Festool ETS EC 150/3 - Video

[Stone Message]

Festool UK let me borrow an ETS EC 150 for a few days and I have produced a video which may help explain its characteristics, functions and ease of use. Sadly it goes back next week.

Here is the link:



Peter

 

[Kev]

Thanks Peter,

It seems my fears  were justified ... looks like a winner. What's to happen to the ETS125, DTS400, RTS400 then, will they evolve too?

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Kev

I am so sorry to put you under such pressure - it really is a super sander. With great reluctance I have just sent an email to Festool to get them to pick it up - I wonder if they would notice if I put my old Bosch in the box?

I have no information about any other sanders in the lineup, perhaps Shane can help or maybe your local Festool people.

Peter

 

[jonny round boy]

Very nice, Peter.

This new sander doesn't really do much more than the ETS150 I already have, but of all the new releases it's the one I covet most. I really want one!

The hose sleeve looks good too - when it was first announced I thought it seemed very expensive, but once you add up the cost of the hose itself, and a plug-it lead, it's actually very cheap. I wonder if Festool will ever offer the sleeve separately? If so, I may be tempted, but as it is I don't need another hose (or another plug-it lead for that matter!).

 

[Stone Message]

Very nice, Peter.

This new sander doesn't really do much more than the ETS150 I already have, but of all the new releases it's the one I covet most. I really want one!

The hose sleeve looks good too - when it was first announced I thought it seemed very expensive, but once you add up the cost of the hose itself, and a plug-it lead, it's actually very cheap. I wonder if Festool will ever offer the sleeve separately? If so, I may be tempted, but as it is I don't need another hose (or another plug-it lead for that matter!).

The hose inside the sleeve is tapered and the sleeve is a tight fit. So, I am not sure that it would fit over a normal hose. Also, I think that the end connectors are different as they allow the sleeve to be tucked inside.

Peter

 

[Billedis]

Thank you Peter for that very informative video.  Bill

 

[kelauben]

Peter,

As usual, you've done a great video review of another Festool product.  The sander looks great and the lighter weight and shorter posture will make it a great addition to an already great lineup.

I'm curious about a couple of things.  The motor in this new sander, how does it compare to the motor in in the ETS 150/3 EQ.  The new one is brushless, am I to assume the old one is not?  I did notice the specs were a bit different, like a 310W motor for the old and you mentioned 400W for the new yet it's stays cool due to the brushless design, correct?

The other question is on the hose.  Do you happen to know what the hose cover material is made of?  I'm wondering if it's conductive like the hose is for anti-static.  Not that I'm worried about dust sticking to it, but am curious if that makes a difference given the other anti-static features built into the sander and hose.

Thanks and keep the videos coming.  Always a pleasure to watch.

Karl
(from across the pond, but married to a wonderful Brit from Felixstowe)

 

[duburban]

So what would someone that already owns the 150/5 or 150/3 notice about the actual sanding performance of the tool in comparison?

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Karl

First many thanks for the kind words.

I am pretty sure that the original ETS was not brushless. The new machine is certainly light, easy to handle and, as you indicate does stay much cooler - all mostly due to the brushless technology inside. I won't reiterate the other huge advantages of brushless as I think I mentioned everything in the video.

I do not know what material the hose cover is made from and I do not know about its anti static properties. Perhaps Shane or a European FOGger could help with this.

Peter

 

[jacko9]

Peter, Thanks for a very informative video.  The new ETS EC 150/3 looks like it could be a very nice replacement for my ETS 125 which I purchased in addition to my ETS 150/3 because I wanted a lighter sander for vertical surfaces.

In fact having the new EC will allow me to reduce my sanding paper inventory eliminating the 5" size.  I think my ETS 125 will be up for sale pretty soon.

Did I hear you correctly that Festool only allows a 15 day money back on this sander instead of the current 30 return policy?

Jack

 

[ART at WORK]

Hi Peter,
Now I see what you have been busy with. A great review as usual and I like the weight reduction. I look forward to trying one out at some time in the future. I dont NEED one but I like design.
Hay festool are you going brushless on the other sanders as well?

Thanks again for your hard work composing, acting, filming and cutting.

Pip

 

[jonny round boy]

Did I hear you correctly that Festool only allows a 15 day money back on this sander instead of the current 30 return policy?

Jack,

15 days is what we get here in the UK. You guys get 30.

 

[jacko9]

Did I hear you correctly that Festool only allows a 15 day money back on this sander instead of the current 30 return policy?

Jack,

15 days is what we get here in the UK. You guys get 30.

Thanks for the clarification.

Jack

 

[PreferrablyWood]

That looks like a sweet sander, really shows a development in technology for sanders, the light weight, low vibration, low profile will make a difference in use. Maybe in my future although I'm interested in getting the R0 90 DX first. It would be great though if they upgraded it to EC brushless motor too..

