Festool ETS EC150/5 6" Random Orbit Sander

[GarryMartin]

Just ordered a RO150 today. Mentioning this because I would like some advice on the best EC companion for this. It will be 150mm. But don´t know enough of the different results between 3mm stroke and 5 mm stroke.

The RO 150 has a 5mm stroke in random orbital mode, so if you want something to go with it, the ETS 150/3 is the recommended route and will give you a finer finish.

 

[andreasg]

Guess you are right Remember I still don´t have the RO150, so no user experience with it. But my first thought is that because of "weight-balance" it´s hard to keep it strictly flat to the surface in all working conditions.

What´s the lowest grit a 3mm stroke could benefit from?

 

[GarryMartin]

I think the below video will really help your understanding.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Guess you are right Remember I still don´t have the RO150, so no user experience with it. But my first thought is that because of "weight-balance" it´s hard to keep it strictly flat to the surface in all working conditions.

It is not that hard actually. But you do need to get the hang of this kind of sander.

What´s the lowest grit a 3mm stroke could benefit from?

1.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I think the below video will really help your understanding.

Thanks for sharing the video.  It was very informative. 

 

[Scott B.]

I just got back from teaching at the JLC Live Chicago Remodeling Show and Deck Expo. On the topic of Festool, the new sanders were by far the most common topic. The question of 5 or 6" is a big one. My best advice is don't go by what other people recommend on size. Go by your own typical tasks. If you need a 5", you need a 5". The type of work YOU do is the only determining factor. If I am on a task that is best suited to 5", a 6" is a boat anchor. Flip the scene, and the exterior inch at times can allow you to get tasks done in many fewer passes. Sanding is about the number of passes and the optimal dust control for those passes (if sander is over sized, DC suffers). Fortunately, the abrasives are constant in performance, but size of abrasive does impact cost.

 

[#Tee]

I want one bad but everyone keeps saying the deros is superior...so ill feel insecure if i bought one right now ...help!! [crying]

 

[Steve-Rice]

I was interested in the Mirka Deros as well, but I read a number of horror stories about units needing service and extremely poor customer service, and that was one of the reasons I chose the ETS EC instead.  As I mentioned earlier, I'm a big fan of Mirka's Abranet abrasive, so I converted my ETS EC to use Abranet. I couldn't be happier with the results...

 

[Max Fracas]

I have the Ceros 150 and like it a lot.  Also like the Abranet, but really have to concentrate when using it around edges.  Could just be me, but I find that it tears easily.

 

[Cheese]

Go by your own typical tasks. If you need a 5", you need a 5". The type of work YOU do is the only determining factor. If I am on a task that is best suited to 5", a 6" is a boat anchor. Flip the scene, and the exterior inch at times can allow you to get tasks done in many fewer passes.

Good post, in theory I agree, if you need a 5" sander....purchase a 5" sander. However, I think the major problem is that this forum is frequented by mostly DIY'ers so purchasing a $400 sander for a single job is a tough enough stretch let alone having to purchase another $200 sander for a different  project. I know that for me it has been a slow accumulation of Festool tools over a long period of time. 

 

[idratherplaytennis]

Just got the last ETS EC 150/3 that my local Festool-stocked store had  [big grin] (In my head I'm thinking about damn time after the last few weeks I've had where it's nothing but setback after setback, via work or whatever- just a BAD few weeks, haha). Wish I had the chance to try it out other then wave it around in the air pretending it was an airplane  [blink]. Had to spend most of the day cleaning up our CT36AC which we'd been using for a drywall job and I don't have my RO90 with CT26 combo pack yet  [mad].

Going to be giving it a great workout in the next few days sanding down some 25-30 year old clear-coats from like 30-35 cabinet doors and drawers on an apartment job I'm on.

First impression, however- is since I've only EVER used a 1/2 sheet finish sander (think RS2), I'm totally satisfied with the weight and the size as well. It's strange- when I first looked at the 5" and 6" sandpaper to decide a few months back, and looking at the actual size of the regular ETS 125 and 150's, the 6" seemed gigantic. Now that I bought this, I guess it's the lower profile and smaller size, the 6" seems to be a great choice (for what I will be using it on). That plus the fact that I'll have an RO90 in the next few weeks plus my 1/2 sheet will set me up pretty good for awhile, I believe.

I briefly considered the Mirka stuff- but then I realized, hey- I've NEVER heard of it until reading these forums, and after the great support I've read about and experience with the Festool brand, it was a very fleeting thought. Plus hey... there's almost ALWAYS something better... right? I'm just glad I had postponed the ETS purchase until now- the store didn't get them to sell until the first, then the rep told me they were selling like crazy.

