Best all round sander?

[AlexThePalex]

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

Another downfall, or better said, shortcomming, is it's geometry because it will always leave you with corners it can't reach into.

Best all-round sander? You put me in a house with the DTS 400, and you do the same house with an ETS, I'll be finished days before you because of all the hand sanding you'll have to do.

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.

So true, I really wish you could get a hard pad for any type of their sanders.

 

[Cheese]

Best all-round sander? You put me in a house with the DTS 400, and you do the same house with an ETS, I'll be finished days before you because of all the hand sanding you'll have to do.

If it's corners I need to do, I just whip out the DX 93 or the DTSC... [cool]

 

[AlexThePalex]

If it's corners I need to do, I just whip out the DX 93 or the DTSC... [cool]

No, that's not fair, you can only use one sander.  [big grin]

 

[contendernut]

For my dollar, the ro90 is 475.  I think you are much better off with the ets125 for 205 and the dts400 for 280.  If I had to minimize sanders that would be my two keepers for the price point. To me, there is no replacement for the dts400

 

[Euclid]

I had a play with an RO90 at a Festool roadshow and was quite impressed with it; I'd like to have one.

However...
1) despite its small (tiny) pad area, it seemed to be a two-hander, much like my RO125.
2) I saw it more as a speciality sander than an all purpose one.

 

[Jimmy69]

There seems to be little difference between the ETS EC 125 and 150 apart from pad size and jetstream versions and of course price. Does the 125 really perform the same as the 150?

 

[MaineShop]

I have 6 festool sanders, if you told me I could have only one, it would be the ETS 125, it is probably the cheapest but the one I grab the most and the one my business with not due without., plus shares paper with the Rotex 125

 

[FestitaMakool]

For what you are describing, a ETS (-EC), ETSC 125 is the most versatile in regards of being efficient. But, as Alex points out, if there’s a lot of inside corners as well a DTS or DTSC can do it all. In the end, one of each pad type is the best option.
For fast removal of lot of material there’s only forced rotation machines and belt sanders that do it. It doesn’t seem like this is what you’ll be doing?
A Rotex 90 with the Delta pad, and a 125 random orbit will get you a long way.
The RO 90 has a footprint that gets you into tight spots, fast removal on smaller surfaces, and may well be used for shaping as it its small diameter gets it into tighter curves and can be used one handed for some applications due to its much lighter weight and better handling than its bigger cousin’s. It doubles as a detailing polisher as well, in fact it has the ability to do detailing all round much better than any other. It’s not a do it all sander, but may very well be among the most versatile as an additional sander - more so than the bigger ones, except for large flat surfaces.

 

[DeformedTree]

Like many before me, I bought the RO 125 with the thought of it being an all-around.  It's not.  The ETS EC 125 came very soon after.  The RO is great for removing a lot of material, and buffing/polishing.  For just nice sanding it's not good.  The ETS EC 125 is a nice little sander.  Just like others mentioned,  I would say the 10:1 usage ratio is right.

Festool needs to get a edge sander fixture out for this ETC EC 125,  I was shocked to find out their new edge sandering thing doesn't work with it. It went from a "shut up and take my money" to just cursing Festool in a heartbeat.

Just plan now to have multiple sanders.

 

[Cheese]

There seems to be little difference between the ETS EC 125 and 150 apart from pad size and jetstream versions and of course price. Does the 125 really perform the same as the 150?

So you can answer your own question, just take a look at the EKAT file for the ETS EC 125/3 versus the ETS EC 150/3 sander. You'll only find 3 parts that are different. A different colored plastic button, the drive shaft for the sanding pad and the sub-assembly that contains that drive shaft. Every other part is the same...motor, housing, brushes, brake...everything else is the same.

I've owned this tool since it first came out in September 2015 and I've switched between the 125 & 150 pads for over 5 years...the 125 & the 150 are the same tool.  [big grin]

Here's a look into the innards of the ETS EC 125...notice the numbers.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

When I get the edge sander attachment, my ETS 125 will live permanently in that.

Interesting how the function of the edge sander attachment is almost identical to the Little Lipper I learned about here on FOG.

 

[mkasdin]

Like many before me, I bought the RO 125 with the thought of it being an all-around.  It's not.  The ETS EC 125 came very soon after.  The RO is great for removing a lot of material, and buffing/polishing.  For just nice sanding it's not good.  The ETS EC 125 is a nice little sander.  Just like others mentioned,  I would say the 10:1 usage ratio is right.

Festool needs to get a edge sander fixture out for this ETC EC 125,  I was shocked to find out their new edge sandering thing doesn't work with it. It went from a "shut up and take my money" to just cursing Festool in a heartbeat.

Just plan now to have multiple sanders.

I’m probably going to Pony up and get that for my PRO 5 (ETS-125). lol

 

[Jimmy69]

So I've decided on the ETS EC 150. My first job is sanding ply kitchen cabinets. What type of abrasives and accessories would you recommend for that job? They will probably have OSMO or similar as a finish. I know absolutely nothing about finishes. Is it worth getting the oil dispenser kit?

