1st Sander

[rp127777]

Hello everyone.  I am a newbie and am thinking of buying my first Festool tool.  I am thinking of making it a sander as I would get the most use from this.

I was leaning towards the Festool 571897 ETS EC 125/3 EQ Compact Brushless Finish Sander, but then I saw there is now a cordless Festool 575384 ETSC 125 18V Brushless Hybrid Cordless 5" Sander. Anyone have thoughts on pro's or con's with either of these.  Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.
Richard

 

[peter halle]

Welcome Richard to the forum!

Usually when we get questions like this we inquire about intended usage, shop or mobile, and other stuff like that.

Would it be possible to give us some details like these so that our members can give you their best advice?

Peter

 

[Klaus Hergesheimer]

Don't buy the 18v cordless sander. You can't use the batteries in anything else (seriously). At that point, why not buy the 150 instead of the 125? It's more money (if you're buying new you're doing it wrong) but there are more accessories available.

It doesn't really depend on what you do, as far as I am concerned. Sanding in the shop? Collect all the dust with a corded model and the convenience of not having batteries to charge. Sanding on the job? Collect all the dust with a corded model and the convenience of not having batteries to charge. Sanding just one little spot on a ladder thirty feet up? Get the sanding attachment for the cordless oscillating tool you can definitely afford if you're considering buying Festool.

 

[rp127777]

Ok some background information.  I am recently retired and have always had a passion for woodworking.  I did some framing and carpentry work in my younger days, but now I want to get into making things around the house.  Since December I have made a couple of computer desks and a farm table with basic joinery.  I want to get into more details and build some cabinets and possibly an entertainment center.  All just a hobby for now, so am looking to buy tools as I go along.  Now as for my shop.  I have a 3 car garage where I keep my car and motorcycle, and tools I have bought. Table saw, miter saw,etc.  But most of my work will be in the attached 30 by 30ft. carport.  So I need most of my tools and workbench to be able to roll out and back in at end of the day.  I have a couple of inexpensive and old sanders , so I am looking to upgrade and slowly get into the Festool line of tools. And yes am thinking of eventually doing the dust collection with the sander and other hand tools. 

Ok, so will now lean towards corded.  Klaus, so why the 150 over the 125?  Also, not sure by saying not to buy new. 

Thanks and hope to be visible on this forum as I progress.

 

[Holmz]

Don't buy the 18v cordless sander. You can't use the batteries in anything else (seriously). At that point, why not buy the 150 instead of the 125? It's more money (if you're buying new you're doing it wrong) but there are more accessories available.

It doesn't really depend on what you do, as far as I am concerned. Sanding in the shop? Collect all the dust with a corded model and the convenience of not having batteries to charge. Sanding on the job? Collect all the dust with a corded model and the convenience of not having batteries to charge. Sanding just one little spot on a ladder thirty feet up? Get the sanding attachment for the cordless oscillating tool you can definitely afford if you're considering buying Festool.

Klaus nailed it...
And the 150 is better in every way except if one needs a 5" sander.

An MFT may be work looking at to provide car port work.

A vacuum is also worth a look in case you are in the garage.
Do those old sanders have a vacuum port like where a bag hooked up?
If they do have the port, and they have a small 2-mm stroke, then the 150/5 can become more of an addition/extension to your current tools.

 

[Naildrivingman]

I second the 150.  If you need to do belt sander type removal, the Rotex series is the way to go (for moderate amounts...larger projects I would think that controlling the sander would be tiring).  Now as to size, if you are processing up to 1x6 material (which is probably the widest in this day and age to use) you can process the whole width with the 150 whereas with the 125 you will have a small amount of overlap.  This isn't a gospel requirement, but I like less work from time to time.  I would definitely purchase a CT dust collector. The 26 is my favorite.

Good luck, congratulations on retirement!

