Festool RTS 400 REQ Sander Review

The Festool RTS 400 REQ Sander is a popular sander for furniture and DIY projects. The Festool RTS 400 REQ sander has a number of features that make it great for sanding furniture, such as its built-in dust extraction system with suction power, its ability to remove paint quickly and efficiently, and the fact that it’s quieter than most electric sanders.

In this review, we will discuss the pros and cons you should be aware of before purchasing it. We’ll also compare it to other popular sanders on the market so you can make an informed decision about which one best fits your needs.

If you’re looking for a sander to help with your DIY projects, the Festool RTS 400 REQ sander could be the perfect choice.

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This powerful and efficient tool is designed with you in mind, offering features such as a built-in dust extraction system with suction power, quieter operation, and extra accessories.

It’s also cheaper than some of its competitors, making it an attractive option for those who want the best sander, but don’t want to spend a fortune.

Plus, it’s compatible with SurfPrep’s 3″x5″ Foam sanding pads (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order) that make it possible and easy to sand curves and details. Learn more about the different SurfPrep Sanderpaper options here.

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of the Festool RTS 400 REQ sander to see if it’s the right sander for you!

Benefits of Festool RTS 400 REQ Sander

The Festool RTS 400 REQ Sander has a number of impressive features that make it a great choice for furniture and DIY projects. First, it has an easy to use hook and loop pad to easily attach hook and loop sandpaper and foam pads too.

Its built-in dust extraction system with suction power helps keep down the dust, even when it isn’t hooked up to a vacuum. And its noise level is significantly lower than other electric sanders.

Here’s our list of the best sanders for furniture to help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect sander for your project!

The Festool RTS 400 REQ Sander is also cheaper than the Surfprep 3×4″ Sander (Use code RAY10 to get 10% off your order) and fits the 3″x5″ SurfPrep Foam Sanding Pads for sanding curves.

Check out more options for Festool compatible sandpaper here.

Learn more about foam sanding pads for electric sanders and why they are a must have for sanding furniture, and how to get some that fit your sander!

Unlike the SurfPrep 3×4″ sander, the Festool has an on/off switch, instead of a lever you hold down to turn it on. Each feature has its own set of pros and cons, so to me, it ends up being a wash on which way is better.

See our honest review to learn more about the pros and cons of SurfPrep VS Festool Sander.

In addition, the Festool comes in its own storage box to keep it more organized and to help with transportation.

It’s a powerful tool that can remove paint and stain quickly and easily. The vibrations don’t bother my wrist or hand either when sanding for a long time. The grip is comfortable as well.

I also love the rectangle shape for sanding furniture because of all the corners we have to get into when sanding furniture.

• Built-in dust extraction system with suction power
• Removes paint quickly and efficiently
• Quieter operation than other electric sanders
• Comes with a storage box
• Cheaper than the SurfPrep 3×4″ Sander
• On/off switch instead of lever
• Fits 3″x5″ SurfPrep Foam Sanding Pads for sanding curves
• Comfortable grip and vibrations don’t bother wrist or hand when sanding

Drawbacks of Festool RTS 400 REQ Sander

The Festool RTS 400 REQ sander does come with a couple of drawbacks.

One is its size—it’s taller than the SurfPrep 3×4 sander by just a little bit, making it harder to get into tight spaces. As for its weight, it’s slightly heavier than the SurfPrep 3×4 sander, but it’s about average compared to cheaper sanders.

And of course, it is more expensive than budget friendly sanders. But, with Festool, you know that it is a quality tool that will last for years.

You’ll have to weigh these drawbacks for yourself though and see if they will be an issue for you! Most of the time, they aren’t an issue.

• Harder to get into tight spaces due to its size
• More expensive than many sanders

Comparison to Other Sanders

When comparing the Festool RTS 400 REQ Sander to other popular sanders, there are a few key advantages and disadvantages that need to be taken into consideration.

The Festool sander has a built-in dust extraction system with suction power, making it easier to keep the work area clean. Cheaper sanders do not have that feature. Also, the Festool is quieter than most other brands of electric sanders.

Here’s a great comparison with sanders from the same brand. Check out my Festool Rotex 125 review to learn more.

We’ve also listed the best Festool sander for furniture here for more information. If you want to learn about the three models that Festool Rotex sanders offer, head on over to this post.

Popular brands of sanders also don’t come in this small of a rectangle shape, except for the SurfPrep. The rectangle shape is amazing! Even better than the detail triangle sanders.

Learn more about the different types of sanders for furniture here.

We use a detail sander as a cheaper SurfPrep sander alternative, but it isn’t as easy to use as these rectangle sanders.

Check out the best detail sander for furniture here.

The Festool RTS 400 REQ Sander is also cheaper than the SurfPrep 3×4″ sander. It has an on/off switch instead of a lever you hold down to turn it on.

Ultimately, the best sander for you depends on your needs and budget. If you’re looking for a sander with suction power that’s quiet and easy on your hands then the Festool RTS 400 REQ Sander is likely one of the best options out there.

However, if you’re working on a tight budget, then there are other sanders that might be good enough for the job while still being more affordable.

Attaching a Festool Sander to a Shop Vacuum

Even though the Festool has its own suction built in, a vacuum will help keep the dust down even more! If you don’t have a Festool Dust Extractor, you can use a shop vacuum to keep the dust down. Here is our setup.

We have a Ridgid shop vacuum but if your shop vacuum’s hose is 2 1/2″, this will work with your shop vacuum as well. I bought this Festool suction hose and it fits perfectly into my shop vacuum. Then, I attach the other end that is built for Festool sander, to my sander.

I’m sure that there is a cheaper adapter to attach the Festool sander to your shop vacuum’s hose, but I love that the Festool hose is Anti Static, so it won’t shock you while you’re sanding.

Yes, a regular vacuum hose hooked up to a sander will shock you. This hose also rotates with the sander very well and doesn’t get tangled up!

One day I might get a Festool dust extractor, but until then this setup works very very well!

Overall, the Festool RTS 400 REQ Sander is an excellent choice for furniture and DIY projects. It has a number of impressive features and very few drawbacks! Does this sound like the perfect sander for you!?

More Sander reviews

• Honest SurfPrep 5″ Orbital Sander Review
• Is A SurfPrep Sander Worth It? The Honest Review
• SurfPrep Sander – What Happened When We Put It To The Test?
• Best Orbital Sanders
• Best Vacuum Sander

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