Best all round sander?

[Jimmy69]

I'm  ready to get a quality sander and have been weighing up the pro's 'n' cons. I'm looking for an all round type of sander so the RO 90 stands out. I don't have any large surfaces to sand apart from a full height wardrobe. The rest of my projects are smaller but plentiful. I have 20 kitchen cabinets in ply to make a smaller office to re-fit and some bedroom furniture to make. Also stair spindles and banisters/skirting needs repainting etc, etc.
I also plan on doing some finer work by making fancy wooden cases for synthesizers and studio equipment.

The RO90  stood out because it seems to cover all of those tasks. My only concern is that it might be too small for the larger jobs ( of which there aren't too many and are not likely to be).

I have a small nasty bosch sander and a multi tool with a triangle sanding head which I hate using but might go some way to doing awkward areas which would free me up to get a the RO125 but it's not Ideal.

I'm not adverse to other brands but haven't found one that covers all sanding and polishing as well as the Rotex.

Thanks..

Jimmy

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I would not consider the RO90 to be a good "all around" sander in any way. It's small, and it's best use is for shaping or heavy removal in small spaces. That's the aggressive mode. As a ROS, it's going to be very limited. And Rotex, in general, whichever of the three sizes, is kinda a two-handed tool.

You mention cabinets...that's sheet goods...and you'll want something you can very lightly smooth the surface with before finishing. You may be better served by one of the 125mm (5") units for general purpose work and if you really want/need the Rotex type aggressive capability, there is a Rotex in that size, too.  I personally use the 150mm versions because that's what I have and I only have to deal with one abrasive size. My 150/3 gets 95% of the work. The RO160 the remaining 5%.

 

[Holzhacker]

I don't think there is such an animal. Each sander is geared towards various tasks. I don't have 8 different sanders because I wanted to piss away money. Each has its task that it does better at.
Buy what you need for now, then buy the next one, and the next one.
If you need a multi task sander for now, etc 125

 

[JFelchlin]

I’m a Hobbyist - So “production” work isn’t my priority.
Like you - Most of my work involves smaller projects -
With occasional cabinets and a blanket chest, only now and then.
I have several Festool sanders - For different purposes. (See my signature box below.)
But my “go to” sander is my trusty RO125 FEQ Rotex.

I read/see a lot of great comments on the “150’s” (had one and sold it).
My “125” covers a little less area - But it still gets the job done for the projects that I do.
And... it’s a LOT easier on my “handling” and maneuvering it.

Holzhacker is correct. There is no “perfect” tool - Sander or otherwise. Each has its purpose.
Woodworkers’ axiom:
There’s ALWAYS another sander, saw, router - You “need” and will buy eventually. [wink]

 

[xedos]

I'll echo much the same. 

RO90 is a horrible all around sander.  I love mine; and wouldn't likely part with it for love, nor money.  But if it were my only sander, I probably give up sanding. 

Most dual, or all in one tools are usually compromises in some area. The RO sanders are no different. Optimized for heavy removal, they will do finish type work but that's not their strong suit.  The compromise.    They are two handed tools like Jim said.  Don't forget or discount this fact.  Especially when used for a final sanding or between finish coats.  Especially the latter.  Tilt an RO just a bit and you've prob. got a gouge in your workpiece that'll show.

If you need a heavy removal tool get an RO , but don't really count on it taking the place of a good palm finish sander.  I'd suggest looking at Bosch's  GET models.  90-100% of an RO at less than 50% of the cost.  [eek]  Pair that with an ETS125 and you've got a one two punch with money left over for sandpaper.

If you're set on FT and one sander only, I'd be looking at a ETC125EC instead of the RO.  The EC is a good finish sander, will take a 6" pad for those times you have a huge surface like the wardrobe, and will still rough sand - albeit much slower than an RO.  Most of all, it can be used one handed.  Again a compromise, but weighted toward finishing rather than brute force like the ROs.

For spindle work , none of these are going to do you any good.  You'll need a Festool LS or a SurfPrep 3x4 ray with an assort. of foam pads.  The later will also allow you to do some/most work a triangle detail sander will.

 

[tiralie]

RO 90 is not a good choice for your tasks.
The larger RO 150 or 125 are a better choice. The two modes makes switching down to finer grit a better option for your tasks. A little hand sanding helps to clean up any problem areas.
It's not a perfect solution, but can give good results if you are patient and use the right pads. Get a small cheap inspection light to help identify swirl etc. if you are clear coating.
Tim

 

[Roseland]

I have an ETS125, a Rotex 125 and a Rutscher 100, and the ETS gets used 10x as much as the others together. 

Andrew

 

[AlexThePalex]

And the best all-round sander suited for most various tasks is the DTS 400.

Period.  [tongue]

 

[Cheese]

I'd suggest you look at the ETS EC 125. You can also attach a 150 mm pad to it for larger surfaces. I'd consider it to be the best "All around sander" that Festool makes. It would work well on all of your projects except for the spindles/banisters and if they are round and detailed, that becomes strictly a hand sanding project.

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

When we first had a grandchild, a friend said “If I knew how much fun the grandkids were as opposed to the kids, I would have had them first.” That’s the way I feel about the ETS EC 125 vs the ETS 125.
I love my RO90, use it for all detail flat sanding, but would not be my only sander.
Anyone want to buy my DTS 400?

