Festool ETS 125 vs Mirka Deros 125

[bigdogmedia]

I'm in the market for a new sander and I'm trying to decide between these 2 sanders. Retail on the ETS is $195 and the Mirka is $595 but I can get it for $240. Which sander should I buy?

 

[mike_aa]

Welcome to the FOG!!

Does the Mirka have a trial period?  Festool has a 30 day trial.  If you don't like it, you can return it for a full refund.  If Mirka has the same you could try both out.

Mike A.

 

[jools]

I only have the deros but can say it's an excellent sander with very good dust control, very light and easy to control.  Speed is adjusted by push buttons + or - so hard to know what speed is set. Paddle switch on top can get frustrating sometimes when setting down on the bench as it has an additional on/ off switch so it can start up when placed down.  Mine came in a nice yellow logoed systainer 2 and included both 125 and 150 pads. Pads are around £35 to replace so well worth using intermediate pads to save the pad face. The brake is adjusted by means of shims and can be a pain to get right, too tight and it vibrates, too loose and it runs on and affects dust extraction. I use mine almost exclusively with abranet for plaster drywall and it's great for that. I have used it on wood with good results but I normally go to RO90/RO150 for wood.
Regards
Jools

 

[bigdogmedia]

I don't think Mirka has a 30 day trial. I forgot to mention the sander that I choose will be my only sander. I was looking at Mirka Deros because I can get it cheap, but if it's not good at being an all around sander, maybe I should be looking at a different Festool sander? Any suggestions?

 

[semenza]

I don't think Mirka has a 30 day trial. I forgot to mention the sander that I choose will be my only sander. I was looking at Mirka Deros because I can get it cheap, but if it's not good at being an all around sander, maybe I should be looking at a different Festool sander? Any suggestions?

Hi,

  Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

        If you are looking for an all round sander then the ETS125 is not going to be the best choice. It is a very good fine finish sander but not so good all purpose. I don't know about the Mirka other than having looked at one. But within the Festool line you should be looking at ETS150/5, RO150, or RO90 for all purpose sanders.

Seth

 

[bigdogmedia]

Mirka Deros has a 5mm stroke

 

[mike_aa]

Concerning the Mirka, someone else will have to chime in because i don't have any experience with them.  I have the ETS, the 150, and it can do a lot, but really excels at finishing.  If all you plan on doing is finish sanding, the ETS might work out for you.  However, if you want a sander that has more versatility and will be your only one, you might also want to take a look at the Rotex models.  My RO 150 was able to grind down bandsaw marks on a slab with ease and it has the ability to sand finer grits and even polish, all with the right pads and grits.  The only problem is the RO 125 is $465, more than twice the cost of the ETS.  If all you plan on doing is finish sanding, the ETS might work out for you.

Hope this is helpful.

Mike A.

 

[jbasen]

The challenge here is that there is no single, perfect sander that does everything under all conditions.  Festool's Rotex line comes close but even there you need to choose the size that fits your needs.  From what I've seen a lot of people in this group own 3 sanders

RO150 for large surface sanding/polishing
RO90 for smaller surfaces and for the ability to switch to the delta pad
ETS 150/3 for fine finishing

The sanders in the Rotex line also come at a higher price tag because of the features that make them so flexible.

 

[promhandicam]

Not used a Deros but have the Ceros 150mm sander which has a 3mm orbit. Dust extraction is excellent with Abranet abrasives and having a paddle switch you can easily hold and control the sander one handed as it fits in the palm of the hand. If mine broke tomorrow, I'd get another one.

 

[wow]

The challenge here is that there is no single, perfect sander that does everything under all conditions.  Festool's Rotex line comes close but even there you need to choose the size that fits your needs.  From what I've seen a lot of people in this group own 3 sanders

RO150 for large surface sanding/polishing
RO90 for smaller surfaces and for the ability to switch to the delta pad
ETS 150/3 for fine finishing

The sanders in the Rotex line also come at a higher price tag because of the features that make them so flexible.

^^^^

Excellent post! I fit in the category you described, and have also added the DTS 400 and RTS 400. Thank goodness Festool doesn't make too many more models...

 

[Dan Clark]

Not used a Deros but have the Ceros 150mm sander which has a 3mm orbit. Dust extraction is excellent with Abranet abrasives and having a paddle switch you can easily hold and control the sander one handed as it fits in the palm of the hand. If mine broke tomorrow, I'd get another one.

I have a Ceros 150 (along with five Festool sanders).  I agree with your comments, except that the Ceros 150 comes in three orbits - 2.5mm (625CV), 5mm (650CV), and 8mm (650CV).  I have the 650CV.  It's a great sander.  Like you, if mine broke tomorrow, I'd get another one.

Regards,

Dan. 

 

[DB10]

I don't think Mirka has a 30 day trial. I forgot to mention the sander that I choose will be my only sander. I was looking at Mirka Deros because I can get it cheap, but if it's not good at being an all around sander, maybe I should be looking at a different Festool sander? Any suggestions?

The Deros looks good from what ive seen, but if this is going to be your only sander I think you would be better off with an RO 90 as its a 4 in 1 sander and should cover all your bases.

 

[bigdogmedia]

I'm thinking I'll get the Deros and ETS 125, that way I'll have 5mm and 2mm stroke sanders

 

[bigdogmedia]

I just pulled the trigger on my first Festool purchase. Just placed an order with Bob Marino for an ETS 125 and CT26 Package. Looking forward to a less dusty work environment.

 

[Steve-Rice]

Steve Johnson (the down to earth woodworker) did a comparison of the Deros, ETS and Bosch sanders.  You can find his youtube video here:



Looks like the Deros came out on top in all of his tests.  Unfortunately, Steve did not compare the dust collection on the various sanders, but his findings are interesting, none the less.

 

[Holmz]

I'm in the market for a new sander and I'm trying to decide between these 2 sanders. Retail on the ETS is $195 and the Mirka is $595 but I can get it for $240. Which sander should I buy?

Big Dog,

I'll fund the Mirka for the $240, and then I'll let you try for a month.
You get the FT and run them side by side.

After the month, then you send the Mirka to me and write up the results.