ETS EC 150 vs Mirka DEROS which way would you go?

[DirtyOldMan]

Considering purchasing another finishing sander and can't decide between the two. Many people have stated that the Mirka was in a different league compared to the non EC ETS. I guess my question is if the new ETS EC is as good as the Deros?

At the moment the bulk of my sanding is done with a Metabo SXE450 which performs very well but ergonomically flawed for non horizontal work. Mostly a weight issue but also difficult to control single handed. Also will be acquiring a Rotex 90 very soon, not sure if that should affect my choice.

 

[sae]

If you've ever used an air sander with the paddle control, the Mirka will come closest to replicating that experience. Once you've adapted yourself to that level of control, nothing else is worth considering.

Not really sure why Festool didn't consider a paddle control, they make air sanders themselves afterall...

 

[Kev]

The thing that concerned me about Mirka in Australia was their tiny penetration and the prospect of warranty and support issues ... this is also a significant negative for me with Mafell. I don't fear this with Festool.

I haven't tried the EC's yet ... but I'll assume they're a worthwhile upgrade from the ETS150, which is a really good sander.

As with most things - trying them first hand is key.

I do like the idea of the new EC and the new integrated hose!

 

[DirtyOldMan]

I have never used an air sander but have read numerous posts raving about them being much nicer to use.

Completely with you on the whole very limited support in oz aspect Kev. That is why I am hoping the EC is as good or nearly as good.

 

[Holmz]

The first decent sander I got was a UVA 115 e.
But it is orbital and not 'random orbital', and there is  almost no vibation, and the speed goes pretty high.

Someone convinced me that the DEROS is the best for drywall or vertical and overhead.
I have not tried the Red verson of a RO, and I have no idea what the vibration is like on an ETS.

Howeve the ETS and DEROS both seem well regarded.
I was looking at a DEROS, but then decided that I do not really need an RO sander.
However I found a place in Finland will sell the DEROS 5/6" combo in 220v (which is the one you want), ext VAT for 560 Euro, and 55 Euro for shipping.
... the 5/6" DEROS combo comes in at 890 AUD - so under the magik amount.
But it is almost twice the Festool price.
The straing 5" or straight 6" was ~750 AUD from memory.

The DEROS or maybe CEROS, also comes in a /5 model and/or /8 model.
I have no idea whether that is improtant, but as you are in Brissy, maybe you do yacht building?

 

[Jimmy FineCut]

I own a mirka deros and really rate it. I was going to buy the ets ec 150, but I tried one in my local store and found it bigger and not as comfortable in hand. The deros also felt lighter but not sure on the weights of the two sanders.

I also prefer the air paddle style like sae said.

Overall I find it a very comfortable, low noise, dust free sander when hooked up to a vac, o and it comes in a yellow systanier. [tongue]

I guess it comes down to which feels better to you in hand, so go check them out in a store if possible.

Jimmy

 

[Steve-Rice]

Steve Johnson (the down to earth woodworker) did a comparison of the Deros, ETS and Bosch sanders.  You can find his youtube video here:



Looks like the Deros came out on top in all of his tests.  Unfortunately, Steve did not compare the dust collection on the various sanders, but his findings are interesting, none the less.

 

[jonny round boy]

Steve Johnson (the down to earth woodworker) did a comparison of the Deros, ETS and Bosch sanders.  You can find his youtube video here:



Looks like the Deros came out on top in all of his tests.  Unfortunately, Steve did not compare the dust collection on the various sanders, but his findings are interesting, none the less.

I just clicked on that & watched the first 30 seconds, and I seriously had to check that I hadn't accidentally altered my YouTube settings & turned the playback speed down...

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Dust extraction on the Deros is at least on par with Festool. At least. It is certainly no lesser.

I own and use both the Deros and the ETS EC 5. I actually sold my Deros since we have one permanently attached to a Vac in shop but should I do it all over again I would get the Deros.

I bought the ETS EC since I needed a light plug it connected sander at the work station and the Deros is not possible to fit a Plug It cable unless you are into serious modification.

 

[Holmz]

...Looks like the Deros came out on top in all of his tests.  Unfortunately, Steve did not compare the dust collection on the various sanders, but his findings are interesting, none the less.

To be fair, Mirka has been doing sanders for years.
It would be pretty noteworthy is Festool could deliver a better sanding machine, but it does beg the question as to the R&D staff and funding that Bosch, Festool, Mirka etc devote funds towards.

As a kid I recall seeing men walking on the moon, and had a little astronaut jumpsuit that I wore out. At that time I pretty much had the impression that everything was invented and fully figured out. It was not until much later that I realised that science and technology are still advancing.

So I personally find it refreshing that we can debate whether a Mirka sander is better than a Festool sander... It is pretty much like debating whether a Maserati is better than a Ferrari, or whether Kate Blanchet is more stunning than Kate Winslet.

 

[Kev]

Steve Johnson (the down to earth woodworker) did a comparison of the Deros, ETS and Bosch sanders.  You can find his youtube video here:



Looks like the Deros came out on top in all of his tests.  Unfortunately, Steve did not compare the dust collection on the various sanders, but his findings are interesting, none the less.

Couldn't watch all of it, about 2 minutes is all I could stand !!

