ETS EC vs. RTS vs DTS sanders

[Wood_Slice]

As the titles says a comparison or rather an opinion needed.

I have an ETS EC 125 on pre-order but that will take another 3-4 months I was told by a dealer. So I started looking at some options that are available now for me. I can see the DTS being useful in sander corners but other than that the ETS could probably do everything else the DTS can. Now onto the real question I am curious about. Can the RTS replace the ETS? Besides the fact that the ETS can most likely sand a larger surface area can the RTS compare. Can the RTS perform well on larger panels or is just for going straight with the grain.

 

[squall_line]

As the titles says a comparison or rather an opinion needed.

I have an ETS EC 125 on pre-order but that will take another 3-4 months I was told by a dealer. So I started looking at some options that are available now for me. I can see the DTS being useful in sander corners but other than that the ETS could probably do everything else the DTS can. Now onto the real question I am curious about. Can the RTS replace the ETS? Besides the fact that the ETS can most likely sand a larger surface area can the RTS compare. Can the RTS perform well on larger panels or is just for going straight with the grain.

There's some great discussion on the board about the DTS vs RTS that came up when I googled to look up the differences.

The ETS 125/3 has a 3mm stroke, the DTS and RTS both have a 2mm stroke.

DTS has the edge guard, I believe the RTS has one as well.

Neither can be directly used with the new edge guide, but that may or may not be a determining factor for you.

Some discussion points said RTS for slabs and DX93 (RO90 Delta pad) for corners.  Or if you'll have mostly corners, start with the DTS.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The RTS DTS can do everything the ETS can do but it will be slower.

In addition to a 50% larger orbit the ETS has a random orbit that makes sanding larger surfaces much more efficient than the DTS, and also reduces noticeable swirls. But the ETS can’t sand into corners.

The two sanders make a great pair so if you can’t get both at once go ahead and get the one that is available.

 

[mrboult]

Did you mean the ETS EC 125 or the ETS 125. Very different kettle of fish. The ETS has a 2mm orbit like the DTS & RTS. The ETS EC 125 has a 3mm orbit.

The ETS EC 125 is more powerful with a larger orbit and will work considerably faster than all the other sanders mentioned.

The DTS & RTS will both work in the angle guide designed for the ETS 125. It has been shown and proven here on the FOG. But the obvious issue is it will only use/wear a small portion of the paper when doing so. (Note we are talking the newer generations of these sanders. The older gen won’t fit the edge guide)

I have the RTS and the ETS EC 125.  The ETS EC 125 is way faster and more powerful, no real comparison in that aspect.  Long time ago I bought and returned the ETS 125 as I found it too weak/underpowered for my desired usage. I’m pretty sure the DTS I now own is more efficient at removal than that ETS 125 I briefly owned.

 

[FestitaMakool]

Take this from a guy who’s not very fond of sanding..
I recently bought a RTSC, cause; this type of sander was the type of sander I learned to sand with, and I have missed it, because; it has a forgiving manners when you’re not very particular strong in going step by step in coarse to finer grain. It has a rectangular sole, it can reach far into corners, along edges (inside/outside) as it will be parallel and controllable, planted. The pattern suits solid wood frames, edges and panels (finish deep into corners with a Delta pad type). You can easily cut sanding paper from sheets (if empty..) It has four corners, predictable sanding. (FT also has a manual sanding block, HSK that has DC) And it makes for a great finish sander.

Rotary/Random orbit do removes material quicker, but all above says (RTSC) strength is complementary sanding, and sometimes completely replace a round sander. In short in think you have more control with a square-ish sander. The DTS(C) is not something I would buy other than for where the pad is required, and that’s tight corners.
All this, I do only sand painted wood (preparation), and just wood (95% is solid wood) I’ve just gotten tired of delta and random orbital as the “only” choice, cause to many times the round pad covers too much, and the delta, covers.. delta.. It is completely up to what and how you sand. But after getting rid of my two old sanders (Random orbit and delta) the first one after my Bosch 150 Turbo and RO 90 was the RTSC. And now an ES-ETSC is on the way.

 

[Alanbach]

Clearly everyone is different and needs and desires vary widely. In my case I have many Festool Sanders. The ETS EC 125/3 was my first Festool sander and it is still the one that I use the most. It is the best sander that I have ever used. The DTS 400 is the second most used sander that I have. I have a RTS but I barely use it. I find the DTS to be extremely versatile because of that long sweeping Delta shape it is very comfortable to get into places with a simple shift of hand or arm position. It is more powerful than you think but it is a 2mm orbit finish sander. The ETS EC is much more powerful. I hardly use the DTS for anything more than the lightest removal jobs. The DTS is a finish sander. The ETS EC is a remover and a finisher. Both are super comfortable to use. In my opinion buy the DTS if you want but do not cancel your ETS EC order. They will work together much better than as one replacing the other.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Clearly everyone is different and needs and desires vary widely. In my case I have many Festool Sanders. The ETS EC 125/3 was my first Festool sander and it is still the one that I use the most. It is the best sander that I have ever used. The DTS 400 is the second most used sander that I have. I have a RTS but I barely use it. I find the DTS to be extremely versatile because of that long sweeping Delta shape it is very comfortable to get into places with a simple shift of hand or arm position. It is more powerful than you think but it is a 2mm orbit finish sander. The ETS EC is much more powerful. I hardly use the DTS for anything more than the lightest removal jobs. The DTS is a finish sander. The ETS EC is a remover and a finisher. Both are super comfortable to use. In my opinion buy the DTS if you want but do not cancel your ETS EC order. They will work together much better than as one replacing the other.

In my post above I said the RTS was a good pair with ETS but I meant DTS for the above reason. (Maybe my mind thought R meant Radius instead of Rectangular)

Also, the wider base of the DTS means the sander pitches over much less than the RTS. When that happens the abrasive makes deeper scratches.

 

[mino]

When you consider "R" style sanders, it is worth not to miss the half-sheet group like the RS2e or the NAINA RS200.

IMO a small "rutscher", as the Germans call these, is way more specialist tool and less useful than a big one.

One thing "R" sanders are great at is flattening - they are very gentle but at same they will not go into "valleys" so if you have a planed slab or sheet, the RS2 or RS200 or even RTS will tend to produce a "flatter" output than a random orbital will.

What I will do normally is use the RS200 to flatten the material with low grits - starting as low as 40 - and once I am happy the sheet or slab is flat, I will finish with a random orbital for the lower grits.

This is very useful with plywood as the outer layer may not always be precisely flat from the drum sander and the orbitals tend to struggle to not make the "waves" worse as they do not have a big-enough reference surface to work with.

 

[Alanbach]

[member=61254]mino[/member] - I laughed when I saw your post because I have an RS2E and love it. I did not mention it in my post because it is no longer available in the US and I did not want to complicate matters. But you are absolutely correct that it is a great sander for both flattening large surfaces as well as maintaining that flatness.