ETS EC 150 / 3 vs 150 / 5

[donwon]

Hey everyone,

I was able to hold the ETS EC 150 / 3 in my hands this weekend at my local dealer.  It is a nice machine  [big grin], easy to use and looks quite small compared to the ETS 150/3.

My question is does any one have experience comparing the /3 and /5.  I now the technical difference but need the practical paper to wood experience.  I do have an RTS 400 sander so I am thinking about the /5 and then if I need a very fine finish I could use the RTS for the final couple of grits.  Also, how fine does one have to get for urethane which is one of my common finishes.

Thanks!

 

[Kev]

I have ETS150 /3 & /5 (non EC) ... to me they're very different sanders, but with a familiar grip!

I tend to use the /5 as an "intermediate" sander 80~100 grit it's a gem. Typically use it a near full speed with lots of DC.

The /3 I find myself running at lower speeds with less DC and I'm generally more in tune with the result.

 

[Holmz]

We need a better search function on here.

 

[leakyroof]

The 5mm is more of an All-Around sander for most users. They can sand faster or more aggressively than what the 3mm orbit offered or even the older ETS 125 with its 2mm orbit[ I think it was 2mm], BUT, still get very nice sanding results at higher grits for most work.
It's when you need to get to a higher level of finish that the 5mm sander probably can't compare fully to the smaller Orbit sanders when you're going into higher grits or a really nice stain job with a clear finish.
For that type of work, I feel the 3mm version excels.
I just sold off my ETS 150/5mm and bought the new EC version, which is as you noted, so much smaller than the current ETS sanders.
I won't give up my 150/3 any time soon since the EC sanders aren't cheap..... [scared]
Costly to change over to both of them at the same time.... [wink]

 

[Steve-Rice]

I've been using the ETS EC 150/3 for a few weeks now and I'm surprised how powerful it is, even when using 80 grit abrasives on a rough surface.  I've been using it for everything from removing planer marks to sanding fine veneers and I'm very pleased with it's performance.  Unfortunately, I have no experience with the 150/5, so I can't make any comparison there, but I can tell you that the ETS EC 150/3 is no whimp when it comes to sanding muscle.  Wish I could be more helpful...

 

[Stone Message]

I've been using the ETS EC 150/3 for a few weeks now and I'm surprised how powerful it is, even when using 80 grit abrasives on a rough surface.  I've been using it for everything from removing planer marks to sanding fine veneers and I'm very pleased with it's performance.  Unfortunately, I have no experience with the 150/5, so I can't make any comparison there, but I can tell you that the ETS EC 150/3 is no whimp when it comes to sanding muscle.  Wish I could be more helpful...

I was about to post and saw this - I agree entirely.  It is a great machine and I am using my RO 150 less and less.

Peter

 

[Steve-Rice]

Say, Peter, just so you know - it was your video that convinced me to get the 150/3 instead of the 150/5.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Stone Message]

Say, Peter, just so you know - it was your video that convinced me to get the 150/3 instead of the 150/5.
Thanks,
Steve

Brilliant. Many thanks for letting me know.

I am getting too old and arthritic for the rough cuts these days and so it is a great pleasure to hear of someone happy with my work.

Peter

 

[Steve-Rice]

Peter, I genuinely enjoy all your videos.  You are an inspiration to us all.  Keep up the good work.

Many thanks,
Steve

 

[andreasg]

Peter: I´m sanding down a wooden stair that has had carpet. A lot of awful hard glue. RO150 with 40 grit, would have been 24 if my supplier didn´t use 2 weeks for this order. That did the job, but a real struggle, and my add-on question is if the EC/3 would be strong enough to continue with 80-120-180 for the smooth-up? Would really like to have something less aggressive the handle afterwards to get som "rest"

 

[Stone Message]

Peter: I´m sanding down a wooden stair that has had carpet. A lot of awful hard glue. RO150 with 40 grit, would have been 24 if my supplier didn´t use 2 weeks for this order. That did the job, but a real struggle, and my add-on question is if the EC/3 would be strong enough to continue with 80-120-180 for the smooth-up? Would really like to have something less aggressive the handle afterwards to get som "rest"

I have used 80 grit quite often in the EC 150/3 and it does remove material at a good rate. I am sure the same would be true with even lower grits. I do not know what the glue residue might be like but assume that sanding is the right answer rather than solvent and scraping first.

I have not noticed any unsightly score marks after sanding from 80 grit as I still work up through to 180 on most jobs. And, as everyone knows, there is so much less fatigue with the machine if you are using it over an extended period.

Good luck.

Peter

 

[Tot]

For wood only 5mm.

Btw both sanders produces same quality, but 5mm (sanding stroke) is ~2times more faster, than 3mm. If you have 50+ hours exp. of the sanding, you can do identical surfaces with 3mm or with 5mm sander. 3mm is good if you need rly slow speed, e.g. a thin layer of paint or you have the $10k surface and this is you first try with this machine.

 

[andreasg]

For wood only 5mm.

Thanks for your answer. Not sure what you meant with that sentence?

Also thanks to Peter: right now I'm already down to bare wood, and need to clean out after the 40 grit with Rotex. It's quite flat already, but thought 80 grit should be the next round.

Called my "dealer", ordered the 3mm version, already shipped and will get it tomorrow morning

 

[Stone Message]

For wood only 5mm.

Thanks for your answer. Not sure what you meant with that sentence?

Also thanks to Peter: right now I'm already down to bare wood, and need to clean out after the 40 grit with Rotex. It's quite flat already, but thought 80 grit should be the next round.

Called my "dealer", ordered the 3mm version, already shipped and will get it tomorrow morning

Well done. Please follow up with some pictures of the results or at least your views.

Peter

 

[Holmz]

For wood only 5mm.

Btw both sanders produces same quality, but 5mm (sanding stroke) is ~2times more faster, than 3mm. If you have 50+ hours exp. of the sanding, you can do identical surfaces with 3mm or with 5mm sander. 3mm is good if you need rly slow speed, e.g. a thin layer of paint or you have the $10k surface and this is you first try with this machine.

I would suggest using a block by hand in the case of a 10000$ surface.

I think that the 5-mm and other manufactures 8-mm are also popular with the fibreglass crowd.

 

[donwon]

Thanks everyone for the input and suggestions. One question I did ask was if I have the RTS 400 will that provide that fine finish similar to the 150/3. I am thinking if the 150/5 was paired with the RTS 400 you would have the best of both worlds.

 

[canadamike]

Hi Donwon,

I have the rts, as well as the ETS/3 and a couple rotex sanders. I only use the rts when the space is tight, but it does give a nice finish, as long as you don't skip grits and go with the sander's direction. For finish sanding (on applied finishes) I would use the ETS/3 as well as hand sanding. It really depends on what final result you are trying to achieve. The ETS/5 is a little too coarse for a fine finish. (5mm vs 3mm sanding stroke).

Mike

 

[AlexThePalex]

People stare themselves blind on the stroke size. You can achieve identical results with both sanders, by adjusting grit and technique. Using one or the other just gets you there with more ease, depending on what you want.

 

[andreasg]

Alex: is it fair to say that the lesser stroke, 3mm, makes the machine behave a little "less aggressive", and runs smoother/softer?

Maybe not the correct english words to describe, but I hope the meaning comes across anyway

 

[Wuffles]

If someone were using an RO150 and needed a finishing sander, which would be the preferred of the two, or is that an open question.