ETS EC 150 EQ 6 inch Random Orbit Sander- 3 or 5mm orbit?

[Alphonse]

Looking to place an order for a new 6 inch sander.  I am going to order a ETS EC 150 EQ. 

Should I get the 3 or the 5mm orbit?  I have three other FT sanders but want to step up to a 6".  I am leaning toward the 5 mm for quicker results. 

I would appreciate your insights.

 

[VirTERM]

What other sanders do you have?
You should consider 3mm (or lower) as your finishing sander.

 

[huntdupl]

I have a Rotex 150 and ETS EC 150/3 - I wish I would've gotten the 5 stoke. I don't have any issues controlling pigtails or sanding marks and find the 3mm orbit just not quite aggressive enough for me. You could always dial back something stronger with finer abrasives, I'd say its more difficult to go the other way...others may question whether your work is primarily painting versus stained or bare hardwood, thus recommending a finer stroke. While the delta sander is my least used, the 150/3 is probably the only tool I regret buying (over the 5mm). My 2cents

 

[mino]

If you already have some 5" sanders then there are two good choices here:

ETS EC 125/3 + 150 pads for it (you will anyway want two extra pads - one ultra-soft and one hard, the default one is soft/medium)

ETS EC 150/5

If you already have some fine finish orbital like the ETS 125 or the Pro 5, then I would prefer the 150/5.

If you do not have a fine finish orbital, then the 125/3 + 150 pads may be a better option as it can cover both finish sanding and the rougher sanding tasks.

I have a Rotex 150 and ETS EC 150/3 - I wish I would've gotten the 5 stoke.
...

Did you try the Sapphire abbrasives ?

I find the Sapphire at 36 grit to be plenty aggressive even with our 2.4mm stroke Bosch "finish" sander ... Rubin 40 is similar, but not nearly as agressive. The Sapphire P36 is like a hypothetical "Rubin P24" to me, were I to compare.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I would start with a couple of questions.
What are the other sanders that you already own?
What are you sanding on? Painted projects, stain/finish on hardwood, "new" work, refinishing older furniture, etc.

 

[ajkoontz]

I'm following this thread with interest as I have pretty much the same question. This will be my first FT sander and I've pretty much settled on the ETS EC 150/5 to be my go-to for finishing 'new work'. Any word on when these are expected to be back in-stock? I can't find them available on-line anywhere.

 

[GPowers]

I have both the 3 & 5mm sanders. I start with the 5mm and finish sand with the 3mm

 

[tomktest]

I started with the ETS EC 125 but returned it for the ETS EC 150/3. I figured someday I'll pick up a rotex so why not have both stroke lengths.

I recently took a gander on EKAT and saw that I can just pick up a /5 fan for my ETS EC if I ever want to convert it. Will I ever actually do it?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Don't think you could really go wrong with either it just depends how much you love or hate sanding.

 

[pwk5017]

I had an ETS 150/5 that i sold and bought an ETS EC 150/3. However, i kept the 150/5 for two weeks to directly compare between the new 150/3. The EC model is fantastic for its low profile and the brake. The 3mm stroke is a huge disappointment. It is a more refined scratch pattern, for sure. The 150/3 at 150 grit will look similar to 180 or 220 grit on the 150/5. That is great, but the 150/5 with 150 grit will remove more material than the 150/3 with 60 grit. The 3mm stroke is painfully slow at material removal. You can make up for the difference in scratch pattern by changing sand paper on your 150/5. Step up to 320 or 400 if you want a more refined scratch pattern.

Now, i have a rotex 150, and i find myself using it on EVERY project. I will not sand with anything less than 120 with the ec 150/3. I use the rotex in rotex mode with 80-100 grit to level a glue up or remove planer marks. Then, change modes to sand 120/150, and then move to the ec 150/3 stepping back a grit. This works OK, and it sounds perfect in theory, but in practice sometimes the rotex leaves a scratch pattern that the 150/3 cant handle easily. I didnt have this problem with the ETS 150/5.

For reference, i make hardwood furniture, and take on a commission or two every other month making bartops or island tops. I finish with GF Endurovar and Rubio Monocoat. I rarely paint anything, so maybe that is why i dont appreciate the refinement of the 150/3?

Patrick

 

[smorgasbord]

I'm in a similar boat, trying to decide between the two.

I have an old Bosch 1370DEVS, which may have been the first RO to have the "direct drive" mode. You have to take the backing pad off and flip a drive wheel gear thingie to switch between modes, which is kind of a pain. But, the sander itself works well, especially with the 3M Cubitron II or Mirka Abranet sandpapers - but I'd like to keep the Bosch in direct drive mode and have another, more ergonomic, sander for lighter removal.

The Bosch has a 4.6mm orbit. I'm thinking I want the ETS EC 150/3, not the 150/5. But, I'm willing to be talked out of it.

I do mostly solid wood, with oil finishes, sometimes a soft tung oil, sometimes a glossier hard oil. But, some veneered plywood may be in my future. I also do have a 25" wide dual drum sander, btw.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I think if you had to choose the 150/5 would be the best option. My 150/3 permanently lives with with 320grit paper for very fine final finishing. The 150/5 I usually work through the grits on projects.