Also, to chime in on the other posts- The big deciding factor of the 5" or the 6" for me was that I WILL be getting the RO90 which is half as big as the 6, and the 150/3 as many have said is the perfect compliment to the RO150 I plan to get. I haven't used the RO150 yet, however I have used the RO90 on a test and it's really not that hard to keep a good balance in my opinion.

 

[idratherplaytennis]

My ETS EC 150/3 was finally delivered on Saturday, so I thought I'd post a few first impressions...

BTW, I purchased the 150/3 instead of the 150/5 because I've been building modern minimalist furniture using exotic veneers lately and I wanted a sander which was less aggressive on the veneers.

I'd like to qualify my comments by stating that this is my first Festool sander, so I can only compare it to my 18 year old DeWalt 5" ROS fitted with a Mirka Abranet base pad.  I've been very happy with the Mirka Abranet abrasives, so I modified some 150 mm Mirka pad protectors to match the Festool 17 hole layout and fitted the ETS EC 150/3 with the hard (blue) base pad, the modified Mirka pad protector and some 120 grit Abranet.

My first test was on some dirty weathered scraps of Baltic birch ply I had.  I have to admit, I was very surprised at the power of the 150/3.  For a "less aggressive" sander, this bad boy definitely has some muscle. Within seconds, the surface was clean and new looking. Although the sander is actually heavier than I anticipated, I love the way it just glides over the surface - then I realized that I had forgotten to turn down the suction on my new CT 26 - it was set on MAX!  Well, that was a surprise, I thought I was suppose to turn down the suction for a sander, but apparently, that's not necessary with the ETS EC models. BTW, the pad brake is awesome! Practically stops on a dime - no need for that "Sander Sitter" any more.

I didn't have as much time this weekend to use the sander as I would have liked to, but my first impressions are very positive. My only negative comment is that when you put the sander down with the hose attached, it doesn't balance on it's base pad.  Fortunately, a small block of 2 by 4 under the hose solves that problem. I did have a little difficulty forcing the new 27 mm hose over the dust collection tube, but I'm guessing that will loosen up over time.

All in all, I'm very happy with the ETS EC 150/3 so far.  I'm starting a new furniture project this week, so I'm anxious to see how it performs on veneer with the higher grit abrasives...    [big grin]

So. I just used (after being antsy about trying to get started all day) my ETS EC 150/3 and I just wanted to reaffirm one last time that all of Steve's comments are spot on about this sander. I have only ever used a fixed orbit sander with a 2.6mm orbit (I don't know what my dad's Milwaukee 1/2 sheet was, but I suspect it was similar), and I was wondering how much of a difference or if the 150/3 would be aggressive enough to suit my current needs or if I would be going out to get the RO150 (the plan was to hold off on the RO150 purchase for awhile) after determining that I need more aggressiveness for my current job (sanding some clear-coated 30 year old cabinet doors/drawers down to redo).

Well- I needn't have worried. The 150/3 with some 80 grit cut down with the CT26 on max suction like butter, floating like a butterfly, stinging the clear coat like a bee. Okay- that last part about the bee, I don't know- bad analogy, but it went right through on the 2 drawer faces and edges and the sandpaper looks brand new still. I know my other sander would have had plenty of build up and taken at least twice as long (partly because until now, I never had a suitable dust collector to hook up to it's port). I'll probably switch over to the RO90 in random orbit mode for the remainder of the drawers though, because despite being perfectly sized at about 5-6" tall, they have subtle dips that, even with the normal pad on the 150/3, makes me a little afraid to lift and shape it. I'll either get the soft pad tomorrow to try that out, or just go with the 90 to get an even layer of the clear coat off.

Getting an RO90, CT26 and ETS EC 150/3 in the last 3 days was most definitely a heck of an investment, but I feel more than confident this is one investment that will pay off. Just with the dust collection alone! Hallelujah, gone are my days of sand, wipe, sand, wipe, sand-change paper-wipe, sand more...  [big grin]

 

[leakyroof]

My ETS EC 150/3 was finally delivered on Saturday, so I thought I'd post a few first impressions...

BTW, I purchased the 150/3 instead of the 150/5 because I've been building modern minimalist furniture using exotic veneers lately and I wanted a sander which was less aggressive on the veneers.

I'd like to qualify my comments by stating that this is my first Festool sander, so I can only compare it to my 18 year old DeWalt 5" ROS fitted with a Mirka Abranet base pad.  I've been very happy with the Mirka Abranet abrasives, so I modified some 150 mm Mirka pad protectors to match the Festool 17 hole layout and fitted the ETS EC 150/3 with the hard (blue) base pad, the modified Mirka pad protector and some 120 grit Abranet.

