Comparing ETS 150/3 and 150/5

[Matthew Schenker]

Hi Everyone,
Festool offers lots of different sanders, which is good.  But sometimes, new customers can get a little confused when trying to choose between two closely-related models.  For example, we have had discussions on the Rotex RO 150 and the Rotex RO 125 models, which look and behave very similarly.

I own a ETS 150/5 and I think it's a great sander.  But Festool also makes a closely-related model, the ETS 150/3, which I do not own.

Does anyone own both the ETS 150/5 and ETS 150/3?  If so, can you comment on the differences, similarities, and uses?  This would help people who are just venturing out into the land of Festool sanders.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Jerry Work]

Hi Matthew,

They are the same but with a different stroke for the RO action, 3mm or 5mm.  The smaller the stroke the smaller the scratch marks with a given size grit so the 150/3 is the fine finish sander of the two.  They both use 150mm diameter media.  The Rotex in RO mode uses a 5mm stroke so is essentially the same action as the 150/5.  A great combo is the Rotex for all but the final sanding step and then the 150/3 to do the finish sanding with fine grit materials, followed by buffing and polishing with the Rotex.

Jerry

Hi Everyone,
Festool offers lots of different sanders, which is good.  But sometimes, new customers can get a little confused when trying to choose between two closely-related models.  For example, we have had discussions on the Rotex RO 150 and the Rotex RO 125 models, which look and behave very similarly.

I own a ETS 150/5 and I think it's a great sander.  But Festool also makes a closely-related model, the ETS 150/3, which I do not own.

Does anyone own both the ETS 150/5 and ETS 150/3?  If so, can you comment on the differences, similarities, and uses?  This would help people who are just venturing out into the land of Festool sanders.

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Woodenfish]

Hi Matthew,

I recently went into the local Woodcraft store to check out the Festool sanders specifically. After way too much online research, I thought for sure I wanted the Rotex RO 150 FEQ. Their Festool expert allowed me as much time I needed to put this machine through the paces as I needed and were very helpful in answering any questions I had. Somehow this sander that I had anticipated owning for some time could not help break loose the Benjamins to take her home.  I was then led into testing the ETS 150/3 and quickly I found what I was looking for in a product that I had not considered earlier.

In this users opinion this ETS sander design and ergonomics seemed to connect better with my needs a little more than the RO 150. Maybe it was the newness, the better balance and the lower vibration level of this model versus the Rotex and my old PC VS 7336. Knowing my shop practices and assembly technique's, I didn't feel that the rotary action would be much of a needed option. I did like the edge protector though and wish that was available on either ETS models. Unfortunately I like a sander with a little more aggressiveness so opted out that day and left that girl on the dance floor. Without having a source to road test the ETS 150/5 locally I relied on faith that the 150/5 had the guts to handle my fat and skinny grit abrasive's with ease.

I placed an order for the ETS with McFeeley's and received it super quick. After a quick introduction into my woodworking emporium I became very satisfied with the finish quality and lack of any noticable swirl remnants so far upon some oak, walnut and african mahogany species. The ETS 150/5 has proven to be a winner and the Festool abrasives are tops too. Seldom if ever do I finish off with any machine sander before moving to the finishing step but this sander may end that. Normally I like to end with a little hand sanding. That could be related to either my love for the beauty of the grain or my Freudian passive/aggressive personality trait showing up in my woodworking.

Andrew

 

[Programmergeek]

I actually have the ro150 ets 150/5 and ets 150/3.  I found the same thing the ets 150/5 is just better balanced that is why I got it less work to hold it level it just floates on the wood.  I still use the ro150 though for taking down wood fast, stripping paint, buffing etc.  If I where to only own tow it would be the ro150 and ets 150/3. 

 

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Does anyone else own both of these sanders?

 

[Bob Marino]

All good comments. I am in total agreement with Jerry. They are the same sanders, except for orbit size. Getting both the ETS 150/3 and the 150/5 would be somewhat redundant, unless you have a particular need. The RO 150 and the ETS 150/3 are a perfect compliment to each other. I genereally use the RO 150 with grits up to 120, then switch to the ETS 150/3, as much for ergonomics as anything else.

Bob

 

[Daviddubya]

Does anyone else own both of these sanders?

I doubt there are many folks that own both the ETS 150/3 and ETS 150/5.  As Bob said, they are the same sander with a slightly different stroke.  The RO150 and ETS 150/3 make a logical pair, which I and many others own and use.  I find myself using the ETS 150/3 for most sanding tasks, because it is easier than the RO150 to handle.  I pull out the 150 when I need an aggressive sander.

