiently as possible. With
traditional sanding pads, dust accumulates at the center
of the disk because it can’t get drawn out by the vacuum.
Airstream technology creates airflow from the center of the
pad radially outward to the dust extraction holes (as well as
the normal airflow from the perimeter). This keeps the dust
clear and allows the sanding grit to work on the sanding
surface.
Makeup Air
Passage
Dust
Extraction
With HEPA filtration, auto-start, and variable speed, Festool
dust extractors are ideally suited for use with Rotex sand-
ers. The variable speed is of particular importance because
it permits adjusting the power of the vacuum for the optimal
performance of the sander. Too high of a vacuum pressure
can suck the sander tight to the workpiece, which reduces
sanding quality and diminishes controllability of the sander.
For best results, the power of the vacuum should be reduced
below maximum. A sign that the vacuum is too strong is a
lack of controllability, with excessive jumping and jitter in
the movement of the sander across the workpiece. Having
the vacuum set too high will also increase the depth of
sanding scratches, and make them more difficult to remove
through the higher sanding grits. The optimal vacuum power
will vary depending on the size of the sander and even the
coarseness of the sandpaper, with finer grits needing less
power.
1. To use the dust extraction system, slide the vacuum hose
over the dust collection port as described on
2. Plug the sander into the electrical receptacle on the
front of the dust extractor, and turn the power switch to
“Auto”.
►
When the power switch is in the manual or off position,
the electrical outlet will not have any power.
3. Turn the speed control dial counterclockwise to reduce
the power of the vacuum.
Tool’s
Power Cord
Power Switch
Set to Auto
Fast
Slow