Festool Sander Guide

Sadly the guide says nothing about the other RTS sanders. I currently have the RTS 300 as my only sander (hobbyist) and I'm wondering if it makes sense to replace it with something else. I only work indoor and make cabinets or smaller stuff. The reason for the RTS300 was, that I found it for 50€ at a fleamarket :-P Any opinions on the RTS 300?
 
I've a question re the sanding universe as currently don't own a single Festool sander.  Just an older 150mm Bosch random orbit.

I want to buy just one if possible and I have the posh hose and CT26 so DX handled.  My use is weekend warrior and I use a fair bit of rough sawn for furniture projects, lots of hardwoods but on the flipside, I will usually finish to 240g.

What I do like about the Bosch is it finishes quite fine but what I don't like is the slow heavy lifting wen removing bandsaw marks from rough sawn.  So I like the notion of the RO 150 for that early heavy lifting but I'm slightly nervous that it wont cope well with the finer end of the puzzle. 

Am I overthinking this?  Is the RO 150 good enough to do it all with the appropriate setting and the right grit?

Its just that some folk categorise it as primarily for exterior paint removal and that's clearly not in my scope.  My need is all wood working from rough to fine.

Thanks in advance for help

Best
Rob
 
Rob-

The RO150, like the RO125 and RO90 have both the "aggressive" rotary mode as well as a random orbital.

The RO150's orbit on random is a 5mm stroke.  Not sure what the stroke size is on your Bosch, so I can't say how it would compare.

I think the prevailing wisdom is to pair a RO150 with an ETS EC 125/3 and put a 150mm/6" pad from the ETS EC 150 on the 125.  Still not a cheap solution, of course.

But if your Bosch is a 5mm stroke, the RO150 would add the aggressive mode and match the sanding/polishing that you already have.

The RO150 may or may not be as comfortable to maneuver during sanding/polishing, too, so that's something to consider as well.
 
If your need is all wood working from rough to fine, the RO150 can be a great help to you I think. It is great with bandsaw marks, and if you use the sander in fine mode with a fine grit, 240 and up, you can create a very fine finish. Some other sanders can do the fine spectre easier than the RO150, but use the proper grit and technique, and the RO will get you there too, no problem.
 
Thanks chaps

Is it fair to say then that the ets range and obviously the finer 3 orbit over the 5, is just easier to operate than the RO which is clearly a bigger beast?

If I asked you top plump for JUST one tool would you opt for the RO150 or either of ets/c models oe the 5 or 3 and if you say yes to the ets models would it be 150 or 125?

Many thanks
 
Yes, the ETS sanders (any type) are all easier to operate than the RO150.

If I could only get one sander, I would do what I did originally, and get the RO150. That one was my first and only Festool sander for over a year until I added the DX93 to get into corners. Took maybe 3 years to add my next sander, the DTS400.

If I needed an ETS sander, I would always get the 125 model, be it ETS125 (which I have) [smile] or the ETS EC 125, which I don't have.  [sad]

I also had the ETS 150, but it didn't do anything for me, so I sold it off. I think the ETS 125 is great for certain finer work like on doors. Never tried the ETS EC 125 yet, but I guess it is very nice also, with the added benefit that you can fit a 150 mm pad on it too.
 
I can only second what Alex says here.
Being an RO 150 Bosch equivalent owner for some years now, and I hate sanding.. this is THE machine I wished I had before. My belt sander is more or less out of work because of this. And I use it comfortably for fine sanding just as much.

I’d only pick a lighter one if I’d work above shoulder level for longer periods.
I’ll exchange my Bosch for a RO 150 when back in stock (sold out for months now..) due to that I have accessories that are for RO 150 and that I can get a 120 polishing pad that accepts standard polishing accessories. Otherwise the Bosch is just as good.

The ETS EC are ergonomically way better, but they are not a Rotex. So if only one or two machines, a dual action or Rotex would be my first choice.
 
