ETS sanding pads

[Euclid]

I'm about to order an ETS125...

Does anyone know if there is a hard pad for this sander?
The printed catalogue implies that pads for the ETC EC are different... and I'm assuming that the hard for my RO125 will be different too.

The various pads in 150 sizes are indicated as being the same for both ETC and ETS EC, so wondering if the same compatibility does, in fact, exist for 125.

Or... as it's intended primarily for fine finishing, is a hard pad not considered necessary?

For the use it will get, I'd struggle to justify the cost of the EC version - (but is the EC a spectacularly better machine?).

Thanks for your help!

 

[chrisrosenb]

The soft pad is the only pad available. The ETS 125 pad is different than any other Festool pad.
Soft Festool 492280 & Supersoft Festool 492282 are the only pad options that I am aware of.

 

[Cheese]

That's the only issue I have with my Pro 5 and ETSC 125 sanders...the lack of a hard pad option.  [mad]

The ETS EC 125 is a great sander and certainly worth the $$$. It's smoother and more aggressive than the Pro5/ETS 125/ETSC 125.

If you purchase the ETS EC 125 version you can also fit a 150 pad to it, however, you can't fit a 125 pad on an ETS EC 150 sander.  [sad]

 

[MrToolJunkie]

You can buy hard pads for the 125 ETS EC sander:

492284 D125 Hard Pad for ETS EC

You cannot buy a hard pad for the Pro 5 or ETS 125.

 

[Euclid]

Thanks guys.
Just now I don't really need the larger 150 size (or need the expense of the ETS EC) and have a stash of 125 abrasives... but given the possibility of using a 150 pad in the future, and availability of the hard pad, I might have to reconsider.

The details indicate that ETC and ETS EC are the same weight, but does the form factor of the latter make it nicer to use? And is it quieter?

Thanks again!

 

[Scott in Bend Oregon]

I previously owned an ETS 125 EQ for over ten years and sold it immediately after I bought an ETS 125 EC. 

The ETS 125 EQ is a good finish sander, 125 ETS EC is an amazing all-around versatile sander.

ETS 125 EQ      200W brushed motor, 2mm stroke
ETS 125 EC      400W brushless motor, 3mm stroke

They both are low noise sanders and my vintage CT33 seems louder than either of the sanders.

I really like the 125 ETS EC sander form factor. The low vibration and low weight add to the comfort of use.

One thing that you should be aware of is that you cannot use a dust bag with the EC model.  You need a vacuum for dust extraction.

I would buy the EC model all over again without hesitation.

 

[Cheese]

The details indicate that ETC and ETS EC are the same weight, but does the form factor of the latter make it nicer to use?

The lower profile also helps keep the pad flat to the surface. Here's the ETS EC 125 with a 150 pad installed.

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

 

[Michael Kellough]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member]  those comparison shots are very telling. Thanks!

 

[nvalinski]

I'll throw in my opinion on the matter... I'd argue Bosch actually offers better value with their 5" ROS20VSK sander and has hard pad options. I have never personally run an ETS 125, but reviews seem to compare them very similarly for sanding quality and dust collection and I was very happy with my Bosch for the decade I had it.

If you are considering upgrading to Festool, I'm sure the ETS 125 is good, but not triple the price good. The ETS EC, on the other hand, while exceptionally expensive and does not have provisions for a dust bag, is even nicer. I would argue to go for the 150 in this case and give away whatever 5" sandpaper you have left. The extra stability and sanding coverage you get with that extra inch is well worth it, and sandpaper isn't that much more expensive and cheaper if you consider it's covering more area ($4 more for a box of 50, which is a 12% increase in price for 44% more sandpaper per sheet).

The only 5" sander I think I would consider from Festool is their cordless model, only because of nice ergonomics in truly cordless fashion. The ETS 125 I don't feel provides enough value over other competitors to be worth the price. Festool does make more sense in the larger sander, with the only real competitor being Mirka.

 

[Euclid]

(I'll still want the 125 abrasives for the Rotex, which is a useful machine.)

Some food for thought there though, thank you all.

Some factors to weigh up then:
ETS - much less expensive; slightly less ideal ergonomically?; no hard pad.
ETS EC - versatility of also using the 150 pad; a little easier to keep 'flat' - ironic since that one has a hard pad available.
ETSC - great versatility of mains/cordless use; similar price to the EC; no hard pad.
Then there's the Bosch option too...

I haven't looked so closely at Mirka, though I have good experience of their larger hand sanding pad when hooked up to the Midi.

Is the 2mm/3mm orbit size particularly noticeable? My RO 125 claims an orbit of 3.6mm, but it can be a little unruly as a finish sander - but that was one reason I was thinking of the ETS as it has a more different orbit to what I already have.

Decisions, decisions... I'm learning why some folks end up with so many sanders...

 

[Cheese]

Some factors to weigh up then:
ETS - much less expensive; slightly less ideal ergonomically?; no hard pad.
ETS EC - versatility of also using the 150 pad; a little easier to keep 'flat' - ironic since that one has a hard pad available.
ETSC - great versatility of mains/cordless use; similar price to the EC; no hard pad.

The reason for the lower profile on the ETS EC is that the dust collection fan was removed so you'll need to use a vac on it while the ETS & ETSC can be used with either a bag or a vac.