ETS sander vs ETS EC

[jnug]

I have an RO90 and ETS sander and for what I do, they seem fine.

I do wonder for those that have used both the older ETS and the new EC how you feel about what is a pretty big price difference. Did the older ETS represent something of a bargain (at least for Festool) or is the EC so much better that the price of the older vs the newer is entirely understandable?

All of those considerations aside....old vs new, I really think the center piece for Festool is those dust collectors. They are so darned good and knowing everything you buy that is Festool is going to take you right back to your dust collector pretty much seamlessly just is at least in my case too much of an incentive to ignore.

Would I have bought a Mirka when I was making these decisions...well I might have...but really was drawn in by the plug on the Festool sanders and seamless integration with the dust collectors.

Other companies make really good dust collectors, but they don't have the variety nor the consistent standard tool to tool of a Festool when it comes to power tools for the most part.

But again really most interested in peoples take on whether the new EC's are so much better that you can recognize the price difference in the older ETS series and these new EC's. Maybe for somebody that is not making cabinets day in and day out for example, the difference is not worthwhile.

 

[Locks14]

I've used the ETS and I've used other sanders in similar form factor to the ETS EC from Mirka. For my money doing woodwork, carpentry, etc I think the traditional form factor of the ETS is better suited.

I believe the ETS EC form factor is traditionally aimed at the motor industry for painting where the majority of panels are vertical. Not to mention all the electronic cleverness of dust extraction detection also lends itself to the highly contamination weary world of spray painting. Though I'm sure Festool/Festool dealers/bloggers or any other Festool stakeholder will try to tell you that even woodworkers would be better off parting with their cash for the latest and greatest...

But for me, the form factor of the standard ETS is the better of the two for woodworkers.

 

[Birdhunter]

I am a confessed Festool tool junkie.

The old ETS was my favorite of the 5-6 Festool sanders I own.

I bought the new ETC EC 5" sander a week ago and have used it twice.

I like it a lot. It's smoother than the older ETS, less vibration, and quieter. I like the near instant stop when I cut the power. I think it is a definite improvement over its older cousin.

Even so, it is an expensive sander and everyone will have to decide if it is worth the added cost.

 

[ear3]

A preliminary caveat to my remarks -- I have the ETS 150/3 and ETS EC 15/5, so I can't do an apples to apples comparison of the 3m or 5m models.

There are obviously many subjective factors that go into deciding whether something is "worth it."  From a strict time is money standpoint, you would have to do a lot of sanding to recoup the added cost of the ETS-EC.  Yes, having the pad brake immediately saves time and sometimes the workpiece, but people somehow made due before there was this automatic brake feature.

What I like most about the EC so far in comparison to the ETS (or the Rotex for that matter) -- having only used it since the beginning of October --  is how it performs when you're doing a lot of off edge sanding.  The electronics on the EC sense when part of the pad has gone over the edge of the board, and so it adjusts the motor so that the pad rotation is less likely to throw/tip the sander over the edge.  You don't gain much if you're doing a large flat panel on the workbench, but if you're doing a drawer front, or dimensional lumber, or any manner of in situ sanding, this feature is very welcome.

 

[w802h]

Like Edward my EC is a 5mm and my ETS is a 3mm.  I use these machines for drywall in addition to woodwork.  I found that the tail on the EC meant that I needed to get my hand closer to the ceiling, but after some time, I found it was light enough that I could change grips.  With the ETS I usually 2 hand it, pushing straight up on its taller form - perhaps less awkward.  I used the 5mm on speed 3 or 4 and the 3mm wide open.  Speed wise I saw no advantage to a bigger stroke sanding drywall.  Any advantages of one over the other would depend on one job or another, so I see the opportunity to use them equally.  I commented on overhead use because that's where I see the weight having the biggest impact.  So far, I found the stroke matters more to performance than any of the other features on wood or drywall.  I look forward to years of continued use with both.

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I'm following the topic of the ETS EC versus the ETS very closely. For me the lighter weight and smaller form factor of the EC version seems to make most sense as I find myself doing a lot of in situ paint prep of door frames etc. I've got the RS 300 EQ that can do similar duties but I sense the ETS EC might be more efficient. Also if I want to put it into service as a polisher with fine grit Platin abrasives it seems like a good choice coupled with an interface pad you would doubtless have a lot of control with the lower profile.

I have the R0 90 for agressive paint/stock removal on vertical surfaces. so I just want a smart and fast tool for the intermediate and finish stages..

So I'm thinking of getting the ETS EC 125. I'm wondering how well it will do as a polisher though...The Shinex 150 wood set looks slick, but I'm thinking it's a big investment for something that would only get occasional use, I'd like to do high gloss finishes on outdoor wooden surfaces, doors tables etc..

 

[neeleman]

So I'm thinking of getting the ETS EC 125. I'm wondering how well it will do as a polisher though...The Shinex 150 wood set looks slick, but I'm thinking it's a big investment for something that would only get occasional use, I'd like to do high gloss finishes on outdoor wooden surfaces, doors tables etc..

If you really want to go polishing like with the Shinex 150.
Remember there's no green polish pad for the ETS EC 125 sander!
You'll be better of with one of the ETS EC 150 models or the Rotex 150.

 

[ear3]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there's a polishing pad for any of the ETS sanders, period.  That doesn't mean that you couldn't throw on a sponge or sheepskin pad in a pinch, but it's not recommended, since 1) you don't have the reduced pad size that comes with the polishing pad, and so might damage the work by bringing the pad into contact with the work surface, and 2) dual purposing a sanding pad for polishing work risks getting sawdust in the polishing mix, which defeats the purpose of polishing. 

I've never used the ETS for polishing, but I'm wondering if you could even work up enough orbital action for it to be effective -- you would certainly have to throw on an interface pad in between to trick the sander into spinning faster, as I found I must do with the Platin abrasives. 

If you are considering a tool more suited for polishing, I would definitely look at the Rotex 150 over the Shinex, since you get the added benefit of a great sander.  The Shinex was made pre-Rotex, and with the introduction of the latter I think it's pretty outmoded unless you're doing automotive work exclusively.

Alternatively, the RO90 does have a green polishing pad as well, though I'm not sure off the top of my head how many of the polishing accessories are made in that size.

So I'm thinking of getting the ETS EC 125. I'm wondering how well it will do as a polisher though...The Shinex 150 wood set looks slick, but I'm thinking it's a big investment for something that would only get occasional use, I'd like to do high gloss finishes on outdoor wooden surfaces, doors tables etc..

If you really want to go polishing like with the Shinex 150.
Remember there's no green polish pad for the ETS EC 125 sander!
You'll be better of with one of the ETS EC 150 models or the Rotex 150.