ETS 125 EQ or ETS 150/3

[m8]

I have searched through many threads and understand that this topic has been hashed out a lot.  The previous post as always are a huge help but they haven't answered my question.  Within the next couple of months I have a project planned that will involve sanding large amounts of fiberglass/gelcoat (aprox. 200 square feet).  The problem is that none of the fiberglass/gelcoat will be laying horizontally all of it is laying vertically.  The project involves prepping and priming the fiberglass to an fine finish for paint.  The ETS 150/3 weighs 4 pounds and the ETS 125 EQ weights 2.4 pounds.  I'm looking for a high quality sander that will provide years of service and high quality finishes.  Also just for more information I currently own a RO 150.

 

[jonny round boy]

I have searched through many threads and understand that this topic has been hashed out a lot.  The previous post as always are a huge help but they haven't answered my question.  Within the next couple of months I have a project planned that will involve sanding large amounts of fiberglass/gelcoat (aprox. 200 square feet).  The problem is that none of the fiberglass/gelcoat will be laying horizontally all of it is laying vertically.  The project involves prepping and priming the fiberglass to an fine finish for paint.  The ETS 150/3 weighs 4 pounds and the ETS 125 EQ weights 2.4 pounds.  I'm looking for a high quality sander that will provide years of service and high quality finishes.  Also just for more information I currently own a RO 150.

The reason that the numerous posts haven't yielded a definitive answer is that there isn't a definitive answer!

Others can point out the pros and cons of each, but only YOU can decide which one is best FOR YOU.

 

[Rob-GB]

1) Is it just the gel coat you are sanding?

2) Fibre glass dust kills power tool motors, from experience [sad]

3) Is it a boat? 'cos Hasslefactor had an ingenious counter balance idea for using a Rotex on her (& The Skippers) yacht, over on talkFestool. Laurie is also a member here, so may be someone able to advise you.
Rob.

 

[jvsteenb]

Large vertical fibreglass and/or gelcoat surfaces are where airdriven RO sanders excel. Light, no heat buildup, just about completely impervous to dust and mostly palmsanders even in the large diameters. ( Palmsanders shine on vertical surfaces ).
You will need a LOT of air though. Festool has some VERY nice airsanders, don't know if they're available in the US.

Regards,

Job

 

[m8]

Yes its a boat.  Unfortunately I won't access to compressed air.  I watched Laurie's counter balance video a few weeks ago have thought about the idea.  I will be sanding fiberglass, gelcoat, primer, and paint.  Due to the high quality finish I am after I will need something other then my RO 150 because of the 5 mm scratch pattern.  The 150/3 is an excellent finish sander but it weighs 5 pounds.  The ETS 125 EQ weighs half that but don't know if it will be large enough and powerful enough to handle the job.  The RO 150 has done well with the fiberglass so far, I'm hard on tools and push them to the limit.  I'm leaning towards the 150/3 but may change my mind after I hold it up for hours on end.  As always I greatly appreciate your help.

 

[Brice Burrell]

....I'm leaning towards the 150/3 but may change my mind after I hold it up for hours on end.  As always I greatly appreciate your help.

This is simple, Festool's 30 day no questions asked return policy.  If the 150/3 doesn't work out, return it for a different sander. 

 

[bionicus]

I read that the new Ceros electric sanders from Mirka would be available in North America sometime this summer. They weigh under 2Lbs and are apparently a dream to work with. 6" models available with either 5mm or 2.5mm orbits.  Just something to look into if you haven't already.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Due to the high quality finish I am after I will need something other then my RO 150 because of the 5 mm scratch pattern. 

Which is of no matter. Why do people here keep insisting the quality of finish is dependent on the size of the stroke? It isn't. It is dependent on your technique and the paper you use. We used Elu and Rupes angle sanders with a 5 mm stroke to finish cars on a daily basis, with the highest finish and most professional result possible. We've done Rolls Royce's and Lambo's and Ferrari's with it. And now it's not even good enough for a boat?

We have also done boats, quite a few of them. We basically did everything that needed paint. The biggest we've done was over 24 meters and would only just fit in the building. Considering the average size of a boat, the Ro 150 would be the first and only sander I'd go for. Unless you've got the time of course. Something we never had too much of in a production environment. The Ro 150 will eat the meters away like no other Festool sander, and will give you an excellent finish provided you're not gonna use 120 grit paper but opt for 240 to 320.       

The 150/3 is an excellent finish sander but it weighs 5 pounds.  The ETS 125 EQ weighs half that but don't know if it will be large enough and powerful enough to handle the job. 

Better forget about the 125 for this job, too small and weak. Nice to finish a door or a cabinet but not something you need when you've got to cover some real surface. Maybe I have superhuman strength but I don't find the Ro 150 to be all that heavy, let alone the ETS 150. That's a really light sander for me. I've been using angle sanders for long times after each other since I was 10 or 12 years old and when I got tired my old man told me to man up and not be such a wuss, so maybe that's why. I wouldn't worry about the weight of any 150 mm sander. In fact, for a boat, I'd even try to get a 180 or 225 mm sander. But certainly no ETS 125.

 

[m8]

Alex, you've answered my question, thank you.  I'm going to go with the 150/3.