ETS 125 for XMas - Paper source? Should I upgrade?

[hobkirk]

I've lurked around FOG some but this is my first Festool. I love the overwhelming attention to detail and design. But before I use it, it seems smart to ask the experts...

is there any 8-hole 5" hook & loop paper I can use other than Festool sandpaper? Is the answer the same for the 6" ETS 150?

I have a 5" Rigid ROS with dust collection and a lot of 8 hole paper that doesn't fit.

Does it make sense to swap the ETS 125 for a 150? Or another model, without getting too spendy.

Thanks

 

[Notorious T.O.D.]

My first and so far only Festool sander is the ETS 150/5 which will remove stock pretty fast and also do a pretty nice fine finishing job.  The dust collection is excellent using the Festool papers and they last a long time.  I wanted the larger 6" sander rather than a 5". Covering a larger area with the 5" can take a lot longer than with the 6".  Also, I have been shown that to use the ETS 125 with a Festool vac you have to turn down the suction or the sander will want to stick and bounce on the work.  I don't have a Festool vac and use my sander with my sears shop vac with a better filter and it works great.  So, there are some things for you to consider in making your final decision and keep in mind that you have 30 days to try it out and decide if you want it or to change to something else.

Best,
Todd

 

[mwhafner]

I think that you answer lies in the type of projects that you do.  Can you provide a little more insite into the intended use?

If you are doing a lot of flat-panel or door work, then I would swap to the ETS 150.  I have the ETS 150/3, and it is my most used sander.  However, I still use my ETS 125 quite a bit.  It has a low center of gravity, which makes if excellent for furniture applications. 

Regarding the sanding discs, I would highly recommend using the Festool discs.  They are expensive, but excellent and designed for specific applications.  I have found that they last 30 to 50% longer than what you can get at the big box stores.  They have the small packs are a good way to build a collection of abrasives.  Jerry Works has a great review of the sanders and abrasive options, and their application. 

 

[nickao]

The biggest reason to swap out the 125 is speed. If you want to halve your sanding time go to a 150/5.

 

[Dave Ronyak]

I've lurked around FOG some but this is my first Festool. I love the overwhelming attention to detail and design. But before I use it, it seems smart to ask the experts...

is there any 8-hole 5" hook & loop paper I can use other than Festool sandpaper? Is the answer the same for the 6" ETS 150?

I have a 5" Rigid ROS with dust collection and a lot of 8 hole paper that doesn't fit.

Does it make sense to swap the ETS 125 for a 150? Or another model, without getting too spendy.

Thanks

Hobkirk,

Yes, from Klingspor which is also a German origin company with a major presence in USA.  They are a major supplier to the woodworking industry.  They are also a Festool dealer, as well as a retailer of many other brands of tools and finishing supplies.

www.klinspor.com for commercial accounts
www.woodworkingshop.com for retail accounts
Tel: 1-800-228-0000

I wrote a much more detailed reply but "lost it" as I tried to send it, and don't have the time to re-create all of it.  RRRGGGGHHHH !!!

Here's their URL for 5" (125 mm) abrasive disk offerings with a 9-hole pattern to fit Festool sanders, which range from 60 to 1500 grit in stearated type with a lighter weight backing and 60 to 400 grit non-stearated in a heavy weight backing.
http://www.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-bin/8EE8C183/mac/qryitems.mac/itemDisplay?qryType=STYLE&itemSt=VD5901HK&coreDsc=5%22X%209%20HOLE%20HEAVYWEIGHT%20H%26L%20DISCS%2050%20PACK

They offer the same range for 6" (150 mm) Festool sanders.

If you need a specific grit size and type and don't see it in their product listings, call them to discuss custom manufactured disks for you.  I have done so and the disks were delivered in less than 2 weeks.  The premium was not significant.

I have found Festool brand abrasive products to be of high quality and fairly priced.  Not much incentive for me to look elsewhere except if I want a different type of abrasive material. 

I have a significant supply of 5" disks in various grits in both stearated and non-stearated to fit my old Bosch sander.  I will use these for hand sanding so they won't go to waste.

Dave R.

 

[hobkirk]

I was spoiled - I bought my sanding disks from Online Industrial Supply when they were on sale - excellent quality, $12.95/50, a little over half the price of the Festool disks (which I am sure are just great) or the Klingspor disks (about which I've read great words). But their regular price is $20, so it's not very different - I had forgotten that they had been on sale, so the $25/50 seemed pricey.

Having done a little comparison shopping now, I am actually surprised at how low the Festool price is.

How does the Klinspor compare to the Festool disks?