Festool random orbit

[Angelolatry]

I'm in the market for a random orbit sander, and would like the simplicity of attaching the cord to the dust extractor hose - swapping between the Domino and a sander.

I have a nice jointer & planer, so I'm not trying to remove a bunch of material - just taking that next step towards a nice finish.

Note: I'd consider an M12 or M18 cordless, but it would need to be pretty damn nice, and have a Festool compatible dust port. I'm already into the Milwaukee battery world, but am not interested in other cordless options.

 

[luvmytoolz]

If I could only have a single finer finish sander, one as you say that's not to take much material off, it would absolutely be the ETS EC 150/3. I have almost every model Festool corded sander and the ETS EC's are just superb. Best I've ever had the pleasure to use.

 

[Steve1]

Biggest decision is the size of the orbit. You have your choice of 2mm, 3mm, and 5mm. Bigger orbit means faster removal, smaller means nicer finish (although all will give you nice finish).

Then you need to decide 125mm vs 150mm. I picked 125mm based on I could getting slightly closer into an inside corner. Bad decision. Don't think that ever helped me out that way, but bigger pad will sand faster with fewer paper changes. Get the 150mm.

I tend to agree with the above recommendation from luvmytoolz.

 

[UncleRunkle]

Supposedly the new gen Milwaukees are an improvement. Had the older m18 and it was just okay. Have the ETS EC 125 now and it's light years ahead as far as both dust collection and comfort go, but it's corded. Bonus with that one is I can put a 150 pad on it. Had I known more ahead of time, though, I probably would have just started with a 150 option as recommended above.

 

[rst]

While I own all of the Festool sanders, the ET SC is my most used. I'm currently prepping quarter sawn oak blanks before routing profiles. I have the 205316 Edge Sanding Guide attached to remove any burn marks from ripping the pieces. The ETS EC sanders are my most used sanders.

 

[luvmytoolz]

It's always been my opinion that for the incremental cost of the 150mm media over the 125mm, that the overall value and longevity is far superior and provides the best return on investment.

Aside from being a 44% increase of size, in turn increasing the sanding coverage and reducing the time taken which also reduces the heating effect, the discs will last far longer as they won't load up/wear anywhere near as quickly.

 

[luvmytoolz]

Strange how the edits work at times here creating multiple posts?

 

[Cheese]

For corded I'd go with the ETS EC 125 as it will accept the 150 size pad.

For cordless I'd look at the newly released ETSC2 125 as it will also accept the 150 pad.

 

[smorgasbord]

Since you talked jointer/planer it sounds like you're working with solid wood more than plywood. I recommend the ETS/EC 150/5:

1) You're not going to want both 125mm and 150mm pads, even if just due to the cost of stocking paper in both sizes.
2) The smaller 3mm orbit will scratch less cross-grain, but it'll also take longer to sand.
3) With any orbit sander you'll want the final sanding pass to be inline with the grain anyway.

I have the 150/5, do mostly furniture, and don't wish I had a smaller pad or smaller orbit.

 

[Steve1]

If you have a vacuum hose attached, I don't see the benefit of going cordless.

And I would never sand without the vacuum attached.

 

[onocoffee]

While I own all of the Festool sanders, the ET SC is my most used. I'm currently prepping quarter sawn oak blanks before routing profiles. I have the 205316 Edge Sanding Guide attached to remove any burn marks from ripping the pieces. The ETS EC sanders are my most used sanders.

Am I understanding correctly? You're using the Edge Sanding Guide with an ETS EC 150? I didn't think they were compatible.

 

[luvmytoolz]

If you have a vacuum hose attached, I don't see the benefit of going cordless.

And I would never sand without the vacuum attached.

Couldn't agree more, and the ETS EC's have no built in fan so must be connected to a DC anyway.