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

[leakyroof]

I was able to take home both the 5" Deros 5mm and the ETS EC 6" Festool 5mm for the weekend and Monday.  My local Festool and Mirka supplier is the best!  I used both yesterday for a couple of hours and have a lot of sanding to do on Monday when they'll get the real test.  I also threw in my ETS 6" 3mm a few times for comparison.  My initial thoughts are that the Festool is well laid out and I really like the 5mm stroke.  I went into this thinking I should get the Deros and I do really like it but do I like it more than the Festool?  I'm still not sure.  It's a cool little sander (I really should have the 6" Deros for comparison to the ETS but they don't have it - I'd have to order it) and I really like it but there's the cord issue (not easily swappable with other Festools) and I'm still not sure about the paddle.  When I sand really big table tops and other large items I tend to let the sander float and move my hand around quite a bit on the tool.  Not going to be able to do that with the Deros.  Also - and this is something I'm sure I would get used to - when changing paper I kept accidentally turning on the sander when I was holding it upside down in my hand.  Small quibble.

I found the 5" Deros removing stock as fast if not faster than the 6" Festool.  The smaller sander was nice on edges.  It did look small after my 6" ETS and the ETS EC but it was efficient.

I'll have to decide Monday I guess.

. I've heard the accidental paper changing 'trick' from other Deros owners , so you're not alone with turning the the sander while changing the disc.... [embarassed]

 

[pingvinlakrits]

...been there... ...done that...  [big grin]

I think you stumbled on the main differences already. I think the paddle works great when you have a lot of sheets/panels you need to go through. Also I find sanding to be more consistent when you don't move your hand around the machine that much - it is very evident between spraypainting coats or delicate surfaces where I think the Deros excels.

I think you should really compare same size sanders but apart from that I think you already know what it is all about, two great sanders. Remember that the Mirka Deros has a disadvantage with the power cord and if you are sanding and switching machines a lot you will find it a nuisance! Then you should go for Festool.

(At the shop we have a dedicated Festool Vac permanently hooked up to the Deros at a sanding station so no problems there.)

 

[morrisericd]

Thanks for the insight!  Have you used the 6" Deros?  If I go Deros I'm still not sure about the 6" vs. the 5".

 

[Holmz]

There is a 5" version and 6" version.
In 230v (220-240v) there is a version that does both... That requires the transformer from timberwolf.com .

It is either a negative or a positive. Positive is if it opens up the rest of the Euro range. Or you go 220v from an oven style outlet.
(Just to add complication of more tool options - like NAINA)

 

[morrisericd]

I will be using it on a job site as much as in my shop so the 220 version is probably not in the cards (both lugging the transformer around and finding a 220 outlet on a job site doesn't work for me).  Any idea out there when the version with both pads will be released in the US?

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I owned the 6" version of the Deros. My experience with it has been great and I do miss it from time to time. We still have a 6" Deros in the workshop so I still get to use one so I am not complaining.

 

[jzhu]

I will be using it on a job site as much as in my shop so the 220 version is probably not in the cards (both lugging the transformer around and finding a 220 outlet on a job site doesn't work for me).  Any idea out there when the version with both pads will be released in the US?

I contacted Mirka Canada customer service, they told me this 5" pad (part # 915GV28-130g)
http://www.mirka.com/accessories/Backing-Pads1/#/8292502511/Backing%20Pad%20Net%20125mm%205/16%22%20Grip%2028H%20130g%20Medium is balanced to run on the 6" Deros.

 

[mo siopa]

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 didn't see that anyone else mentioned this. It is the ETS 150 he reviewed- not the ETS EC 150.  Wood magazine did a review recently and has the Festool as the top tool.  The Deros was close though.

 

[Construct]

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 didn't see that anyone else mentioned this. It is the ETS 150 he reviewed- not the ETS EC 150.  Wood magazine did a review recently and has the Festool as the top tool.  The Deros was close though.

Good point. The ETS EC series is a relatively recent product. You have to be careful when reading reviews and comparisons that are more than a year or so old.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I am still working both machines at the workshop. I can't say I prefer one over the other. Both have failed despite being used indoors in a controlled environment without excessive abuse. They are both great machines when they work though.

I have no experience with Mirka repairs as it has been a case of replacing the power cord with the Mirka. I think Mirka should have handed out replacement cords for free. At least we now have a vendor that sells them at a reasonable price and we have beefed up the machine and have had no issues after that.

I have been without the ETS EC 150 for FIVE weeks now - it is currently missing at Festool. I have heaps of sanding to do and this does tick me off a bit. On a five star level Festool gets a frosty one star.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Paul:

I am also one of those that have appeared in multiple threads, posting my "displeasure". If I was in the market for the machine I would have appreciated repeat warnings about reliability issues. I don't know how you define a "legitimate complaint" but as a professional user of Festool machines (and I have had far more over the years than my profile shows) I still don't take personal offence when someone else bashes tools I like or whether they support my frustration or not.

When you write "We understand that you're upset..." you do mean YOU - or have you become an official spokesperson for the collective mindset on the Forum? Just asking.

Personally I find complaints about complaints a bit silly. Even if I probably take it to the next level by complaining about your complaining about a complaint.  [big grin]

We understand that you're upset with Festool for your sander issues. However, posting your displeasure more than a dozen times across multiple threads in the past couple of days is becoming annoying. If you have a legitimate complaint, there are better ways of expressing it.

