ETS125 vs. RO125

[guitar_ed]

Hi,

I have a RO125 which I have a challenge with. When doing finish sanding I sometimes can not control it.  I am using Festool abrasives, and the hard pad. I have tried a variety of speeds, and vacuum pressures.  I can not find a consistent pattern.

Also, would the ETS125 be a better finishing sander for me?

Thanks,

edg

 

[TheTrooper]

I think there's a trick to it. I have a RO150 and I can use it one handed without any issues, my employee uses 2 and it walks on him.  Think of it as a floor buffer and remember less pressure is better. This has helped me.
As for the other sander. I have never used it but I'm guessing that it would be easier since it is centered and balanced.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I find if you keep a little bit of pressure on the front head of the sander sander it will help.  I know Festool offers a front handle for the ro150, not sure if they have one for the ro125.  That front pressure will help.  I too can rotex with one hand and have great results.

 

[Greg M]

I've got both sanders.  I do have to fight with the RO125 at times.  I've used the RO150 (don't own one) and it's as easy to control as the ETS125.  I use the RO125 for coarse sanding and then switch to the ETS125.

After using the RO150 this past week I've sent in my RO125 to see if there's something wrong with it.

 

[jacko9]

I don't have the RO125 since I don't need it in my furniture building but I do own the ETS 125 and the ETS 150/3 and I would recommend that you get the ETS 150/3 for finishing work and save the RO125 for the heavy duty work.  If you work with expensive hardwoods the last thing you need is for the sander to tilt and ruin your project.  Yes technique is important with any tool but, the ETS 150/3 makes the job quicker and more pleasant.

Jack

 

[AlexThePalex]

The important thing with the RO125 is that you keep it absolutely flat, the "walking" occurs when it is tipped ever so slightly.

The ETS125 is an easier finish sander for sure.

 

[Brent Taylor]

I have both sanders , I start with  the RO  until 180 grit, then swap to the ETS from there,  Jack and Alex are right on the mark, if the tool is still giving you problems, send it in to get checked out.

 

[SittingElf]

I'm still a complete novice woodworker, and when I first started buying Festool sanders, I had the same problems. That is until I was reading various posts on the issue here on FOG and saw the "buffer" analogy! [embarassed]

My years in the Army taught me VERY well how to use a floor buffer!  The analogy was PERFECT, and I have been zipping along with my RO's and ETS without issues ever since! [tongue]

Give me a linoleum floor, some Johnson's Paste Wax, a lighter, a floor buffer with a round piece of cut up wool blanket...and I'll give you a floor that is dangerous to walk on and a shine that can damage your eyes! [big grin] (Most important skill in Officer Candidate School!)

Cheers,
Frank

 

[Cheese]

I've got both sanders.  I do have to fight with the RO125 at times.  I've used the RO150 (don't own one) and it's as easy to control as the ETS125.  I use the RO125 for coarse sanding and then switch to the ETS125.

After using the RO150 this past week I've sent in my RO125 to see if there's something wrong with it.

I'm very interested in what Festool will have to say about your RO125.

I have both of the 125 sanders and the only thing they have in common is sandpaper size. I always equated Rotex mode = right angle grinder mode, so as with a right angle grinder, i just tighten my grip and guide it as best I can. Always figured it was just the nature of the beast. Sanding oak seems to provoke her more than sanding maple, and yet there are times when she seems happy to be used one-handed.

 

[TheTrooper]

I'm still a complete novice woodworker, and when I first started buying Festool sanders, I had the same problems. That is until I was reading various posts on the issue here on FOG and saw the "buffer" analogy! [embarassed]

My years in the Army taught me VERY well how to use a floor buffer!  The analogy was PERFECT, and I have been zipping along with my RO's and ETS without issues ever since! [tongue]

Give me a linoleum floor, some Johnson's Paste Wax, a lighter, a floor buffer with a round piece of cut up wool blanket...and I'll give you a floor that is dangerous to walk on and a shine that can damage your eyes! [big grin] (Most important skill in Officer Candidate School!)

Cheers,
Frank

We are highly trained at floor and brass polishing technics

 

[guitar_ed]

Hi Everybody,

Thanks for the thoughts & comments.  The ETS 125 it will have to be, for a simple reason.  I already have a lot of sandpaper, and I don't want to have to spend that much more money for the larger size.

