150/3 vs 125/3 ETS EC - which one is right for me?

[Jimxavier]

To start, I won’t be trying to remove a ton of material quickly. Even if I was trying to I think these would suffice with the proper speed and grit.

80% of the time I’ll be going through 80-150-220 grit sequence to get a project stain ready.

Based on my research, the /3 should be sufficient, correct? Size - is that just preference?

 

[Coen]

Size also depends on what you use it for. If you sand 140mm wide grooves you don't want the 150mm. The 125 is also lighter.

With the non-EC version the 125 had 2 mm vs 3 (and 5) mm for the ETS 150.

The choice in abrasives, sponges, pads, etc. is bigger for the 150 and for large surfaces it's also a bonus.

 

[Jimxavier]

The 150/3 ETS EC may be a good option then?

 

[Coen]

The 150/3 ETS EC may be a good option then?

Only you know what the sizes of the 'to be sanded' materials are 

Surface area of D150 is 44% more than that of D125.

 

[Jimxavier]

[big grin]

I can’t think of an application where I’ll be sanding grooves as large as you mentioned.

I will sand narrow hard stock from time to time and finally which model is more common?

 

[Coen]

[big grin]

I can’t think of an application where I’ll be sanding grooves as large as you mentioned.

I will sand narrow hard stock from time to time and finally which model is more common?

Narrow stock becomes easier when the sander is less oversized.

I think the 150 is more common. Also note the Rotex 150 existed since forever before Festool bothered to create a 125 version.

Machine-size wise there is less difference now with the EC versions.

 

[rvieceli]

[member=68128]Jimxavier[/member] you can have both  [big grin] the Pad for the ETS 150 Sanders will also fit on the ETS EC 125/3  So you can buy the 125 sander and swap out the pad for the 150 one  Works great.
https://www.bobmarinosbesttools.com/5-random-orbit-sander-ets-ec-125-3/p/571897/

See this thread.
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...mm-sander-is-it-possible/msg537931/#msg537931

 

[nvalinski]

After my 5" Bosch orbital died, I went all in with the 6"/150 size with no regrets. It makes a huge difference in stability and sanding efficiency on large surfaces. I find myself wishing I had a 3" sander to pair with it for smaller areas more than anything. I don't miss my 5" size at all.

 

[Coen]

After my 5" Bosch orbital died, I went all in with the 6"/150 size with no regrets. It makes a huge difference in stability and sanding efficiency on large surfaces. I find myself wishing I had a 3" sander to pair with it for smaller areas more than anything. I don't miss my 5" size at all.

Get a Rotex 90  [tongue]

 

[nvalinski]

[member=8955]Coen[/member] definitely tempting, but I'd love to see something more in the ETS EC format for a small little palm orbital.

 

[Sanderxpander]

Mirka Deos.

 

[Coen]

Mirka Deos.

No 90mm discs there. Or you mean the 81x133? Then what's the bonus from that Mirka over an RTS 400?

 

[Sanderxpander]

Its a brushless motor, very light and a really low profile. It was mainly a comment on you wanting a small EC palm sander.

 

[Gregor]

Decision method for me was:
Figure out what size would lead to me having to stock another diameter of sanding media, then get the other one.

So in case you already have a sander that has a certain diameter: get the ETS EC of that diameter.

 

[ben_r_]

And since no one mentioned it already.... The ETS EC 125 can take the ETS EC 150 pads, but the ETS EC 150 can not take the ETS EC 125 pads. Note this is an unofficial support. As in Festool doesnt advertise it, but many know about. So, if you go with the ETS EC 125/3 you really get the best of both worlds, you simply have to by an ETS EC 150 pad to put on it to use 6" sanding discs.

 

[tbeaulieu]

And since no one mentioned it already.... The ETS EC 125 can take the ETS EC 150 pads, but the ETS EC 150 can not take the ETS EC 125 pads. Note this is an unofficial support. As in Festool doesnt advertise it, but many know about. So, if you go with the ETS EC 125/3 you really get the best of both worlds, you simply have to by an ETS EC 150 pad to put on it to use 6" sanding discs.

This is interesting to me. I have the Rotex 90 and 150 and all the paper you could imagine, including delta. I really have no interest in stocking up on 125 mm abrasive at this point. If I went with the 125, though, I could use it with a 150 base, but also have a few grits of 125 for use with the edge sanding accessory. I'm probably kidding myself, though, and will end up with the 125 and full abrasive setup. And a 150 ETS EC. I have a tool problem.

 

[Cheese]

This is interesting to me. I have the Rotex 90 and 150 and all the paper you could imagine, including delta. I really have no interest in stocking up on 125 mm abrasive at this point. If I went with the 125, though, I could use it with a 150 base, but also have a few grits of 125 for use with the edge sanding accessory. I'm probably kidding myself, though, and will end up with the 125 and full abrasive setup. And a 150 ETS EC. I have a tool problem.

The ETS EC sander is not compatible with the edge sander attachment.  Just the ETS, DTS, RTS and Pro 5.

 

[leakyroof]

This is interesting to me. I have the Rotex 90 and 150 and all the paper you could imagine, including delta. I really have no interest in stocking up on 125 mm abrasive at this point. If I went with the 125, though, I could use it with a 150 base, but also have a few grits of 125 for use with the edge sanding accessory. I'm probably kidding myself, though, and will end up with the 125 and full abrasive setup. And a 150 ETS EC. I have a tool problem.

The ETS EC sander is not compatible with the edge sander attachment.  Just the ETS, DTS, RTS and Pro 5.

  Really?  Huh...... [blink]  Didn't remember that.... [embarassed]  They're differently shaped to a certain extent, you'd think one more sander could be made to work with that attachment.... [scratch chin] [scratch chin]  Oh well.. [smile]

 

[Cheese]

Really?  Huh...... [blink]  Didn't remember that.... [embarassed]  They're differently shaped to a certain extent, you'd think one more sander could be made to work with that attachment.... [scratch chin] [scratch chin]  Oh well.. [smile]

Because the current ETS/DTS/RTS all use the same body, the slots that are necessary to hold the edge sander are what’s needed.

The only downside is because the paper doesn’t rotate like it does on an ETS, it tends to wear quicker on the DTS/RTS.

 

[leakyroof]

Really?  Huh...... [blink]  Didn't remember that.... [embarassed]  They're differently shaped to a certain extent, you'd think one more sander could be made to work with that attachment.... [scratch chin] [scratch chin]  Oh well.. [smile]

Because the current ETS/DTS/RTS all use the same body, the slots that are necessary to hold the edge sander are what’s needed.

The only downside is because the paper doesn’t rotate like it does on an ETS, it tends to wear quicker on the DTS/RTS.

  That would explain it.    [thumbs up]
I've never bought the accessory, just remember when it came out. Didn't realize the exclusion of the EC sanders until this thread came up. But it makes perfect sense once you're laid it out with the attaching method for the sanders.