Festool Edge Sander / Positioning aid AH-ES-ETS/ETSC

[Freetime101]

Hi All,

Does anybody know if the AH-ES-ETS/ETSC positioning aid also fits the RTSC and DTSC?

The bodies of all three sanders appear to be the same so I don't see why it wouldn't fit, but if it did I would assume Festool would have advertised it as such... If it does fit, is it a bad idea? I can see why the DTSC isn't ideal for edges but would have thought the RTSC would be?

To save you looking up the codes;
ETSC = random orbital (circular pad)
RTSC = orbital (rectangular pad)
DTSC = detail (triangular pad)

My reason for asking is that I'm interested in the edge sander, but already have a Dewalt random orbit sander so have no real need for a second random orbital. It makes better sense to me to buy either the RTSC or DTSC and the positioning aid separately (assuming it fits), giving me a second type of sander as well as an edge sander...
For reference, this is for DIY so production time swapping out sanders isn't an issue, but time spent sanding and quality of finish is.

TIA

 

[afish]

I would do a search there have been some good posts about the edge guide and what sanders they do or dont and modifications needed for some.  I dont use Festool cordless tools so cant speak to the battery powered units.  I will say I am a heavy Dewalt user and sold all my Dewalt sanders.  The Ets 125 req was way better than any dewalt sander.  Sanders are the main tools that I worry about dust collection and notice a dramatic difference in dust collection with festool sanders.  Im not a die hard Festool guy either but festool is my go to pick for sanders, except for the RO150/125 I would probably get the bosch since I have very little need for one and would hardly use one if ever. 

 

[tjbnwi]

Issue with any sander but the ETS is the paper wears along the workpiece edge. Any area of the paper outside the workpiece edge never contacts the workpiece edge. I imagine this is hard on the pad also. The ETS spinning in a circle the enter surface of paper is utilized.

The guide fits anyone of the sanders you listed. It will not mount to the ETS-EC.

Tom

 

[Cheese]

All 3 of those sanders will fit the Positioning Aid. The caveat being the ETS/ETSC sander will use the entire sanding disc because it's a random orbital sander.

While the RTS/RTSC,DTS/DTSC use only a small percentage of the sanding disc.

Search positioning aid as there was a lot of discussion on it here about 6 months ago.

 

[Freetime101]

Question answered in record time, apologies for not searching first!

Great that is does fit but I hadn't thought about it not using all of the pad. Thanks all!

 

[Freetime101]

For anyone else wondering here is an excellent thread by Cheese on this exact topic :https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/teaser-positioning-aid-205316/

 

[DynaGlide]

How did I miss that thread [member=44099]Cheese[/member] I have an RTS 400 REQ that I don't use and was bummed that the positioning aid only officially fits the Pro 5 or ETS 125 that I sold off a while back.

 

[Cheese]

How did I miss that thread [member=44099]Cheese[/member] I have an RTS 400 REQ that I don't use and was bummed that the positioning aid only officially fits the Pro 5 or ETS 125 that I sold off a while back.

Hey Matt, I just attribute it to you spending too much time with that new Kapex... [poke]  [smile]

I think the dust collection issues I had using the DTSC might be mitigated somewhat by the RTS having more holes in the paper & pad and better placement of the holes. Also the paper can be rotated 180º for better paper life.

O8G8V8 shows the modifications necessary to use the RTS.

 

[nclemmons]

I have the positioning aid and use it on the RTS and it works fine for me.  yes there is some wearing on the sandpaper but I just reverse it and keep going.  It's also possible to use a 1/2" piece of ply to 'index' the pad up a bit and use the wider width of the sandpaper.

I'd like to have the ETS 125 but could not justify another size sander since all my other random orbit sanders were the larger 150 size.

I did have to sand off two areas on the dust shroud so the sanding pad does not contact the dust shroud when using it.

 

[CeeJay]

I use the positioning guide with my DTS. As I’m only doing one project at a time (eg hobby not production shop) I don’t find the paper wear issue much of a deal.

I did buy a block of sandpaper cleaner like you would use on a disc or drum sander and find that a quick run over the DTS pad helps with clearing the paper when the hole pattern isn’t placed well over the edge being sanded.

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