ETS EC 150/5 EQ-Plus: new version?

[Tim3100]

Hi,

I‘m looking to replace my old Bosch orbital sander. A main reason is the lack of proper dust collection and no smooth way to connect my Festool vacuum. A bit more grinding removal would be great, too.

I‘m a hobby woodworker and do not use the sander heavily, I mainly work with plywood. Still, I need a universal sander from time to time. While I will for sure not use it’s full potential, I tend to go with buy once cry once and invest in the ETS EC 150/5 EQ plus. But since Mirka has released the Mirka Deros II recently and the ETS EC has been released quite long ago (right? It’s on the market in the current form since 9 years?), I‘m wondering whether there are any rumors about a Festool version as well? If yes, I would wait and either get the new version or hope for a discount on the old one.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Edit: Typo „EQ“ instead of „EC“ corrected.

 

[woodferret]

Compare against the ETS EC150/5 EQ-Plus

 

[smorgasbord]

I‘m wondering whether there are any rumors about a Festool version as well? If yes, I would wait and either get the new version or hope for a discount on the old one.

I'm not as long a Festool watcher as many here, but my few years view is that Festool isn't a company that upgrades models, instead preferring to come out with different tools.

For instance, years after the DF500 came to the US in 2007. A new Base Support Bracket was introduced about 2 years later, using paddles instead of pins at 20mm versus 37mm (some argue not an upgrade), and supporting the 4mm domino.
The larger DF700 came out over 5 years later, but it's now been a dozen years since that and the improvements in the DF700 have not been pushed to the prior DF500.

So, I would not expect a new 6" ROS from Festool any time soon.

 

[squall_line]

You didn't say which Bosch orbital sander you're trying to replace.  That bit of information may make a world of difference in the recommendations you receive.

 

[luvmytoolz]

So, I would not expect a new 6" ROS from Festool any time soon.

Don't want to sound like a fanboy but I think it would be hard to improve upon the ETS EC's, they're absolutely sensational and by far the best sanders I've ever used.

 

[Tim3100]

You didn't say which Bosch orbital sander you're trying to replace.  That bit of information may make a world of difference in the recommendations you receive.

It’s a Bosch GSS 18V-10. Since I always want to connect my vacuum, I think wired would work equally well for me.

 

[Cheese]

...But since Mirka has released the Mirka Deros II recently and the ETS EC has been released quite long ago (right? It’s on the market in the current form since 9 years?), I‘m wondering whether there are any rumors about a Festool version as well? If yes, I would wait and either get the new version or hope for a discount on the old one.

Well interestingly enough, the ETS EC 125 is no longer on the UK or the Australia Festool website, so maybe something is going on.  [huh]

 

[Tim3100]

Any additional thoughts?

 

[woodferret]

Don't want to sound like a fanboy but I think it would be hard to improve upon the ETS EC's, they're absolutely sensational and by far the best sanders I've ever used.

Adjustable weights in the pad shaft would be nice for those using pad savers.

 

[Cheese]

Adjustable weights in the pad shaft would be nice for those using pad savers.

Talking about pad savers...I just noticed today that 3M came out with their "Hook Saver" pad back in 2013, that's about 8-9 years before they released their Xtract™ net abrasives.

The original task for the Hook Saver was to extend the life of the sanding pad when swapping constantly between various grit papers.

In 3M's words:
"To protect the integrity and life of your 3M™ Hookit™ Pad, the 3M™ Hookit™ Clean Sanding Hook Saver was devised.
Over time, repeated disc changes will fatigue the hooks on the disc pad and reduce the level of attachment force between the disc and pad. To protect your specialized Hookit™ Pad and extend its useful life, 3M™ has developed this low-cost hook saver attachment."

I also noticed that 3M released their version of a Hook Saver pad for 5" and 6" sanders. However in 2022, they replaced their 6" version (20446) with the Festool 6" version (30089) instead. So 3M 30089 = Festool 203343.

 

[timwors]

Well interestingly enough, the ETS EC 125 is no longer on the UK or the Australia Festool website, so maybe something is going on.  [huh]

It doesn't seem to have been officially available in the UK for at least a couple of years. The odd supplier had it but I'm guessing it was a grey import. The 2022 catalogue shows it as not available in Great Britain.

 

[Coen]

Festool isn't into SKU spamming like some other brands.

I wouldn't know what would need improving on the ETS EC, so personally I don't expect a new version anytime soon.

 

[six-point socket II]

Additional thoughts? It’s apples and bananas. The ETS EC 150/5 is a completely different machine compared to the Bosch you have. It will not replace it - if you’ve been using the Bosch to its full capabilities. (Interchanging sanding plates and all.) So the question is, are you looking for an additional sander to do the “heavy lifting” of your (current) sanding tasks, then you found the right one. The problems with the Bosch will still stick around unless you replace that - or you simply don’t need the additional functionality of the Bosch, then this is a non-issue.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Tim3100]

Thanks a lot everyone.

It sounds like there is no reason to wait if the Festool is the tool of choice.

I got the Bosch sander as a promotion gift when buying I think my Bosch hammer. I didn’t pick it specifically for my needs. What I expect when getting the ETS EC 150: the Festool will work for 99% of my woodworking tasks. The Bosch will only be needed when sanding some corners or for fine work (finer than grit 320, tasks that I haven’t planned yet). Also, I expect that for sanding my outdoor wooden table, the Festool will be perfect and there is no need to finish with the Bosch.

 

[Chainring]

Adjustable weights in the pad shaft would be nice for those using pad savers.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the ETS EC line have adjustable counterweights? I took the pad off my 150/3 the other day to blow it out and it sure looks that way. Enough to counteract a pad saver? Don't know.

 

[woodferret]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the ETS EC line have adjustable counterweights? I took the pad off my 150/3 the other day to blow it out and it sure looks that way. Enough to counteract a pad saver? Don't know.

If you mean the giant hunk of metal stamped 150/3 or 150/5, then that's the counterweight.  The Mirka ver - as hokey as it is - has extra taped holes to allow hex screws to add additional weight for compensate for the pad.  We don't have that yet... maybe in a stealth version update one day?

 

[six-point socket II]

Indeed not much reason to wait. (And now that I wrote that, Festool probably announces an updated variant tomorrow or next week …) Honestly, if there are people that really know, they would never post about it publicly. The last “leaks” I have seen all came in via Facebook, pictures snapped at small tool demos either in workshops or small “trade fairs”.

And even with an update, it doesn’t make the currently available model obsolete. It’s a great sander the way it is. Buy with confidence!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Tim3100]

Buy with confidence!

I made up my mind and will follow this advice