ETS125 - What is your use case?

[Cochese]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who bought this new sander and doesn't explicitly need it. I have a 150/3 that I adore, that does work from 80-220 grit. I have a DTS that handles skinnier areas and corners. I have a belt sander for when those times call for it.

With a smaller stroke than the /3, I would assume that maybe the best use would be finer grit sanding, perhaps starting at 220. Perhaps polishing if I ever try that out (although by that point I assume I'll have the RO150).

Anyone in the same boat? Anyone have a 125 and a 150/3?

 

[Discap]

I have the 150s ETS AND RO. It was just to good a deal to pass up. Partial justification by having some left over 5" paper from Ridgid mad Milwaukee sanders.

Bill

 

[Stephen B]

[size=13pt]I have a ETS 150 and a 125. I find the 125 more useful in sanding architraves and skirts, some plaster, and as well curved surfaces with the soft interface pad. I tend to use the ETS150 more for larger flat surfaces.

Interestingly, in the last two years, the ETS 125 has had more hours. That may be because some of the 150 need has been covered by a ROTEX.

 

[Paul G]

I have the 150s ETS AND RO. It was just to good a deal to pass up. Partial justification by having some left over 5" paper from Ridgid mad Milwaukee sanders.

Bill

The new Pro 5 sander has the same hole pattern as a ridgid?

 

[McNally Family]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who bought this new sander and doesn't explicitly need it. I have a 150/3 that I adore, that does work from 80-220 grit. I have a DTS that handles skinnier areas and corners. I have a belt sander for when those times call for it.

With a smaller stroke than the /3, I would assume that maybe the best use would be finer grit sanding, perhaps starting at 220. Perhaps polishing if I ever try that out (although by that point I assume I'll have the RO150).

Anyone in the same boat? Anyone have a 125 and a 150/3?

I am in the exact opposite situation.  I had planned on purchasing the promotional sander, but after more consideration, I have decided against it, and here is why:

$99.00 is a great price, particularly when you take into consideration the $50.00 voucher.  However, the terms and conditions of the voucher shrink the advantages it presents considerably.  You can't use it for accessories, so no portable reusable dust bag ($27.00) purchase (which is optional on this model, not included):
http://www.festoolproducts.com/festool-new-products/festool-201693-long-life-reusable-dust-bag.html

And of course for those using sleeved hoses, no Clean-Tec bayonet-style dust port purchase to retrofit your hose once they are available in North America ($25.00?), as they would also be considered an accessory:
https://www.festool.com/Products/Ac...pid=500668&name=Hose-sleeves-D-27-22-DM-AS-CT

These two items alone will match or exceed the value of the voucher (of course this only applies to those who use sleeved hoses, and who would also want the advantages of bagged dust extraction, which I would).  So these two accessories would require additional cash to purchase.

There is also the expense of purchasing sandpaper for this size sander (not an issue for anyone who already stocks it).  If you don't already have in on hand, it represents another accessory (consumable), that you can't use your voucher to purchase.

Really, the only advantage to the voucher at this point, for me anyway, is to purchase another tool.  So, essentially your just "pre-paying" $50.00 of the anticipated purchase price, which you had better be prepared to do before the annual scheduled price increase on April 1st, 2017, or you will decrease the value of the voucher by whatever the price increase is on the tool you want.  Saying you have until the end of 2017 to use your voucher, is not doing you a complete service, should you wait until after April 1st, at which point is will be worth less than $50.00 to you.

Granted, there is the obvious point of receiving this sander for $50.00 (with an initial outlay of $99.00 and waiting for your voucher value to be sent to you once you actually purchase your next tool).  For those who will need the accessories described above, your outlay will of course be much larger than the purchase price of the promotional sander, which until today, you may or may not have wanted or needed.

For me, my initial reaction was it is too good to pass up.  However, with additional thought, taking into consideration my personal circumstances (particularly the fact I don't have any sandpaper this size on hand), it seems to have become more of a distraction from what I already had planned for my next tool purchase.

