Another sander question RTS 400 or ETS 125?

[BillG]

Hello everyone.  I am looking for some experienced advice on the next sander to buy here.  Currently I have an older ES 150, and an RO 90.  I also have a 20+ year old Porter Cable Speed Bloc 330 which I plan to retire.  The ES 150 works great on wider surfaces, but not so well on edges and such.  The RO 90 is not a real great performer for me there either.  I primarily use it for bowls and other turnings.  I've read posts and watched videos until my eyes are going funny, but I am still not sure which would be the better performer for sanding edges of unfinished wood.  I am sort of leaning toward the RTS 400 over the ETS 125, but thought I would ask if anyone here has experience with these two sanders on what will primarily be furniture building.

Thanks. 

Bill

 

[www.jbbinnenwerk.nl]

I would go for the DS 400. Not only perfect for sanding edges (although it's a little bit light) but also a perfect machine for corners, which can not be done by your current machines... Why purchase another rotating machine like the ETS?

 

[ear3]

Personally, I would go with the RTS rather than the ETS.  I have the ETS 150 and not the ETS 125, & I have used the ETS 150 to do edge work before, but the rotation of the pad can sometimes round over the edges. When it comes to the RTS vs the DTS, one thing to note is that the DTS sanding pad is not symmetrical unlike the Delta path of the Rotex 90. Sophie abrasives can wear out fairly quickly if you are doing corners. Plus you have the Rotex 90 already so you have corners covered.

 

[Kev]

Having an ETS150 /3 and /5, I've never been bothered with the ETS125. The RTS400 is interesting because you had abrasive compatibility with the LS130 !!

I went with the DTS400 as it pretty much gets everywhere.

Choosing only between ETS125 and RTS400 with an ETS150 in the hand, I'd get the RTS400.

 

[leakyroof]

I 2nd Kev's thoughts since you already have a Delta sander in the form of the RO90. The RTS needs very low vacuum settings or you getting trouble from too much suction being applied while you're trying to sand. It's a nice sander for many tasks.

 

[Shane Holland]

I'll echo what others have said. Personally, I prefer the DTS, but it's nothing more than preference. I would recommend the DTS or RTS.

 

[AlexThePalex]

RTS. Because reasons.

 

[bdiemer]

I love my ets  125 but for me it's a very limited use sander. I use it only for between coats. Sort of cheating on a hand rub finish. For me it's not a general purpose sander. It has as a very Non-aggressive stroke.

 

[BillG]

Thanks everyone!  I went with the RTS.  It should be here in a couple of days.  I appreciate the reasoning, as it confirmed a lot of what I was already thinking.