Brice Burrell
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Member Since: Mar 2007
Posts: 6212
Remodeling Contractor
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« Reply #30 on: February 11, 2012, 08:33 PM » |
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............but if I did want to go for a ETS-150 which would make more sense (/3 or /5) if I wasn't going to get a rotex 150?
I rarely, if ever, go below 100 grit for anything and have never had to go above 320 grit for anything.
If they are both good in that range, which would it make more sense to go for and why?
Thanks
-Jim
Jim, given your description above you'd probably be happy with either /3 or /5. I think most people assume the smaller sanding stroke of the /3 is going to give you a "finer" finish. While it's technically true, it's not appreciable when sanding wood. For super high gloss finishes sure but not for most common wood working applications. I say go for the /5 if rate of material removal is important to you, the /3 if you think you'll want to get into super high gloss finishes that require very fine grit sanding. |
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SRSemenza
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Location: UNITED STATES (US) Member Since: Jun 2007
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Finger Lakes Region, NY State , USA
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« Reply #31 on: February 11, 2012, 10:10 PM » |
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Jim,
I agree with Brice that either the /3 or/5 will be fine for what you describe. If you really don't plan on getting the ROTEX any time soon I'd get the /5. Which is what I did quite a few years ago when I was trying to make the same decision. It was my only sander for several years. My feeling was and is that the /5 is a bit more versatile. You may not be planning to go below 100gr, , but the /5 will be better to have if you do. I frequently used 40gr Cristal and the hard pad for material removal. On the other end of the spectrum it also gives a fine finish , including between coats.
Seth
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Seth R. Semenza
S. R. Semenza Woodworking
Festool Service 800-554-8741
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Jerome
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Location: Japan, Thailand, UK Member Since: May 2007
Posts: 459
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« Reply #32 on: February 11, 2012, 10:39 PM » |
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OK so ETS-125 sounds pretty good at the moment but if I did want to go for a ETS-150 which would make more sense (/3 or /5) if I wasn't going to get a rotex 150?
I rarely, if ever, go below 100 grit for anything and have never had to go above 320 grit for anything.
If they are both good in that range, which would it make more sense to go for and why?
Thanks
-Jim
I went for the 150/3 as I was going to get the Rotex 150. Those 2 are my main go to sanders. AAMOF the 150/3 is the one I use most then the DTS then the Rotex |
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« Last Edit: February 11, 2012, 10:40 PM by Jerome »
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Jerome TS55, OF1400, Elu MOF96, Rotex150, DTS400, ETS150/3 Domino, MFK700, Trend T11, Makita LS1212, Original Mini CV06 Cyclone. Wish list WoodRat, Workshop supplies drum sander http://www.flickr.com/photos/nui-jerome/ |
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JimB1
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Location: NJ, US Member Since: Jun 2011
Posts: 118
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« Reply #33 on: February 16, 2012, 08:37 AM » |
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OK, so I am in a toss up between the ETS-125 and the ETS 150/3 and possibly adding the RO-90 or something to get into corners later. I don't own and have never used a belt sander on wood and have a DeWalt planer to bring parts down to size reasonably smooth and I'm not flattening large tables or anything so I don't think I have much need for a Rotex at the moment. Definitely more of a finishing sander user. I think the 125 with the 2mm stroke would be better at between finish sanding then the 150 (which I am currently doing by hand with sanding blocks) but the 150 seems to have an all around better removal rate and every review I've read gives it high marks for comfort, low vibration and balance even on edge sanding. Thanks for all the help, it really made me narrow down what I am looking for in a sander. Festool just has a lot of choices so sometimes you just get overwhelmed  I just need to try out these two now and decide which is the one. -Jim |
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OF 1010, RO 150, ETS 150/3, RTS-400, Pocket StickFix Sanding Block and a CT Midi
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builderbob
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Location: Connecticut Member Since: Feb 2007
Posts: 942
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« Reply #34 on: February 16, 2012, 11:42 AM » |
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I'll honestly say that I do not like my ETS 125. The size is certainly more appealing for certain tasks, but I love love my ETS 150/3. I'm sure it's a preference thing, but I've gotten so used to the 150 that I'll even use it on 1 1/2" face frames. I use the RTS 400 as well...and of course I really enjoy the RO 90, but isn't my go to for larger surface sanding. I'm soon to purchase the RS2E for that task!
Just another opinion for you!
