ETS 125 EQ hard to control

[Godet]

Hi,
I'm a big FESTOOL fan and first time poster. Today, I received and tried out my brand new Festool ETS 125 EQ sander. Unfortunately, I am disappointed. The problem is that the machine is impossible to control--it wants to zip around the board, rather than behave like an air hockey paddle/stick. I've tried adjusting the speed, dust collection, sand paper grit, the amount of pressure I'm applying, and even alternated between using an anti-vibration sanding mat and clamping the board down. None of these worked. Using the sander makes me feel like a cartoon character independently holding a fire house--I'm getting yanked all over the place.
Is there any thing I haven't thought of?

 

[benwheeler]

I have a 150 ETS, and recently bought a hard pad for it. All of a sudden I felt I had less control, and it was inexplicably wearing through material at the edges of the board I was sanding.

I then looked carefully and realised that the pad had a slight wobble when sighting along its face while running the machine, and now with a replacement pad the machine's back to being nice and smooth.

 

[Cheese]

Hi,
I'm a big FESTOOL fan and first time poster. Today, I received and tried out my brand new Festool ETS 125 EQ sander. Unfortunately, I am disappointed. The problem is that the machine is impossible to control--it wants to zip around the board, rather than behave like an air hockey paddle/stick. I've tried adjusting the speed, dust collection, sand paper grit, the amount of pressure I'm applying, and even alternated between using an anti-vibration sanding mat and clamping the board down. None of these worked. Using the sander makes me feel like a cartoon character independently holding a fire house--I'm getting yanked all over the place.
Is there any thing I haven't thought of?

First things first... [welcome] to the FOG

The ETS 125 is considered to be the Golden Retriever of Festool sanders. There's just nothing that gets this animal excited. It's calm, smooth  and extremely efficient.

Try holding it by the hose only, it should just sashay back and forth under it's own power. I recently sanded a teak table and at times just grabbed the vacuum hose and let the ETS 125 do its dance. Normally I just let the weight of the sander do the work. Sometimes I lean on it but if that happens, then I know I need to break out the RO 125.

 

[Holmz]

...
Is there any thing I haven't thought of?

I do not have that sander, but control is pretty important (for me it is vibration, control, and then dust).

Where are you at?
Is there is a store/dealer near you?

Another option is send it back before the trail period is over if it is proving difficult.
(No matter how good it is, it is not any good if it is not good for you...)
Hopefully it is something simple.

 

[VesaS]

I think you have covered them all. RO 125 is very good and powerful sander but hard to control at first.
Had same problems at first than you have. After some practise I now can use it one handed if necessary.

Just hold it one hand on sander and the other on tail (or hose), so you can have control over it. Don't pressure sander in any way. When you keep it levelled, it goes where you want it to go. While practicing, try to lift or push tail side and you notice where sander is going. Maybe it's better start with random orbit mode (small dots) when practice.

When hose catches something or drops from table it causes that lift/push/sideway -effect and sander moves "some" direction. Sometimes I wrap hose over my arm to keep better control if hose is in way or in difficult position.

Vesa

 

[AlexThePalex]

Festool ETS 125 EQ needs a break in period of 8 hours of use. Before that it will only operate at half power. After those 8 hours it will get full power and be very smooth.

 

[Sparktrician]

My ETS 125 was a sweetheart right out of the Systainer.  The RO 125 was the bucking bronco - until I learned how to finesse it.  Since I learned to let the tools do the work, they've both been wonderful sanders. 

 

[Birdhunter]

I have the ETS125, RO90 and RO125. Both the ROs can get pretty frisky. The ETS has always been much easier to control. Suggest you return the one that's giving you a problem.

 

[bdiemer]

The 125 will dance if the dust extractor is set too high....

 

[Stephen B]

Just relax, turn down the Festool DE to less than 1/3 and use this sander. I have used mine from finishing to plaster edge sanding. Yes, mine was 'interesting' at first, but the combination of correct DE levels and a change of attitude from using non Festool sanders soon sorted things out and had me -  [smile]

Edit. Should have added that you may want to experiment with the sanders speed control, and also just as it starts to 'wobble' change direction. Also experiment with the speed you pass the sander over the material. Personally I tend to be slower than some I see on UTube and certainly prescribe to the light touch as others here have said.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Festool ETS 125 EQ needs a break in period of 8 hours of use. Before that it will only operate at half power. After those 8 hours it will get full power and be very smooth.

There is some debate about the validity of the "break-in period" for Festool's small sanders.  I have owned all of Festool small sanders, DTS400, RTS400 and two ETS125 sanders.  The DTS400 is only one that didn't work well out of the box. After letting the DTS400 run for several hours it worked much better.  Also, all of the sanders seemed to run better after a few hours use. 

I'd suspend the sander in a way that allows the pad to spin freely and let it run for a few hours and see if that helps. 

