| | |  | Lathes & Accessories | Home » » Festool RO 125 FEQ Rotex Sander | | | | | | | Description: | | Festools 5" dual mode sander has all the performance features of the legendary Rotex 6" sander, but in a slightly smaller, more compact package! The first thing youll notice is the comfortable handle, thumb-ready on-off switch, rubberized off-hand grip, and provision for right or left hand use (important when working in awkward positions). Connect this new dual mode sander to an optional Festool dust extractor for nearly 100 capture of all tool-generated particulates. Two orbit modes allow for rapid stock removal using aggressive abrasives, or superfine swirl-free finish sanding and polishing. No tools are required to change from the standard soft pad for coarse or fine sanding on curved or flat surfaces to the optional hard pad for coarse sanding and edge work, or to the supersoft pad for contoured surfaces. 4.2 Amps, 300-600 RPM rotary motion speed, 3000-6000 OPM eccentric motion speed. | | | Features: | |
• Dual-Mode Sanding with a gear-driven, aggressive mode for rapid stock removal or polishing and random orbital mode for fine sanding.
• Jetstream dust extraction design delivers highly efficient dust removal, resulting in cleaner air, better finishes, and longer abrasive and pad life.
• FastFix tool-free backing pad changing system allows the sander to adapt to different surfaces and tasks with appropriate pads.
• Compact Size with a compact form and a 5" pad, the RO 125 delivers performance to even the tightest of places.
• MMC electronic controls deliver soft-start, step-less variable speed control, constant speed under load, and thermal and overload protection.
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 15.6 inches | | Product Width:
| 11.6 inches | | Product Height:
| 6.0 inches | | Product Weight:
| 9.1 pounds | | Package Length:
| 15.5 inches | | Package Width:
| 11.6 inches | | Package Height:
| 6.3 inches | | Package Weight:
| 9.4 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 3 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 3 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
 Unique, effective, and worth every pennyJan 21, 2006
By Drew Heywood
The price of the RO 125 EQ probably seems steep to you. After all, you could buy three random orbital sanders from PC or Bosch for the cost of one Festool unit. Let me give you some things to consider when comparing this sander to the competition.
All Festool corded tools have excellent dust collection. One reason Festool RO sanders excel is a tiny one: an extra hole in the center of the disk. This hole improves dust collection and prevents residue from building up in the center of the disk. Dust collection is almost total, and disks last longer. Because Festool disks are unique, you can't go to the budget market for your consumables. However, I've long felt that budget sanding products are inferior to top-of-the line brands. For first-class goods, Festool StickFix sanding disks are priced reasonably, although you should buy large packages to get the best value. Also, they are available in six varieties, suitable for everything from rust removal, to wood sanding, to finish sanding on plastic and paint. The Rubin disks work wonderfully on bare wood and for general use.
The RO 125 EQ is a variale-speed, dual-mode sander. The mode is selectable with a simple slide-switch. In rotary mode, the pad is directly gear-driven, enabling it to remove material like nobody's business. It's so agressive that in this mode, you'll be glad you can slow the sander down. In random-orbital mode, the action is gentle but effective, and it produces an exceptional finish. It's like owing two sanders. It's a bit on the heavy side, but it's easy to grip, so that it can be used two-handed on verticle surfaces. Thanks to weight and a well-balanced motor, it operates with very little vibration, so you're hands are less likely to tingle when you finish a long sanding session. That tingling is a bad thing, incidentally. Lots of woodworking pros have suffered long-term nerve damage from using tools that produce excessive vibration. While I have no test results to prove it, I think the RO 125 EQ will be less damaging in this regard.
I really like the removable pads. It's very easy to change from soft to hard pads or to change grits. While the hook-and-loop paper can be removed and re-applied, I prefer changing pads to peeling paper, especially if I'm changing abrasives often. It's faster, and, in my experience, the backing doesn't have as much grip after it's re-applied. By interchanging pads, I think I make my papers remain usable longer.
Corded Festools have a detachable cord that is interchangable between tools. (Some tools like the circular saws, which require a heavier cord, but the heavier one can be used on any of the tools.) I keep heavy-duty one cord out in my shop and switch it between tools. It's a lot easier than untangling cords for multiple tools. Morover, the cords are 13' long, which means I seldom need extension cords. If your cord is damaged, just order a new one. There's no need to send the tool to a repair shop.