For instance, because I already own a considerable stock pile of sandpaper that fits the Festool 567863 RTS 400 EQ Orbital Sander, it would be cheaper for me to purchase it, even at $260.00 with no rebate, particularly since it does include the new portable dust extraction bag (if that sander was a priority for me, which it is not).

Personally, I am already in the middle of accumulating accessories for my recently purchased Mafell P1cc Jigsaw, which is how I came to the conclusion this particular sander promotion is in fact nothing but a distraction for me, and because of that I will pass (this time).

Everyone has different priorities, and needs.  My scenario as described above is tailored to my own situation, and not anyone else.  I only offer it as food for thought, to those who may be considering jumping on this promotion, simply because the price seems to good to be true.

One final thought for those only interested in the concept of locking hoses for a sander:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...cleantec-hose-connectors/msg477457/#msg477457

 

 

[Brice Burrell]

I have the 150s ETS AND RO. It was just to good a deal to pass up. Partial justification by having some left over 5" paper from Ridgid mad Milwaukee sanders.

Bill

The new Pro 5 sander has the same hole pattern as a ridgid?

Not likely.  I'm pretty sure Festool is the only one using a 9 hole pattern.  Mirka Abranet would work.   

 

[KRKWW]

I own both and only the ETS 125 and the RO 150. The ETS is helpful to reduce sanding marks finer than the RO is able. The ETS is also much better for me when I sand the thin outer veneer on sheet stock. I also use the ETS to sand between finish coats of poly by turning the speed way down. Doing this really helps knock down any high spots and flatten the finish. Got to keep the sander moving at a good clip though...

By the way, I did order the new Pro 5 for the bit of extra power and I look forward to seeing how the redesigned pad/vacuum path helps reduce suction to the work piece.

 

[Paul G]

I have the 150s ETS AND RO. It was just to good a deal to pass up. Partial justification by having some left over 5" paper from Ridgid mad Milwaukee sanders.

Bill

The new Pro 5 sander has the same hole pattern as a ridgid?

Not likely.  I'm pretty sure Festool is the only one using a 9 hole pattern.  Mirka Abranet would work. 

Yea I would certainly be surprised if Home Depot sand paper fit a Festool, they'd be loosing out on a lot of consumables business if it did.

 

[Cochese]

You can put any sandpaper you want on there if you don't care about the holes lining up. You just won't get good results. Which is why I think it's smart of Festool to include more paper in the systainer than they normally do. It's also smart of them to restrict the voucher for use on only tools, otherwise you don't expand your footprint. I don't have a problem with the strategy and this isn't the thread for that anyway.

 

[Paul G]

You can put any sandpaper you want on there if you don't care about the holes lining up. You just won't get good results. Which is why I think it's smart of Festool to include more paper in the systainer than they normally do.

A festool buyer who doesn't care about results would be an odd duck, but using Home Depot paper might come in handy in a pinch.

I already have a ridgid 5" sander and intended to replace it with a festool once it died but that thing keeps on trucking. I'll put the pro 5 to work on the finer finishing needs and I'm generally impressed with granat paper in my RO90 so I don't mind adding the new size festool to the arsenal especially at the great price. The voucher is just a great bonus, not sure yet but may put it to use on a RO125 to make the most of adding festool 125 paper to my inventory.

 

[leakyroof]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who bought this new sander and doesn't explicitly need it. I have a 150/3 that I adore, that does work from 80-220 grit. I have a DTS that handles skinnier areas and corners. I have a belt sander for when those times call for it.

With a smaller stroke than the /3, I would assume that maybe the best use would be finer grit sanding, perhaps starting at 220. Perhaps polishing if I ever try that out (although by that point I assume I'll have the RO150).

Anyone in the same boat? Anyone have a 125 and a 150/3?

