ETS 150/3 vs ETS 150/5

[RussellS]

I came in today to get some paint on clearance ($7 a gallon for good paint!) for my shop walls, and it was still there. Based on this thread, I figured I would not regret the purchase, even though it was quite a hit to the wallet.

But hey, at least I saved money on paint, right?

I know it is 10 months and three weeks after this post was made.  I'm slow on some things.  But, GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  $7 a gallon for GOOD paint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Even basic paint is $20 per gallon around here.  Good paint starts at $30 a gallon and goes up up up up up up from there.  How on earth did paint get so expensive?

As for the ETS 150 sander, I have said and say again, get the 150/3.  You want as fine a stroke as possible with a ROS.  The point of the ETS and any ROS is to get a smooth, fine finish.  3mm stroke is finer than 5mm stroke.  If you are trying to get the wood flattened fast, then get a belt sander or that Rotex in turbo mode.  But when you are trying to smooth the wood to its smoothest and finest, then use the tool that will achieve that result.  The smaller stroke 3mm sander.  Yes it sands slower than the 5mm sander.  But it will be smoother because its stroke is 3mm.

 

[NiteWalkerGR]

As for the ETS 150 sander, I have said and say again, get the 150/3.  You want as fine a stroke as possible with a ROS.  The point of the ETS and any ROS is to get a smooth, fine finish.  3mm stroke is finer than 5mm stroke.  If you are trying to get the wood flattened fast, then get a belt sander or that Rotex in turbo mode.  But when you are trying to smooth the wood to its smoothest and finest, then use the tool that will achieve that result.  The smaller stroke 3mm sander.  Yes it sands slower than the 5mm sander.  But it will be smoother because its stroke is 3mm.

This has not been my experience with the ec 150/5. It will get surfaces just as smooth and fine as the 150/3, just faster.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I have the 150/3 and the 150/5, and haven't found any real significant difference on fine sanding. Obviously on paper the 150/3 should give the finer finish, but I've found the 150/5 does such an amazing job it's pretty hard to improve upon.