Festools come in cases that you won't throw away. Systainers are stackable and latch together, so it's easy to carry multiple tools to a job site. This case contains compartments for sanding disks. An auxiliary Systainer, the SYS-STF D 125 is organized for storing many more 5-inch disks. The Festool storage system is versatile enough that an entire shop could be organized around it.
If you buy a Festool, invest in a good, tool-controlled shop vacuum. I've had good success with my Fein Turbo II shop vacuum. If you're flush with cash, I'm sure the Festool dust collectors are worth the money, but my Fein works, well, fine, and the Fein is a wet-dry shop vacuum, while the Festools are strictly for dry use. Be sure to buy a hose adapter with the sander, which won't attach directly to anything. The Festool D27 DM-AS adapter will work with most 1 1/4" vacuum hoses, and that's what I currently use with my Fein vacuum. Alternatively, Fein makes a multi-step rubber adapter that I've also used successfully. Because both the power and dust connections are at the tool, it's very easy to change between tools that are connected to your dust collector.
Like all my Festools, I expect my RO 125 EQ to last longer than I want it too. When the next model comes out, I won't be able to use a worn out tool as an excuse to upgrade. Eventually, I won't have the latest and greatest. But I still expect to be satisfied.
If versatility, effective dust-collection, and durability are important to you, you won't regret buying one of these. If you do, Festool gives you 30 days to try and return it. I don't think you'll be spending the return postage, though.
"I only regret buying a good tool once--when I first pay for it."
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Is it the perfect sander? Maybe.Jun 23, 2010
By MAJ
I have been looking for a total sanding solution for my shop for a long long time. I think I have tried everything out there- Belt snaders, RO sanders, Orbital, drum sanders, etc. Nothing performed in a way I would ever rave about. Belt sanders are very aggressive, but are also very tiring, noisy and dusty, RO sanders are easier to control, but aren't good at flattening panels. I tried the "Sand Flee" drum sander and was highly disappointed.
About 2 months ago the Festool bug bit and I purchaser a TS55 and the CT22 dust collector. I love them, and for Fathers Day I got the MFT/3 worktable. Well, I soon felt the need to purchase the Rotex 125... Festool is an addiction, once you try it, you need more!
Well, What can I say. I tried it out on 20 Brazilian Walnut panels and I am actually amazed. In "rotex" mode the sander flattens the panels as quick as a belt sander, and in random orbit mode it makes them shine!
But what is really amazing is that there is almost no dust at all if you use a dust collector (my CT22)! Festool's dust collection is unbelievable. Aside from a little bit of swarf there was no dust! None on my table, none in the air, none on my clothes. It was almost as if I didn't sand at all! It was truly mind boggling.
The sander is not quiet, but not noisy, it is quieter than my Metabo RO sander and a lot quieter than my PC belt sander,. but it is still a power tool, and I would not describe it as quiet. It is smooth to operate and if you follow Festools instructions meaning to let the sander do the work, it is not an exhausting experience to sand, like it was with my belt sander.
I can't recommend the RO125 enough, as with all Festools, it is a fantastic tool.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Superb Dust Collection and Sanding PerformanceOct 13, 2010
By Todd Coon
"Reader"
Is this sander a replacement for the belt stander? Maybe. In rough-sanding mode it surpassed my expectations and quickly leveled glued-up panels with 80 and 100 grit discs. In fine-sanding mode using 120, 150, and 180 discs it did all it was expected to do and then some. As I had this sander hooked up to a CT22 dust collector, there was nary a speck of dust to be found - try doing that with any old belt sander. It also had the side benefit of keeping the sanding discs clean and extending their longevity. This reduces consumable costs. I am giving this machine four stars as opposed to five because Festool did not include a side handle option as is the case with the RO 150. Including a side handle would result in better control and cooling as the sander gear housing does have a tendency to get hot during extended use. Still, until I use up my 5" sanding discs it is the way to go. The 5" discs are compatible with other Festool 5" sanders, to include the ETS 125 and ETS 150/3 and 150/5. (Note: Festool has now transitioned the ETS150 models to 6" discs, so it may appear a new version of the RO 125 will also have a 6" disc).
Update 06/11: This is one of those tools that keeps getting better with time. I'm pleased to report it has become virtually indispensable and the go-to sander in my shop. Coupled with the Festool dust collector it actually secured a refinishing job on its own from an admiring bystander! I particularly appreciate the ability to shift between fast stock removal and finish modes on this sander as this saves time and enhances productivity. Sanding assembled rails and stiles has never been so quick.
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