ETS EC 150/5 EQ Sander Wobble

[BigDean]

Hi all,

I bought my first 2 Festool sanders last month and am a little confused at the performance. I got the ETS EC 150/5 EQ and the DTSC400. The later is great and works as I would expect (coming from a Makita platform).

I found the ETC to be extremely uncomfortable to use. It "wobbles" when trying to sand. If I connect a Granat or 3M on the sander directly, it seems okay. To try and make the pad last as long as possible I also bought the "pad saver". If I try and use this with either the Granat or 3M paper, then it is unusable with a wobble.

It has been back to Festool service who have sent it back to me with no fault found.

I cannot believe this is how it is supposed to be. It is difficult for me as I have no experience with other Festool higher end sanders to compare against. The smaller one just works as you would expect.

Unfortunately I didn't try to use until outside of the 30 return window otherwise I would just send it back and buy the Mirka.

Appreciate any input, or if anyone is in the Bath vicinity and is happy for me to visit them with it for an opinion, would appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

[woodferret]

I find that I need to support the hose with my off hand.  It has a definite growl noise if the hose is tipping the sander onto one side.  I just lift and support until that growl goes away.  And yes, extra pad thickness does seem to enhance that tipping.

For me, it's not too bad since I hold a small inspection wand in the hose-hand while doing this.

 

[bwehman]

Hmm strange. Definitely not normal. The ETS EC 150 is probably the smoothest sander I've ever used. When you say "pad saver" are you talking about that Granat Net thing thing that goes between the paper and the pad?

Are you using this with a dust extractor? If so, your vac speed needs to be dialed down to 50% or else it sucks the pad down to the workpiece and that can cause it to move around erratically.

 

[BigDean]

Hmm strange. Definitely not normal. The ETS EC 150 is probably the smoothest sander I've ever used. When you say "pad saver" are you talking about that Granat Net thing thing that goes between the paper and the pad?

Are you using this with a dust extractor? If so, your vac speed needs to be dialed down to 50% or else it sucks the pad down to the workpiece and that can cause it to move around erratically.

Thanks for that.

The velcro protection pad that sits in between the unit and the sanding disc. It is an optional extra supposedly to stop you wearing out the pad on the unit itself as they are a few quid rather than around £40.

Anyway, looks like this is a known issue as I have just had this from Festool:

"The vibrations are being caused by the interface pad that has been attached to the sander, when removing the interface pad the vibrations are less noticeable and less aggressive."

So would advise anyone not to purchase the protection pad.

Will dial down the CT Midi extractor as well.

Thanks for your help.

Dean

 

[BigDean]

I find that I need to support the hose with my off hand.  It has a definite growl noise if the hose is tipping the sander onto one side.  I just lift and support until that growl goes away.  And yes, extra pad thickness does seem to enhance that tipping.

For me, it's not too bad since I hold a small inspection wand in the hose-hand while doing this.

Looks like I need to learn a new technique. Thanks for your input.

 

[woodferret]

Hmm strange. Definitely not normal. The ETS EC 150 is probably the smoothest sander I've ever used. When you say "pad saver" are you talking about that Granat Net thing thing that goes between the paper and the pad?

Are you using this with a dust extractor? If so, your vac speed needs to be dialed down to 50% or else it sucks the pad down to the workpiece and that can cause it to move around erratically.

Will dial down the CT Midi extractor as well.

I'm actually down to the 2nd bar from the bottom and the integrated hose relief valve open.  With the valve closed, I can definitely feel the sander hold on to the surface.  You don't want that.  Also, this is with 400 grit, so you might not feel it as much on the initial 120/180.  Regardless, your sander should be able to lift off without resistance.

 

[alltracman78]

Are you using the thick or thin interface pad?

The thin pad is to protect your sanding pad if you're using net paper, like Granat Net or 3M Cubitron.
I don't believe it's necessary with regular sanding paper.

The thicker interface pads are for sanding contours and rounded edges and not for flat sanding.
I guess the thin interface pad might be useful for very small contours?

I have the ETS 125/3 with a 6 inch pad, as well as multiple other Festool rotary sanders; the only paper I use is Cubitron, so I always have a thin interface pad on the sander. I've never noticed a wobble. The rotary sanders would "pull" originally, until I learned to turn the dust extraction down.

As someone already mentioned, you do need to support the hose end (I wrap it around my arm/shoulders usually), as long as that weight is balanced the sander needs very little guidance.

 

[BigDean]

Are you using the thick or thin interface pad?

The thin pad is to protect your sanding pad if you're using net paper, like Granat Net or 3M Cubitron.
I don't believe it's necessary with regular sanding paper.

The thicker interface pads are for sanding contours and rounded edges and not for flat sanding.
I guess the thin interface pad might be useful for very small contours?

