150/3 or 150/5

[HowardH]

Santa gave me enough $$$ to add to my sander collection.  I currently have the RO150FEQ and the RTS400 so I thought the next logical step would be to get something in the middle - the ETS 150.  I like the idea of being able to use the same abrasives as my RO so that ruled out the 125.  I understand the /3 isn't as aggressive at the /5 and I'm leaning in the /3 direction since I already have the RO150.  Is this sound logic?

 

[ccmviking]

Santa gave me enough $$$ to add to my sander collection.  I currently have the RO150FEQ and the DTS400 so I thought the next logical step would be to get something in the middle - the ETS 150.  I like the idea of being able to use the same abrasives as my RO so that ruled out the 125.  I understand the /3 isn't as aggressive at the /5 and I'm leaning in the /3 direction since I already have the RO150.  Is this sound logic?

Howard,

Congrat's on the cash.  The 150/3 is by far my favorite sander.  Since you already have the RO150 just stick with the 3mm sander.  The finish is just great, and this unit is very smooth and operator friendly.  I'm always impressed with the results from the 150/3! 

 

[Bob Marino]

Howard,

What Chris said.  And, just to add - with the Rotex 150, you  essentially already have a 150/5  sander.

Bob

 

[fidelfs]

I agree.  I had the same dilema and I am planning to buy the /3.  If you want aggressive then you have the rotex.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

I think you nailed it Howard.  I have the Rotex and the 150/3 and together they can tackle just about any task, except for detail work which your 400 will handle.

Pretty rare that you can't get an argument out of this group.  Must be Christmas or something.

 

[ajones]

I think you nailed it Howard.  I have the Rotex and the 150/3 and together they can tackle just about any task, except for detail work which your 400 will handle.

Pretty rare that you can't get an argument out of this group.  Must be Christmas or something.

Hmmm I have the rotex and the 150/3 and I was underwhelmed by ( I dont have one) the ro90 but I think Im having a change of heart I may see if I can get a loaner next year

so Im throwing that in the mix.

 

[peter halle]

My Rotex hates my 150/3.  He has to do the heavy work, and then that darned 150/3 comes in, makes it pretty, and gets the glory.

I bet that they try and yank out each plug-it cords in the middle of the night!

Peter

 

[ajones]

My Rotex hates my 150/3.  He has to do the heavy work, and then that darned 150/3 comes in, makes it pretty, and gets the glory.

I bet that they try and yank out each plug-it cords in the middle of the night!

Peter

You're  wierd Peter [eek] [eek] [eek]

 

[HowardH]

never heard of anything envious of a shorter stroke...  [scared] [scared] [scared] [scared] [scared]  LOL!!

 

[rwdawson]

Having the 150 Rotex and the 150/3, I'd go for the /3, which seems to be the consensus.  The two are a great combination, as already mentioned.

The only point I would make is that because there is very little overlap in grits between the Rotex and ETS sanders, the idea of having them the same size is, in my opinion, highly overrated.  That a 150 has about 44% more area is much more important.

The 150/3, combined with the Rotex, will give you much more versatility.

Richard

 

[HowardH]

I'm not sure what you mean by overlapping grits.  Other than using the more aggressive versions. ie. cristal on the Rotex vs Brilliant  or Rubin 120 and above for the 150/3?

 

[fdengel]

I think what he is getting at is that you'd be using the /5 (rotex) for the coarser grits then finishing up using the /3 for the finer grits, such that you'd be using different papers with the different sanders anyway.

 

[Tezzer]

150/3 hands down. Its the best sander ever made.

 

[rwdawson]

I think what he is getting at is that you'd be using the /5 (rotex) for the coarser grits then finishing up using the /3 for the finer grits, such that you'd be using different papers with the different sanders anyway.

Correct.

 

[nickao]

Actually, the last grit I finish with using the Rotex is the same grit I start using when I switch to the ETS 150/3. I get fantastic results that way.

So I guess I truly overlap the grits.

 

[Tim Sproul]

 I currently have the RO150FEQ and the RTS400 so I thought the next logical step would be to get something in the middle - the ETS 150.  I like the idea of being able to use the same abrasives as my RO so that ruled out the 125.  I understand the /3 isn't as aggressive at the /5 and I'm leaning in the /3 direction since I already have the RO150.  Is this sound logic?

Sure, depeding on your work.

I have all 3 sanders - 150 Rotex, 150/5 and 150/3.  For furniture and cabinet making, I don't use the Rotex much.  Wood comes out of the thickness planer with a pretty darn good surface and for veneering, the Rotex is way overkill.  If you need the speed of the Rotex because your joints are quite out of flush when they should be flush....well, you need to work on joinery, not sanding  .

In terms of finished surface quality, there isn't much difference between the /5 and /3.  OK, if you leave the wood bare and unfinished, you might need to go to 1 grit grade finer using the /5 versus using the /3.  But who makes projects with unfinished wood surfaces on display  [huh]!?

For polishing (high gloss buffing of a hard film finish), the /5 has become my go to choice.  The larger orbit makes for faster work compared to the /3.  The balance is mucho bettero than the Rotex.

 

[Brice Burrell]

....In terms of finished surface quality, there isn't much difference between the /5 and /3.  OK, if you leave the wood bare and unfinished, you might need to go to 1 grit grade finer using the /5 versus using the /3.  But who makes projects with unfinished wood surfaces on display  [huh]!?...

I've said they same thing numerous times but there still seems to be a misconception that the /3 will produce superior results with wood.  You won't see a difference in the finish quality until you get into the highest grits (well above what you'd use on wood).  If you work on materials that need a super fine finish for a very high gloss finish then you'd need the /3.  Don't get me wrong, the /3 will work fine on wood and everyday finishes it's just it is doing anything special for you.    [2cents] 

 

[HowardH]

I got the /3 and it arrived today.  I tested it on a maple board and ran it through  120, 180, 220, 320 and 400,  It came out smooth as glass.  I appreciated that it came with a 5 pack of 5 different grits.  It's obviously much lighter than the Rotex and should be easier to maneuver around smaller pieces as well as not wearing me out.  It was interesting to find out the pads are changed with an allen wrench rather than the tool-less method the Rotex uses.  I wondered when I opened the systainer what the allen key was all about.  I suppose I'll need to get a hard pad to supplement the soft one it comes with.  I really think it will be my go to sander most of of the time.  I had to re-arrange my shop built sysport to make it fit and I'm still short a slot meaning I have one extra systainer that doesn't have a home.  I suppose the answer is to buy two or three more tools so I can build a second sysport!