 

[Vondawg]

All the good points have been stated...but the day you DO sand, plunged into a vac (dust collection) is the day you’ll never look back...or any tool for that matter.
In the beginning I started with the 125-RO125 and 400...with the thinking, same size paper.... then came the RO90 and the move up to 150’s ...in the end, the paper size wasn’t any big deal,  but the 150 is a big asset on larger surfaces and believe it or not much easier to handle especially with the RO150. I’m personally not interested in a battery powered sander. Sounds like a nice set up, to be able to work outside under cover and inside as well.

 

[rp127777]

Thanks everyone.  I assume when you refer to 150 you are talking about
Festool 571892 ETS EC 150/5 EQ Compact Brushless Finish Sander and NOT
Festool 571903 ETS 150/3 EQ Random Orbital Sander

I like the look and feel of the compact ones.  Sorry for all the questions. 

Richard

 

[Timtool]

Yeah avoid the 125 as a main sander, it is a PURE light finish sander. It's great at that, awful for anything else.
The real original main sander is the ETS 150/5, I also have an ETS EC 150/3. I'd even argue that the no3 versions (EC or not) are finish sanders. I tend to only start using the ETS EC 150/3 for grits starting at 180 and higher. It's too slow for anything involving stock removal or working away level differences. The 150/5 takes care of that easily.

The EC (compact brushless) versions are different, I wouldn't say better per say. They are lighter and flatter, so easier when sanding vertically. But sometimes the extra weight of the regular version works for you, as you don't need to push it down to be effective.

 

[Holmz]

Thanks everyone.  I assume when you refer to 150 you are talking about
Festool 571892 ETS EC 150/5 EQ Compact Brushless Finish Sander and NOT
Festool 571903 ETS 150/3 EQ Random Orbital Sander

I like the look and feel of the compact ones.  Sorry for all the questions. 

Richard

Correct - as Tim mentioned.

You already have a few finish sanders, so there will no great difference as they basically all wriggle around a piece of paper.

The /EC has twice the power and more stroke so you can still make use of you old sanders of you believe you need short strokes. (Different strokes for different folks)

 

[rljatl]

I suggest planning ahead.  Assume that you will have more than one sander someday.

1. Finish sander = Festool ETS EC 125/3 - BUT, add the 6" blue hard pad for the ETS EC 150.  It will fit the ETS EC 125 sander.  Use it as a 6"sander.  The ETS EC 125 is cheaper than the ETS EC 150 and you have the ability to use 5" or 6" sanding discs if you need to for some reason.

2. Corner Delta sander = Festool DTS 400 Orbital Sander

3. Dual mode sander for fast stock removal and polishing = Bosch 1250DEVS 6-1/2-Amp 6-Inch Random Orbit Sander.  Get the hard pad.  (This Bosch is half the price of the Rotex 150.  Get the Rotex if you have the money because Festool sand paper holes will match both the ETS EC150 and the Rotex.  Otherwise you can use Abranet on both.)

 

[rp127777]

Ok guys, I took the plunge into the FESTOOL world today. Bought the ETS EC 150/5 sander and the CT 26E HEPA dust collector. 

Thanks all for your help.
Richard

 

[semenza]

Ok guys, I took the plunge into the FESTOOL world today. Bought the ETS EC 150/5 sander and the CT 26E HEPA dust collector. 

Thanks all for your help.
Richard

Hi Richard,

    Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

      I think you have made a very good choice. Let us know what you think after you get to use it.

Seth

 

[rp127777]

Will do Seth. 

 

[rp127777]

Well guys, guess I have drank the KoolAid.  I did purchase the ETC EC 150/5 along with the CT26 Dust Collector.  I have used it on a couple of things and love it. Best sander ever.  Since this post I have signed up for recon and purchased a PSB 300 Jigsaw. (I haven't used yet, but I do have a project in mind)  And lately, I went to the traveling show and purchased the TS55 Tracksaw and MFT table. Looking forward to my next few projects.  Xmas looking good this year.

 

[Grakat]

Hi there,

I agree with what Tim has said above. I have the /3 and it's great for finishing but for material removal it takes a while. Plan is to use an RO150 as the other sander.