A comparison between the ETS EC and Mirka would interest me. If you were in the market for a new sander today, you wouldn't be considering the old ETS unless you were looking at the saving you could make.

 

[clark_fork]

Anyone speak to the convenience or lack of convenience of turning on the vac. I have Midi

Festool=vac activates when turning on sander

Mirka= reach around to turn on vac?

Anyone speak to the cost of sandpaper, quantities available at one time

Both seem to have their own sand paper layout.

 

[GavsterUK]

If i may just jump in here.

We sell both so I'm not to biased...well apart from been Green Blooded!

BUT we have had at least two Deros returned with electronics issues recently...
The Deros is very lightweight  but IMO the ETS has the edge due to its innovative features, covered hose etc etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[leakyroof]

...Looks like the Deros came out on top in all of his tests.  Unfortunately, Steve did not compare the dust collection on the various sanders, but his findings are interesting, none the less.

To be fair, Mirka has been doing sanders for years.
It would be pretty noteworthy is Festool could deliver a better sanding machine, but it does beg the question as to the R&D staff and funding that Bosch, Festool, Mirka etc devote funds towards.

As a kid I recall seeing men walking on the moon, and had a little astronaut jumpsuit that I wore out. At that time I pretty much had the impression that everything was invented and fully figured out. It was not until much later that I realised that science and technology are still advancing.

So I personally find it refreshing that we can debate whether a Mirka sander is better than a Festool sander... It is pretty much like debating whether a Maserati is better than a Ferrari, or whether Kate Blanchet is more stunning than Kate Winslet.

  Off topic, but forget those two Kates and consider Kate Beckinsale... [wink]
Okay, back on to topic.  I like the posts about paper/abrasive costs between brands/sanders. Also, warranty support.  If there is a slight tendency for the Mirka'
s to go wrong, you'd like to know how long you're waiting for it to get repaired if needed.  [blink]

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Anyone speak to the convenience or lack of convenience of turning on the vac. I have Midi

Festool=vac activates when turning on sander

Mirka= reach around to turn on vac?

Anyone speak to the cost of sandpaper, quantities available at one time

Both seem to have their own sand paper layout.

Clark: I don't know what you mean with your post - did I miss something?

I use a Mirka Deros coupled to a MIDI Vac at work. When the sander turns on/off - the vac turns on/off - there is no reaching around to turn on/off a vac.

The Mirka accepts Festool papers, Mirka papers - and every other paper on the market.
Festool accepts only Festool hole pattern papers.
Dust extraction is equal.

I also own and use the ETS EC (5) and when I used it today I actually came to the conclusion that the Mirka Deros is better. I used to think they are equal.  The only reason for keeping the ETS EC is the plug it cord at my work station. In the paint room the Deros is permanently hooked up to a MIDI vac but in the shop I use a Festool plug it hose. The sander is sufficient for me but sometimes feels a little lacking. When that happens I reach for the Rotex 150.

I don't think you can go wrong with either sander but having owned both and still using both I would more likely recommend the Deros over the Festool ETS EC 5 unless you are using a plug it hose.

 

[Holmz]

LR... 3 Kates.

...
Anyone speak to the cost of sandpaper, quantities available at one time

Both seem to have their own sand paper layout.

I pulled out the red model 1/2 sheet sander, as the Mrs is sanding a door today.
The pads said Abraidnet (by Mirka).

Those screens seems to last very long compared to paper, and with no overt big holes the dust just wanders up everywhere.
For wood I don't believe it matters too much, but for materials which are prone to clogging (like epoxies) they seem to hold up well.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I can attest to the longevity of Abranet papers on wood and on dry paint/finish. For finishing/between coats where the finish isn't hardened the papers don't really "clog" like regular sandpapers might - but they become "smeared" and lose their grit. They look fine but they don't do the job anymore.  In those cases I can't say they are better - they just smear instead of clog (they can clog though).  They are no worse than regular sandpaper in that aspect though.

We have both kinds of Mirka Abranet/Autonet. I usually grab whatever is nearest...  [embarassed]

 

[clark_fork]

You answered my questions:

"Clark: I don't know what you mean with your post - did I miss something?

I use a Mirka Deros coupled to a MIDI Vac at work. When the sander turns on/off - the vac turns on/off - there is no reaching around to turn on/off a vac.

The Mirka accepts Festool papers, Mirka papers - and every other paper on the market.
Festool accepts only Festool hole pattern papers.
Dust extraction is equal."

I conclude

The Mirka Deros will work with my Midi
I can buy paper for the Mirka  from any vendor
There is no difference in dust extraction

From others I  have learned the Mirka is lighter and the paddle is regarded as a plus.

Other than yellow clashing with green, the Mirka Deros seems to be a good choice notwithstanding the price of each which no one here seems to care about.

Thanks for the insights.

 

[Steve-Rice]

My 2015 Festool USA catalog doesn't show the ETS EC model, just the EQ model and I don't see the EC model on my dealers website.  Is the EC available in the US?  If not, does anyone know if Festool will bring the EC to the US?  Thanks

 

[neeleman]

Until now it's NAINA.
You'll have to wait probably till Autumn 2015 or even 2016.
And it's not cheap either.