My first test was on some dirty weathered scraps of Baltic birch ply I had.  I have to admit, I was very surprised at the power of the 150/3.  For a "less aggressive" sander, this bad boy definitely has some muscle. Within seconds, the surface was clean and new looking. Although the sander is actually heavier than I anticipated, I love the way it just glides over the surface - then I realized that I had forgotten to turn down the suction on my new CT 26 - it was set on MAX!  Well, that was a surprise, I thought I was suppose to turn down the suction for a sander, but apparently, that's not necessary with the ETS EC models. BTW, the pad brake is awesome! Practically stops on a dime - no need for that "Sander Sitter" any more.

I didn't have as much time this weekend to use the sander as I would have liked to, but my first impressions are very positive. My only negative comment is that when you put the sander down with the hose attached, it doesn't balance on it's base pad.  Fortunately, a small block of 2 by 4 under the hose solves that problem. I did have a little difficulty forcing the new 27 mm hose over the dust collection tube, but I'm guessing that will loosen up over time.

All in all, I'm very happy with the ETS EC 150/3 so far.  I'm starting a new furniture project this week, so I'm anxious to see how it performs on veneer with the higher grit abrasives...    [big grin]

So. I just used (after being antsy about trying to get started all day) my ETS EC 150/3 and I just wanted to reaffirm one last time that all of Steve's comments are spot on about this sander. I have only ever used a fixed orbit sander with a 2.6mm orbit (I don't know what my dad's Milwaukee 1/2 sheet was, but I suspect it was similar), and I was wondering how much of a difference or if the 150/3 would be aggressive enough to suit my current needs or if I would be going out to get the RO150 (the plan was to hold off on the RO150 purchase for awhile) after determining that I need more aggressiveness for my current job (sanding some clear-coated 30 year old cabinet doors/drawers down to redo).

Well- I needn't have worried. The 150/3 with some 80 grit cut down with the CT26 on max suction like butter, floating like a butterfly, stinging the clear coat like a bee. Okay- that last part about the bee, I don't know- bad analogy, but it went right through on the 2 drawer faces and edges and the sandpaper looks brand new still. I know my other sander would have had plenty of build up and taken at least twice as long (partly because until now, I never had a suitable dust collector to hook up to it's port). I'll probably switch over to the RO90 in random orbit mode for the remainder of the drawers though, because despite being perfectly sized at about 5-6" tall, they have subtle dips that, even with the normal pad on the 150/3, makes me a little afraid to lift and shape it. I'll either get the soft pad tomorrow to try that out, or just go with the 90 to get an even layer of the clear coat off.

Getting an RO90, CT26 and ETS EC 150/3 in the last 3 days was most definitely a heck of an investment, but I feel more than confident this is one investment that will pay off. Just with the dust collection alone! Hallelujah, gone are my days of sand, wipe, sand, wipe, sand-change paper-wipe, sand more...  [big grin]

  Get that super soft pad and try your new sander out on those curves- Watch how the electronics on the sander tries to work with you on slowing down as you're working around the edges of something.. very cool [smile]

 

[ear3]

I just wanted to report what a pleasure using the ETS-EC 150/5 has been over the past few days.  The 5mm stroke makes for a noticeably higher removal rate than the 3mm stroke of my older ETS model.  Yesterday I sanded down a drawer I built from 1/2" poplar, which still had significant waviness from the planer (I waited on the sanding until it was assembled specifically to test the ETS-EC on this sort of application).  Using the Rotex on the large, assembled drawer would have made for a lot of vibration, and the ETS 150/3 would have been pretty slow going, but the ETS-EC made quick, efficient work of the task.

Two things in particular that stand out. 

1) Sanding near the edges: I guess this is a function of the electronics in the motor, but it is uncanny how the sander "senses" when part of the pad has moved over the edge and is spinning on air.  It almost feels like the sander has an autopilot function that prevents you from running too far off the edge and tipping.   

2) Pad brake -- When you turn off the switch, it comes to a rapid stop.  Not that it's the end of the world waiting a few seconds for a sander to come to a complete stop, but if you are doing a sanding job with a lot of starting and stopping, this feature is a tremendous help, and ensures you won't mar the work by accidentally placing the sander on the piece before it has stopped spinning.

Bottom line is that I'm really happy I made the investment.  I look forward to putting it through its full paces in the coming weeks.

 

[Steve-Rice]

Ed,  Should your fellow Festoolians be concerned that you may be OD-ing on the green Kool-Aid if your posting to the FOG at 5:42 AM?  [big grin]

 

[greg mann]

Go by your own typical tasks. If you need a 5", you need a 5". The type of work YOU do is the only determining factor. If I am on a task that is best suited to 5", a 6" is a boat anchor. Flip the scene, and the exterior inch at times can allow you to get tasks done in many fewer passes.