The new hose looks like a must have for intensive sanding duties, although I wish it was a longer say 4.5 meters..

Nice job on the review!

 

[Stone Message]

Peter, Thanks for a very informative video.  The new ETS EC 150/3 looks like it could be a very nice replacement for my ETS 125 which I purchased in addition to my ETS 150/3 because I wanted a lighter sander for vertical surfaces.

In fact having the new EC will allow me to reduce my sanding paper inventory eliminating the 5" size.  I think my ETS 125 will be up for sale pretty soon.

Did I hear you correctly that Festool only allows a 15 day money back on this sander instead of the current 30 return policy?

Jack

The 15 day return period came in a while ago and I think that it applies to all tools.

Peter

 

[Samo]

Did I hear you correctly that Festool only allows a 15 day money back on this sander instead of the current 30 return policy?

Jack,

15 days is what we get here in the UK. You guys get 30.

What's up with that?

Not that you would need any return policy with a Festool sander.

My last RO sander (P.C.) got a back handed return policy into the dumpster.

 

[Stone Message]

That looks like a sweet sander, really shows a development in technology for sanders, the light weight, low vibration, low profile will make a difference in use. Maybe in my future although I'm interested in getting the R0 90 DX first. It would be great though if they upgraded it to EC brushless motor too..

The new hose looks like a must have for intensive sanding duties, although I wish it was a longer say 4.5 meters..

Nice job on the review!

Thank you for the kind words to you and Pip and Jack.

I do not know where else the brushless motors will appear but they are good for all the reasons that I stated. I have been told that the hose is or will be available in a 10 m length but not in all areas (whatever that means).

Not long ago I spent over £200 on a wide selection of 150 mm sanding sheets as I have the RO 150. If I am ever able to get my own ETS EC 150 then I will be prepared. I have the RO90 which was my first Festool sander and one which I believe should be in everyone's kit bag due to its triple function capability. I have not tried the RTS or DTS sanders and did think that I would have to go that way for high quality finish sanding. However, I think that my short experience with the ETS EC 150 has proved that it is an effective and highly desirable finish sander - and, going back to the point Jack was making, means that my stock of 150 mm paper will be perfect.

Peter

 

[Kev]

I know it's another complete range of abrasives, but if you get the chance to give the DTS400 a run you'll probably be hooked.

What I think I would have loved to see in the new ETS150 EC would've been a variable orbit from 2 to 7 mm and the ability to switch between 125 and 150 mm pads ... or even an EC motor module and a range of various geared bases - Centrosand??  [cool]

People will buy these new sanders (probably me included) because they're really good, but they could have been amazing!

Imagine geared bases that work across pneumatic or electric motor modules ... less switching of plug-its and hoses, etc. C'mon Festool [wink]

 

[Timtool]

Peter do you have an ETS150/5 to compare the new EC with?
As it was initially advertised as a light one-handed overhead sander i had little interest, but now i am wondering if it is not simply the modernized version of the ETS150? I am thinking that at some point you can go too light and small, a certain weight and size seems good for ergonomics and inertia (vibration absorption)
the balance also looks slightly off centered, somewhere in between the perfect balance of the ETS 150 and and the completely off-center balance of the RO's.

So is there a substantial benefit to use the new EC compared to the regular ETS150? is it maybe the ease of use of the ETS125 coupled with the effectiveness of the ETS150?

 

[Stone Message]

Peter do you have an ETS150/5 to compare the new EC with?
As it was initially advertised as a light one-handed overhead sander i had little interest, but now i am wondering if it is not simply the modernized version of the ETS150? I am thinking that at some point you can go too light and small, a certain weight and size seems good for ergonomics and inertia (vibration absorption)
the balance also looks slightly off centered, somewhere in between the perfect balance of the ETS 150 and and the completely off-center balance of the RO's.

So is there a substantial benefit to use the new EC compared to the regular ETS150? is it maybe the ease of use of the ETS125 coupled with the effectiveness of the ETS150?

Hi Tim

Unfortunately I do not have the older machine but I did use one about 2 years ago at a show or demo. The new machine has a lovely balance and is truly a one handed machine without any loss of control. Its weight is concentrated closer to the sanding pad whereas (from memory) the older machine had a centre of gravity much higher up in the body.

I was at a show yesterday and the new machine was getting a lot of attention. I really recommend that you try one when you next visit your dealer or at a show if there is anything happening soon. I guarantee that once you have tried it you will love it.

The one thing that I cannot advise you about is whether you need the 150/3 or the 150/5. I just tried the 150/3 in the video and I would be tempted to say that it has to be the better of the two for finer finish work yet can still be loaded with 80 grit Granat for tough jobs. So, I would be tempted to get that machine. Serious professionals may have one of each, side by side, for speedier work flow.

Peter