I have the ETS 125/3 with a 6 inch pad, as well as multiple other Festool rotary sanders; the only paper I use is Cubitron, so I always have a thin interface pad on the sander. I've never noticed a wobble. The rotary sanders would "pull" originally, until I learned to turn the dust extraction down.

As someone already mentioned, you do need to support the hose end (I wrap it around my arm/shoulders usually), as long as that weight is balanced the sander needs very little guidance.

The thin one. I am intending to use the 3M Extract sandpaper.

I will try all the advice above later today and feed back.

Thanks one and all.

 

[Hipplewm]

I also use a pad saver on my ETS150/5 and find if I hold the hose 6-8" behind the unit I can control the whole thing.  The smoothness is what sold me on festool sanders.  Now, i do put my hand on the sander, but just light pressure and gently direct it to where i want it to go.  The key is up pressure on the hose to keep the pad flat on what you are sanding and it glides effortlessly from there. 
If you are still having issues, try changing speeds, or suction.  I know if i have my vacuum turned up the sander tends to "Stick" to the wood, so i turn it down so it glides smoothly.

 

[BigDean]

Spent more time on the above suggestions. I sort of get it, and as I don't have an awful lot of experience, just going to put it down to "it is what it is". It still seems uncomfortable to me. I think it will be going on eBay as I wont use it.

It really shouldn't be this difficult to use a simple tool..... I have the Domino, the CSC SYS 50, the TSC55, the Kapex, the DTSC400. All work as they should without stress.

This sander just seems to be too "fussy" to be useful to me. Very strange from Festool. If only I had tried it in the first 30 days so I could return it :-(

Hey ho, you live and learn. I will have to try the Mirka I guess.

 

[Cheese]

This sander just seems to be too "fussy" to be useful to me. Very strange from Festool. If only I had tried it in the first 30 days so I could return it :-(

Hey ho, you live and learn. I will have to try the Mirka I guess.

I'd suggest you test drive the Mirka before you sell the Festool...you may just have the same issues with the Mirka.

I've owned my ETS EC 125/150 since September 2015 (first release date), and it's the least fussy of the Festool sanders. I regularly use mine with Granat, 3M Cubitron II, 3M Extract, Vlies & Platin 2.

 

[BigDean]

This sander just seems to be too "fussy" to be useful to me. Very strange from Festool. If only I had tried it in the first 30 days so I could return it :-(

Hey ho, you live and learn. I will have to try the Mirka I guess.

I'd suggest you test drive the Mirka before you sell the Festool...you may just have the same issues with the Mirka.

I've owned my ETS EC 125/150 since September 2015 (first release date), and it's the least fussy of the Festool sanders. I regularly use mine with Granat, 3M Cubitron II, 3M Extract, Vlies & Platin 2.

Thanks for that. Would be great if anyone would be willing to meet up to compare mine with theirs..... If anyone could do that, please let me know.

 

[bwehman]

Location?

 

[BigDean]

Location?

Sorted thanks. I am near Bath and am meeting a chap from Bristol tomorrow. Will update afterwards.

 

[leakyroof]

It would be interesting to see all of this in person. And to compare your sander to a EC 125/3, with its smaller orbit, to see how you felt about that sander.  Can't say either of my EC sanders have ever disappointed me, but if you're not happy with the tool, you can certainly sell it off. I would also say that with higher grits, I tend to lower the CT extraction level to below 50% as needed. The smaller the sander, the lower I'll set it..
Let us know how your meet up with the other person works out,

 

[BigDean]

It would be interesting to see all of this in person. And to compare your sander to a EC 125/3, with its smaller orbit, to see how you felt about that sander.  Can't say either of my EC sanders have ever disappointed me, but if you're not happy with the tool, you can certainly sell it off. I would also say that with higher grits, I tend to lower the CT extraction level to below 50% as needed. The smaller the sander, the lower I'll set it..
Let us know how your meet up with the other person works out,
[/quote

Will do. If there is a difference, I will video if poss.

 

[BigDean]

Good news! Well, in the main.

After spending time with a fellow Festool user this morning, the results are:

Without the "protection pad", the sander is working as expected. As soon as you add it, it seems to displace the centre of gravity. As this is a Festool product, it is disappointing that it ruins what should be a very good sander.

So this issue is now behind me, so protection pads in the bin and onwards and upwards.

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

[leakyroof]

[cool]-  Glad you got it sorted...

 

[BigDean]

[cool]-  Glad you got it sorted...

Thanks

Still a little disappointing that the Festool accessory is not useable, but hey ho. We move on.

 

[palutena]

seems like a poor design, I am having the same issue when using pad savers. the Mirka allows you to add weights so that the sander is properly balanced when adding pad savers and thick interface pads. I guess festool didn't think of that? does anyone know if there's an option to add weights to the festool ?