I am in the exact opposite situation.  I had planned on purchasing the promotional sander, but after more consideration, I have decided against it, and here is why:

$99.00 is a great price, particularly when you take into consideration the $50.00 voucher.  However, the terms and conditions of the voucher shrink the advantages it presents considerably.  You can't use it for accessories, so no portable reusable dust bag ($27.00) purchase (which is optional on this model, not included):
http://www.festoolproducts.com/festool-new-products/festool-201693-long-life-reusable-dust-bag.html

And of course for those using sleeved hoses, no Clean-Tec bayonet-style dust port purchase to retrofit your hose once they are available in North America ($25.00?), as they would also be considered an accessory:
https://www.festool.com/Products/Ac...pid=500668&name=Hose-sleeves-D-27-22-DM-AS-CT

These two items alone will match or exceed the value of the voucher (of course this only applies to those who use sleeved hoses, and who would also want the advantages of bagged dust extraction, which I would).  So these two accessories would require additional cash to purchase.

There is also the expense of purchasing sandpaper for this size sander (not an issue for anyone who already stocks it).  If you don't already have in on hand, it represents another accessory (consumable), that you can't use your voucher to purchase.

Really, the only advantage to the voucher at this point, for me anyway, is to purchase another tool.  So, essentially your just "pre-paying" $50.00 of the anticipated purchase price, which you had better be prepared to do before the annual scheduled price increase on April 1st, 2017, or you will decrease the value of the voucher by whatever the price increase is on the tool you want.  Saying you have until the end of 2017 to use your voucher, is not doing you a complete service, should you wait until after April 1st, at which point is will be worth less than $50.00 to you.

Granted, there is the obvious point of receiving this sander for $50.00 (with an initial outlay of $99.00 and waiting for your voucher value to be sent to you once you actually purchase your next tool).  For those who will need the accessories described above, your outlay will of course be much larger than the purchase price of the promotional sander, which until today, you may or may not have wanted or needed.

For me, my initial reaction was it is too good to pass up.  However, with additional thought, taking into consideration my personal circumstances (particularly the fact I don't have any sandpaper this size on hand), it seems to have become more of a distraction from what I already had planned for my next tool purchase.

For instance, because I already own a considerable stock pile of sandpaper that fits the Festool 567863 RTS 400 EQ Orbital Sander, it would be cheaper for me to purchase it, even at $260.00 with no rebate, particularly since it does include the new portable dust extraction bag (if that sander was a priority for me, which it is not).

Personally, I am already in the middle of accumulating accessories for my recently purchased Mafell P1cc Jigsaw, which is how I came to the conclusion this particular sander promotion is in fact nothing but a distraction for me, and because of that I will pass (this time).

Everyone has different priorities, and needs.  My scenario as described above is tailored to my own situation, and not anyone else.  I only offer it as food for thought, to those who may be considering jumping on this promotion, simply because the price seems to good to be true.

One final thought for those only interested in the concept of locking hoses for a sander:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...cleantec-hose-connectors/msg477457/#msg477457

  All good points..  I held off buying any of the 5"/125mm sanders from Festool for many years because of a few  of the reasons you listed, primarily not happy ending up with yet more different sand paper to stock.
With all the different items changed on the new version of the ETS REQ, AND the low price, I got over all those reasons.... [cool]
Also, I run into refinishing mouldings and trim that are just better suited to a smaller Random Orbit sander pad size compared to my 150mm sanders.  The RO90 is generally just too small for me in those applications or is too slow in ROS mode versus its Rotex mode.  If I don't like the new sander, I've got 30 days to figure out if I made a mistake... [embarassed]

 

[Cochese]

You can put any sandpaper you want on there if you don't care about the holes lining up. You just won't get good results. Which is why I think it's smart of Festool to include more paper in the systainer than they normally do.

A festool buyer who doesn't care about results would be an odd duck, but using Home Depot paper might come in handy in a pinch.

