ETS changes for 2014?

[lashomb75]

Hello, new to the forum and to Festool (only own one so far, the CXS). I'm considering an ETS 150 with a vac, and it looks like you can still get last years model at a little better discount. I looked over the 2013 and 2014 catalogs, and I can't tell the difference. Is there any?

Also, do any models besides the Rotex have the quick-release pads?

Thanks!
Brian

 

[Ajax]

I think the only change was in the pad.  The 2014 model ETS150 has a slight change for better performance.

Which 150 are you getting?  The ETS 150/3 or ETS 150/5?

 

[Ajax]

Here is the answer:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/ets-150-sanders/

 

[lashomb75]

Ah thanks.

Well the options I have are ETS 150/5 with CT26 for $860 or the ETS 150/3 with CT36 for $873. I own a Jet JJP12HH so I don't expect to need the 150/5 for lower grits, but I plan to do some drywall sanding, and Festool lists the 150/5 under their drywall sanders. https://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/sanders/drywall-sanders/

I'm sure both would work for a small bit of anything, but I think I'm leaning towards the ETS 150/5 right now.

 

[leakyroof]

I've owned an ETS 150/5 for 10 years now and just bought the /3 version a couple of weeks ago.
Used my new 150/3 sander for a quick session with joint compound using 120 g Granat since my project is several coats away from fine grit sanding.
The smaller orbit of the /3 was just fine and not really any slower to remove material than my trusty old /5 sander.
The 150/5 is an all around sander, but it's nice to finally have the 150/3 for finer sanding and stain grade work.
 

 

[semenza]

Hi grun,

Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

      None of the ETSs have a quick release pad.

Seth

 

[Kev]

I feel the /5 works better for plasterboard. The /3 can technically achieve a finer finish ... but I can't say I was ever disappointed with the finish the /5 gave me. Still - I now have both!

 

[shed9]

Ah thanks.

Well the options I have are ETS 150/5 with CT26 for $860 or the ETS 150/3 with CT36 for $873. I own a Jet JJP12HH so I don't expect to need the 150/5 for lower grits, but I plan to do some drywall sanding, and Festool lists the 150/5 under their drywall sanders. https://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/sanders/drywall-sanders/

I'm sure both would work for a small bit of anything, but I think I'm leaning towards the ETS 150/5 right now.

Welcome grün  [smile]

Those options seem a bit odd to me, why is the /3 offered with a CT36 for only an additional $13... Surely you can get your dealer to offer both sanders with the CT36 for this minimal addition? This may be a NA thing, if so ignore me, if not its worth exploring depending on your vac requirements.

 

[grbmds]

Hopefully this isn't off-topic. I own the ETS125. It seems to be great for sanding bare wood in prep for finishing. If I'm looking for a sander that could be more aggressive when trying to level our small imperfections and smoothing out small differences on the surface on glued joints, what would be the best sander for this. I don't need a sander which takes off a ton of material. I try to avoid that when gluing and there are other tools I have which would be better for that job. Would that be an ETS150 (3 or 5)? Or would the Rotex 125 or 150 be better? (125 for sure if the same paper can be used as for the ETS125). I don't really need an "aggressive" sander.

 

[leakyroof]

Hopefully this isn't off-topic. I own the ETS125. It seems to be great for sanding bare wood in prep for finishing. If I'm looking for a sander that could be more aggressive when trying to level our small imperfections and smoothing out small differences on the surface on glued joints, what would be the best sander for this. I don't need a sander which takes off a ton of material. I try to avoid that when gluing and there are other tools I have which would be better for that job. Would that be an ETS150 (3 or 5)? Or would the Rotex 125 or 150 be better? (125 for sure if the same paper can be used as for the ETS125). I don't really need an "aggressive" sander.

  While the RO125 would match your existing paper, it's heavier than the 6"/150mm ETS models and more tiring to sand with for long periods of time with just 1 hand IMO.
Either ETS can be gentle depending on the grit of abrasive and type used, plus technique, but the 150/5 will sand faster since it's about twice the orbit of your ETS 125 versus the 150/3.

 

[lashomb75]

Those options seem a bit odd to me, why is the /3 offered with a CT36 for only an additional $13... Surely you can get your dealer to offer both sanders with the CT36 for this minimal addition? This may be a NA thing, if so ignore me, if not its worth exploring depending on your vac requirements.

