ETS 125 EQ sander help needed.

[Jaxwoodworker]

I had a Porter Cable random orbital sander for years and it was a great sander. When it quit I decided to get an ETS 125 EQ. So far I am completely dissatisfied with its operation. I must be doing something wrong because no matter what I do I can't get it to sand smoothly. It seems to grab and pull like nothing I have ever experienced before. When I move it side to side it just seems to grab and jump. I have tried different grits with the same results. I have tried it with the dust collector on and off with no difference. Looking for guidance on eliminating this issue.

 

[copcarcollector]

. I have tried it with the dust collector on and off with no difference.


Did you try adjusting the suction down? Not completely off, just less suction with your DC?

 

[Jaxwoodworker]

Yes and it still does to same thing. It has me baffled.

 

[bkharman]

What type of surface are you working with?

 

[Jaxwoodworker]

I started on a piece of pine but it does the same thing when I tried to finish sand oak plywood and some poplar.

 

[deepcreek]

Same thing happened to me when I first "converted" from a Dewalt ROS to a Festool.

I had to learn that you do not press down to sand.  You literally just guide the sander with the lightest possible touch.  This is a big adjustment for most people.

Second, you need a vacuum with adjustable suction.  Turn it down all the way and only increase it enough to pick up the dust.  I'm talking 25% power.  Too much suction will cause swirly's in your finish as well as control issues.

The ETS 125 EQ needs to be broken in to achieve full power.  Turn it on and hang it from a rope in your shop for 8 to 10 hours.  I'm not kidding.

If you still have problems, contact Festool USA and ask to speak to the sander application specialist.  They will take the time to talk you through it and get you straight.

 

[Stephen B]

Some here do not subscribe to the notion of running in, but this sander can certainly be tricky at first - the only advice I would add to not pushing down, guiding it softly and evenly,  lower suction and so on would be - feel the force young Skywalker and be at one with this sander.

I use mine for plaster and wood work - it is one of my often used Festools.

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[Jaxwoodworker]

Thanks for all the advice. I spent the entire day "learning" to drive this sander and it "drives" quite a bit different than the Porter Cable but after a bit I got the hang of it. Hopefully the more I use it the better I will get with it.

 

[jlcichocki]

Same thing happened to me when I first "converted" from a Dewalt ROS to a Festool.

I had to learn that you do not press down to sand.  You literally just guide the sander with the lightest possible touch.  This is a big adjustment for most people.

Second, you need a vacuum with adjustable suction.  Turn it down all the way and only increase it enough to pick up the dust.  I'm talking 25% power.  Too much suction will cause swirly's in your finish as well as control issues.

The ETS 125 EQ needs to be broken in to achieve full power.  Turn it on and hang it from a rope in your shop for 8 to 10 hours.  I'm not kidding.

If you still have problems, contact Festool USA and ask to speak to the sander application specialist.  They will take the time to talk you through it and get you straight.

I just bought into Festool sanding and I'm still learning too.  A million thx for the tips.  The rope hanging is quite unbelievable.  I would have never thought of that.

Jeff

 

[bkharman]

I have 3 Festool sanders and I never hung them running for a break in. It took 1-2 tasks each for me to get the feel of it. I am in the camp on not having them run nonstop hanging from a cord for 8+ hours. If you want to go that route, you are more than welcome but it isn't necessary.

FWIW... I drive a RO 90, ETS 150/3 and LS130. All except the 150 go buck wild on occasion and I learned how to control it very quickly. 

Have fun with your new tools, they will treat you right soon enough (without hanging them!)

Cheers. Bryan.

 

[Holmz]

I had a Porter Cable random orbital sander for years and it was a great sander. When it quit I decided to get an ETS 125 EQ. So far I am completely dissatisfied with its operation. I must be doing something wrong because no matter what I do I can't get it to sand smoothly. It seems to grab and pull like nothing I have ever experienced before. When I move it side to side it just seems to grab and jump. I have tried different grits with the same results. I have tried it with the dust collector on and off with no difference. Looking for guidance on eliminating this issue.

Assuming your 30 trial is still working, then march down to a Woodcraft.

I got a Mirka DEROS, but the Festool ETS/EC was just about as good. (They had both at Woodcraft). I could see how some might like the ETS/EC better.
In any case they both have a pretty low CG and the grip is low, so they are controllable.

The RO-1xx sanders are more jumpy... They jump around like a "House of pain" song if you don't hold it just so.