I already have a ridgid 5" sander and intended to replace it with a festool once it died but that thing keeps on trucking. I'll put the pro 5 to work on the finer finishing needs and I'm generally impressed with granat paper in my RO90 so I don't mind adding the new size festool to the arsenal especially at the great price. The voucher is just a great bonus, not sure yet but may put it to use on a RO125 to make the most of adding festool 125 paper to my inventory.

I had a PC390K (great sander) with quite a bit of paper when I bought my 150/3. I ended up giving it to my BIL shortly after once I realized how awesome the 150/3 was. I don't imagine I'll feel quite the same way about the 125, because a lot of that was about the ergonomics.

 

[pettyconstruction]

Buy whatever paper you want , and a hole punch [emoji1]
Btw I ordered the pro5 ,but I have a RO125 already , so I have some paper.
Charlie

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[s1301950]

i have a ets 125 eq, ro90 and a rts400. can someone tell me if i should buy the new limited edition? isn't it almost identical to the ets125 i have already? both have 2mm sanding stroke, 50w more power.. and that's it..

 

[Svar]

I have the 150s ETS AND RO. It was just to good a deal to pass up. Partial justification by having some left over 5" paper from Ridgid mad Milwaukee sanders.

Bill

The new Pro 5 sander has the same hole pattern as a ridgid?

No, but its easy to punch new holes to match.

 

[Brice Burrell]

i have a ets 125 eq, ro90 and a rts400. can someone tell me if i should buy the new limited edition? isn't it almost identical to the ets125 i have already? both have 2mm sanding stroke, 50w more power.. and that's it..

The new pad is supposed to allow the sander to stick to the material less when using a vac.  The edge guard is also new, the improved dust bag is available and the new (and questionably) improved bayonet-style hose port.  Does that appeals to you more than $99? 

 

[Brice Burrell]

I have the 150s ETS AND RO. It was just to good a deal to pass up. Partial justification by having some left over 5" paper from Ridgid mad Milwaukee sanders.

Bill

The new Pro 5 sander has the same hole pattern as a ridgid?

No, but its easy to punch new holes to match.

I think you need to define easy, I personally don't think that would easy.

 

[Svar]

I have the 150s ETS AND RO. It was just to good a deal to pass up. Partial justification by having some left over 5" paper from Ridgid mad Milwaukee sanders.

Bill

The new Pro 5 sander has the same hole pattern as a ridgid?

No, but its easy to punch new holes to match.

I think you need to define easy, I personally don't think that would easy.

Line up two sheets (Festool and generic), smack generic one with hollow puncher. Takes 5 sec per sheet. You'll end up with two sets of holes - market it as "universal" paper.  [big grin]

 

[Brice Burrell]

Line up two sheets (Festool and generic), smack generic one with hollow puncher. Will take 5 sec per sheet. You'll end up with old extra holes though.

Okay, you need to have the appropriate hole punch, then its going to be very dull after punching a few sheets.  It's harder to punch sandpaper than you think.   

 

[Steve-Rice]

I ordered the $99 special on the day I received the first email from the Tool Nut, but I have to confess, I've been thinking of cancelling that order.  I have the ETS EC 150/3 and for the work I do (mostly veneer over ply) that's really the only sander I need.  I have been wanting to purchase a DTS 400 to get into the inside corners of drawers and I was waiting for the newer REQ to become available here in the U.S., so I do have an immediate use for the voucher.  I also have a good deal of 5" abranet from my old DeWalt ROS which I can use on the ETS 125, but am I really going to notice any difference between the 2mm stroke of the 125 and the 3 mm stroke of the ETS EC 150/3?  I honestly don't think so.

So, bottom line for me, I have no real use for the PRO 5 - the question becomes do I want to spend $50 to have a 5" sander sitting on a shelf somewhere?  I guess I could always sell it...

Still on the fence.  But glad to hear I'm not the only one questioning this purchase.