Interesting responses.  I think thats nailed it then chaps and thanks for the input.

it was the "belt sander now redundant" comment that clinched it because thats exactly what I currently use to go from rough sawn and waney to ready to start the finishing process.  The belt sander is a right pain in the wotsit to control and once false move and you leave major marks that take ages to remove.  Thats where I'm hoping the Rotex in geared mode will replace the belt sander, add brilliant extraction and easier control.  Then in random orbit mode, I can still finish.  So I guess its the breadth and scale of its capacity to deal with rough to smooth, while keeping DX managed that I'm hoping is the holy grail.

Having said all this, there will be nothing to stop adding something from the finer end of the range at a later date...when I've come out of spending therapy from this first dive!!

But I'm not seeing the RO150 being out of stock in many places, it seems a heck of a lot more available than the Kapex 120 was at least.  That took me months to source.
 
Random Orbital Bob said:
Thats where I'm hoping the Rotex in geared mode will replace the belt sander, add brilliant extraction and easier control. 

But I'm not seeing the RO150 being out of stock in many places, it seems a heck of a lot more available than the Kapex 120 was at least.  That took me months to source.
Click to expand...

Yes, the Rotex can replace the belt sander for removing saw and planer marks just fine. Don't expect the Rotex to do all the belt sander can do, in the end a belt sander is a lot more powerful.

I think the RO150 is still in stock because you can clearly see Festool gives priority to keep production of their best sellers alive, while toning down the rest.
 
I am setting up a sanding cart (already purchased the dust extractor and boom set) and was wondering what sander most people that have this set-up use? My use will be daily and will be for mostly hardwood items--small cabinets, smaller furniture items, sign making, some whiskey barrel work, etc. Like many that have posted, I would like to initially get what will do most things well in one sander and then purchase others if/when the need arises. Is the RO150 a good choice for my situation? Thanks.
 
SonOfMI said:
The 150 (6") sander pads fit and work perfectly on the ETS EC 125/3.

Some of this info is posted elsewhere in FOG, but some people said the 150 pads caused the brake on the ETS EC 125 sander to not function. I saw that to not be the case. The brake works great. I also did not see anyone state what exact pads they tried.
Click to expand...

A great post which has helped me make up my mind on the ETS EC125/3 but its a few years old now and interested to find out whether long term users haven't had any issues using the 6" pad. I think around 90% of my sanding would be adequate with the 5" but its a bonus if I have that option to go bigger
 
LPSteinmetz said:
I am setting up a sanding cart (already purchased the dust extractor and boom set) and was wondering what sander most people that have this set-up use? My use will be daily and will be for mostly hardwood items--small cabinets, smaller furniture items, sign making, some whiskey barrel work, etc. Like many that have posted, I would like to initially get what will do most things well in one sander and then purchase others if/when the need arises. Is the RO150 a good choice for my situation? Thanks.
Click to expand...
. Unless you need the extra power of Rotex mode, the ETS EC sanders will handle pretty much anything and be lighter and smaller than the large RO 150.
I’ve actually stripped old stain and varnish with my EC 125/3 sander off some interior doors even though my larger EC 150/5 was probably better suited for the task if it hadn’t been too large of a pad size to get between panels on those doors.
If possible, try both the Rotex Sanders and the EC sanders at a dealer to make up your mind.
  I have both the RO150 and the versatile RO90, but so much of my sanding needs are handled by my two EC sanders that I rarely use the Rotex Sanders as this point.
 
I'm with Leakyroof, I use my ETS ECs much more than my ROs, probably depends on tasks at hand more than anything.
 
I've decided recently to put a lot more into my woodworking. I'm going from few and far between hobbyist to wanting to take my game up to side hustle. I'm trying to take the dive into my first Festool, however since I've been doing a lot of shop upgrades this year (jointer, table saw, planer) my budget is pretty strapped at this point, plus nothing's in stock.