 

[jcrowe1950]

So I've decided on the ETS EC 150. My first job is sanding ply kitchen cabinets. What type of abrasives and accessories would you recommend for that job? They will probably have OSMO or similar as a finish. I know absolutely nothing about finishes. Is it worth getting the oil dispenser kit?

  If you are sanding raw plywood, Rubin 2 will suffice, otherwise go with Granat. As far as prep for finishing, I'd go up to 180 on the raw wood and then higher between coats. If using a Festool sander, let the tool do the work and don't apply pressure...that causes more work...I personally don't totally like a glass smooth finish on wood and that is one reason I don't much care for urethane film finishes, besides the fact that they are not very durable and are not repairable....OSMO products like Polyx are hard wax oils. I think Rubio is as well. OSMO penetrates and protects while still allowing the wood to breath, so to speak. It's also pretty easy to repair. I have also used Festool's Surfix, another hard wax oil that comes in an easy to use kit. The application methods differ, as I found out through experimentation. If you do use one of the OSMO products, follow their directions and you should be successful. Same for Surfix. Best of luck in your endeavors.

P.S. - which ETS EC 150 did you choose....I love my 150/5....

 

[mkasdin]

If your using a high quality plywood most are smooth. I would just get a plain $200 ETS-125 and try it out. 3mm stroke. If you don’t like it then return it and get something else. You have 30 days. If you stick with this long enough you will end up with 3-5 Festool sanders, so you don’t need to marry the high school sweetheart, yet. My first sander was a RO-150. It barely gets used, it’s a closet queen Incidentally, I would try out a panel and a cabinet door first if you go the route of the cheap sander. On new plywood get  some 80 grit, 100grit, 120grit, 150 grit for paint grade. Stain grade you will want 180grit.  higher or the polyurethane finish between coats. I think for the price you can get a lot done with the cheap sander.

 

[Cheese]

So I've decided on the ETS EC 150. My first job is sanding ply kitchen cabinets. What type of abrasives and accessories would you recommend for that job? They will probably have OSMO or similar as a finish. I know absolutely nothing about finishes. Is it worth getting the oil dispenser kit?

I'm curious as to why you chose the ETS EC 150 which will only allow the use of a 150 mm pad as opposed to the ETS EC 125 which will allow the use of both 125 mm & 150 mm pads?

 

[Jimmy69]

So I've decided on the ETS EC 150. My first job is sanding ply kitchen cabinets. What type of abrasives and accessories would you recommend for that job? They will probably have OSMO or similar as a finish. I know absolutely nothing about finishes. Is it worth getting the oil dispenser kit?

I'm curious as to why you chose the ETS EC 150 which will only allow the use of a 150 mm pad as opposed to the ETS EC 125 which will allow the use of both 125 mm & 150 mm pads?

I thought they were both interchangeable? But you're saying the 125 can take the 150 pad but not the other way around? How does that work?

So I've decided on the ETS EC 150. My first job is sanding ply kitchen cabinets. What type of abrasives and accessories would you recommend for that job? They will probably have OSMO or similar as a finish. I know absolutely nothing about finishes. Is it worth getting the oil dispenser kit?

  If you are sanding raw plywood, Rubin 2 will suffice, otherwise go with Granat. As far as prep for finishing, I'd go up to 180 on the raw wood and then higher between coats. If using a Festool sander, let the tool do the work and don't apply pressure...that causes more work...I personally don't totally like a glass smooth finish on wood and that is one reason I don't much care for urethane film finishes, besides the fact that they are not very durable and are not repairable....OSMO products like Polyx are hard wax oils. I think Rubio is as well. OSMO penetrates and protects while still allowing the wood to breath, so to speak. It's also pretty easy to repair. I have also used Festool's Surfix, another hard wax oil that comes in an easy to use kit. The application methods differ, as I found out through experimentation. If you do use one of the OSMO products, follow their directions and you should be successful. Same for Surfix. Best of luck in your endeavors.

P.S. - which ETS EC 150 did you choose....I love my 150/5....

I was going to go for the 150/3 as it's described as Fine/intermediate rather than the 150/5 which is described as intermediate/rough. Perhaps that description is inaccurate?

 

[mrboult]

The pad swap-ability of the ETS EC 125 seems to be a ‘mistake’ by Festool.
As they briefly shouted from the rooftops that “it wouldn’t, don’t try it, it’s not supposed to fit, the break won’t work. .”

But people have been doing it successfully since release. 

 

[hccuneyt]

I was checking the festool USA site and I see that:

Random Orbital Sander ETS EC 125/3 EQ-Plus
Item number 571897
This item is no longer available.

Was news to me, looks like I need to catch up whats happening last couple weeks as I was away.

 

[Jimmy69]

I was checking the festool USA site and I see that:

Random Orbital Sander ETS EC 125/3 EQ-Plus
Item number 571897
This item is no longer available.

Was news to me, looks like I need to catch up whats happening last couple weeks as I was away.

There are very few for sale in the UK at the moment.