Festool ETS 125 EQ Random Orbital Sander

[jblair]

If the Pro 5 (at $99) is an upgrade of the existing model at $195, any thought to relieve pressure by reducing the price of the outgoing model to $99? No $50 off coupon but it would help reduce/eliminate your existing stock and generate some good will.

Of course there would be price protection, but assuming you do nothing, few of these will sell until the promotional pricing on Pro 5 is out of the market. Even if at some future date you increase the price of the Pro 5 to $195, the older model will still sell for less.

 

[nerves]

Agree.

 

[Holmz]

I was thinking of getting one for a gift, but in the end decided that I could not figure out if this was different and better, or just different... And then figured it was probably not brushless like an ETS/EC.

I usually have some indecision and hand wringing, so I will see what makes sense when reports come in.

 

[Steve-Rice]

[member=40772]Holmz[/member]  I believe the Pro 5 is definitely not brushless, but reportedly has significant power improvement over the previous model.

 

[Holmz]

Thanks [member=29138]Steve-Rice[/member] , I am thinking maybe a Japanese pull saw and some Mirka or FT hand blocks. And/or maybe a bench or some books.

I should probably await a really need, and then proceed from there

 

[Cheese]

I believe the Pro 5 is definitely not brushless, but reportedly has significant power improvement over the previous model.

The Pro 5 is not brushless and Festool decided not to go there because that change would impact the sales of their ETS EC sanders which are brushless. So, a bit more power, a better bag, a new bayonet mount for the D.C. hose, some sexy blue-black systainers, and a $95 reduction in price...what's not to like?

 

[Holmz]

... So, a bit more power, a better bag, a new bayonet mount for the D.C. hose, some sexy blue-black systainers, and a $95 reduction in price...what's not to like?

I guess the question I have is... "What is the best all around sander"?
I have heard Rotex mentioned before, but I already have a flap disc on a Makita grinder, so for me it is the (Mirka) or the ETS/EC.
(and I have a nice 1/2 sheet and a DX93).

Has anyone with an ETS/EC ordered a Pro5?
And if so, do they even consider grabbing the Pro5? or is it not really comparable to the ETS/EC?

I am finding that I do not pull the 1/2-sheet nearly as often now that I have a 6" (150-mm) random orbital.

 

[TylerC]

Several options are being considered in regard to the PRO 5 LTD, but I highly doubt that dropping the price of the ETS 125 will be the direction.

As to the ETS 125 EQ vs ETS 125 EC vs PRO 5 LTD, the PRO 5 is much more similar to the ETS 125 EQ. Neither of them is brushless. The EC models are brushless, have a low profile (which I really prefer) and have lower vibration.

 

[Cheese]

"What is the best all around sander"?

Has anyone with an ETS/EC ordered a Pro5?
And if so, do they even consider grabbing the Pro5? or is it not really comparable to the ETS/EC?

Holmz...best all around is a tough one to answer. If I could only own ONE sander, then for the many varied projects I work on, I'd have to go with a Rotex. However, I'd never characterize the Rotex as the best all around sander. It's a specialty sander that can perform multiple tasks, but it's heavy to use vertically, tough to keep flat on a surface because of its balance and just not very pleasant to use for hours on end because you always have to support and be lifting the one end.

I think the ETS EC is the most enjoyable (probably like your Mirka) Festool sander to use. It's powerful, smooth, light weight, has a low profile & is well balanced. However, once I attached the 6" pad to the EC 125, the larger pad has not been removed since. So now when I need a 5" sander I reach for the ETS 125, which is a nice sander, it's just not as elegant as the ETS EC. And yes, even though I love the ETS EC, I ordered a Pro 5 as backup for the ETS 125 which is getting a little long in the tooth.

 

[Steve-Rice]

I have to agree with Cheese, I have the ETS EC 150/3 and I absolutely love that sander.  I've used it with everything from 40 grit through 600 grit abrasives and it is an absolute pleasure to use.  I've used it for hours on end and it causes the least amount of fatigue of any sander I've ever used. To me, this is the ultimate all around sander.  However, I typically build furniture so I'm never stripping paint or sanding very rough lumber - I would imagine if you're typically doing that kind of heavy sanding you might want the ETS EC 150/5. 

I ordered a Rotex 150, but after a weekend of working on several large walnut slabs, I returned it because I found it a very heavy and unruly sander requiring two hands at all times.  Very tiring to use. It also has a tendency to jump around on the work piece.  I really wanted to add the Rotex to compliment my ETS EC 150/3, but, after that initial disappointing experience,  I didn't want to ever use it again.  I much prefer the ETC EC even for heavy sanding.

I have to admit that I did order the Pro 5 as an impulse buy.  I honestly have no need for it, I just got caught up in the excitement of the promotion.  I know that sounds pretty stupid of me, but that's the honest truth.  I do intend to use the voucher to purchase a DTS 400 to get into the corners my ETS EC 150/3 can't reach, plus I'm looking forward to getting the blue and green systainer.  I'm hoping I might see some difference in the finish between the 2mm Pro 5 and the 3 mm ETS EC 150/3, but I doubt I'll really notice any. I realize this is a pretty goofy reason to buy the Pro 5 - guess I'm guilty as charged.

I hope some of this is helpful,
Steve

 

[Holmz]

I have to agree with Cheese, I have the ETS EC 150/3 and I absolutely love that sander.
...
I have to admit that I did order the Pro 5 as an impulse buy.  I honestly have no need for it, I just got caught up in the excitement of the promotion.
...

Having owned one, and tried the other, the Mirka and ETS/EC are very close to each other.
Some will claim the colour and switch versus paddle, makes a difference.
(So I agree with cheese to)

I would have ordered one but was striking the beard like 'old master' in Kill Bill.

 

[Cheese]

I have to admit that I did order the Pro 5 as an impulse buy.  I honestly have no need for it, I just got caught up in the excitement of the promotion.

They gotcha Steve...that's what's known as successful marketing, however, successfully managing the long term implementation of this buy of a lifetime, is another issue which has yet to fully play out.  [eek]

And I will add, proper, procedural implementation is still a function of the marketing group, while unadulterated adulation is strictly the providence of sales, and smugness of proper tool design is relegated to engineering.  [smile]