Advice for Sander

[johnmpf]

I am trying to decide between the RTS400 and the ETS125.  My primary use would be for fine sanding.  Between coats and final sanding.  Most of what I do is relatively small.  Drawer shelves and similar size stuff.  I already have a decent orbital sander for heavy work.  Up until now I have done all the fine sanding by hand. 
From what I understand, a delta pad can be put on the RTS.  This is an added benefit.
Honestly, I have never really understood how the two would be used differently. 

Thanks in advance
John

 

[rst]

The delta pad will not fit on the RTS, the ETS, RTS and DTS pads are not interchangeable.  Only the delta pad and round pads on the RO-90 can be interchanged.

 

[rmhinden]

I have three Festool sanders, the ETS 125 REQ, RO90, and ETS EC 125/3.  The one I use the most is the ETS EC 125/3, it is IMHO a great all around sander.

I use the RO90 where I need a smaller sanding surface or the Delta pad (this is interchangeable) and the ETS 125 REQ using the Edge Sanding Guide.

I purchased the ETS 125 REQ first, added the others later.  If I had to do it over again, I would get the ETS EC 125/3 first.  BTW, my understanding is that a 150 pad can be installed on the ETC EC.

Hope this is helpful.

Bob

 

[johnmpf]

Are you sure about the lack of interchange.  For the DTS and RTS, everything from the pad up looks to have the same part numbers.

 

[Cheese]

I guess it depends upon if you need to sand into corners.  [smile]

For sanding in-between coats I use the ETS 125 because it's the gentlest of the lot. The RTS & DTS are a little more aggressive than the ETS.

 

[onocoffee]

I got the ETS EC 150/3 first, then a Bosch GET75-6N after using my friends RO150 for a project. Most recently, I got the DTS400. Gotta say that I'm using the DTS a lot more than I expected because it can get into places where other sanders cannot. Really liking it. Was thinking about the RTS but with the DTS I'm not sure if I will need an RTS.

I'd get the DTS first.

 

[squall_line]

Are you sure about the lack of interchange.  For the DTS and RTS, everything from the pad up looks to have the same part numbers.

https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/dts-rts-400-req-can-the-pads-be-swapped

 

[leakyroof]

Are you sure about the lack of interchange.  For the DTS and RTS, everything from the pad up looks to have the same part numbers.

https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/dts-rts-400-req-can-the-pads-be-swapped

  YEP, I remember this thread... [cool]
The old models COULD be swapped, then along came the newer models.

 

[leakyroof]

I am trying to decide between the RTS400 and the ETS125.  My primary use would be for fine sanding.  Between coats and final sanding.  Most of what I do is relatively small.  Drawer shelves and similar size stuff.  I already have a decent orbital sander for heavy work.  Up until now I have done all the fine sanding by hand. 
From what I understand, a delta pad can be put on the RTS.  This is an added benefit.
Honestly, I have never really understood how the two would be used differently. 

Thanks in advance
John

  I own all 3, the DTS, the RTS, and the ETS 125. ETS125 is my go-to sander for fine sanding on smaller flat surfaces , especially for between coat sanding like Film Finishes.  The DTS is really nice for edges and corners, but sands flat areas just as well , is easy to control and you can get a good surface finish from it.  It's also a popular sander in Europe with Painters. I actually held off buying it for a number of years after getting my RTS400 since I wasn't sure I'd want yet another Sander in my tool arsenal and yet another unique abrasive sheet to stock for it. One of the FOG members convinced me to give it a try.  I've never looked back in regret once I got it, and now own two of them... [big grin]
While you can't rotate the abrasive sheet on it like you can with the smaller Delta pad of the RO 90 and now gone DX 93 Sander. it's more stable with its larger footprint, and dust collection is really good as well.

 

[johnmpf]

Thanks everyone.  I am leaning towards the RTS.