ETS 125 sander

[jonnypang]

Hi there ,

Recently bought an ETS 125 sander. Started sanding some oak drawers with Festool Brilliant 2 paper and noticed what I can only describe as ash being blown out from the jet stream holes. It's a light grey in colour and seems to build up and then gets ejected in small amounts every so often.
Has anyone else encountered this and if so, any ideas on how to solve this? I have used the ETS 150 for many years and there wasn't this problem. I chose the 125 as it's smaller sanding stroke was tempting and thought a lighter sander would be more appropriate.

Thanks!

 

[tjbnwi]

Hooked to a dust extractor? You may need to play with the suction setting.

I've never noticed that type issue.

Tom

 

[jonnypang]

It's hooked to a CT Midi......and it's a full suction....? Might take it in to get checked out. Thanks!

 

[AlexThePalex]

Is your sander still brand new? Because the random orbit sanders have a so called "pad break", which is a rubber ring fitted to the sander where the pad touches the shell. This pad break makes sure the pad won't spin up oncontrollably when you lift the sander from the work piece.

When a sander is new, this pad break will wear a bit with first use, causing dark gray bits to show up. This is normal behaviour, the pad break is slightly oversized at first, and is meant to wear to the proper size to ensure a perfect fit. This will stop after some use.

 

[Stephen B]

It's hooked to a CT Midi......and it's a full suction....? Might take it in to get checked out. Thanks!

[size=12pt]
By full suction do you mean exactly that.  [eek]

This sander needs to have the suction turned right down. On my CT22 less than 1/3.  [smile]

Edit. + 1. Re Alex.

 

[Kev]

I never run my ETS150's beyond half suction! Turn it right down!

 

[jonnypang]

Thanks for all the advice! Suction turned down but still discharging the ash coloured dust. I'll see how long it persists for... What's the reason for turning down the suction???

 

[Brandon]

I'd run the 125 around 1/4 vacuum power. Turning the suction down will help reduce swirl marks. Full suction is ti to much pressure on the material and will make sanding more difficult. You just want enough suction so the vacuum does its job of dust collection

 

[Kev]

I'd run the 125 around 1/4 vacuum power. Turning the suction down will help reduce swirl marks. Full suction is ti to much pressure on the material and will make sanding more difficult. You just want enough suction so the vacuum does its job of dust collection

Exactly, you want it to "float" ... the EST125 is a finish sander and as such you want the contact to be reasonably gentle. The DC is very efficient and low suction will still pick up the dust.