CT-22, Sanders & Abrasives selection....

retrowood

Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2008
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10
I'm looking at the CT-22 and one of the many Festool sanders. The abrasives are a bit confusing in their selection and pricing. How do they compare with the basic better quality abrasive discs on the market? How many Festool discs come in a container? Overall considering the price, are most of you happy with your Festool CT-22's and sanders? This is my first Festool purchase so please bare with me....

Retrowood
 
Retrowood,

Take a look at your poll.  I doesn't look correct to me.  Are those the options you want?

Dan.
 
Retrowood,

If you are referring to a US dust collector, I think you are referring to the CT22. 

Regarding the sanders, I'm not an expert.  I have an RO150FEQ; I'm ordering an RTS400 and LS130 today.  And a bunch of Festool abrasives.  I think the general consensus is that the Festool sanders are the best available. 

Regarding the abrasives, they have an extremely wide variety of abrasives.  The quality is very high and what is better is that they have the same abrasive for a wide variety of their sanders. 

First, take a look at Jerry Work's Festool sander document:http://www.festoolusa.com/Web_files/Getting_the_most_from_Festool_sanders.pdf.  This will help get a better understanding of the sanders.

Second, look at the Festool abrasives catalog here: http://www.festoolusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=7&prodid=571536&tab=access#.  This should answer many questions about what is available and for what use. 

Third, take a look at Forrest's list for sander and abrasive reviews and other info:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?board=19.0.  (Forrest's Consolidate List of Festool Links is probably the best list available for worldwide Festool info.)

Good luck with your decisions.

Dan.
 
Hi,

  Do you know what type of sanding you will be doing?
 
  Have you narrowed your choice of sander yet?   

        I have found that the Festool abrasives last longer and perform better than others that I have used.  I am very happy with the Festool sanders and abrasives.

Seth
 
semenza said:
Hi,

   Do you know what type of sanding you will be doing?
   
   Have you narrowed your choice of sander yet?   

        I have found that the Festool abrasives last longer and perform better than others that I have used.  I am very happy with the Festool sanders and abrasives.

Seth

No, I have not narrowed my choice of a sander as of yet. I do gun stock refinishing along with furniture building in the winter months in a 12' x 35' basement shop and boat building in a garage shop in the summer. Versatility is important as you'll understand. I'm currently looking at a CT-22 combo with possibly a ETS150/3 or ETS150/5. The ETS 125 certainly looks very usable also although it doesn't look as though it's combo'ed with a CT-22. I'm open to any suggestions....
Thanks for the input.
Retrowood
 
Hello there,

I see your having trouble's trying to find the correct sander.

Check this website www.festool-direct.co.uk

;)
 
Dan Clark said:
Retrowood,
Regarding the sanders, I'm not an expert.   I have an RO150FEQ; I'm ordering an RTS400 and LS130 today.   And a bunch of Festool abrasives.  I think the general consensus is that the Festool sanders are the best available. 

Regarding the abrasives, they have an extremely wide variety of abrasives.  The quality is very high and what is better is that they have the same abrasive for a wide variety of their sanders. 

First, take a look at Jerry Work's Festool sander document:http://www.festoolusa.com/Web_files/Getting_the_most_from_Festool_sanders.pdf.  This will help get a better understanding of the sanders.

Second, look at the Festool abrasives catalog here: http://www.festoolusa.com/ProductDetails.aspx?id=7&prodid=571536&tab=access#.  This should answer many questions about what is available and for what use.   

Third, take a look at Forrest's list for sander and abrasive reviews and other info:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?board=19.0.  (Forrest's Consolidate List of Festool Links is probably the best list available for worldwide Festool info.)

Good luck with your decisions.

Dan.

Thanks Dan,

I'm attempting to wrap myself around the Festool System and hoping to order before the price increase.....The abrasive selection is a bit puzzling although I'm sure once i understand the differences, I'll come around. Other than a somewhat premium pricing the only downfall seems to be the fact you need somewhat of a inventory of Festool abrasives on hand al all time, rather than running to a big block store on w/e's to pick them up.

Retrowood
 
Retrowood,

The local BORG won't have Festool, but places like Woodcraft and Rockler will have.  I find them useful for just that - buying a quick replacement part or accessory that I need NOW.    They are not as convenient as the BORG, not too bad for me.

Regards,

Dan.

p.s., here is the Find Dealer page at Festool USA:http://www.festoolusa.com/find_dealer.aspx.
 
Hi,

  The abrasives are actually cost effective because of the longevity.  I had been paying .25 to .35 for a 6"  150 grit disk. The Festool is .45 per 150 Rubin. But the Rubin 150 lasts three times as long as my previous abrasive ( Mirka Gold).  The first time I used the ETS150 and Rubin I was sanding something that I  know for sure would have taken 9-10 of the Mirka Gold. I only used 3 of the Rubin.  I would say the Brilliant  lasts twice as long.  And the Rubin three times.
    It actually sounds like you have enough differing types of work that several sanders would be good. I do not have a ROTEX, but from what I gather it would be the most versatile of the lot.  From rough stripping through fine sanding to polishing. 

Seth
 
I had the same experience as semenza... the Rubin paper outlasted the Mirka gold by a sizeable margin.  I have not yet compared the Festool paper to the higher end papers like Abranet.
 
Thanks Guys for all the info! If any of you have direct experience with the ETS150/3, ETS150/5 or ETS 125, I'd really appreciate all thoughts + or - on these sanders. I'm also going to review the data on the RO models and determine if this might be a better choice.