Just relax, turn down the Festool DE to less than 1/3 and use this sander. I have used mine from finishing to plaster edge sanding. Yes, mine was 'interesting' at first, but the combination of correct DE levels and a change of attitude from using non Festool sanders soon sorted things out and had me -  [smile]

Edit. Should have added that you may want to experiment with the sanders speed control, and also just as it starts to 'wobble' change direction. Also experiment with the speed you pass the sander over the material. Personally I tend to be slower than some I see on UTube and certainly prescribe to the light touch as others here have said.

 

From my experience I'd suggest you try turning the dust extractor nearly all the down and the speed on the sander all the way up when sanding "hard" materials like wood.  For "soft" materials like finishes (paints, poly and the like) or drywall compound you can try slowing the sander down.  Good luck. 

 

[msweig]

Hi,
I'm a big FESTOOL fan and first time poster. Today, I received and tried out my brand new Festool ETS 125 EQ sander. Unfortunately, I am disappointed. The problem is that the machine is impossible to control--it wants to zip around the board, rather than behave like an air hockey paddle/stick. I've tried adjusting the speed, dust collection, sand paper grit, the amount of pressure I'm applying, and even alternated between using an anti-vibration sanding mat and clamping the board down. None of these worked. Using the sander makes me feel like a cartoon character independently holding a fire house--I'm getting yanked all over the place.
Is there any thing I haven't thought of?

Hey it's not just me.  I received mine a couple weeks ago and tried it out for the first time the other day.  Mine felt like it wanted to chatter across the board.  I had the vac turned all the way down.  I'll have to try some of the other suggestions on the thread.

 

[Scott B.]

Hi,
I'm a big FESTOOL fan and first time poster. Today, I received and tried out my brand new Festool ETS 125 EQ sander. Unfortunately, I am disappointed. The problem is that the machine is impossible to control--it wants to zip around the board, rather than behave like an air hockey paddle/stick. I've tried adjusting the speed, dust collection, sand paper grit, the amount of pressure I'm applying, and even alternated between using an anti-vibration sanding mat and clamping the board down. None of these worked. Using the sander makes me feel like a cartoon character independently holding a fire house--I'm getting yanked all over the place.
Is there any thing I haven't thought of?

I'd recommend checking the boards for cupping/twisting with a straight edge. The smaller sanders can be very sensitive to less than flat surfaces.

 

[SS Teach]

Welcome to the FOG. The ETS 125 was the second Festool  sander I bought. It has been smooth as glass from the moment I pulled it out of the systainer. It is possible there is something wrong with the sander. Perhaps you can exchange it for another. You have tried everything else.

 

[nickao]

I agree the sander should be smooth and shouldn't be squirrely at all. The 3 different units I have purchased were smooth and easy too use.

But I just have to say out of all the Festools I dont like the 125 EQ at all. For me it's not a good sander and it's gosh awful slow. I just don't understand what the guys see in it, but many do  love it so I would return it for another and give it a chance.

 

[Godet]

Thanks for all of the advice. I've actually tried everything on here, except giving it a break-in time (even ran it without dust collection at all) and it's still hard to control. So, I'm going to hang it and let it run for a few more hours and see if that helps. Frankly, it seems like an odd thing to do for such a fine tool...but I'll try it.

I mostly do fine woodworking. In fact, this tool was meant to only serve that role. My old Dewalt will serve for the small amount of carpentry/construction work that I do. Because of my needs, everything I read indicated going with this machine, instead of the RO 125. I suspect there will be other opinions here, but if I do end up returning this machine, I might rethink my model choice.

Thanks again--love the responsiveness and multiple perspectives in here!

Happy sawdust making!
Adam

 

[canadamike]

Hi Adam,

I do alot of fine work as well as construction. I was new to the Festool sanders and it took a while to figure out that to get the most from them, I needed to re-learn some things. Some of the sanders actually were developed for the automotive finishing industry, and you'll see them in many high level auto spray shops.

Take a look at this thread, in particular the video near the beginning of the thread. Also do a search on Peter Parfitt, he has some good videos on using these sanders. When you dial them in, they give an awesome finish. Its all about the technique.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/sanding-fir-with-the-ro-150/

Good luck!

Mike

 

[DzordanoBruno]

2 weeks  ago I bought new RO 150 and had the same feel  like You.
But today I am happy with this sander. Everything needs a time. Use it and sander calms down. I use RO 150 with Nilfisk aero 26 21, maximum suction  and sander works wery well.

 

[canadamike]

Hey Adam,

I have a few shelves packed with hand planes and still prefer to do my work with them. Where I learned my stuff, they shunned power sanders. But I'll tell you, once you figure out the Festool system, it will be a huge compliment to your toolset. They won't ever replace my hand tools, but they are big help to make things more efficient and accurate.

I'd be happy to chat on the phone, you are welcome to send me a PM.

Mike

 

[Godet]

Thanks again, call. After about 5 hours of suspended running time, the machine settled in. It still has it moments, but I suspect with more running time, it will ease in even more. Strange thing is that it has felt OVER powered since I took it out of the box...I'm guessing that like a new car, it needs to loosen up a bit.

Thanks again for the advice and tips...hopefully this string is useful for the next person