? About the ETS 125

[clev1066]

I was gifted an ETS 125 sander back in early July; and I've yet to use it.

I already have an ETS 150/5 that I use for everything and I absolutely love it.

So I have been considering letting the 125 go, and using the remainding funds on the purchase of a Rotex 150.

So what do y'all think? Will this be something that I regret one day? I do know that I've done a bunch of sanding over the last month and haven't needed a finer finish than the 150/5 has given; but there have been quite a few times I wanted to remove material a lot more aggressively (thus wanting to get the Rotex).

On the other hand, should I keep the 125 and consider the Rotex 125 instead of the Rotex 150?

 

[tbellemare]

It's just my opinion but I think the Rotex 150 is the best all-around sander on the planet. It covers a lot of ground fast and can take materials from extremely rough to polished with little effort.

Tom

 

[butzla]

I have both.  The ets125 pales in comparison to the ets150.  Since I got the 150 ( I had the 125 first),  I rarely pick the 125 up now.  I use it only for small projects.  But where I thought the 125 would be good at sanding edges, it's prone to stalling (rpm), all surface of the pad need to be in contact with the wood to keep the pad spinning.  I'd sell it and go for an RO150/125.  My .02

 

[AlexThePalex]

I myself have the ETS 125 on my wish list so I myself wouldn't let it go. But considering how you describe your sanding habits and needs, clev, I don't think you'd regret getting rid of it much. I'm pretty sure you'd regret not having a Rotex a lot more. As for a Ro125 or a Ro150, that depends on what you sand most. The 150 is better with large surfaces. But the 125 is also capable of covering quite some surface and works better on smaller objects and is lighter.

 

[justinmcf]

hi clev, i would sell the ets 125 on ebay and i would be confident that i would receive very close to the retail price, if not more!
i would then sprint as fast as i could to my nearest festool dealer and get the rotex 150. what a fantastic sander. it is a pleasure to use.
i dont own one yet, but have used it extensively.
it would compliment my ets 150/3 and ets/5 very nicely. and i like having to buy 1 size of sand paper.
regards, justin.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I myself have the ETS 125 on my wish list so I myself wouldn't let it go. But considering how you describe your sanding habits and needs, clev, I don't think you'd regret getting rid of it much. I'm pretty sure you'd regret not having a Rotex a lot more. As for a Ro125 or a Ro150, that depends on what you sand most. The 150 is better with large surfaces. But the 125 is also capable of covering quite some surface and works better on smaller objects and is lighter.

Alex, I agree with your advice about Clev getting the Rotex, I'd recommend the RO150 for an all purpose sander. The RO125 is nice for aggressive stock removal and polishing but there is a learning curve to getting decent results finish sanding with it. The RO150's larger surface allows the sander to stay flatter with less effort form the user, this produces better finish sanding results with much less of a learning curve. It would seem logical that the smaller sander would work better on smaller work pieces and that would be the case with the ETS125 but not so much with the RO125, especially for aggressive removal. You might get better results from the bigger sander even on smaller pieces. I have the RO125 and it is a great tool for needs to quickly remove material like paint, rotten wood, dirt or other stubborn finishes in preparation for exterior painting or finishing. I almost never use it for finish sanding. There a guys out there that have no problems finish sanding with it and some that really haven't been able to.

I recommend you go to a dealer and try both the RO125 and the RO150 since there is a fair difference in the size. You may find the RO150 to big for your hands. If you feel the ETS125 isn't the right tool for you Festool offers a number of great sanders, I'm sure one of them will suit your needs perfectly. Good luck.    

 

[clev1066]

Thanks for all the good info. The RO150 was tops on my list. The ONLY reason I would've considered the RO125 is if I kept the ets125. However, most of you are confirming what I thought about the ets125; and that is that I just won't miss it. Clearly I didn't have much of a need for it; or I would have at least mounted a disk and plugged it in.

I think I'll put the ets125 on the big auction site and use the dividends toward my RO150 purchase.

 

[sw1211]

In case no one else mentioned it, if you go with the RO150, you could use the same size sandpaper as you do with your other sander, 6".

 

[mwhafner]

I have been in a similar situation, and I would sell the ETS125.  For me, it is the least impressive of the Festool sander lineup. 

Originally, I purchased the ETS125 and RO125.  The RO125 is great, but the ETS as a disappointment.  I bought the ETS150/3, and I couldn't be happier.  I have since added the RO150 to my arsenal.  The ETS150/3 and RO150 make a great combination. 

If I got the right deal, I would sell the RO125 and ETS125 and not blink an eye.

 

[clev1066]

The ets125 is on the auction site. We'll see how I do.

I'll be adding the Rotex 150 to the collection within the next week. I only wish I would have gotten it sooner.