Bob
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Kapex, TS55, Domino, MFK 700, OF 1400, OF 1010, RAS 115, RTS 400, ETS 150/3, ETS 125, CT 22 (2), C 12 (2), T-15+3, T-12+3, PSB 300 & more MFT's than i can count!
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jacko9
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Location: USA Member Since: Apr 2010
Posts: 680
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« Reply #35 on: February 16, 2012, 01:29 PM » |
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Jim, I purchased the ETS 125 last week after trying out the various sanders at my local Festool dealer for two hours.
I've been using it for a week and I keep thinking about trading it in for the ETS 150/3 to get faster results on large glued up sections like table tops. etc. However, the ETS 125 is so easy to use I think I'll keep it and buy the 150/3 at a later time. I purchased the RO 90 yesterday and I already love it for certain jobs like leveling a butterfly key I just glued into a walnut slab - it worked GREAT!
I would start off with the ETS 125 and see for yourself if you ever feel the "need" for faster or bigger. I have a Milwaukee half sheet sander, a Makita palm sander that are gathering dust and will probably never be used in my shop again. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Festool sanders your looking at buying.
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« Last Edit: February 16, 2012, 10:34 PM by jacko9 »
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Timtool
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Location: Belgium Member Since: Mar 2011
Posts: 727
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« Reply #36 on: February 16, 2012, 01:47 PM » |
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I also do not really like my ETS 125, any of the two other ETS models is heaps better at most tasks.
A problem with the 125 is that there is hardly any force behind the rotation of the pad, the lowest suction setting on my CT22 is often enough to stall it when sanding a smooth flat surface, when you want to actually remove material by pressing slightly down on it, it will rapidly stall as well.
The other two models (DTS and RTS) who share the same body and engine don't have this problem, i suspect this is because they commit all their power toward the orbital action only, and the ETS has the random action to power on top of that.
I also am not keen about the body grip of the ETS 125, it may be light and smooth but i find the body awkward to hold and even painful when using it for long periods. Of all he palm sanders i owned/used these ones have the worst ergonomics.
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TS55R, CT22E, CTLmini, Kapex KS120, ETS125, ETS150/5, RO150, RO90, CXS-set, T-15+3 set, DTS400, OF1010, OF2200 set, Carvex PS420 EBQ set, Centrotec installer set, LR32-sys, FS-800, FS-LR-1400x2, domino 500+domino sys, domino 700 XL, Surfix-sys, Sys-box 1, Syslite, LEV-350, Sys-box,MFTB/1-2-4... MFTC
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RL
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Location: Canada Member Since: Feb 2010
Posts: 2124
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« Reply #37 on: February 16, 2012, 02:30 PM » |
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Love hate love hate.
The ETS 125 is without doubt the most divisive sander in the Festool product line. My dealer told me it is his most returned Festool, but mainly because it wasn't powerful enough for what people wanted to do.
It's perfect for me for finish sanding, but below 180, I pull out the rotex.
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I like green.
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jacko9
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Location: USA Member Since: Apr 2010
Posts: 680
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« Reply #38 on: February 16, 2012, 03:33 PM » |
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Love hate love hate.
The ETS 125 is without doubt the most divisive sander in the Festool product line. My dealer told me it is his most returned Festool, but mainly because it wasn't powerful enough for what people wanted to do.
It's perfect for me for finish sanding, but below 180, I pull out the rotex.
I think Richard is correct in that the ETS 125 is a great finish sander and for me, that's really what I need. I remove bandsaw ridges with a hand plane or spokeshave and finish sand with my ETS 125. I am using my Rotex for rough sanding when needed. I don't have any issues with the sander bogging down or with my Festool Mini 22 causing an issue between the sander and work interface. I like the bigger sanders but, I don't know if I have that much use for them. So I guess it depends on the work your going to do with the tool. |
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andvari
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Location: Central NJ Member Since: Oct 2011
Posts: 333
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« Reply #39 on: February 16, 2012, 05:14 PM » |
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It is really tough to figure out which finish sander to go for. I have mostly 6" abrasives so I'm leaning towards the ETS 150/3 but I'm wondering is there is something one of the other finish sanders does that will have me kicking myself a year from now. I have an RO 90 and a Mirka Ceros 150 right now.
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TS55, Domino 500, Domino Assortment, OF1400, CT36+Boom Arm, T12+3, FS3000, Parallel Guides, RO 90, ETS 150/3, Domino XL, Domiplate, LS130, RTS Guide Stop, CMS-GE
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Ww417
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« Reply #40 on: February 16, 2012, 09:50 PM » |
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why would you need a 150/3 if you already have a ceros 150? doesn't this serve the same purpose? or do you feel that the 5mm stroke of the ceros disqualifies it as "finish" sander? from what i have read, at least on wood, you wouldn't see a difference between a finish left by a 150/3 and ceros 150.