 

[mike_aa]

...The RO-1xx sanders are more jumpy... They jump around like a "House of pain" song if you don't hold it just so.

Yes, but when you discover how to hold it and give a light touch letting the sander do the work, sanding almost becomes a pleasurable experience.  [tongue]

 

[Holmz]

...The RO-1xx sanders are more jumpy... They jump around like a "House of pain" song if you don't hold it just so.

Yes, but when you discover how to hold it and give a light touch letting the sander do the work, sanding almost becomes a pleasurable experience.  [tongue]

The RO-1## give the impression that they remove material faster, but it would be nice to see some qualitative assessment.
When I use course grits on the other sanders it doesn't seem like they are much slower, so it would be nice to understand how much more removal I can get if I learn the grip needed...

Is it 2x faster, or just a bit, or is it slower?

 

[chrisrosenb]

...The RO-1xx sanders are more jumpy... They jump around like a "House of pain" song if you don't hold it just so.

Yes, but when you discover how to hold it and give a light touch letting the sander do the work, sanding almost becomes a pleasurable experience.  [tongue]

The RO-1## give the impression that they remove material faster, but it would be nice to see some qualitative assessment.
When I use course grits on the other sanders it doesn't seem like they are much slower, so it would be nice to understand how much more removal I can get if I learn the grip needed...

Is it 2x faster, or just a bit, or is it slower?

In my 9 years of experience with the RO 125 & 150 sanders & 3+ months experience with the ETS EC sanders. The EC sanders remove material just as fast or faster then the RO sanders, plus they are easier & more of a pleasure to use. I have not used my RO sanders since getting the ETS EC sanders.

 

[Holmz]

Yeah - I heard that before.
The ETC ES is 400W 4000-10000 RPM, and I liked the handling.

My DEROS is 5-mm orbit and 350W brushless 4000-10000 RPM, and my 1/2 24000RPM. These all three should be hauling off material at a good clip, and they do. And the two I have are easy to use, which is a plus. The ETS EC was like a DEROS without the paddle.

 

[Tayler_mann]

Back on track to the op's questions, for all of my Festool sanders, I turn my CT and Fein Turbo ii all the way down as low as it will go. I get 98% collection, none of my paper is clogged, and a nice sand. The festool sanders, especially the ETS models, should work on their own. Your shouldn't even need to hold it by the sander you could probably just guide it with the hose. When I had used my RO150 for about 2 months and became absolutely amazed at these dig experience it gave I tried to convince my mentor to switch from cheap-o brands to the real deal. I literally let my RO150 sand with only holding the vacuum hose in random orbit mode and it sat in one spot perfectly balanced.

So to get to your question these sanders require zero pressure and very low suction out of your CT. Give it a week of sanding an you will buy no other brand sander again.

 

[SS Teach]

I have five Festool sanders and never had to "break them in". Worked like a champ right out of the systainer. It is possible there is a problem with your sander. Take the advice of the posters and if it still jumps try another unit, you have 30 days.

 

[Cheese]

i have 8 different Festool sanders and none of them have been suspended from the ceiling to break them in. 

I just liken it to purchasing a new car, some of the controls function differently, maybe you feel more/less feedback through the steering wheel or the braking system feels different in the new vehicle. Just give the machine and you some time together, and you'll become comfortable with it.

 

[deepcreek]

The last Festool sander I bought was a RTS 400 which essentially has the same powerplant as the DTS 400 and the ETS 125.

Upon initial use, it produced a terrible ozone smell.  Festool technical support advised me to run it for 8 to 10 hours to allow the brushes to burn in and seat properly.  After the rope-a-dope trick, the smell was gone and the sander has run perfectly ever since.

I would have just exchanged it but it was the last one in stock at my local dealer and I needed it for a job that I was doing.

For the record, I have owned nine different Festool sanders including the ETS 125 although I'm currently down to just six.

Break in period or not, the OP needs to use minimal suction and only enough pressure to guide the sander.  Do not press down like every other brand of ROS you've ever used.

 

[1toolshort]

I had the same issue when I got the RO 125.  It took a while to learn how to respond to the movement and adjust the suction.  Another variable is the quality of the abrasive you are using.  Even though the abrasive are long lasting, I find myself changing them out more often.  I may be obsessive, but since I don't have an industrial planer, I have to make the sanders work efficient.  The same thing happened when I got the RTS 400 EQ, it was another learning curve, and I had to crank the suction down even more.  But in the end it was worth it.  I use them all the time.  terrific results.View attachment 1