Retrowood
 
Retrowood,

You won't regret buying either the ETS 150 or 125. If you plan on doing much vertical sanding go with the 125 because of it's lighter weight. The RO's are not as easy to handle as the ETS. Go with the ETS first then if the need arises, get a RO of the same size. Some think if they buy the RO, they won't need the ETS. I and many others have both. I probably use the ETS 10 times more than the RO. When I need the RO, it is a great sander. Just easier to use the ETS for me.

Sandpaper, Rubin is for bare wood and Brilliant is for finished wood. You can buy smaller size packages from many of the dealers than what is listed on the Festool site. I'd just get the basic paper that you would buy for any other Random Orbit sander. Just remember when using Rubin for wood, you don't need to go too high with the grits, 180, and start your brilliant about where you leave off on the rubin. You will save time and sandpaper by not skipping grits. Another thing to be aware of, for some reason there is a better selection of 6" dia. paper than 5".

HTH
 
Les Spencer said:
Retrowood,

You won't regret buying either the ETS 150 or 125. If you plan on doing much vertical sanding go with the 125 because of it's lighter weight. The RO's are not as easy to handle as the ETS. Go with the ETS first then if the need arises, get a RO of the same size. Some think if they buy the RO, they won't need the ETS. I and many others have both. I probably use the ETS 10 times more than the RO. When I need the RO, it is a great sander. Just easier to use the ETS for me.
Sandpaper, Rubin is for bare wood and Brilliant is for finished wood. You can buy smaller size packages from many of the dealers than what is listed on the Festool site. I'd just get the basic paper that you would buy for any other Random Orbit sander. Just remember when using Rubin for wood, you don't need to go too high with the grits, 180, and start your brilliant about where you leave off on the rubin. You will save time and sandpaper by not skipping grits. Another thing to be aware of, for some reason there is a better selection of 6" dia. paper than 5".
HTH

Thanks for info Les,
Do you have a preference between the /3 or /5  ETS150's?
Do any of you guys utilize the CT-22 or 33 for your other equipment? IE planer, joiner, etc?
Retrowood
 
Les Spencer said:
Retrowood,

You won't regret buying either the ETS 150 or 125. If you plan on doing much vertical sanding go with the 125 because of it's lighter weight. The RO's are not as easy to handle as the ETS. Go with the ETS first then if the need arises, get a RO of the same size. Some think if they buy the RO, they won't need the ETS. I and many others have both. I probably use the ETS 10 times more than the RO. When I need the RO, it is a great sander. Just easier to use the ETS for me.

Sandpaper, Rubin is for bare wood and Brilliant is for finished wood. You can buy smaller size packages from many of the dealers than what is listed on the Festool site. I'd just get the basic paper that you would buy for any other Random Orbit sander. Just remember when using Rubin for wood, you don't need to go too high with the grits, 180, and start your brilliant about where you leave off on the rubin. You will save time and sandpaper by not skipping grits. Another thing to be aware of, for some reason there is a better selection of 6" dia. paper than 5".

HTH

  Hi,

        I use the Brilliant for bare wood also. Generally Rubin to 150 and then Brilliant after that.    That is interesting about the abrasive selection between the 5 and 6 inch . Hadn't noticed that before.

Seth
 
retrowood said:
Les Spencer said:
Retrowood,

You won't regret buying either the ETS 150 or 125. If you plan on doing much vertical sanding go with the 125 because of it's lighter weight. The RO's are not as easy to handle as the ETS. Go with the ETS first then if the need arises, get a RO of the same size. Some think if they buy the RO, they won't need the ETS. I and many others have both. I probably use the ETS 10 times more than the RO. When I need the RO, it is a great sander. Just easier to use the ETS for me.
Sandpaper, Rubin is for bare wood and Brilliant is for finished wood. You can buy smaller size packages from many of the dealers than what is listed on the Festool site. I'd just get the basic paper that you would buy for any other Random Orbit sander. Just remember when using Rubin for wood, you don't need to go too high with the grits, 180, and start your brilliant about where you leave off on the rubin. You will save time and sandpaper by not skipping grits. Another thing to be aware of, for some reason there is a better selection of 6" dia. paper than 5".
HTH

Thanks for info Les,
Do you have a preference between the /3 or /5  ETS150's?
Do any of you guys utilize the CT-22 or 33 for your other equipment? IE planer, joiner, etc?
Retrowood

Hi,

  Yes, lots of us use the CTs for other tools check out this thread http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=2926.0

Seth
 
retrowood I use the CT 33 for my Jet spindle sander and my Jet and Delta Disc sanders, as well as a little craftsman bench jointer(Produces a lot of big shavings) and it works great for all the machines.

nickao
 
Thanks for info Les,
Do you have a preference between the /3 or /5  ETS150's?
Do any of you guys utilize the CT-22 or 33 for your other equipment? IE planer, joiner, etc?
Retrowood
[/quote]

Don't have any experience with the /5. Others have said the 3 leaves fewer/finer scratch marks.

Easily adaptable especially using the Fein adapter. Buy several, they're cheap.
 
I have a e-mail into Bob Marino although seem to be leaning towards a CT22 and ETS150/5....Can the /5 handle finish sanding? I can see a ETS125 in my future also. My question here though is when using the Festool sanders on a contoured object such as a gun stock, Will the fact that the sander is not totally flat on the surface during sanding operations minimize the effects of the dust extraction?  Thanks Les for the additonal info.
Retrowood
 
retrowood said:
.........My question here though is when using the Festool sanders on a contoured object such as a gun stock, Will the fact that the sander is not totally flat on the surface during sanding operations minimize the effects of the dust extraction? 

Yes, if the sander isn't flat on the stock the dust collecting is reduced.
 
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