Buying a second festool sander for detail work, own a RO150

[Javib]

Hi, I have a RO 150 which I am quite happy with, used it for several years as my main sander together together with a cheap mouse sander with really bad dust collection used for tight spaces and small touch ups. I have some money to spend on a new sander that would supplement the RO150. I am getting a bit lost looking at the extensive festool range, I have plenty of raw power with the RO150 so now I am looking for something lightweight with excellent dust collection and don’t need battery operated ones as I will connect it to my ct26. I won’t probably buy a third festool sander in the future so this second purchase should do as much as possible that the ro150 is not able. I do all sort of general woodworking projects. Many thanks for your help!

 

[Crazyraceguy]

If inside corners are an issue to you, a DTS400 might be all you need, since you are comfortable with the RO150 as your go-to for most things.
Many people would not be ok with that, luckily that's not your problem [big grin]
The D in DTS is for Delta, which is pointed, much like a clothes iron. This gets you into corners where the larger 150mm disc is not capable of reaching. It's not particularly great for general use, but you have that covered. As a second sander, its pretty great.

 

[lwoirhaye]

I don't have one yet but I've been looking  at the ETS 125 for a smaller sander in part because it has an accessory for edge sanding.

 

[waho6o9]

Use the same disc size to save on consumables. I'd go for the 150/3 sander it compliments the Rotex well.

CRG makes valid points about corner sanding.

 

[Javib]

Thanks, will have a look at the delta. My mouse black and decker has that shape, good for small spaces and corners. is the EST/3 150 very different to the RO150? In which way compliments the Rotex being similar pad shape and size?Thanks again!

 

[six-point socket II]

I'll write more, especially about the DTS later.

But RO150 vs. ETS EC 150/3 = 2.7kg vs. 1.6kg.

That alone would be enough of a reason to own both and go for the ETS 150/3 whenever you don't need the "brute force" & stroke the RO can deliver.

Both using the same consumables makes it an easy decision. But then again, the DTS ... More on that later.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Lot's of nearly identical questions over the years.

My initial sander setup was an RO150 and a 150/3. I also now have a current version of the 150/5. Since about 2005 when I got the first two, 90+% of my sanding was with the 150/3 and the RO150 only was used for the things it does best...it's a heavy, two handed tool, IMHO, even in it's current incarnation. While I may get a 125mm/5" sander at some point, I've stuck with the 150mm/6" because of media sharing.

 

[six-point socket II]

So, now for the DTS.

The DTS was my first and to this day is my favorite & most used sander. I have sanded countless hours with it. Wood, paint, steel, plaster and only a short time ago also eps ... I've used it with the "old" Rubin 2 sandpaper wich I think comes closest to traditional sandpaper for bare wood, the Brilliant 2 abrasives and of course the GranatNet mesh abrasives w/ protection pad.

I've been through a couple of those protection pads as well as sanding pads by now.

It's one of those tools that I would buy again in an instant if it ever got broke beyond feasible repair/ got away one way or another.

I think it is a highly versatile, very underrated, sander that can do a lot of things no RO or ETS will ever do. Maybe the RO 90 to some extent but thats not up for discussion right now, so I leave that out. I've sanded in really tight & awkward spots with it, and I haven't missed the old DX93, it's not offered anymore anyway. But that would have been another great addition.

I think that if you like the RO 150 and don't have trouble with the weight/controllability/access - I'd recommend getting the DTS 400 before any other sander. I think it's roughly about half the price of the ETS EC, so you might still be able to squeeze in that ETS EC at a later point and get away with a third sander.

However, if you say you absolutely do not need to sand corners, tight spots, (...) and you'd rather have a 150mm "finish sander" for reasons of more comfort/ higher controllability, (...) and media sharing, then by all means go for the ETS EC 150/3.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Crazyraceguy]

So, now for the DTS.

I think it is a highly versatile, very underrated, sander that can do a lot of things no RO or ETS will ever do. Maybe the RO 90 to some extent but that's not up for discussion right now, so I leave that out. I've sanded in really tight & awkward spots with it, and I haven't missed the old DX93, it's not offered anymore anyway. But that would have been another great addition.

However, if you say you absolutely do not need to sand corners, tight spots, (...) and you'd rather have a 150mm "finish sander" for reasons of more comfort/ higher controllability, (...) and media sharing, then by all means go for the ETS EC 150/3.

Kind regards,
Oliver

The RO90 is a fantastic tool also. It was actually my first Festool sander, and the exact reason I don't have a DTS400. However, I would never recommend it as a second sander to someone who already has a bigger RO. I stayed away from other finish sanders in my first comment, assuming that it wouldn't be so different in its application to make it worth the money or effort.
While I did buy a RO125 as a media sharing thing, because I already had an ETS EC125. It was also not my second sander [embarassed] I bought it essentially to replace a pneumatic unit as a way to improve dust extraction. I did end up buying a RTS400, to get a sander that doesn't spin. Sounds funny, but there are situations where I sand parts from a CNC machine that have lots of holes and shapes. These can catch on spinning sandpaper, where pure orbital smooths right by.