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andvari
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Location: Central NJ Member Since: Oct 2011
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« Reply #41 on: February 16, 2012, 11:08 PM » |
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I am thinking more of what I would be using to sand the finish rather than on wood.
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TS55, Domino 500, Domino Assortment, OF1400, CT36+Boom Arm, T12+3, FS3000, Parallel Guides, RO 90, ETS 150/3, Domino XL, Domiplate, LS130, RTS Guide Stop, CMS-GE
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Kevin Stricker
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Location: UNITED STATES (US) Member Since: Feb 2009
Posts: 437
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« Reply #42 on: February 16, 2012, 11:40 PM » |
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It is really tough to figure out which finish sander to go for. I have mostly 6" abrasives so I'm leaning towards the ETS 150/3 but I'm wondering is there is something one of the other finish sanders does that will have me kicking myself a year from now. I have an RO 90 and a Mirka Ceros 150 right now.
How about the 3mm Ceros so you can swap heads and leave a power supply at home? BTW I sand plenty of finished surfaces with my Ceros, just turn it down. It's completely replaced the 150/3 in my work. |
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Reiska
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Location: Finland Member Since: Jul 2011
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Hackers build things, Crackers break them.
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« Reply #43 on: February 21, 2012, 07:57 AM » |
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Which sander would you suggest using for sanding down a boat polyurethane lacquered wooden table top for re lacquering and preferably use the same sander for the finishing as well?
Would a RO150 be the best option for this or should I use my old belt sander for removal and get something like an ETS150/3 for the finishing?
Could an RO150 be reasonably used to buff up a cars paint with one of the buffing pads from the Shinex series of shining machines?
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The sky's the limit in my workshop, literally.  |
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andvari
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Location: Central NJ Member Since: Oct 2011
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« Reply #44 on: February 21, 2012, 11:54 AM » |
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How about the 3mm Ceros so you can swap heads and leave a power supply at home? BTW I sand plenty of finished surfaces with my Ceros, just turn it down. It's completely replaced the 150/3 in my work.
Well since I'm a hobbyist so I really don't leave home carrying tools, but a 3mm head would be very interesting. However I haven't seen anything but the 5mm for sale in North America. I'm going to give the ETS 150/3 a tryout. After all if I decide that it doesn't add anything it will go up for sale. I am sure that it will go for a good percentage of purchase so it's not like there is any risk. |
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TS55, Domino 500, Domino Assortment, OF1400, CT36+Boom Arm, T12+3, FS3000, Parallel Guides, RO 90, ETS 150/3, Domino XL, Domiplate, LS130, RTS Guide Stop, CMS-GE
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SRSemenza
Global Moderator
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Location: UNITED STATES (US) Member Since: Jun 2007
Posts: 4016
Finger Lakes Region, NY State , USA
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« Reply #45 on: February 21, 2012, 03:01 PM » |
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Which sander would you suggest using for sanding down a boat polyurethane lacquered wooden table top for re lacquering and preferably use the same sander for the finishing as well?
Would a RO150 be the best option for this or should I use my old belt sander for removal and get something like an ETS150/3 for the finishing?
Could an RO150 be reasonably used to buff up a cars paint with one of the buffing pads from the Shinex series of shining machines?
I think the RO150 would be exactly the right choice for all of what you want to do , especially if yo want to to do those things with one sander. In ROTEX mode with Cristal it will strip very well. Then you ucan switch to random orbite and work your way through grits to get it ready for the new finish. Yes, people have done car polishing with it see these threads. There are other threads as well. Do you Festool your carPolishing backing platePolishing your car with RotexPolishing your car with Rotex part IISeth |
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« Last Edit: February 21, 2012, 03:03 PM by SRSemenza »
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Seth R. Semenza
S. R. Semenza Woodworking
Festool Service 800-554-8741
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Reiska
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Location: Finland Member Since: Jul 2011
Posts: 591
Hackers build things, Crackers break them.
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« Reply #46 on: February 21, 2012, 06:14 PM » |
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Thanks Seth for the car detailing information overload...  Thankfully I've got until summer comes to figure out what needs to be done to bring the shine back to my -69 Beetle Bug's paint  |
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The sky's the limit in my workshop, literally. |
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