ES 125 EQ?

D

Don Bullock

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2007
Messages
34
I'm very new here. While I've heard great things about Festool equipment, I haven't bought one yet, but I'm considering the ES 125 EQ. Right now I have a BOSCH 1295 that sands well. It's the relibility of the sander that i'm having problems with. Since I bought the BOSCH sander in May it has now stopped working twice. I need a reliable sander that will do a good job. Any input on the ES 125 EQ would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Don
 
Don, we have talked about the ES125 before, you can try the search while waiting for replies. I own both the ES125 and the newer ETS125. Great sanders, but you do have to play with the speed and the vac suction (if you hook it to a vac) to get the best results. I've had to problems with my sanders. The sanders only take 8 hole paper, that Festool and only a few other companies make. The Festool paper is very nice stuff.
 
Thanks for the input Brice. I did a search and only came up with two posts. That's why I decided to start this one. After taking your suggestion again I did find a few more posts doing a search using "ETS125." I'll try some different combinations and see if I can find others.
 
  Don,

Read the older threads and I think the bottom line is that the ETS 125 is a small, light 5" ros that wil suit  your needs very well, as long as you are primarily not going to use it for aggressive sanding applications.

Bob
 
Don,

Here are some links to get you started.
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/festoolsanders.htmhttp://www.BenchMark.20m.com/reviews/FestoolES125/festooles125review.htmlhttp://www.festoolusa.com/Web_files/taunton_2006_tg.pdfhttp://www.festoolusa.com/web_files/How to pick the right Festool sander.pdf

Festool offers a 30-day guarantee.  If you don't like, return it - no questions asked.  Depending on where you live, swing by a local retailer and check it out in person.  For a list of Festool dealers in your area, checkhttp://www.festoolusa.com/find_dealer.aspx.  There are also many very knowledgeable dealers online who are eager to answer your questions.

Shane
 
Don,
The ES 125 was the first Festool I bought mainly because is was the least expensive Festool and I wanted to see if Festool was worth the extra money.  I have been very happy with the sander and have since "retired" the DeWalt and PC sanders I was using.  I strongly recommend buying one the the vacuums with the sander.  The other sanders seemed to remove material a little faster than the Festool but the ES 125 is dustless with a vacuum.  I don't miss seeing a lot of fine dust in the air and covering my tools that I had with the DeWalt and PC sanders.  I don't think you will be disappointed (and they have a 30 day return policy if you are).
Tom
 
Shane, thanks for the likks. They were helpful.

Tom, I appreciate the input.

Bob, as soon as my Christmas money comes in and I know how much I have to spend you'll be hearing from me. I'm now debating between the ETS 125 EQ and the ETS 150/3 EQ. I may even consider putting out more for the RO 125 FEQ. I have a lot to think about. Thanks.
 
Don Bullock said:
Shane, thanks for the likks. They were helpful.

Tom, I appreciate the input.

Bob, as soon as my Christmas money comes in and I know how much I have to spend you'll be hearing from me. I'm now debating between the ETS 125 EQ and the ETS 150/3 EQ. I may even consider putting out more for the RO 125 FEQ. I have a lot to think about. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Don,  Unless you have a real need for a small, light sander, I'd opt for the ETS 150 over either of the other two.  I did a review on all three of them and have used them extensively and wouldn't want to part with any of them, but if I could have only one, it would be the ETS-150 (I have the /5).  I am actually least impressed with the ES-125 (I never tried the updated model) because it tends to bounce even if you adjust the suction.  The new ETS-125 has a vented brake to reduce suction and is supposed to be better balanced.  The beauty of all Festool purchases is that 30 day return policy if you're not happy or have buyers remorse and should have bought the other one :)
 
Bill, I appreciate the additional input from someone who has both the ETS 150 and the ES 125. You're right about the 30 day "trial." At this point I'm planning to make the purchase after Christmas. I still may even decide to go with a Rotex instead.
 
I got my first Festool sander a few months ago. I first of all looked at the RO125, and borrowed a demo one for a couple of days. Based on how well it took material off, I realised that the rotex was a bit of an overkill for fine finishing, and since I didn't anticipate doing a lot of rough sanding I couldn't justify the extra cost. So I then looked at the ETS 125 & 150. I didn't borrow these, but tried them both out on real timber in the shop demo area.

My impressions were that the ETS125 is far from perfect. It seemed very unstable in use, and prone to wobbling/tipping. Despite being bigger & heavier, the ETS150 was far easier & more comfortable to use. When it came to the choice of orbits on the ETS150, I asked opinions here & decided to go with the 3mm stroke, for 2 reasons. 1; I wanted it for fine finishing work, and the 3mm stroke would be better for that, and 2; if I ever needed to do a lot of heavy sanding, or a corian/solid surface job, I'd end up getting the RO150 as well, which on random orbit mode has a 5mm stroke - that would then make the ETS150/5 obsolete, as I'd then have 2 150mm dia, 5mm stroke sanders.

