Festool Sander Comparison?

[mattbyington]

Hi team,

Sorry for the basic question - I'm a little overwhelmed by the sander options Festool offers.

Is there a comparison chart, or somewhere that I can look at the deltas?

Some of the prices vary wildy, which surprised me because I thought that "how many features can an orbital sander really have?" other than different shapes (rectangle, triangle, round) which seems like one of the first two would be the most versatile (get into corners).

Ideas?

Thanks!
Matt

 

[Pnw painter]

Topcoat Review has one of best overview articles about Festool sanders that you’ll find on the web.
https://topcoatreview.com/2017/03/which-festool-sander/

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[huntdupl]

whats your typical project consist of? heavy stripping, shellac'd table tops?

link 1

link 2

I went from RO150 to DTS 400 to ETS EC 150. I think with the right paper and good habits the RO150 will take you far. I'm happy I started there. Check the sticky threads

 

[McNally Family]

Hi team,

Sorry for the basic question - I'm a little overwhelmed by the sander options Festool offers.

Is there a comparison chart, or somewhere that I can look at the deltas?

Some of the prices vary wildy, which surprised me because I thought that "how many features can an orbital sander really have?" other than different shapes (rectangle, triangle, round) which seems like one of the first two would be the most versatile (get into corners).

Ideas?

Thanks!
Matt

Don't forget to include options such as "Linear" and/or "battery powered".

 

[aloysius]

There's a useful table (& a rundown of most of their range) including such discontinued gems as the DX 93 E here:https://tts-pim.com.au/website/var/...urface_preparation_product_range_brochure.pdf

I've lately reduced my own suite of Festo/ol sanders significantly.  I ditched my smaller (75 x 533) Belt sander, both my Duplex 130s, RO90 DX Rotex & Deltex DX 93 E sanders.  I still have the big Rotex RO 150 E (older series II model)  & BS 105 E belter with frame, as there's just no superior sanders to these 2 tools available, & these 2 in particular provide me with unsurpassed versatility for my own special tasks.

I've personally found alternative tools from Bosch (GDA 280 E), Metabo (SXE 400) & Mirka (DEOS) better suited to my own needs.  Your own requirements of course will be entirely different to mine:  my personal prejudice is based around the extraordinary inconvenience (almost an impossibility) of finding specific sandpapers locally in a timely fashion.  My last sandpaper & pad order from Festool took 3 months!! to arrive, & even then the retailer didn't bother to contact me, merely putting my own order on the shelves amongst his other stock!

The older 150mm Rotex pads & discs are universally available just about anywhere, as is the 610mm belts for the (modified) Holz Her/Festool belter.

 

[mattbyington]

Thank you everyone for all the replies, really appreciate all the input!

 

[aloysius]

Maybe also check out Mirka's range if it's available in your area.  I've heard nothing but positive things about them from the users who've bothered to comment.

 

[mattbyington]

I ended up getting the ETA 150. Trying it out tonight.

 

[SoonerFan]

[member=67555]mattbyington[/member] .... so how did you like the sander?

I ended up getting the ETA 150. Trying it out tonight.

 

[mattbyington]

It's nice! I like it. I only have P120 sandpaper though for it.

I need to get some 80 and some 240 or something.

My cuts were ... less than perfect on a project I am building and I found myself sanding for a while to correct a 1/8 inch mistake haha.

But, the sander is good!

 

[McNally Family]

It's nice! I like it. I only have P120 sandpaper though for it.

I need to get some 80 and some 240 or something.

My cuts were ... less than perfect on a project I am building and I found myself sanding for a while to correct a 1/8 inch mistake haha.

But, the sander is good!

Your smart to not load up on sandpaper until your sure you will keep that particular sander.  While the sander itself has an unconditional 30 day return period, sandpaper does not. 

 

[huntdupl]

and in case you missed it - if you do keep the sander Festool Nirvana is breaking out assortment packs of paper. Chip was very responsive and shipping was fast, thanks Chip!

 

[rmhinden]

I am very pleased with the set I received from them too.