125 or 150? sander

[Acrobat]

Hi, here in NZ currently festool has the ETS 150/3 or 05 on special not the 125 tho, and as I already have the rotex 125, should I stick to that size when I next get a sander ets 125 so I can interchange pads and abrasives or since it's on special get the larger 150? What, if any is the difference for finishing. Bear in mind I am just a home DIYer and sometimes making small projects for the home. I got the rotex 125 as I felt the larger model was too big for me and it has been used heaps. I currently use it on every job I do, but wondered if the final finishing is better done with a dedicated ets sander. I do have an old 150 size Triton sander which I felt was a big monster and haven't used it as I found the rotex does a better job and once I got used to it's unusual shape and handling have put the old triton sand back on the shelf collecting dust. My dilemma, do I bite the bullet and get the special or wait and get the 125 at a later date?  Is the 150 that much better or different to the 125?

 

[Kev]

I've been wrestling this question for a while but from the other side. I have 150's (ETS150/5 & RO150) and don't know whether to stay 150 and get the ETS150/3 (marginally finer than its bigger orbit brother) or intro another pad size with the lighter, finer ETS125.

If you have very large areas the ETS150 sanders are sweet, but the ETS125 is lighter and finer.

 

[AlexThePalex]

The 150 and 125 are quite different sanders. The 150 has quite a bit more power and combined with the larger surface area will make work a lot faster. As for the quality of the finish, there's no noticeable difference between the two, they're both excellent. The 125 has a 2 mm orbit and the 150 a 3 mm orbit, but 1 mm difference is nothing. Some people put too much emphasis on those numbers. 

I have the 125, not the 150, but I couldn't imagine not having a 150 mm sander (I got the RO 150 also). As you already have a 125 mm sander, in your position I would add the ETS 150 just to get more spread in functionality. I'm pretty sure from what I've read the ETS 150 is the most liked sander all around the FOG.

 

[sako]

Acrobat,

The price in the Festool brochure of the 150/3 & 150/5 that are on special until the end of March (in NZ) doesn't include G.S.T.

Colorex in Wellington have the 150/5 in a systainer on special for $475 or $495 (can't remember which) this also doesn't include G.S.T.
That's a seriously good price and I'd get one myself except I already have three other Festool sanders. You can call them on 0800 587 0400.

 

[Timtool]

The pads between RO and ETS models aren't interchangeable, only the abrasives are.
If i may say so, your mistake may have been to start with the RO125, and then like i did as well, making it worse by going next for the ETS125 because it shares abrasives.
By trying to get away a bit cheaper with the 125mm models i ended up with a combo that didn't satisfy me at all, i swapped the RO125 for a ETS150/5 and later got the RO150 which is how i should have started in the beginning. I still have the ETS125 but use it rarely.

 

[Kev]

The pads between RO and ETS models aren't interchangeable, only the abrasives are.
If i may say so, your mistake may have been to start with the RO125, and then like i did as well, making it worse by going next for the ETS125 because it shares abrasives.
By trying to get away a bit cheaper with the 125mm models i ended up with a combo that didn't satisfy me at all, i swapped the RO125 for a ETS150/5 and later got the RO150 which is how i should have started in the beginning. I still have the ETS125 but use it rarely.

Do you feel the urge to add an ETS150/3 for finer finishing? ... my sanders are RO 90, RO 150 and ETS150/5. I'm still not certain which way to jump for fine.

 

[Timtool]

Do you feel the urge to add an ETS150/3 for finer finishing? ... my sanders are RO 90, RO 150 and ETS150/5. I'm still not certain which way to jump for fine.

Not really, but then i have the ETS125 for really fine sanding. But i think you would need a microscope to see the difference on bare wood. Where the 125 is handy, is in sanding between finish coats because it's gentle. Whereas the 150/5 would get through the finish coat before the Vac had time to start up.
But when i'm doing some higher end work i will take the extra time to get a last pass with the 125 before finishing, i don't know if it shows though.

 

[Scott B.]