 

[Dan Uhlir]

  I sprayed ten doors today, and prepped them with the RO150, let's call it the rotex, so I don't have to pull out the catalog and want more stuff, to know what you're discussing. I also used the LS 130 and the RS 400 to get the job done all excellent sanders and just a pleasure to use no dust either, really helpful not only for dust extraction but also to get a great finish.
    As for the sprayers I used spray-tec cap spray and the CS 9100 both nice sprayers i might add, the cap spray sprayer is awesome.It seems really weird to me that I would enjoy painting doors so much, but with the right tools it is actually kinda fun.
      Where's Swenson?
                                                                      Thanks dan

 

[Llap Goch]

Guilty as charged M'Lud.

I am one of the few saddos in Wales to own both the 150/3 and 150/5 and I blame the Festool representative at my favourite dealer in Germany for taking me and my Princess out for a liquid lunch and then encouraging me to get out the pump action Visa card and buy the pair. I do believe that he went on to win First Prize in the regional finals of the " Zwei Exzenterschleifer für das etwas betrunkene Engländer" competition and is currently selling sand in Libya.

I digress. They are superb sanders and believe it or not they do compliment each other. They can be loaded with sanding discs and used one after the other to give a really lovely finish and all with just the twist of a power cord. I like the lack of vibration and the low weight which, when sanding upside down ( Australian sanders do this a lot, I just do ceilings and roof beams) really does make a difference. For many jobs I prefer to use the pair of them over the Rotex which does vibrate more and is much heavier. But the Rotex does have the ETS beat with its clever sanding guard. If only the boffins at Schloss Festool could come up with a guard to fit the ETS..........

Mind you, had I seen the Rotex then I would have probably bought it rather than the ETSs but heyho all the more reason to have added another contour to "Systainer Mountain".

Now of all the sanders I own, and have hidden from the eagle eyes of my Princess, the one which tickles my fancy the most is the runt of the Festool litter the LS130 linear sander. That IMHO is a peach of a tool.

 

[Matthew Schenker]

I am one of the few saddos in Wales to own both the 150/3 and 150/5 and I blame the Festool representative at my favourite dealer in Germany for taking me and my Princess out for a liquid lunch and then encouraging me to get out the pump action Visa card and buy the pair. I do believe that he went on to win First Prize in the regional finals of the " Zwei Exzenterschleifer für das etwas betrunkene Engländer" competition and is currently selling sand in Libya.

This quote alone was worth starting the discussion!  I had to stop laughing before I could type my response.

But seriously, this is why I started the discussion.  I do wonder whether these two sanders are redundant, or complimentary, and I know that lots of new customers wonder the same thing.

Matthew

 

[bill-e]

Maybe I'm just not as finicky as most of you all though I do think I've become more fussy in my old age but I have never been bothered by the 5mm stroke of the 150/5.  I must admit I've never used the 150/3 and don't notice any significant difference in finish quality with the smaller stroke of the ES125 (2.5mm).

It wouldn't surprise me if those who usually go higher in grit than 340 would notice a difference though.

 

[Bob Marino]

Maybe I'm just not as finicky as most of you all though I do think I've become more fussy in my old age but I have never been bothered by the 5mm stroke of the 150/5.  I must admit I've never used the 150/3 and don't notice any significant difference in finish quality with the smaller stroke of the ES125 (2.5mm).

It wouldn't surprise me if those who usually go higher in grit than 340 would notice a difference though.

\
Bill,

I have never measured/tested/observed the difference in finish quality between the 150/3 and the 150/5, perhaps to a very critical eye, there would be a difference, at least theoretically. The difference is more of the 150/5 being a more aggressive sander the the 150/3. As compared to the ES 125, I just happen to think that the ETS 150's are  smooooooother, better balanced sanders than the ES 125's.

 

[Barry]

So why haven't they upgraded the smoothness of the 125 to match the 150s yet??

 

[Bob Marino]

So why haven't they upgraded the smoothness of the 125 to match the 150s yet??

The 125 is smooth, but I think the larger pads (6" vs 5"), and possibly the larger bearings have more to do with it than any inherent design issue.

Bob

 

[Barry]

Fair enough, now I just need for my PC 333 to die before I buy one...

 

[Lou Miller]

Fair enough, now I just need for my PC 333 to die before I buy one...