 

[SoonerFan]

I would vote for the DTS400 or DTSC if you might leverage the cordless capabilities of the DTSC.  As others have stated, we all need the ability to sand in corners at some point. 

 

[Cheese]

Hi, I have a RO 150 which I am quite happy with, used it for several years as my main sander together together with a cheap mouse sander with really bad dust collection used for tight spaces and small touch ups.

If you liked the mouse and used the mouse a lot, then the DTS is the way to go...for now.  [smile]

However, consider in the future test driving an ETS EC 150 sander, just take it for a quick spin around the block. You just may not go back to the RO 150 for random orbital sanding.  [big grin]

 

[sancho57]

Just because they are festools doesnt mean that the tools can do everything. Much like other sanders each has its own purpose. For example I have the RO 90, RO 150, ETS 150.
All have different jobs just like other manufacturers sanders.
So because your looking for a sander for tight spaces, Id have a look at the RO 90. Between its small size and delta pad it should do what you need it to do.

 

[xedos]

based on what you've laid out:

I'd say the DTS also. 

My personal pref would be the ETS125 because of the ability to obtain and share sandpaper (mesh) with other 5" sanders.  DTS pigeon holes ya with the paper, but is more versatile because of the shape.  I just don't have that much of a need for inside corners.

 

[Imemiter]

The RTS is worth mentioning. It won't get into the tight spots the DTS will, but it has the advantage of allowing the paper to be reversed after the front working end is worn. To throw another wrench in the works, you could also explore detail sanding with a multi-tool. 

 

[smorgasbord]

For your RO150 today, what percentage of time do you use it in Rotex mode versus Random Orbit mode? If you do a lot in Random Orbit mode, then getting a dedicated brushless Random Orbit sander would be a noticeable improvement in ease of use.

I had (have) an old Bosch equivalent of the RO150 in that it has both Rotex and Random Orbit modes. I hemmed and hawed and eventually bought an ETS/EC 150/5 and what a difference. Now, I'm sure the RO150 is better than my old Bosch, but the light weight and brushless power of the ETS/EC is truly a major change, and I'll bet you'll enjoy using that as well, which would mean leaving your RO150 in Rotex mode exclusively for HD sanding. For your case, I'd probably think the ETS/EC 150/3 would be the one to get so you get that super fine sanding, but for me the 150/5 is plenty fine as I would do linear/hand sanding for the final pass anyway. Alternatively, you could get the ETS/EC 125 to save even more weight and gain some more maneuverability, but then you're stocking two sizes of media.

That said, the ideas about inside corner and detail sanding all make sense as well, if you have a need for those that you didn't mention.

 

[Bertotti]

Thanks, will have a look at the delta. My mouse black and decker has that shape, good for small spaces and corners. is the EST/3 150 very different to the RO150? In which way compliments the Rotex being similar pad shape and size?Thanks again!

I have the ro150 and love it other than right spots there isn’t anything it hasn’t handled well. I also have the mouse great little sander but a dust generating machine. Along with the ro150 which I bought as my second sander my first was the ro90 and the longer delta pad. Also a great sander but for me it was much harder to come to grips with especially compared to the ro150 which is very easy to float. If I chase another it would be one of the 150 ets sanders I think.

 

[jamespierce]

As others have noted this is a common question.

Personally I started with the RO150 - If I could only own one sander for life it would still be my pick. My second was an RO90 for smaller spaces and the delta pad. I honestly hardly use it, BUT there are times where the size and access is king. My other sander is an ETS EC 150/3 - I use this and the RO150 about equally. Basically rough sanding and polishing with the RO150 and finish sanding with the ETS EC 150/3 ...

The RO90 is fine, but I could probably honestly do the handful of jobs I do with it with something much cheaper and crappier. The one time it does shine that I don't know an alternative for is polishing in oil in tight spaces with the vlies pads. The 125mm pads on the 90 allow it right into corners etc without damage.

 

[Javib]

Thanks for all the comments!! finally went for the ets ec 150/3,  its really great for long sessions of detail sanding and complements greatly the brute force of the ro150

I am about to start a big project -doing all the windows for my new house- and I am considering a third sander that would substitute my B&D mouse -it’s ok for small touch ups but really uncomfortable for longer jobs-

Based on the previous posts it seems to be either the ro90 with the delta pad or the dts. Which one would you get for this particular job?

Thanks again!

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[rst]

I have both, for working on windows, I would probably use the RO 90.  The DTS shines for larger flat surfaces with included angles is great.  The RO with all the accessory pads is perfect for smaller areas.

 

[Javib]

I have both, for working on windows, I would probably use the RO 90.  The DTS shines for larger flat surfaces with included angles is great.  The RO with all the accessory pads is perfect for smaller areas.

Many thanks, very useful!

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