Those options are the outgoing "discontinued" models with the old pad style. One was from Amazon, the other from the site itself, both from Beaver Industrial Supply.

While the RO125 would match your existing paper, it's heavier than the 6"/150mm ETS models and more tiring to sand with for long periods of time with just 1 hand IMO.
Either ETS can be gentle depending on the grit of abrasive and type used, plus technique, but the 150/5 will sand faster since it's about twice the orbit of your ETS 125 versus the 150/3.

I stopped at the local Woodcraft today and tried the ETS 150/3 (demo model was older, before the new Multi-Jetstream pad) and also the Rotex 150 and 125 (old systainer styles, not sure the model year). I have to say the ETS was amazing, but I really didn't care for the Rotex. The owner said he used to have a Rotex 125, but couldn't get it to behave without lifting up on the tail, so he ended up selling it.

Of course looking at all the demo gear today, I made a remark about going down "the rabbit hole". He told me the average Festool owner owns 6 tools. I believe it.

 

[grbmds]

Hopefully this isn't off-topic. I own the ETS125. It seems to be great for sanding bare wood in prep for finishing. If I'm looking for a sander that could be more aggressive when trying to level our small imperfections and smoothing out small differences on the surface on glued joints, what would be the best sander for this. I don't need a sander which takes off a ton of material. I try to avoid that when gluing and there are other tools I have which would be better for that job. Would that be an ETS150 (3 or 5)? Or would the Rotex 125 or 150 be better? (125 for sure if the same paper can be used as for the ETS125). I don't really need an "aggressive" sander.

  While the RO125 would match your existing paper, it's heavier than the 6"/150mm ETS models and more tiring to sand with for long periods of time with just 1 hand IMO.
Either ETS can be gentle depending on the grit of abrasive and type used, plus technique, but the 150/5 will sand faster since it's about twice the orbit of your ETS 125 versus the 150/3.

Sounds like maybe the ETS 150/5 would give me a bigger range of possibilities and allow removal of more material quicker if that is needed. Yet it would be a good sander for larger surfaces and could still do the finer finish sanding with finer grits.

 

[leakyroof]

Hopefully this isn't off-topic. I own the ETS125. It seems to be great for sanding bare wood in prep for finishing. If I'm looking for a sander that could be more aggressive when trying to level our small imperfections and smoothing out small differences on the surface on glued joints, what would be the best sander for this. I don't need a sander which takes off a ton of material. I try to avoid that when gluing and there are other tools I have which would be better for that job. Would that be an ETS150 (3 or 5)? Or would the Rotex 125 or 150 be better? (125 for sure if the same paper can be used as for the ETS125). I don't really need an "aggressive" sander.

  While the RO125 would match your existing paper, it's heavier than the 6"/150mm ETS models and more tiring to sand with for long periods of time with just 1 hand IMO.
Either ETS can be gentle depending on the grit of abrasive and type used, plus technique, but the 150/5 will sand faster since it's about twice the orbit of your ETS 125 versus the 150/3.

Sounds like maybe the ETS 150/5 would give me a bigger range of possibilities and allow removal of more material quicker if that is needed. Yet it would be a good sander for larger surfaces and could still do the finer finish sanding with finer grits.

  I think that's a fair observation of the 150/5. I and others agree that it's a great all-in-one sander for many people, esp. just starting out.  It took me 10 years to buy the /3 model since my trusty /5 did everything that I needed within its sanding range of size and orbit.
The /3 is no slug what-so-ever though, just not as aggressive as the /5.

 

[semenza]

Hopefully this isn't off-topic. I own the ETS125. It seems to be great for sanding bare wood in prep for finishing. If I'm looking for a sander that could be more aggressive when trying to level our small imperfections and smoothing out small differences on the surface on glued joints, what would be the best sander for this. I don't need a sander which takes off a ton of material. I try to avoid that when gluing and there are other tools I have which would be better for that job. Would that be an ETS150 (3 or 5)? Or would the Rotex 125 or 150 be better? (125 for sure if the same paper can be used as for the ETS125). I don't really need an "aggressive" sander.

  While the RO125 would match your existing paper, it's heavier than the 6"/150mm ETS models and more tiring to sand with for long periods of time with just 1 hand IMO.
Either ETS can be gentle depending on the grit of abrasive and type used, plus technique, but the 150/5 will sand faster since it's about twice the orbit of your ETS 125 versus the 150/3.