For years, my sanding was limited to a Makita 1/3 sheet sander. I recently added the DeWalt XR cordless random orbital. It's OK. I like the portability of being able to grab it for something quick, but it doesn't stack up to a big job like the dining table I just finished, is very loud when connected to dust extraction, and loses power as the battery gets lower. I came across some ETS 125 REQ's and almost pulled the trigger, but am wondering if I should hold out for an ETS EC 125. Is it worth twice the price? Given what I'm coming from, will the REQ seem amazing and what I don't know won't hurt me? A dining table is the biggest thing I'll do, everything else will be smaller furniture or cabinets. I am shying away from the rotex because of the comments about it being maybe a bit unwieldy for my applications, but I frequently come across them on the used market.
 
rt002k said:
I've decided recently to put a lot more into my woodworking. I'm going from few and far between hobbyist to wanting to take my game up to side hustle. I'm trying to take the dive into my first Festool, however since I've been doing a lot of shop upgrades this year (jointer, table saw, planer) my budget is pretty strapped at this point, plus nothing's in stock.

For years, my sanding was limited to a Makita 1/3 sheet sander. I recently added the DeWalt XR cordless sander. It's OK. I like the portability of being able to grab it for something quick, but it doesn't stack up to a big job like the dining table I just finished and is very loud when connected to dust extraction. I came across some ETS 125 REQ's and almost pulled the trigger, but am wondering if I should hold out for an ETS EC 125. Is it worth twice the price? Given what I'm coming from, will the REQ seem amazing and what I don't know won't hurt me? A dining table is the biggest thing I'll do, everything else will be smaller furniture or cabinets. I am shying away from the rotex because of the comments about it being maybe a bit unwieldy for my applications, but I frequently come across them on the used market.
Click to expand...

For projects like a dining table, a 6" sander seems like a better option, but like all things, your mileage may vary.  I've seen dining tables in the 2 1/2' x 5' range, all the way up to 3 1/2' x 9'+.  On a smaller table, a 5" sander would probably suffice but if you're talking large slab-like tables, the 6" would be so much better.

The ETS 125 is a perfectly fine sander, and at a low entry point.

Which means that I, like many, would probably recommend an ETS EC 125, and then buy a 150 pad (6") to use with 6" paper.  Then you have two sanders with two sizes and not too much extra storage hassle.

Honestly, the cost of getting paper for both sizes will eventually be what does you in.
 
squall_line said:
rt002k said:
I've decided recently to put a lot more into my woodworking. I'm going from few and far between hobbyist to wanting to take my game up to side hustle. I'm trying to take the dive into my first Festool, however since I've been doing a lot of shop upgrades this year (jointer, table saw, planer) my budget is pretty strapped at this point, plus nothing's in stock.

For years, my sanding was limited to a Makita 1/3 sheet sander. I recently added the DeWalt XR cordless sander. It's OK. I like the portability of being able to grab it for something quick, but it doesn't stack up to a big job like the dining table I just finished and is very loud when connected to dust extraction. I came across some ETS 125 REQ's and almost pulled the trigger, but am wondering if I should hold out for an ETS EC 125. Is it worth twice the price? Given what I'm coming from, will the REQ seem amazing and what I don't know won't hurt me? A dining table is the biggest thing I'll do, everything else will be smaller furniture or cabinets. I am shying away from the rotex because of the comments about it being maybe a bit unwieldy for my applications, but I frequently come across them on the used market.
Click to expand...

For projects like a dining table, a 6" sander seems like a better option, but like all things, your mileage may vary.  I've seen dining tables in the 2 1/2' x 5' range, all the way up to 3 1/2' x 9'+.  On a smaller table, a 5" sander would probably suffice but if you're talking large slab-like tables, the 6" would be so much better.

The ETS 125 is a perfectly fine sander, and at a low entry point.

Which means that I, like many, would probably recommend an ETS EC 125, and then buy a 150 pad (6") to use with 6" paper.  Then you have two sanders with two sizes and not too much extra storage hassle.

Honestly, the cost of getting paper for both sizes will eventually be what does you in.
Click to expand...

Thank you. This was a 3 1/2' x 6 1/2' live edge slab, it did take quite a while with the 5". I'll have to decide if the cost of adding the 6" backer + separate supply of paper will be worth the time that I would actually need the 6". Sounds like I should "buy once cry once" and go for the EC instead of doing what I just did and get a stepping stone solution.
 
Looks like the original link to the sander guide is now dead.  Is there an alternative resource for this information available?
 
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