Regardless, both of the ETS EC's are a fantastic sander!

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Honestly, I've been very happy with the 3mm stoke of the 150/3 I've owned for what feels like "eons" now and have never pined for the heavier 5mm stroke. I happen to have a Rotex 150, however, that could cover that need if, um...needed.

 

[smorgasbord]

Honestly, I've been very happy with the 3mm stoke of the 150/3 I've owned for what feels like "eons" now and have never pined for the heavier 5mm stroke. I happen to have a Rotex 150, however, that could cover that need if, um...needed.

Yeah, I don't have the Rotex, but my old Bosch has the equivalent of "rotex-mode." Mine is literally from the last century, but it's built like a tank and ones in good shape go for good bucks today (https://www.ebay.com/itm/275443081044 ).

So, I'm thinking of keeping the Bosch in rotex-mode-equivalent and getting a lighter/more ergonomic sander for lighter removal, random orbit duties. Hence my thinking the 3mm orbit would be best.

BTW, what I don't get about the Rotex is that they bill it, even in rotex mode, as giving a great finish and there's that video of someone taking a rough piece of walnut all the way to a high polish solely in rotex mode. So, why is random orbit even needed then?

 

[Jim_in_PA]

BTW, what I don't get about the Rotex is that they bill it, even in rotex mode, as giving a great finish and there's that video of someone taking a rough piece of walnut all the way to a high polish solely in rotex mode. So, why is random orbit even needed then?

I can see getting there using both rotary (initially) and ROS mode, but all rotary? THAT would be incredibly lucky, IMHO! It would also mean "aching arms" 'cause the big Rotex is a two hand tool, IMHO.

 

[smorgasbord]

Here's the video:=134

I believe he stays in rotex mode on the piece of walnut.

 

[Cheese]

I believe he stays in rotex mode on the piece of walnut.

Yes he does, but he's only working on 1 sq ft of surface. Refinishing a 3' wide door or 7' long table with a Rolex would not be fun. That's what the ETS EC for the door or the RS 2 for the table are used for.

 

[smorgasbord]

Yes he does, but he's only working on 1 sq ft of surface. Refinishing a 3' wide door or 7' long table with a Rolex would not be fun. That's what the ETS EC for the door or the RS 2 for the table are used for.

Can you explain? Since rotex mode is fastest, why wouldn't it be better for a larger surface? Especially for a table, where the workpiece is horizontal.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Yes he does, but he's only working on 1 sq ft of surface. Refinishing a 3' wide door or 7' long table with a Rolex would not be fun. That's what the ETS EC for the door or the RS 2 for the table are used for.

Can you explain? Since rotex mode is fastest, why wouldn't it be better for a larger surface? Especially for a table, where the workpiece is horizontal.

The rotex is great for aggressive removal, but the RS2E is an absolute powerhouse with a much larger surface area and is perfect for rough or fine sanding large panels while keeping the surface flat. Not as aggressive as the rotex, but pretty damn close.

If you ever see an RS2E for sale, grab it, you won't be dissapointed!

 

[smorgasbord]

OK, so now I'm in too-many-Festool-sanders-to-choose-from heck. There could be worse places to be, I know. But.

Let me summarize where I'm at:
1) I work mostly solid hardwoods like cherry, walnut, narra (similar to mahogany), but also use exotics for accents.
2) I mostly use pure tung oil finishes, but occasionally a hard oil like Rubio Monocoat or a wiping varnish.
3) I build everything from jewelry boxes to cabinets to built-ins to furniture to entry doors.
4) I own a General 25" dual drum sander, typically with 100/150 or 80/120 grits, which gets out planer marks.
5) I have an old but still kicking Bosch 1370DVES 6" RO sander that has the equivalent of rotex mode.
6) I end up doing a lot of hand sanding at 180+ grits.

My first thought was a LS130EQ if I can still find one, or used.
But then I was thinking the ETS EC 150/3 RO sander would let me keep the Bosch in rotex mode (it's a pain to switch modes since you have to remove the pad, it doesn't have a switch like the Festools).
And now I hear there's another discontinued model (RS2E) that I should look for.

I'm not ready to buy 3 additional sanders right now. I ordered a larger dense cork block, but that's not a real solution for me.

Please, help me wade through all the choices. I don't do much plywood, although I might be getting into some DIY veneering on top of MDF or baltic birch in the future.

I might have a line on a LS130EQ...should I snap that up pronto?

 

[luvmytoolz]

If you see an LS130 for sale I would highly recommend grabbing it, it is utterly unique and nothing else will perform that function as well as it does. If you can also get some of the blank bases to go with it they would be handy for when you do a lot of a certain profile.

If you're happy with the rotex type sander you currently have, then I would recommend the ETS EC 150/3 for fine finishing. Later I would recommend getting an ETS EC 150/5 just because they are so damn superb if you can.

If you do ever see an RS2E half sheet sander, I couldn't recommend getting that high enough, I would bet you'll find it to be your go to sander for all panel, sheet, large items, etc as it doesn't dig ridges. It an absolute beast, but handles very fine finishing just as good, and being half sheet it's sort of a cheaper compromise with getting the BS105 belt sander and frame (which is also a spectacular sander!).