ETS 150/3 vs 150/5 with a RTS 400

[donwon]

What are people's thoughts on the 150/3 vs 150/5?  Everything I read says the 3 for finish work and 5 for more aggressive work. Please leave the RO out of this discussion as it is not a consideration.

One other twist, if one had the RTS to aid as the final finish sander does that change the choice of the 3 vs 5.  Everything is wood as the material.

Keep in mind I am not a contractor but more a hobby person so daily production is not the issue.

 

[mike_aa]

My vote would be for the 150/3.  It's nice for finishing.  My feeling is you can always use a lower grit if you need more aggressive.

Mike A.

 

[jtwood]

I, too, am a hobbyist and make furniture.  I have the 150/3 and the RTS 400 and the two are great for almost everything I do.

The 150/3 is plenty aggressive for furniture work that I do with lower number grits, but it also works great for fine finishing of large surfaces.

The RTS 400 is also great for finishing smaller areas and in corners that the 150/3 can't get into.

They make a great combination.  If you are going to do shaping with a sander, you might want to consider the 150/5, but one of the ROs would work much better.

Steve

 

[wow]

Since you are a hobbyist, I'd say go with the 150/3 for sure.

The 150/3 will do anything the 150/5 can, but it might take a little longer as it's not as aggressive. Since you aren't in a production environment you shouldn't notice.

This reverse isn't true, though. The 105/5 is too aggressive for for some finish work, and there's no way to change that.

So get the 150/3.

And then plan on buying the RO150 at some point in the future, because you will!

[big grin]

 

[Wood Hog]

Your question is 150/3 vs 150/5 both are fantastic sanders both do the same job the 150/3 like its name implies has a 3mm orbit creating a smaller circle thereby arguably a smother finished product, the 150/5 has a 5mm orbit, a little more aggressive but not quiet as smooth a finish. Having said this either sander will produce about the same results if you lowered or raised your grit. I personally would persuade you towards the 150/3 as you can use a course grit, to flatten and when you want a ultra smooth finish you have the added advantage of the small 3mm orbit. Make sure you have the hard pad for flat surfaces and the soft pad for contoured surfaces and you'll be set.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=14pt]
My thoughts are in this video. I have since changed the pad. Even better now with more holes!



So yes, I agree with WOW and Frankastina (I mean Wood Hog).