ETS 150/5?

[kenobi]

Hey, everyone! I'm a relatively new face around here having joined the group about a month and half ago.  My first Festool purchase was the new TS55REQ and man am I a happy camper with that thing!  It came on Friday and I already see that I should have bought a track saw years ago.  After using it this past weekend, I actually thought that my next purchase was going to be a dust extractor somewhere down the road. 

However, this afternoon, my PC random orbit sander took it's last breath.  I'm in the middle of building a large pantry cabinet for our kitchen, so I'm going to need to get something fairly quickly.  I've done a lot of reading and I'm thinking of going with the ETS150/5.  It's going to be my only sander for some time, so my question is this:  Am I right in thinking that it will be a great all-around sander for general use? 

I'm a hobbiest, and want to make sure I get the most bang for my buck, so to speak.  I'll use it primarily for general woodworking tasks, smoothing and finishing.  I don't typically do any paint removal or anything like that.  It'll primarily be used on raw wood rather than refinishing previously finished wood.  In another thread I saw a recommendation to get the "hard pad" also.  What is the hard pad and what's it going to do for me that the stock pad won't do?

Hadn't planned on another green tool so quickly, but amazing how things sometimes work out!  [big grin]

Thanks for any insight or recommendations! 

 

[wondersofwood]

I just got the ETS 150/5 last week, but haven't used it more than about 10 minutes... so I can't give you much information on it, other than it was great on the few pieces of solid oak that I sanded.  It worked great and, hooked up to my CT48E, there wasn't any noticeable dust.

I too just bought the TS55R and have used it quite a bit more in the past few days.  To truly reap the benefits of Festool, you should somehow plan to get one of the dust collectors as soon as you can.  It will be a great fit for the TS55R and whichever sander you get (unless you always work outdoors and don't care about the dust).

 

[Bob Marino]

Kenobi,

The applications you have described are perfectly suited for the 150/5. I think you would find it smooth and comfortable in your hand; aggressive enough for general sanding, yet is capable of providing a superb finish - though technique (with any sander is critical).
The hard pad is best (because of limited "give") when using lower grits for more aggressive sanding and while sanding narrower pieces so you are less likely to round over the edges.

Bob

 

[Brice Burrell]

Kenobi,

The applications you have described are perfectly suited for the 150/5. I think you would find it smooth and comfortable in your hand; aggressive enough for general sanding, yet is capable of providing a superb finish - though technique (with any sander is critical).
The hard pad is best (because of limited "give") when using lower grits for more aggressive sanding and while sanding narrower pieces so you are less likely to round over the edges.

Bob

I second Bob's advice.  Here's a link to the hard pad.  It is a little pricy but I think it is a good investment.

 

[Runhard]

[welcome]

For what you are describing I also think the ETS150/5 would be a great choice. You really should try to purchase a CT dust extractor at the same time because the sanders are designed to work with them and you will save a little. The hard pad will ensure that you keep the edges crisp without rounding them over and your surfaces smooth and flat.

I'm glad to see another Indiana Festoolian on the FOG. I used to go to North Vernon back in the 90's to practice with one of my team Indiana wrestling coaches. I had a college wrestling buddy from there as well. I know that you will get a lot of good advice here.

Daniel

 

[Kev]

For a while the ETS150/5 plus a little CT Mini were my only Festools. I had various other sanders (Rupes, Makita, etc) but wanted something less messy. I was extremely pleased with the ETS and really didn't pay much attention to other Festools at the time ... it just wasn't my focus then.

I've used that EST150/5 for everything ... paint removal, plaster, bare timber - rough, fine. You name it.

I stopped using everything else with the exception of a Rupes Delta sander ... and the Rupes Delta worked much better using Festool abrasives and the CT Mini !!

(I tell a lie - the AEG belt sander still got the odd run)

Anyway, long story short - the improvement going to the ETS150/5 over other stuff was significant. It's also a pleasure to use.

In all honesty I don't think you're in any trouble until you buy your second or third Festool - the mindset actually changes from a need to a desire  [wink]

 

[semenza]

The short answer is that the ETS150/5 should be a perfect fit.  I used that sander for a couple years as my all purpose sander. It can do a broad range of jobs. Definitely get the hard pad it will increase the performance for stripping and material removal , and is good to use on narrow stock to keep the surface flat and the edges crisp.