Kev

I would introduce a rectangular option. If you do alot of sanding in the different stages of finish prep, all round tools can be limiting.

Start with the RTS400. It shares abrasives with the LS130, which you may get into down the road for custom apps.

 

[Kev]

Kev

I would introduce a rectangular option. If you do alot of sanding in the different stages of finish prep, all round tools can be limiting.

Start with the RTS400. It shares abrasives with the LS130, which you may get into down the road for custom apps.

I've got a DTS400 (and a variety of "other brand" sanders I'm replacing) ... still to go, the RTS400, LS130 and BS75 (or BS105) are all in the master plan. I'm just stuck on this particular decision. There's also potential for the RS100 and RS200 (though they're probably overkill for my shorter term needs).

I like to keep the abrasives landscape as simple as practical ...

ETS150/5 and RO150 share paper
RO90 delta and round
DTS 400 large delta
and later ... RTS400 & LS130 share paper

I haven't spent much of fine grit 150mm paper yet ... If I had I would probably have gone with the ETS150/3 without blinking.

 

[Acrobat]

I think I'll bite the bullet and get the ETS150 whilst its on special down here. I can't see it being at the reduced price its offered at currently again, and since I got the oiling kit the other day, (yes I know, a bit of indulgence but useful for my projects,  and since I find that that comes with 150mm size polishers so a 150 it shall be. I can hear it whispering to me already...I've done my best to resist the green lure but it looks like the card is getting loaded tomorrow!  [scared]

 

[RC]

Since you already have the 125mm Rotex I'd get the ETS 150/3 (like I just did today  [cool]) since it handles beautifully smoothly and does have a slightly smaller stroke than the Rotex you already have for stripping material to diminish overlap.

 

[bwiele]

Since you already have the 125mm Rotex I'd get the ETS 150/3 (like I just did today  [cool]) since it handles beautifully smoothly and does have a slightly smaller stroke than the Rotex you already have for stripping material to diminish overlap.

I have been struggling with this same question.  I have a Rotex 125 (have had it for a number of years already), I recently got an RO 90, and I'm interested in an ETS.  I was leaning towards an ETS 125 because the abrasives will cross over and it's a comparatively small investment, but based on the advice in this thread (particularly noteworthy is Timtool's comment about perpetuating a prior sub-optimal choice), I think I'm going to follow Reiska's advice above.  I had asked my store to put an ETS 125 on hold for me to pick up tomorrow, but I've called them back and told them to put it back into circulation!  Thanks for all the discussion on the topic guys.  - Brian

 

[Steve R]

Every size and type of sander has it's place and purpose. The RO 90 does things that no other sander can do.  My two ETS 150/3 have their purpose.... Now that I have a Planex 225... I find it can do things that no other sander can do.  Common paper is... well... would you only buy saws that used the same sized blades?

Cheers,
Steve

 

[festooldude]

For me this is a very interesting topic.. I'f been wanting an/some other Festool sanders for some while now.. The only one i got right now is
a DTS 400.. I got a Bosch pro gex 125ae excentric  sander.. but i hate it. it's loud, vibrates alot, the base wobbles, suction is ok tho..

But, the thing is.. I do alot of restoration/finish capentry and repairs to everything that's made out of wood on a house(inside/outside).
For me, the DTS 400 is just a finish sander that sands flat surfaces.. Not to make damaged surfaces flat again.. so, cause i do alot of window
framing as well, i thought, i want a RO90.. So i'm pretty sure about that one..

But, i also want one that's bigger and capable of finishing bigger  ruff surfaces,  so i thought about the RO 125.. so i can also buy a ets125 later-->
(wich i'm gonna use as a real finish sander for somewhat bigger surfaces that are already flat/primed/finished etc.) about the ets125 i like that it's real
lite like the dts400.