Sounds like maybe the ETS 150/5 would give me a bigger range of possibilities and allow removal of more material quicker if that is needed. Yet it would be a good sander for larger surfaces and could still do the finer finish sanding with finer grits.

  I think that's a fair observation of the 150/5. I and others agree that it's a great all-in-one sander for many people, esp. just starting out.  It took me 10 years to buy the /3 model since my trusty /5 did everything that I needed within its sanding range of size and orbit.
The /3 is no slug what-so-ever though, just not as aggressive as the /5.

I agree with this  regarding the /5 versus the /3.  The /5 was my only and all around sander for several years.

Seth

 

[grbmds]

Hopefully this isn't off-topic. I own the ETS125. It seems to be great for sanding bare wood in prep for finishing. If I'm looking for a sander that could be more aggressive when trying to level our small imperfections and smoothing out small differences on the surface on glued joints, what would be the best sander for this. I don't need a sander which takes off a ton of material. I try to avoid that when gluing and there are other tools I have which would be better for that job. Would that be an ETS150 (3 or 5)? Or would the Rotex 125 or 150 be better? (125 for sure if the same paper can be used as for the ETS125). I don't really need an "aggressive" sander.

  While the RO125 would match your existing paper, it's heavier than the 6"/150mm ETS models and more tiring to sand with for long periods of time with just 1 hand IMO.
Either ETS can be gentle depending on the grit of abrasive and type used, plus technique, but the 150/5 will sand faster since it's about twice the orbit of your ETS 125 versus the 150/3.

Sounds like maybe the ETS 150/5 would give me a bigger range of possibilities and allow removal of more material quicker if that is needed. Yet it would be a good sander for larger surfaces and could still do the finer finish sanding with finer grits.

  I think that's a fair observation of the 150/5. I and others agree that it's a great all-in-one sander for many people, esp. just starting out.  It took me 10 years to buy the /3 model since my trusty /5 did everything that I needed within its sanding range of size and orbit.
The /3 is no slug what-so-ever though, just not as aggressive as the /5.

I agree with this  regarding the /5 versus the /3.  The /5 was my only and all around sander for several years.

Seth

Seth,

Now I'm conflicted since I don't believe I need a real aggressive sander yet I think maybe, for that rare possible need, the ETS150/5 would be best. I just don't want a sander that is "too agressive" all the time. I've read other posts and articles from links provided and, of course, get the range of answers one would expect. Recently I read this:
http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/store/blog/296/Which%20Festool%20Sander%20Should%20I%20Get

from another thread and it would seem to indicate maybe the /3 is a good choice since it is more middle of the road aggressive. I value your view, though, since your answers are objective and factual.

Randy

 

[leakyroof]

The 150/5 is only slightly more aggressive than the /3. They're both ETS sanders, not Rotex models, so you're never going to get too aggressive with them other than attacking something with too coarse of a grit. Both models are very controllable, easy to sand with one hand, and not that heavy on a ceiling above your head.
Get the /5, try it out, you have 30 days to return it if needed, but I'm betting that you probably won't.

 

[grbmds]

Does the ETS150/5 have a "break-in" period? I saw something on another thread about a break-in period on the 125, but I used it right out of the box without a problem except a little chattering which I think could have been eliminated by dialing down the CT48 suction a bit more even than I had it. Mine was about 1/2 speed. Others have said less than that is better.

So, at finer grits, like 150, 180, 220, the /5 wouldn't be noticeably more aggressive?

 

[leakyroof]

Does the ETS150/5 have a "break-in" period? I saw something on another thread about a break-in period on the 125, but I used it right out of the box without a problem except a little chattering which I think could have been eliminated by dialing down the CT48 suction a bit more even than I had it. Mine was about 1/2 speed. Others have said less than that is better.

So, at finer grits, like 150, 180, 220, the /5 wouldn't be noticeably more aggressive?

  It will sand faster than the ETS125 due to the larger orbit- 2mm I think , compared to 5mm on the /5.
But at those grits, you don't feel like the sander is fighting you, you just work faster with a larger surface area being covered when compared to an ETS125, and that slightly larger orbit.
Look at it this way, it's not like you're going from a 5" sander with 2mm orbit sander up to an 8" Fein that I think has the 8mm orbit to really move some material out of your way.
Instead, it's a gentle move for the most part. But again, get a sander in your hands to gauge all of this, esp. on the type of sanding work that you normally do.