Festool Pro 5 LTD - Sander

[benjmyers1]

I currently have one of these for sale on ebay if you've read all this and are still interested. (i have a pro5 and a rotex.  I like both of them but am selling a second one i bought for a friend who ended up not wanting it)

 

[DynaGlide]

Well I have owned the Bosch ROS20VSC 5" 2.5AMP for a few years and I found it to be pretty darn weak, and needed something stronger so just a few weeks ago got the DeWalt DWE6423K 3.0AMP and it's noticeably better at stock removal using the same Mirka abrasives. The DeWalt is surprisingly well made. Low vibrations, doesn't chatter, and works well at dust removal with the included bag. I can't figure out a way to hook it up to my current tiny Rigid shop vac so I haven't.

As it turns out I'm getting a CT 26 and TS 55 combo from my wife as a gift and was able to get in on the ToolNut Pro 5 Ltd that just popped up last week. I'll use the voucher to effectively knock its price down to $90 which I feel is a good value for the included Systainer and ability to hook up to the CT without cobbling together connectors.

After reading through this thread I'm setting my expectations pretty low in terms of stock removal for the Pro 5. I bet it falls somewhere between the Bosch and the DeWalt that I currently own. Where I'm okay with having it is being able to use it to do some (hopefully) near dust free drywall repair in the house or as someone pointed out, in between coats finishes so as to not be too aggressive.

I'm new to Festool. I realize, like routers, one sander is not going to be enough. I have my eyes on an ETS EC 150/5 to complement the Pro 5 down the road. I do mostly woodworking furniture projects but nothing fancy yet and have an eye toward some shop cabinets and will probably be building my own MFT cart based off of the many plans available as my first project.

When I get the tools in I can try to do an objective comparison with what I have if anyone is interested. I'm treating the Pro 5 as a $100 sander and from everything I've read it wouldn't be worth it at $180 (what the ETS 125 went for if I have read correctly).

 

[antss]

I think you'll find it less aggressive than both of those models.

I also think for $100 you'll be quite pleased with it for drywall repair and sanding between finish coats.  That's really this sander's main place in the lineup. Finish sander.

 

[Holmz]

Well I have owned the Bosch ROS20VSC 5" 2.5AMP for a few years and I found it to be pretty darn weak, and needed something stronger so just a few weeks ago got the DeWalt DWE6423K 3.0AMP and it's noticeably better at stock removal using the same Mirka abrasives. The DeWalt is surprisingly well made. Low vibrations, doesn't chatter, and works well at dust removal with the included bag. I can't figure out a way to hook it up to my current tiny Rigid shop vac so I haven't.
...
I'm new to Festool. I realize, like routers, one sander is not going to be enough. I have my eyes on an ETS EC 150/5 to complement the Pro 5 down the road...
...

The Mirka screens are pretty good.

I cannot say anything bad about the ETS/EC 150/5.
If you only had 1 sander, then it would be on the short list.
If you can figure out the dust collection with the deWalt then you may also another option there - but maybe the Pro5 is worth keeping.

If you had the ETS/EC, then for a second sander (and to play Advocatus Diaboli), do you really want a Pro5 or deWalt to compliment the ETS/EC?
An RS2 may better compliment it, and void-fill your line up??

 

[Cochese]

I think you'll find it less aggressive than both of those models.

I also think for $100 you'll be quite pleased with it for drywall repair and sanding between finish coats.  That's really this sander's main place in the lineup. Finish sander.

Drywall repair. That's brilliant, I never even thought to use my Pro5 in this way. I've got one part in my bedroom where the paint is all gummy in one spot, I assume where hair oil penetrated heavily.

 

[antss]

.  TMI

 

[Gator]

When I was looking for a Pro 5, I had guys emailing me offering to sell it for $99, they claimed they only wanted the Systainer, but the gift card also was not included. I was fortunate enough to get a pair from a Festool dealer who had a large order come in, so I scored, but still them advertised for double the original price.

 

[joetucker]

Didn't see it posted anywhere else here, so I thought I'd mention that ToolNut has the Pro 5 in-stock for $139 (includes the systainer and the voucher).  I had been considering buying the new ETS 125 REQ, but for the money I think I'll give this a shot.

 

[DynaGlide]

Got mine in and have to say I like it. It isn't an aggressive 6" sander but having the dust extraction features of the Festool makes it worth it to me over the DeWalt and Bosch in the same class that I own. To me it's similar in power to both of the others but at the end of 30+ minutes of sanding the paper looks brand new. Can't say the same for the other two.

In hand it feels nicer. I don't think I'd pay $180 for one of these but for $90 (considering the voucher) it's a good buy.

 

[Bob D.]

Didn't see it posted anywhere else here, so I thought I'd mention that ToolNut has the Pro 5 in-stock for $139 (includes the systainer and the voucher).  I had been considering buying the new ETS 125 REQ, but for the money I think I'll give this a shot.

Just bought a 2nd one from them now.

Edit: Just learned a voucher cannot be used on the Pro5. Oh well.

Have a link as I looked and don't find this sander anywhere on their site.

 

[Bob D.]

Yes, they must be gone. I've been watching since I
wanted to buy one but I guess not close enough.

Snoozers are losers. Nobody to blame but myself.

 

[ben_r_]

I wonder if they got in trouble with Festool for selling them for $40 more than they originally retailed for. They were the only ones that got additional stock like that and they raised the price. And then they removed the product page entirely from their website.

 

[DynaGlide]

I wonder if they got in trouble with Festool for selling them for $40 more than they originally retailed for. They were the only ones that got additional stock like that and they raised the price. And then they removed the product page entirely from their website.

I'd love an answer on that. I paid the $139 but I was curious as to how they got away with raising the price. [member=48572]Shane Holland[/member] care to comment?

 

[antss]

It's my understanding that there is a MINIMUM price at which FT can be sold in the USA , but no ceiling on the maximum.

This is pretty standard for agreements on products with price maintence schemes.

This is probably just a case of pure economics at work. Who else has/had any pro5 inventory this month ?

 

[ben_r_]

It's my understanding that there is a MINIMUM price at which FT can be sold in the USA , but no ceiling on the maximum.

This is pretty standard for agreements on products with price maintence schemes.

This is probably a just case of pure economics at work. Who else has/had any pro5 inventory this month ?

Ha! Nice. Well, it is what it is. I hope they get some more in stock!