Hello,

I own a RAS 115 which is part of the recent recall in Canada due to the lack of certification from our standards authority.  I'm actually willing to hang on to it, but its abrasives are not used by other tools, so the retailers here will stop supplying them, and dealers in other countries are not allowed to ship Festool stuff here (not that I would want to order cross-border for consumables).

So my options are to buy a lifetime supply of abrasives now before they're gone, or let Festool take my tool away from me.  The later is the least unacceptable for me

What out there is like the RAS? I use my RAS primarily for shaping wood, I can only think of angle grinders fixed with Kutzall disk or the arbortech stuff. 

The RAS is quite excellent at dust collection considering what it is doing and it makes me giddy every time I use it.  I'll be sad to see it go.

Kevin

I have a RAS, it has not been registered (to my knowledge) and it's not going back.
This is just a huge pain in the *ss.
Tim

Wait a second, you're saying you won't be able to find any 115 mm abrasives in the whole of Canada?

First, dealers won't be out of stock anytime soon, because even if Festool recalls the RAS, they won't recall the abrasives.
Second, 115 mm abrasives are a common size for grinder abrasives, you should be able to find those anywhere.
Third, if all other options fail, you should be able to buy 125 or 150 mm abrasives and cut them to size.

No reason whatsoever to get rid of your RAS.

Wait a second, you're saying you won't be able to find any 115 mm abrasives in the whole of Canada?

First, dealers won't be out of stock anytime soon, because even if Festool recalls the RAS, they won't recall the abrasives.
Second, 115 mm abrasives are a common size for grinder abrasives, you should be able to find those anywhere.
Third, if all other options fail, you should be able to buy 125 or 150 mm abrasives and cut them to size.

No reason whatsoever to get rid of your RAS.

I suspect when this is resolved, the retailers will ship the abrasives back.  There may be enough people ignoring the recall to make it worthwhile for them.  Come to think of it though, even if they don't stock them, they should still have a SKU and be able to order them.

If there are alternatives for these abrasives please share some hints to what to search for.  My understanding is the Festool hook-and-loop is unique.  I really don't know of any other tool that use similar abrasives.   Please free me of this ignorance.  :-)

Cutting something comparable to sapphire p24 is not going to be simple.  This tool is used on its edge quite often, the paper needs to be fairly precise (right to the edge and not over the edge).

Alex is right on the mark. In addition, I personally feel the RAS is one of the most under-rated gems in the whole sander range. If you decide to keep it, and I certainly would, send me a PM and I will make sure you have access to abrasives. Between UL and CSA I feel we in NA are being poorly represented by our so-called consumer advocates.

I couldn't agree more.  Festool sanders make sanding more pleasant (less unpleasant?).  But the RAS is just a pure joy to use.

And if you don't want to use velcro backed abrasives there is the Fiberfix pad that allows you to use other brand fiber disks.

Peter

What out there is like the RAS? I use my RAS primarily for shaping wood, I can only think of angle grinders fixed with Kutzall disk or the arbortech stuff. 

I know u said u don't want to go to the states for consumables, but since ur so close to the boarder they must have a ship it shop there.  Being in Cornwall we have a bridge right here and I save tons of money getting stuff ship there. I usually don't do tool for warranty, but I may for a  ras as I want one so bad.

Wha is an RAS, can some one send a picture, thanks

Ok, I'll bite. If RAS was not an option, I would be riding the RO150 extra hard.