125/3 ec or 125 ets for finer grits?

[Jmacpherson]

Sorry for the repetitive question.

I already have the 150/5 etc and Rotex 150 and love them.
Problem I'm having is I'm finding the 150/5 is too aggressive even on the lowest speed even in fine grits for certain tasks.

Eg. Between multiple stain coats it is removing too much of the previous coat even after proper cure time
      On cutting boards once in a blue moon I find it will remove a piece of filler even on really fine grits

I'm concerned a 3mm stroke might be too aggressive still? Maybe 2mm makes better sense?
But I'm so used to the ergo of the 150/5 so not sure if I will like the regular 125? - every time I pickup another brands 125mm ROS they just feel terrible.  - I don't mean to sound "snobby"

What do you guys reckon?

 

[Sanderxpander]

Mirka Deros 2mm?

 

[AlexThePalex]

I really like my ETS 125 for fine sanding, very controllable and you hardly have to be afraid to sand through a layer.

 

[Jmacpherson]

Mirka Deros 2mm?

Mirka isn't that well represented in South Africa.
The air sanders are available and Abranet is now being stocked by some retailers. Tried some the other day and I'm a convert.
My tool supplier is getting me pricing on the Deros 5mm kit with the 150/125 pads but the electric units all have to be brought in by the Mirka agents, 4 weeks.

Tempted by the Deros because of the 2 pads, the custom vibration screws etc. and it looks cool
But Mirka worries me simply because of small footprint here

One thing that also appealed was the starting @4000rpm instead 6000rpm, wondering how much of a difference this would make.

 

[Jmacpherson]

I really like my ETS 125 for fine sanding, very controllable and you hardly have to be afraid to sand through a layer.

[member=5277]Alex[/member] should have known you would be one of the first to give me some sound advice.
Saw a video on one where the user explained how they use it with an interface pad with fine grits and because of the 2mm orbit and pad they found they it doesn't change the shape.

I find my 150/5 ec quite "hard" on interface pads

 

[tjbnwi]

ETS 125, we run multiple of them for between coats sanding.

KA+ Surfacer is sanded with 240 between coats, takes some effort to sand through it with the ETS 125.

Tom

 

[Cheese]

If it's just in between coats, consider the cordless ETSC 125. Still has a 2 mm stroke but you lose the cord and the vac hose.

 

[Jmacpherson]

If it's just in between coats, consider the cordless ETSC 125. Still has a 2 mm stroke but you lose the cord and the vac hose.

I've gone back forth about the cordless models ever since they were released.
Comes down to whether I really need the freedom of being cordless at that price point and if I want the extra 200gr in weight.
I can buy the regular ETS and RTS for the same price as the ETSC set here. - but still I'm tempted

It might be used for the odd time where the 150/5 ec is too large like on edges but the 150 is so light that its generally not an issue.
This is why the 125/3 is in the equation but the unit is so similar in size to the 150 ec that I don't its going to help in that sense.

The std ETS has the dust bag so easier to make your own filler so that is bonus.

Got feedback from Mirka agents, the 625 has never been available locally. I'm thinking to avoid Mirka simply since I might struggle for spare parts should the need arise.

 

[Sanderxpander]

Perhaps the Metabo rebrand is more readily available?

 

[Jmacpherson]

Perhaps the Metabo rebrand is more readily available?

Only the older sxe450/sxe3150 150mm sanders and 1x air sander available here in SA.
I originally had a look at the 3150 due to the smaller 3mm orbit but the design just didn't feel right in my hands. If it felt better and/or was lighter would have given it ago.

[member=66046]Sanderxpander[/member] I'm assuming you are referring to this model? Looked at UK website to find ithttps://www.metabo.com/uk/en/tools/...0-2-5-bl-615025700-random-orbital-sander.html
Is Mirka making it for Metabo and hence you said "rebranded" because it looks like someone simply painted it dark green.
Specs are identical down to weight, looks, features, plug and the orbits 2.5/5 in a 150mm pad

 

[Sanderxpander]

Yeah that's the one I meant. There's a few other brands, like Delmeq from Holland but they're much smaller scale. They make a cool delta version of the Deos though that I haven't seen anywhere else. Also Sumake and Indasa and probably a few others. I can't speak for the quality but they sure seem like rebrands to me.

 

[Sanderxpander]

By the way I've never felt my 5mm version Deros was too rough for finish work, it seems really smooth. I just hesitate to recommend it because you specifically mention your ETS EC 150/5 is too rough.

My finishing needs are fairly simple, a clear finish on baltic birch is probably the most demanding I've done. Most of the time with the paint I use it doesn't seem to matter what I do after 180 or even 150 grit.

 

[Jmacpherson]

Or they are building them under license?

Those Metabo sanders are not listed on the local website but are in local catalog.
Will ask my salesman to reach out to Metabo locally for more info.