Take care,

edg

 

[guitar_ed]

Picked up the ETS 125, and gave it a short spin.  Much easier for me to use/handle.  I am going to like this one.

edg

 

[flair woodworks]

Ed,

With the hard pad and mass amounts of power, it can be hard to maintain control over the larger Rotex sanders if not kept flat on the surface, or if the workpiece is concave.  The ETS 125 is much easier to control.  It is also much less aggressive.

 

[Greg M]

I've got both sanders.  I do have to fight with the RO125 at times.  I've used the RO150 (don't own one) and it's as easy to control as the ETS125.  I use the RO125 for coarse sanding and then switch to the ETS125.

After using the RO150 this past week I've sent in my RO125 to see if there's something wrong with it.

I'm very interested in what Festool will have to say about your RO125.

I have both of the 125 sanders and the only thing they have in common is sandpaper size. I always equated Rotex mode = right angle grinder mode, so as with a right angle grinder, i just tighten my grip and guide it as best I can. Always figured it was just the nature of the beast. Sanding oak seems to provoke her more than sanding maple, and yet there are times when she seems happy to be used one-handed.

Got my RO125 back today.  Festool received it, fix it, and got it sent back to me the same day!  Gave it a quick test and in coarse mode it's much better then it was.  I use to be able to get it to stay in one place with very little effort but it would jump around like it was out of balance.  Today it is a lot smoother.  Not as smooth as the RO150's that I tried but very close and much better then before.

In fine mode it's working fantastic.  Not as smooth as my ETS125 but I wouldn't expect it to be.  Before I couldn't even use it in fine mode but now it works very well.

In both fine and coarse modes I can control it with 1 hand, not that I use it with one hand.

They replaced 3 bearings, the pad and the sealing rim.  I'm very pleased with the service and the RO.

 

[Cheese]

Got my RO125 back today.  Festool received it, fix it, and got it sent back to me the same day!  Gave it a quick test and in coarse mode it's much better then it was.  I use to be able to get it to stay in one place with very little effort but it would jump around like it was out of balance.  Today it is a lot smoother.  Not as smooth as the RO150's that I tried but very close and much better then before.

In fine mode it's working fantastic.  Not as smooth as my ETS125 but I wouldn't expect it to be.  Before I couldn't even use it in fine mode but now it works very well.

In both fine and coarse modes I can control it with 1 hand, not that I use it with one hand.

They replaced 3 bearings, the pad and the sealing rim.  I'm very pleased with the service and the RO.

Thanks for posting [member=36891]Greg M[/member],
Glad to hear that it made a large improvement. My RO125 is off warranty, but I'm still going to send it to Festool anyways and see if they can work their magic on it.

 

[Greg M]

Got my RO125 back today.  Festool received it, fix it, and got it sent back to me the same day!  Gave it a quick test and in coarse mode it's much better then it was.  I use to be able to get it to stay in one place with very little effort but it would jump around like it was out of balance.  Today it is a lot smoother.  Not as smooth as the RO150's that I tried but very close and much better then before.

In fine mode it's working fantastic.  Not as smooth as my ETS125 but I wouldn't expect it to be.  Before I couldn't even use it in fine mode but now it works very well.

In both fine and coarse modes I can control it with 1 hand, not that I use it with one hand.

They replaced 3 bearings, the pad and the sealing rim.  I'm very pleased with the service and the RO.

Thanks for posting [member=36891]Greg M[/member],
Glad to hear that it made a large improvement. My RO125 is off warranty, but I'm still going to send it to Festool anyways and see if they can work their magic on it.

Before they knew it was covered under a warranty they quoted me a price of $73.

 

[Cheese]

[member=36891]Greg M[/member]
Thanks for the heads-up on the price.

What did you tell Festool was wrong with the RO 125 to have them quote you the $73 price?

 

[Greg M]

[member=36891]Greg M[/member]
Thanks for the heads-up on the price.

What did you tell Festool was wrong with the RO 125 to have them quote you the $73 price?

After they looked at it they called me and said the bearings had to be changed.  That was $73.  After we got the warranty question straightened out they fixed it and sent it back.  I think the $73 was for the bearings only and maybe the extra item was a little extra for the warranty but I'm not sure.

I told them that it would jump around when holding it still.  It works sooo much better now!

 

[snodgrass23]

After they looked at it they called me and said the bearings had to be changed.  That was $73.  After we got the warranty question straightened out they fixed it and sent it back.  I think the $73 was for the bearings only and maybe the extra item was a little extra for the warranty but I'm not sure.

I told them that it would jump around when holding it still.  It works sooo much better now!

That's awesome. I remember you talking about this at the class. Glad you got it worked out.