ETS 150/3 Sander Problem - Black Particles

[CanadianCraftsman]

Good Day:

I have been using a new ETS 150/3 for two months and noticed lately on most startups that black particles shoot out from the bottom of the sander.

I have attached some of the pictures.  Is there an easy way to insert the pictures into the message itself?

Thanks,

Michael

 

[ajones]

Still selling the old model without the fastfix base in Canada.....

could be brush material or rubber from the rubber seal between the machine and the base any odd smells? unually hot?
wait for it to pop and get a new one [big grin]

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Is there an easy way to insert the pictures into the message itself?

There's a board called Gallery and Attaching Images and lots of threads there for you to look at. In particular, check out Peter Halle's video tutorial called
How Do I Insert Photos into a Post - Video Tutorial HD Better Video

Forrest

 

[Forrest Anderson]

I have been using a new ETS 150/3 for two months and noticed lately on most startups that black particles shoot out from the bottom of the sander.

I have attached some of the pictures. 

I remember this problem being reported by Rotex users. Have a look at the thread Rotex 150 Discharge. Although it's missing a few posts, you'll get the idea and will see a few solutions - one of which was to replace the pad brake, another to make sure you've actually attached a sheet of abrasive and aren't wearing down the Stickfix sanding base(!), and another to clean out the innards of the machine.

The ETS150 manual has the following to say about replacing the pad brake on page 6:

The sanding base is braked by a collar in
order to prevent any uncontrolled excessive speed
of the sanding base. Because the collar wears
down in the course of time, it has to be replaced
by a new one (453388) as soon as there is any
reduction in the braking effect.

Also see the thread RO150 heat-related issue

Forrest

 

[AlexThePalex]

I agree with Forrest, looks like your pad brake is disintegrating.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Still selling the old model without the fastfix base in Canada.....

I guess that's because there is no fastfix base for the ETS 150/3.

 

[justinmcf]

if the sander is only 2 months old. call your dealer. it is still under warranty.

 

[rnt80]

I had the same thing happen with my rotex.  I called service and they told me to rub some wax on it - no more black particles after I did that.

 

[ajones]

Still selling the old model without the fastfix base in Canada.....

I guess that's because there is no fastfix base for the ETS 150/3.

[big grin]your'e right I think I must have been mixing it up with the rotex, senior momment? [big grin] [big grin]

 

[CanadianCraftsman]

Festool mentioned that it could be some debris from the brushes wearing in.  I will keep on eye it and see if still happens.

Thanks for everyone's responses.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Hi everyone,

I received an ETS 150/3 for Christmas and had a chance to sand with it for a few hours today.  The sander is smooth and a joy to use.  I have noticed the same black particle issue as CanadianCraftsman's images...it is almost like fine ash or something.  I am just curious if this is a common thing with the "break-in" period of the sanders or if this is not normal.  I tried taking the pad off and the brakeand vacuumed up some lingering dust inside.  I also put a very light dry lube along the edge of the brake.  There is no apparent wear on the brake itself.  It seemed to stop for a few minutes after vacuuming and then started up again.  Could it just be carbon particles from the brushes breaking in?  The sander seemed to work fine -- no excessive heat or anything like that.  I can call service tomorrow, but thought I would ask the experts here.

Also, if anyone has had this same issue, does it go away?

I appreciate your help!

Thanks!

Scot

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I don't think it's carbon from the brushes and I don't have the ETS150, but my RO150 did put out something like what you're referring to and it appeared to be the pad touching the "collar" underneath the pad, around the circumference of the sander, as it rotated till it broke in.

"collar" part no. 479703 is what I'm referring to

453388 is the part no. on the ETS150 collar

 

[AlexThePalex]

My Rotex did the exact same thing, nothing to worry about. It's certainly not the brushes.

 

[nickao]

Mine did the black spec thing for awhile then stopped. I have not observed any ill effects.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Normal break-in, nothing to worry about Scot.  [smile]