I agree that not all sanders produce equal finishes. I don’t agree that festool makes a quality ets ec sander that is reliable. If you use the tool a lot, look for another brand to buy. Festool knows who their victims are, I mean that they are cashed out.

EDIT: I usually sell off my tools after the warranty period and simply buy them new again. Even most Festools I have.
I do keep them as pristine as I possibly can in order to be able to sell them at a reasonable price with a clean conscience knowing that I have taken care of the tool - offering the Festool experience for someone else to dip their teeth in the Kool Aid and hopefully appreciate them as I have.

The ETS EC 150 is one of those Festool machines I can neither recommend nor do I think I will be able to sell mine off with a clear conscience - if I ever get it back from Festool. It doesn't really matter that it is a very good sander in use. It is on the "Lemon List" of Festools, up there with the Kapex and the Carvex.

 

[semenza]

Paul:

I am also one of those that have appeared in multiple threads, posting my "displeasure". If I was in the market for the machine I would have appreciated repeat warnings about reliability issues. I don't know how you define a "legitimate complaint" but as a professional user of Festool machines (and I have had far more over the years than my profile shows) I still don't take personal offence when someone else bashes tools I like or whether they support my frustration or not.

When you write "We understand that you're upset..." you do mean YOU - or have you become an official spokesperson for the collective mindset on the Forum? Just asking.

Personally I find complaints about complaints a bit silly. Even if I probably take it to the next level by complaining about your complaining about a complaint.  [big grin]

We understand that you're upset with Festool for your sander issues. However, posting your displeasure more than a dozen times across multiple threads in the past couple of days is becoming annoying. If you have a legitimate complaint, there are better ways of expressing it.

I agree that not all sanders produce equal finishes. I don’t agree that festool makes a quality ets ec sander that is reliable. If you use the tool a lot, look for another brand to buy. Festool knows who their victims are, I mean that they are cashed out.

There is a limit to what is a realistic complaint, letting people know about the issue, restating it a couple times, and what is simply throwing a tantrum and trashing up a host of topics.

There is also a difference between posting about a problem and just using the forum to take shots at Festool because of the problem.

Seth

 

[PaulH99]

I'm not taking personal offense at all.

The member I referred to jumped into several other threads for the sole purpose of bashing a product. There is a definite line between voicing a legitimate concern on the forum, and criticizing a product at every opportunity. One is constructive and the other quickly becomes annoying. When I said "we understand" I was referring to the fact that I'm not the first person to ask him to stop derailing conversations with his need to rant.

I am also one of those that have appeared in multiple threads, posting my "displeasure". If I was in the market for the machine I would have appreciated repeat warnings about reliability issues. I don't know how you define a "legitimate complaint" but as a professional user of Festool machines (and I have had far more over the years than my profile shows) I still don't take personal offence when someone else bashes tools I like or whether they support my frustration or not.

When you write "We understand that you're upset..." you do mean YOU - or have you become an official spokesperson for the collective mindset on the Forum? Just asking.

 

[Kevin D.]

I'm just confused why this old thread is resurrected.  I worked back and is there a post that has been deleted between that of Construct in JUL2016 and PaulH99 yesterday?  Just seems like a lot of aimless ranting.  Henryk seems to have a big gripe out of nowhere also.  Most confusing.

Aside from all this...What I did want to say though was I find my Mirka Deros probably the best sander I will ever own.  It is just such a pleasure to use compared to all my other sanders or sanders I've ever tried for what it is designed to do which it does so well.  And you can't beat that whole Abranet stuff either which now I see recently Festool is also adopting.  FWIW......and mini rant over.....I think.....lol!

 

[semenza]

I'm just confused why this old thread is resurrected.  I worked back and is there a post that has been deleted between that of Construct in JUL2016 and PaulH99 yesterday?  Just seems like a lot of aimless ranting.  Henryk seems to have a big gripe out of nowhere also.  Most confusing.

Aside from all this...What I did want to say though was I find my Mirka Deros probably the best sander I will ever own.  It is just such a pleasure to use compared to all my other sanders or sanders I've ever tried for what it is designed to do which it does so well.  And you can't beat that whole Abranet stuff either which now I see recently Festool is also adopting.  FWIW......and mini rant over.....I think.....lol!

Hi,

  Sorry for the confusion.  There had been a trolling post deleted. I missed the quoted version. 

Seth

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Hello All!

Haven't checked in to this thread in ages!

I am sorry if I missed one obvious trolling post which was deleted earlier in the thread by the moderators.  I didn't mean to snipe at anyone and if I did I apologize.  Since I was not aware of the (deleted post) I chimed in to defend _my_ position without being aware of previous postings.

I will still call things as I see them and for me my take on the products discussed have not changed a bit.

I am still running the ETS EC 150/5 as my general use "fine" sander. And happpily so.

If I haven't mentioned it my unit was a replacement for the one lost at Festool when in for service (my first ETS EC gave up the ghost completely).

We also still have the Mirka Deros at the shop and they are both doing well but the Mirka power cord has been beefed up a bit so it won't wear out at the socket like it has done a few times too many. Not an elegant solution but hey, it works.

Happy with both sanders _in use_ - still don't trust them as much as I would like to for longevity.

/ Henrik