ETS 125 and DTS 400

[sylthecru]

I recently purchased the DTS 400 but I am on the fence and may return it as i bought the ROTEX125 last month.

I have a crazy question about the differences between the DTS 400 and ETS 125.

Both of the sanders look identical visually, Does anyone know if the replacement pads of the ETS 125 will fit the DTS 400 or vise versa?

If I could swap the pads between the sanders I could justify keeping both sanders as woodworking is a hobby.

Thank for all the replies!

 

[semenza]

I recently purchased the DTS 400 but I am on the fence and may return it as i bought the ROTEX125 last month.

I have a crazy question about the differences between the DTS 400 and ETS 125.

Both of the sanders look identical visually, Does anyone know if the replacement pads of the ETS 125 will fit the DTS 400 or vise versa?

If I could swap the pads between the sanders I could justify keeping both sanders as woodworking is a hobby.

Thank for all the replies!

So you are keeping the Rotex RO125 either way?

Not sure why you would need to swap pads if you are keeping both?

Pads between the ETS125 and DTS400 would not be compatible.

I think the combination to keep would be the DTS400 and the Rotex RO125.

Seth

 

[Greg M]

I understand why you want to change the pads, basically 2 sanders in one.  I don't know the answer but it'd be cool if you could do that.  I use the RO125/ETS125 combo because they use the same paper but if I could swap a DTS pad with my ETS sander then I'd get the pad and some paper and effectively have a DTS 400 for the few times I could use one.

 

[rvieceli]

The short answer on the DTS ETS pad swap is NO.

You could on the older ES/DS models but not the newer ones.

 

[tbellemare]

The ETS 125 is a random orbital and the DTS/RTS 400 are orbitals.

The motors are apparently the same but not the action.

Tom

 

[semenza]

I guess I am not sure what the Rotex has to do with the pad swap. I just don't get why the pad swap would be needed if the OP is keeping both the ETS and the DTS ???

Or does the "both"  mean keep the Rotex and one of the others?  In which case keep the DTS since the RO (Rotex) 125 has some overlap with the ETS and forget the pad swap.

I think it was the older RTS and DTS that the pads could be swapped on, not the ETS. And even then I don't believe it was terribly convenient.

Seth

 

[NERemodeling]

the pad swap won't work but were you maybe  thinking that you could return the rotex and just use the ets sander with the dts pad as to replace both the dts and rotex?

I will say you have two great sanders and can really cover a huge amount of tasks with them.    you might be tempted to ditch the dts but it is really a gem of a sander and very useful.. although it will never do some of the things that the rotex can do.        you could look into the ro90 but i think it isn't as good of round sander as the ro125 and the delta sander isn't as good as the dts..

 

[sylthecru]

Thanks for the replies, I purchased the ROTEX in December and I love it, I recently purchased the DTS400 a few days ago as I needed to get onto places where the rotex could not because of the size.

I was simply asking if the pads on the ETS / DTS was interchangeable, if it was I would of kept the DTS as it is hard to justify purchasing 2 more additional sanders.

 

[SS Teach]

You need to justify getting more Festool sanders? Also the DTS with its delta pad is needed for corners that the Ro or ETS cannot get to as you yourself pointed out.

 

[AlexThePalex]

The ETS 125 is a random orbital and the DTS/RTS 400 are orbitals.

The motors are apparently the same but not the action.

Both sander are virtually identical except for a couple of parts on the bottom. The motor on both sander delivers a spin through an axle, and with the ETS the pad can spin freely with the axle while on the DTS the pad is restricted by a rubber skirt so it can only vibrate instead of rotate fully.

I think it was the older RTS and DTS that the pads could be swapped on, not the ETS. And even then I don't believe it was terribly convenient.

It could be done with the predecessors of the DTS/RTS, which were the DS400 and RS400. It's an easy job done in 3 minutes. Loosen 8 screws, replace pad, and fasten 8 screws. I do it all the time.

It can also be done with the current DTS/RTS, I believe it was Jonny Round Boy who posted about that, but there it is more to it than with the DS because you also have to loosen the rubber skirt. That is less convenient and I personally wouldn't bother doing it with the newer models.

I was simply asking if the pads on the ETS / DTS was interchangeable, if it was I would of kept the DTS as it is hard to justify purchasing 2 more additional sanders.

Keep the DTS, it's a great sander, a joy to work with and very handy for a lot of jobs the ETS125 wouldn't do well. Besides the fact that the DTS is a nicer sander in general than the ETS, it would also complement your Rotex better than the ETS because the Rotex and ETS have a large overlap, both being round and all. The pointy pad of the DTS will get you into places a round sander won't reach.