An all purpose (without breaking the bank) abrasive selection.....

40gr Cristal
80gr Cristal
100 Rubin(2)
150 Rubin(2)
180 Brilliant(2)
220/240 Brilliant(2)
320 Brilliant(2)
400 Brilliant(2)

To make it a smaller expenditure drop the 40 and 400.  Fill in other grits as needed. If you are interested in Granat substitute It for the 320 or 400.

Seth

 

[Scott B.]

Funny this should come up. We have been running the bejeebers out of the 150/5 lately. It is one of those that lives in the shadows of some of the other sanders, but it can really shine on alot of different types of tasks. I will be compiling and sharing a bunch of our visual footage and thoughts on it soon, I hope.

 

[Kev]

The short answer is that the ETS150/5 should be a perfect fit.  I used that sander for a couple years as my all purpose sander. It can do a broad range of jobs. Definitely get the hard pad it will increase the performance for stripping and material removal , and is good to use on narrow stock to keep the surface flat and the edges crisp.

Flip side, the interface pad (or even two interface pads) while running the more flexible thinner backed Granat can be a nice way to follow contours if you ever have the need !

 

[kenobi]

Thank you everyone!  You guys rock!  I thought I was making a good choice with this, but it's always good to have it confirmed from people who've actually used them.    I will be ordering both the sander and the dust extractor very soon.  That is as soon as I decide which extractor I want!  The dust extractor won't be lugged around and will just stay in my garage so I'm probably going to go with one of the bigger ones, either the CT26 or the CT36.

People are right about it being a slippery slope here!  But if I'm half as happy with the sander and dust extractor as I am with the new track saw, it'll be money well spent.  I'll be changing that signature in no time.  [wink]  Thanks again for the help!

Ken

 

[Kev]

Thank you everyone!  You guys rock!  I thought I was making a good choice with this, but it's always good to have it confirmed from people who've actually used them.    I will be ordering both the sander and the dust extractor very soon.  That is as soon as I decide which extractor I want!  The dust extractor won't be lugged around and will just stay in my garage so I'm probably going to go with one of the bigger ones, either the CT26 or the CT36.

People are right about it being a slippery slope here!  But if I'm half as happy with the sander and dust extractor as I am with the new track saw, it'll be money well spent.  I'll be changing that signature in no time.   [wink]  Thanks again for the help!

Ken

Go the 36 ... for near 50% more capacity is almost no more money. I have a mini for around and about and the CT36 for garage and just outside the garage where I use the KAPEX ... that's unless you intend to go down the cyclone route where the CT26 is all you need. 26/36/etc make the bigger hose easy (36mm) - less simple with mini/midi as the hose exits the top.

 

[JoggleStick]

I bought the CT36 but now wish I bought the CT26 instead...
Reason: Since buying the CT 36 I have bought a small 20ltr bucket mounted cyclone as a pre-cleaner to the vac.

Once you have used a cyclone you will never go back to just a straight vac...
The 26 has exactly the same air-flow as the 36...with a cyclone you empty and wash out the plastic bucket many times before having to crack open the dust extractor.
Suction stays better for much longer, as well. No worries at all about damp or wet stuff braking down the paper bag... You can suck water up- it all goes in the cyclone bucket. It is no exaggeration that the cyclone has changed the way I work- for the better.

 

[Bob Marino]

If you are going to keep the CT shop based - and not be hauling around to the car or up and down stairs, I'd opt for the 26; just for convenience sake.

Bob

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I also would opt for the 26 - bags are cheaper for it verses the 36 and you can also get a long-life bag that is also a little cheaper.  It is a little lighter for when you need to tote it around.  You really cannot go wrong with any of them, but the 26 seems to be the most popular size.

Scot

 

[kenobi]

Thanks again, everyone for your recommendations/suggestions.  I greatly appreciate it.  You've given me some things to think about I hadn't even considered.  I'll probably go with the 26.  I'll let you all know when I decide for sure and bite the bullet!  [eek]

 

[ceddy]

The 150/5 was my first sander. I've used it more than any other tool, sanding deck railings, light dry wall sanding (works amazing with the right pad and paper), prepping surfaces for furniture making... its a very versatile sander for someone who does all kind of different jobs.