Good post, in theory I agree, if you need a 5" sander....purchase a 5" sander. However, I think the major problem is that this forum is frequented by mostly DIY'ers so purchasing a $400 sander for a single job is a tough enough stretch let alone having to purchase another $200 sander for a different  project. I know that for me it has been a slow accumulation of Festool tools over a long period of time.

I'm not sure this is accurate. Each of us is crazy in his own way but if there is one way in which we all tend to be crazy it would probably be in the number of sanders we own.  [embarassed]

Case in point: I have nine Festool sanders (I think, I might be missing one or two [embarassed]), but no 125s. This past week I was sanding a six panel door and thought a 125 might be just right for the square panels. I settled for using my DTS there, while I felt the RTS worked better on the rectangular panels. It may just my imagination that I needed two sanders for the panels, who really knows the right answer besides Scott? Oh, by the way, I used my 150 ETS for the rails and stiles. Am I crazy? Of course, but I bet I am not that unique amongst the DIYers on this forum.

Another note: I heard, unofficially, that a 150 pad will fit on a 125 EC. I have not confirmed this.

 

[ear3]

Hahaha.  I've been sick the last few days and so have been going to bed rather early -- consequence being I'm awake by 5am.  And my computer is right next to the coffee pot, so while I'm waiting for it to brew....ok yes, it's a concern.

Ed,  Should your fellow Festoolians be concerned that you may be OD-ing on the green Kool-Aid if your posting to the FOG at 5:42 AM?  [big grin]

 

[leakyroof]

Go by your own typical tasks. If you need a 5", you need a 5". The type of work YOU do is the only determining factor. If I am on a task that is best suited to 5", a 6" is a boat anchor. Flip the scene, and the exterior inch at times can allow you to get tasks done in many fewer passes.

Good post, in theory I agree, if you need a 5" sander....purchase a 5" sander. However, I think the major problem is that this forum is frequented by mostly DIY'ers so purchasing a $400 sander for a single job is a tough enough stretch let alone having to purchase another $200 sander for a different  project. I know that for me it has been a slow accumulation of Festool tools over a long period of time.

I'm not sure this is accurate. Each of us is crazy in his own way but if there is one way in which we all tend to be crazy it would probably be in the number of sanders we own.  [embarassed]

Case in point: I have nine Festool sanders (I think, I might be missing one or two [embarassed]), but no 125s. This past week I was sanding a six panel door and thought a 125 might be just right for the square panels. I settled for using my DTS there, while I felt the RTS worked better on the rectangular panels. It may just my imagination that I needed two sanders for the panels, who really knows the right answer besides Scott? Oh, by the way, I used my 150 ETS for the rails and stiles. Am I crazy? Of course, but I bet I am not that unique amongst the DIYers on this forum.

Another note: I heard, unofficially, that a 150 pad will fit on a 125 EC. I have not confirmed this.

  You're not alone.... I now own 12 of their sanders, although one of them is my old ETS 150/5 that I need to sell off..  As for the pads, I thought I heard that the smaller 125mm EC sander is using the smaller LEX air sander pad versus what the larger 150mm sander is using.  Not sure if this is true, or the interchange ability of it all... [blink]

 

[Scott B.]

I don't think it really matters if you are a DIY/Hobbyist or a daily user, what I have been chewing on and starting to digest lately is that regardless of tool type, if a tool is too large or powerful for the task at hand, it will slow you down. No matter how many sanders you have, there are times when you will choose your DTS over your RO150 because it is the right size and power for the task at hand. Same applies with pressure washers, paint sprayers or saws. Call it, right sizing.

I think the world of Festool sanding boils down to whether you are a sander user who just wants to own one and get the most out of it in all tasks possible, or whether you feel you need to own a fleet of sanders and demand the best of the strengths from each. The viability of either will be different from one person to the next. It seems that it is hard to live with just one.

 

[leakyroof]

I don't think it really matters if you are a DIY/Hobbyist or a daily user, what I have been chewing on and starting to digest lately is that regardless of tool type, if a tool is too large or powerful for the task at hand, it will slow you down. No matter how many sanders you have, there are times when you will choose your DTS over your RO150 because it is the right size and power for the task at hand. Same applies with pressure washers, paint sprayers or saws. Call it, right sizing.

I think the world of Festool sanding boils down to whether you are a sander user who just wants to own one and get the most out of it in all tasks possible, or whether you feel you need to own a fleet of sanders and demand the best of the strengths from each. The viability of either will be different from one person to the next. It seems that it is hard to live with just one.

.  True- I size the tool to the job at hand, doesn't matter if it's sanding or something else.