Will also get the ets 125/3, regular ets 125 and etsc 125 arranged in a demo by the Festool rep at the same time.
That way I can compare apples with apples on that front.

Now I have a game plan that makes sense.
Thanks everyone, will report back with results.

 

[Peter_C]

The ETS EC 125/3 will accept the 150mm pad, effectively giving you two sanders. Would be perfect as you already have the 150mm sandpaper.

 

[Jmacpherson]

The ETS EC 125/3 will accept the 150mm pad, effectively giving you two sanders. Would be perfect as you already have the 150mm sandpaper.

I believe [member=44099]Cheese[/member] does this but also recall reading Festool stating they would void the warranty if that is done?

There have been some developments on the Mirka/Metabo/Festool front since my last post. I've been in contact with salesman and he has been contact with suppliers and back forth with quotes/availability etc.

Festool - arranging demo of 125mm ETS sanders, corded and cordless. All of them are available in SA, they just don't have stock in their store.
Mirka came back with a price for the Deros 625, would take +/- 6 weeks to get it
Metabo can get the "dark green" 150mm mirka in 2.5 or 5.0 and they are cheaper than Mirka , also 4-6 weeks.

The Deros 625 will cost me the same amount as 125/3  or 150/3 from Festool but would take 6 weeks and no idea of parts if items break etc. So I'm put off that.
The Metabo version is the same price as the regular ETS 125 so suddenly very, very tempting even with the potential lack of support - order parts from Germany
Only thing I don't like is not being able to "try before you buy"

 

[Cheese]

I believe [member=44099]Cheese[/member] does this but also recall reading Festool stating they would void the warranty if that is done?

I purchased mine when they first came out, September 2015. I've been swapping pads for about 2 months short of that entire period.

Before I swapped out pads I took a very careful look at EKAT differences between the 125 and the 150 variants. I  believe there were 3 items that are different.
The plastic "3" insert is molded in a different color.
The fan is different but that's because it's part of an assembly that includes the different style pad mount.
The shell is different but that's because it includes the model number sticker.
Every other item is the same, including every electrical item.

If I need an item serviced, whether it's a Milwaukee or a Festool, I routinely send the item in with EVERY accessory removed.

 

[Jmacpherson]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] with the pads removed the body is identical 125 or 150. Naturally when using a 125 pad the surface contact area is smaller vs 150 pad but does the unit as a whole feel more nimble with the 125 pad or is it a six of one, half a dozen situation?

 

[Cheese]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] with the pads removed the body is identical 125 or 150. Naturally when using a 125 pad the surface contact area is smaller vs 150 pad but does the unit as a whole feel more nimble with the 125 pad or is it a six of one, half a dozen situation?

The body (shell) is the same only the model number labels are different. I never noticed any difference in handling characteristics between the different pads because they're both so smooth and the low center of gravity of the sander itself.

I can fire up the sander and just hold it by the hose and it stays in one place and rotates, that's with either pad attached.

The Festool demo should be interesting as they are both 2 mm stroke sanders while the ETS is brushed and the ETSC is brushless but are housed in essentially the same/similar shell.

 

[leakyroof]

The ETS EC 125/3 will accept the 150mm pad, effectively giving you two sanders. Would be perfect as you already have the 150mm sandpaper.

I believe [member=44099]Cheese[/member] does this but also recall reading Festool stating they would void the warranty if that is done?

There have been some developments on the Mirka/Metabo/Festool front since my last post. I've been in contact with salesman and he has been contact with suppliers and back forth with quotes/availability etc.

Festool - arranging demo of 125mm ETS sanders, corded and cordless. All of them are available in SA, they just don't have stock in their store.
Mirka came back with a price for the Deros 625, would take +/- 6 weeks to get it
Metabo can get the "dark green" 150mm mirka in 2.5 or 5.0 and they are cheaper than Mirka , also 4-6 weeks.

The Deros 625 will cost me the same amount as 125/3  or 150/3 from Festool but would take 6 weeks and no idea of parts if items break etc. So I'm put off that.
The Metabo version is the same price as the regular ETS 125 so suddenly very, very tempting even with the potential lack of support - order parts from Germany
Only thing I don't like is not being able to "try before you buy"

  I own both the EC 125 and the ETS 125, although the ETS was branded as the Pro 5 when I bought it.
  I can strip finishes like old stains and Varnishes with the EC 125/3, it's got that much power even with the small orbit.  It CAN be gentle, with a light touch and high grits too, but it's not the same sander as my Pro 5
I use the Pro 5/ ETS 125 as my gentle sander, easily sanding between coats of film finishes with no worries about sanding through if you're just careful.
Get the ETS if you are worried.....

 

[grbmds]

Regarding the ETS125 accepting the 150mm pad, I suppose the reverse isn't true - meaning that the ETS150 will accept the 125mm pad. Correct?