That shouldn't take too long. I killed a whole bunch of those sanders before I finally gave in and bought the Festools. Those little PC sanders are nice to use, but they're terrible in terms of durability. I probably have more hours logged on one ETS150/3 than I had on five PC 333s combined. All but one of the PC sanders are dead and the ETS is still as good as new.

 

[semenza]

Hi,
 
      I just purchased the ETS 150/5  over the /3 figuring it would be a better all around finish sander. The Rotex style / design is not what I want for a finish sander. But my plan is to get the /3 and have them both set up with different grits on there own hoses and cords. To cut down on moving pieces. Either when running through a stack or when handling larger , heavier parts.  Who knows maybe three or four of them would be good!!!

Seth

 

[ROb McGilp]

Guilty as charged M'Lud.

I am one of the few saddos in Wales to own both the 150/3 and 150/5 and I blame the Festool representative at my favourite dealer in Germany for taking me and my Princess out for a liquid lunch and then encouraging me to get out the pump action Visa card and buy the pair. I do believe that he went on to win First Prize in the regional finals of the " Zwei Exzenterschleifer für das etwas betrunkene Engländer" competition and is currently selling sand in Libya.

I digress. They are superb sanders and believe it or not they do compliment each other. They can be loaded with sanding discs and used one after the other to give a really lovely finish and all with just the twist of a power cord. I like the lack of vibration and the low weight which, when sanding upside down ( Australian sanders do this a lot, I just do ceilings and roof beams) really does make a difference. For many jobs I prefer to use the pair of them over the Rotex which does vibrate more and is much heavier. But the Rotex does have the ETS beat with its clever sanding guard. If only the boffins at Schloss Festool could come up with a guard to fit the ETS..........

Mind you, had I seen the Rotex then I would have probably bought it rather than the ETSs but heyho all the more reason to have added another contour to "Systainer Mountain".

Now of all the sanders I own, and have hidden from the eagle eyes of my Princess, the one which tickles my fancy the most is the runt of the Festool litter the LS130 linear sander. That IMHO is a peach of a tool.

Let me clear my throat for this, Goch, Goch. Being that Llap Goch is (apart from being a highly skilled and lethal form of running away) I havealso  discovered that Llap Goch is part of a Bath and Wells dialect for lap dog, which completes the link regarding Simou.
But I digest,
As one of the Australians who sands upside down, so you never know what grit you've selected, and as one who posted what an RO150 can do with three different oils, I really would like some definitive statement from anyone regarding the difference between a 5mm and 3mm stroke offered by the sanders in question. My own feeling is that, at high grits (800+) there should be a noticable difference, possibly not just linear and probably directly related to porosity and water content of the timber. Of course I could, I say I could be wrong.

Albert

 

[Llap Goch]

"I really would like some definitive statement from anyone regarding the difference between a 5mm and 3mm stroke offered by the sanders in question."

Uncle Albert

Simou is but a dog but even he knows that it's about, nearly, almost, well exactly 2mm.

I just fell for the Festool reps line that the 150/3 would give the most beautiful finish whilst the 150/5 would get rid of the hard and uneven stuff much quicker. The Brilliant P1200 disc fitted to the 150/3 can give, after progressive grit upgrades, a superb almost glass like finish with very little if any clogging of the sanding disc. When fitted to the 150/3, the disc seems to clog quicker as the stroke action is more aggresive and the surface seems to get hotter. When sanding oak with the 150/3, the age old technique of rubbing a finger over the finished surface feels much smoother that that of the 150/5 fitted with the same grits. I haven't tried your oils project but imagine that the slurry would be finer with the 150/3.

As we are slowly restoring our old house the 150/5 is perfect for getting rid of/flattening old paint and varnish from doors, windows etc pronto. A light kiss with the 150/3 gives a lovely finish and it is particularly good at feathering different layers of paint/varnish prior to undercoating and topcoat.

It is either a very clever marketing ploy by Herr Festool to flog two sanders when one would really do or a very clever piece of engineering which has resulted in two sanders which compliment each. We think it is the latter.

The Bishop of Bath and Wells

 

[ROb McGilp]

Thank you squire and I hope the tatoo healed well.
So it seems theres nothing very significant to be gained by purchasing (read ransom the cats) for a 150/3 when you have a Rotex, other than the quiet. Since the Rotex gives an orbital pattern as well. As it happens I am myself working on a piece of Oak at present and the "viewing reflections through a pair of sunnies" test has proven a solid pass for the rotex.

The Church Police