I (so far) haven't regretted my choice of the ETS150/3, and I love using it!

HTH
 
Recently purchased an ETS 125.  I'm ambivalent about it's performance.  I bought it to compliment my Rotex 125 and replace my PC 333 sander so I only have one type of sandpaper to purchase.  The ETS 125 is quite smooth at full speed and the vacuum turned all the way down, has a tendancy to chatter as the speed is reduced.

In comparison, the PC333 has comparable or less vibration and slightly less effective dust collection.  No dust in the air, just a bit on my hand after wiping the surface that's not present using the ETS 125.  The biggest distinction is that the PC can be used effectively at any speed without chattering.  The PC also has a 2.4 amp (newer model has 3 amps) motor vs. 1.7 for the ETS125, and a slightly larger orbital stroke (2.4 vs. 2.0mm). The result is the PC sands quicker than the ETS and can be used at a slower speed if desired.  In practice, I almost always use the PC and ETS and full speed so the chattering is rarely an issue.  I'm curious why Festool could not engineer the sander to avoid the speed/chatter problem. 

I just finished making a dozen end-grain cutting boards and used my sanders extensively.  I used the Rotex with 36, 50, 80 in rotary mode.  Rotex with 80, 120, 180 in random orbit mode, the PC333 and/or ETS up to 400, followed by the ETS with Platin 500.  The end result is impressive; the boards have a near mirror finish. 

All in all, the ETS 125 is a nice finish sander, just not any better than the $75 PC.  I'll probably keep it to streamline sandpaper purchases; it's limitations aren't a deal breaker for me since it will be used in conjunction with the RO 125.

- Zaphod

 
I have the ETS150/3 and Rotex RO150.  Recognize that a 6" round sander covers over 40% more surface area compared to a 5" sander.  The sanding task goes much more quickly with a 6" sander.  I use the ETS150 far more often than the Rotex.  The ETS150 can easily be operated with one hand, while the Rotex often requires me to use both hands.  The Rotex is heavier and the shape dictates two-handed operation.  I "graduated" from 5" PC and Dewalt sanders.  Wow - what a difference.  I'll never regret paying the added money for my Festool sanders.  As previously posted, get the vac if you can.  Sanding dust-free is amazing.
 
Daviddubya said:
I have the ETS150/3 and Rotex RO150.  Recognize that a 6" round sander covers over 40% more surface area compared to a 5" sander.  The sanding task goes much more quickly with a 6" sander.  I use the ETS150 far more often than the Rotex.  The ETS150 can easily be operated with one hand, while the Rotex often requires me to use both hands.  The Rotex is heavier and the shape dictates two-handed operation.  I "graduated" from 5" PC and Dewalt sanders.  Wow - what a difference.  I'll never regret paying the added money for my Festool sanders.  As previously posted, get the vac if you can.  Sanding dust-free is amazing.
Click to expand...

The well equipped shop will have both sizes. Narrow stuff should be sanded with a smaller sander to avoid rounding over the edges. Ideally the sanding pad will barely overlap the edges of the workpiece. I'd probably buy an ES100 if there was one, though the small diameter could aggravate the tipping problem. A lighter, more flexible vac hose extension would be helpful.
 
Michael Kellough said:
The well equipped shop will have both sizes....
Click to expand...

My "well equipped shop" also has a Festool DTS400 that does a mighty fine job of edge sanding.  ::) ;D
 
I am actually least impressed with the ES-125 (I never tried the updated model) because it tends to bounce even if you adjust the suction.

I have the 125 and have never had a problem with it "bouncing" at all.  In fact, most of the time I run it with my CT33 at full suction setting, and it works like a charm, so I have to thing that the results quoted above are from some mechanical problem with that particular sander or operator issues.

I also have the 150, but use the 125 more.  Since hooking up with the Festool sanders some time ago (before they were in "bricks and mortar retail outlets) I have gotten rid of all my others, that's how good they are.
 
Dixon Peer said:
I am actually least impressed with the ES-125 (I never tried the updated model) because it tends to bounce even if you adjust the suction.

I have the 125 and have never had a problem with it "bouncing" at all.  In fact, most of the time I run it with my CT33 at full suction setting, and it works like a charm, so I have to thing that the results quoted above are from some mechanical problem with that particular sander or operator issues.

I also have the 150, but use the 125 more.  Since hooking up with the Festool sanders some time ago (before they were in "bricks and mortar retail outlets) I have gotten rid of all my others, that's how good they are.
Click to expand...

Please clarify.  You weren't impressed with the ES-125 but never had a problem with the 125 which is used more than the 150.  Which models are you referencing?  What "operator issues"?

 
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