but, on the fog, everybody i talking about getting the RO 150 instead of the RO 125 and getting the ets 150 over the ets 125.. thing is, my buddy ( we share
our workshop) already has a ETS 150/3 so i can pretty much use it whenever i want, but i don't like that is pretty heavy for doing  vertical stuff all day long..
whenever i'm outside on a ladder doing rooftrim or whatever.. i do know that if i buy two extra sanders (bedside RO90)  i want i to be the same size because
otherwise i have to stock on 4 different sizes of sandpaper, 2 different types (granat and Rubin) and mostly 5 different grit's(60,80,120,150,180)

i would really like some input from you guys so i can spend some taxmoney in the next few weeks  [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

Thanks already.. Rick

 

[RC]

Have you looked at Mirka Ceros? It's light and has a strong fan club even within FOG. I don't do much vertical work so the ETS was best for me, but if were on a ladder all day I would look into coping with the external transformer of the Ceros.

 

[Kev]

For me this is a very interesting topic.. I'f been wanting an/some other Festool sanders for some while now.. The only one i got right now is
a DTS 400.. I got a Bosch pro gex 125ae excentric  sander.. but i hate it. it's loud, vibrates alot, the base wobbles, suction is ok tho..

But, the thing is.. I do alot of restoration/finish capentry and repairs to everything that's made out of wood on a house(inside/outside).
For me, the DTS 400 is just a finish sander that sands flat surfaces.. Not to make damaged surfaces flat again.. so, cause i do alot of window
framing as well, i thought, i want a RO90.. So i'm pretty sure about that one..

But, i also want one that's bigger and capable of finishing bigger  ruff surfaces,  so i thought about the RO 125.. so i can also buy a ets125 later-->
(wich i'm gonna use as a real finish sander for somewhat bigger surfaces that are already flat/primed/finished etc.) about the ets125 i like that it's real
lite like the dts400.

but, on the fog, everybody i talking about getting the RO 150 instead of the RO 125 and getting the ets 150 over the ets 125.. thing is, my buddy ( we share
our workshop) already has a ETS 150/3 so i can pretty much use it whenever i want, but i don't like that is pretty heavy for doing  vertical stuff all day long..
whenever i'm outside on a ladder doing rooftrim or whatever.. i do know that if i buy two extra sanders (bedside RO90)  i want i to be the same size because
otherwise i have to stock on 4 different sizes of sandpaper, 2 different types (granat and Rubin) and mostly 5 different grit's(60,80,120,150,180)

i would really like some input from you guys so i can spend some taxmoney in the next few weeks  [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

Thanks already.. Rick

Your work sounds like one of the rare combinations where both the ETS125 and RO125 are good power, weight and finish matches to your needs.

Go for it [big grin]

 

[sako]

I think I'll bite the bullet and get the ETS150 whilst its on special down here.

I can't see what's so special about $730 (incl. G.S.T.) for the ETS 150 "special price" deal that Festool are offering in NZ until April 30th.

 

[Acrobat]

No, got it for NZ$499+gst from my local Festool dealer on the shore. New, BUT it is the model that has the attached cord, and in the older systainer, so I guess it was old stock they are wanting to shift. Am very happy with this puppy, tried it and wow, floats like a ballerina: . Not too concerned with the "plug-it" as I have those on other festools I have, and don't believe it's any major advantage for me as I pretty much use the workshop at home for everything, but the t-loc is a better systainer I reckon. All in all, a sweet smooth machine. Glad I got it, now to get a variety of the 150mm abrasives...  :-\

 

[Michael1960]

Thanks Acrobat for your feedback on your new ETS 150/3.  I picked one up yesterday and tried it out today on a table top I am refinishing.  i started the job with a Rotex150 and finished with the ETS.  This combination worked really well...

 

[Acrobat]

Thanks Acrobat for your feedback on your new ETS 150/3.  I picked one up yesterday and tried it out today on a table top I am refinishing.  i started the job with a Rotex150 and finished with the ETS.  This combination worked really well...

Sweet, I have no hesitation on recommending this sander. I ummed and arred over getting it for some time, as I thought my 125 rotex was good enough with the right papers, but really the ease of use and such a beautiful finish it gives, and since the final push to getting it for me was in conjunction with the new oiling kit I think I'm gonna be using it alot more than I anticipated I would. Oh my aching wallet.....