Had I known then what I know now, I wish I would have gotten the ETS 150/3 instead of the 150/5. I might even take the hit and either sell the /5 to get the /3 or just keep the /5 and add the /3.

 

[justinmcf]

hi clev, i recommend keeping the 150/5 and the 150/3, but everybodies needs and requirements vary quite a bit.
i use the 150/5 with 80, 120, 240 grit and then use the 150/3 with 240  up to 4000 grit. it also is less wear and tear on the hoop and loop velcro.
works for me, otherwise sell on fleabay.

regards, justin.

 

[Brice Burrell]

......Had I known then what I know now, I wish I would have gotten the ETS 150/3 instead of the 150/5. I might even take the hit and either sell the /5 to get the /3 or just keep the /5 and add the /3.

I bet the average user wouldn't notice a difference between the ETS150/3 or /5. The /5 will remove stock a little more rapidly and that is where most users might notice the difference. While technically the /3 will produce a finer finish there aren't many (if any) sanding applications that the average user would appreciate the difference. Only special sanding applications requiring sanding with very fine grits would the smaller orbit make a difference in the finish. My point is you aren't likely missing anything if you've got the /5. 

 

[Bob Marino]

......Had I known then what I know now, I wish I would have gotten the ETS 150/3 instead of the 150/5. I might even take the hit and either sell the /5 to get the /3 or just keep the /5 and add the /3.

I bet the average user wouldn't notice a difference between the ETS150/3 or /5. The /5 will remove stock a little more rapidly and that is where most users might notice the difference. While technically the /3 will produce a finer finish there aren't many (if any) sanding applications that the average user would appreciate the difference. Only special sanding applications requiring sanding with very fine grits would the smaller orbit make a difference in the finish. My point is you aren't likely missing anything if you've got the /5.   

Exactly correct, and IMHO, technique is way more important in gettng a finer finish, than any difference betweeen the 150/3 and the 150/5.

Bob

 

[clev1066]

I'm taking a chance on this one....

I was checking to see how my auction was going and noticed a RO150 feq listed under as "buy it now". The picture was small, but it appeared to be in good shape. I was going to order one from Uncle Bob; but the savings was pretty substantial on this one.

I'll post back either smiling or crying.

 

[Neill]

I'm taking a chance on this one....

I was checking to see how my auction was going and noticed a RO150 feq listed under as "buy it now". The picture was small, but it appeared to be in good shape. I was going to order one from Uncle Bob; but the savings was pretty substantial on this one.

I'll post back either smiling or crying.

I am sure that they are both good, but you might want to check and see if it is the newer model.  I am also not sure what the differences are, but I know that an older model did exist.

Neill

 

[clev1066]

Neill, all I've got to go by is a picture of the item and what I could read on the Systainer. Like I said, it's a bit of a gamble. I guess it always is buying something used, without the opportunity to inspect or demo it.

 

[ForumMFG]

Clev, You can always ask the seller for the informatio.  I don't buy anything without getting serial numbers first to make sure it's not stolen. 

 

[clev1066]

I didn't think about the stolen aspect. I rank a thief, rapist, child abuser, and terrorist at about the same level; and it really never occured to me.

I didn't want to waste too much time. It had just posted within a few minutes, I was the second viewer, the seller had good feedback, and it was priced to move.

Again, its a gamble; we'll see how it pans out.  I'm hoping for the best of course.

BTW, about Festool and the different models (or vintage) of the Rotex; was there an earlier model that had the Plug-It, or would that only be on the most current model? The Systainer seemed to say RO 150 FEQ, but I had to save the picture and zoom to read that and it wasn't 100% clear.

 

[ForumMFG]

Clev,

I had an extremely terrible situation happen to me on Ebay. I bought stolen Hilti Items from a guy who had perfect feedback.  These tools were worth $1100-1300 bucks.  Got the police and everything involved and not this guy is looking at 10+ years in prision.

Just take a minute to read my first post in THIS thread.

-Dave

 

[ForumMFG]

Clev,

I just bought the ETS 125 last night. I'm going to use it over the weekend and after I get back from training and I'll tell you what I think of it.  So far I really like it but I'm already thinking I might take it back and get the ETS 150/5 or buy both.  I haven't nailed my techniqe down for the RO125 yet so I wanted something that was a little easier to use.  I get to much chatter with the RO125.  With the ETS 125, I got none.  I just wish the ETS 125 would remove more material faster and thats why I might want the ETS 150/5.  I'm thinking about buying both so I can keep the ETS 125 to do superfine finishing when I need to.. I figured I would use the RO125 for heavy grits, the ETS 150/5 for medium grits and the ETS 125 for fine grits?  Does anyone else do this?

-Dave