 

[Jimmy69]

OK, not what I was expecting to hear, but that's why we come here right? Heavy removal is not something I need right now so I'll take your advice and steer clear of the RO's. I thought they might be good because they covered polishing as well as sanding but not if it's going to be too rough.

The Mirka Deros looked good until I read about the reliability issues so that's now out. Don't know much about the Ceros.

What about Mafell - anything interesting from them?

Looking like the ETS EC 125 is a possibility.

 

[mrboult]

If you're not thinking Deros then the ETS EC 125 is a great choice, if you're and 'orbital kinda guy'.  I am and I have all the 125mm sanders being discussed here, I'd go ETS EC 125 in your position.

However Alex is fast persuading me on here, that if I tried the DTS I'd probably love it. And after many years, I am pretty over using my multitool for the corners. .

 

[Jimmy69]

If you're not thinking Deros then the ETS EC 125 is a great choice, if you're and 'orbital kinda guy'.  I am and I have all the 125mm sanders being discussed here, I'd go ETS EC 125 in your position.

However Alex is fast persuading me on here, that if I tried the DTS I'd probably love it. And after many years, I am pretty over using my multitool for the corners. .

The Deros looks great and is super light but I can't chance getting a duff one and it spending time in repair - not for that sort of money.
I break out in a cold sweat every time I have to use my multitool for anything. The sound is horrendous, the vibration is terrible and changing from saw blades to delta heads is a massive pain. I might just get a  Bosch  GSS 160-1A for that type of work.

 

[Mortiser]

I have the RO125 and the ETS EC125. I use the ETS EC125, 10 to 1 over the RO.
That may help you decide.

 

[mkasdin]

I have the PRO 5 which is the ETS 125 in a 3mm stroke that is probably the best all-arounder.  Be prepared to spend more on the various grits of grants then the cost of the sander. I’m not a big fan of the RO-90 or the RO-150? I did use the ro-90 yesterday for about 2 minutes as a clean up sand on the bottom of an uninstalled door jamb. I do have small blocks of wood and a cork sander along with a few 9x12 sheets of Festool granat. So I do hand sand at times, still to this day...

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

Two things I really like about the ETS EC 125:
1. Much less vibration than the ETS 125 or RO 125
2. Brake stops the disk immediately

Also: the 150 mm pad works great on the ETS EC 125 for larger surface areas, as I found out here on FOG.

 

[Cheese]

Looking like the ETS EC 125 is a possibility.

More than a possibility...it's probably the charm.

I use the RO 90 for buffing out acrylic plastic. I also use the RO 125 for buffing out the car. Neither is my go-to sander for normal sanding tasks. They're heavy, clunky and really need to be controlled with 2 hands. They work well for what they were designed to do but they will never be an "All around sander." It's just not in their genetic make-up.

 

[mkasdin]

Two things I really like about the ETS EC 125:
1. Much less vibration than the ETS 125 or RO 125
2. Brake stops the disk immediately

Also: the 150 mm pad works great on the ETS EC 125 for larger surface areas, as I found out here on FOG.

  The ETS EC 125 sits shorter, anti vibration circuitry, and has a brushless motor,so shakes less from the motor’s inertia? I forgot that the larger 150 pad works on the 125.... I’m assuming the feel is different, the ETS 125 is more of a palm sander, I have no experience with the ETS EC 125? Is it worth changing out or getting it as a second sander? The price is good at $200 for the ETS 125. What I like is the ability of the palm sander in general home construction, I can tip the sander to feather out an edge, take out a high spot, sanding facia shoulder height or hitting something above head. The ETS EC 125 seems to conform more to a bench style work area? Am I missing something? The price is also double? I would still say out of ignorance the regular plain Jane ETS 125 makes a better “My First Festool Sander,” if the budget is tight or their are other purchases on the order. Sort of like “Pinch from Peter to give to Paul?”

 

[mrboult]

The ETS 125 and the ETS EC 125 are totally different animals.

The former is for fine finishing only. Ultimately it’s a weak ass sander.  If you’re trying to sand rough wood it’s gonna take you ages. (Hobbyists may be fine with that) the ETS EC has way more power in its rotation and will remove material reasonably well. The Mirka 5mm with the 125mm pad on it craps on all of them for fast removal.

For compassion and perspective -  The basic Makita 125mm sander  that has been around for ages and costs £50-£100 here in the UK is way more powerful than an ETS 125 and similar to the ETS EC 125. The latter is just a much lighter, quieter, smoother experience. And the pad Velcro  will last 10 times longer than the crappy Makita Velcro

Obviously I’m talking general sanding, one sander here. Not knocking the ETS 125 that is apparently an excellent finish sander. Mine went back to festool before I’d tried that.

 

[Cheese]

One of the downfalls of the ETS 125/PRO 5/ETSC 125 line of sanders is the lack of a hard pad.

I love being cordless with the ETSC sander but for keeping square, sharp edges I have to use the ETS EC 125 with the hard pad.

Maybe now that the Positioning Aid, 205316, is being offered for the ETSC sanders Festool will also release a hard pad for the line-up.

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