? About the ETS 125

[ForumMFG]

Ruta,

Thanks a lot for the advice,  I'm always open for suggestions.  Right now I have been actually lifting up on the RO125 ever so slightly to prevent chatter. I also noticed that if I just have the weight of the machine applying pressure, my sanding pad does not rotate a couple revolutions per second like it should.  If I lift up on it a little, it spins the right amount.

-Dave

 

[Les]

Dave, don't forget to cut the vac speed down when using the 5" sanders.

 

[ForumMFG]

Yup, I was aware of that.

 

[clev1066]

The Rotex arrived today, and I put it through several paces! Looking back, I can't believe this wasn't my first Festool purchase. I went from sanding rough stock down with 80grit Rubin to polishing some highly figured maple with 2000 Platin. Is there anything other than very-fine sanding the Rotex isn't the best at?

Now, more than ever, I wish I had bought the ETS 150/3 instead of the 150/5. At the time, I never thought I would own more than one Festool sander.

 

[ForumMFG]

Now, more than ever, I wish I had bought the ETS 150/3 instead of the 150/5. At the time, I never thought I would own more than one Festool sander.

Why is that?  I'm looking at those right now.  I have the Rotex125, DTS 400, and ETS 125.  Thinking about taking the ETS 125 back to get one of the ETS 150's

 

[clev1066]

Now, more than ever, I wish I had bought the ETS 150/3 instead of the 150/5. At the time, I never thought I would own more than one Festool sander.

Why is that?   I'm looking at those right now.  I have the Rotex125, DTS 400, and ETS 125.  Thinking about taking the ETS 125 back to get one of the ETS 150's

Simply, because the Rotex150 when switched to ROS mode has the exact same 5mm orbit as the 150/5. It pretty much makes my ETS 150/5 redundant. Had I the 150/3, it would allow for a lesser orbit range; and thus more of a "finish" sander. I am now contemplating selling the 150/5 and taking the hit to replace it with the 150/3. I just don't like having two tools that do the same job in my already-overfilled garage-shop.

 

[ForumMFG]

Like I said, I am looking for the ETS 150/5, if you want to sell it, I might be interested.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Simply, because the Rotex150 when switched to ROS mode has the exact same 5mm orbit as the 150/5. It pretty much makes my ETS 150/5 redundant. Had I the 150/3, it would allow for a lesser orbit range; and thus more of a "finish" sander. I am now contemplating selling the 150/5 and taking the hit to replace it with the 150/3. I just don't like having two tools that do the same job in my already-overfilled garage-shop.

Clev, I don't think it would be worth taking the loss on the ETS150/5. Read my earlier post again, its quoted here.

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. 

You are unlikely to ever see the difference in the results between these two sanders under normal woodworking uses. The reason the keep the ETS150/5 is because its a superior finish sander to the Rotex. 

 

[mwhafner]

I would agree that there is not any real reason to replace the 150/5 with a 150/3.  The biggest of advantages of the ETS150's is ease of use, ergonomics, etc.  You get all of these advantages regardless of the stroke.  I doubt you will be able to tell the difference if the final product.   

 

[clev1066]

Thanks for reposting that Brice, I must have missed it. I'm pretty sure I'll hold onto the 150/5, but I may add a 150/3 somewhere down the line.

Well, I've almost filled my stable with all of the Festool I originally wanted. The search is still out on a couple though: I'm patiently waiting for an OF1400, and I've been eyeing a DTS sander. I've just begun to become a little intrigued by the parralel guide adapter as well. Luckily, I've got plenty of routers that meet my needs, so I can be patient with that search; and I also have a usable detail sander for corners and tight spots when refinishing.