Festool is made for working. The RO125 will blow away the PC 5" you are currently using. The Festool paper bought in bulk is very cost effective.

 

Of the sanders offered, would the RO125 be the sander you recommend, or is that just the comparable to my PC 5"? My paint store socks about 12 different festool sanders, I'm thinking of buying on today.
Thanks.

 

For the rails I would get the RO90 with the delta pad as well. Way faster than the PC and then you have the ability to use the delta for corners and small spaces.

 

Put some 50 grit on a 150 in rotex and the wood will fly off.

 

Festool sandpaper will last longer than cheaper sandpaper, but companies like 3M do make some good stuff. A vac/dust collector will make the Festool sandpaper last longer by cooling it and keeping it clear of debris. You can buy a hose for your shop vac but it will plug the filter quickly. You can buy bags from Home Depot for a Ridgid vac that will help, or you can buck up and buy a Festool dust collector.

If all I wanted to do was railings I might be inclined to get the RO125. I have an RO150 and it is an awesome sander, but larger than needed for sanding 4x4 posts. For 2x6's the RO150 would be better.

The RO90 is another awesome sander but won't work as fast on the bulk of the 4x material. If only one can be purchased an RO125 makes more sense.

Which ever sander you get the edge is gonna help keep the pad in good shape.

 

why not blast it with a cob blaster.

 

How well do the RO work will painted surfaces? Do they cake up from melting paint or do they have papers designed to handle it better?

I could see it gumming up the paper fast.

 

Bosch makes a sander to compete with the ro150, I bought the Bosch at half the price and I love it, I haven't used the ro150 but I read a number of reviews of people with both and the Bosch is as good as the festool.

 

How is the dust collection?

 

You'll probably toss the pc in the trash after you use either the ro150 or the Bosch.

 

I have an older Bosch sander too that kicks ass, don't recall the model number, but it is variable speed and made in Switzerland. Lots of power, and dust collection works well on it.

 

Here is a link to the one I have.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-1250DEV...dp/B0001408SO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1460176996&sr=8-1&keywords=bosch+1250+devs