Festool sander selection, help too many options!

[jacko9]

Great comments people.  I really won't sell my multimaster since i do need it to repair grout and other tasks.  I appreciate all of the tips on the actual use of these tools and it really does help me make a decision even though I still need a bit more time to process it all.  I now realize that I need at least two sanders but since I don't really start sanding until I have already gone over my work with planes, scrapers and spokeshaves most of the time I'm having a difficult time justifying a 6 inch machine.

Thanks again for all of the comments.

 

[hrrb]

I have a question on what Festool Sander to purchase.  I build furniture and cabinets, while most of my work is solid hardwood, I sometimes use hardwood ply ....

That's what I do..

I have 3 Festool sanders, and the one that I use most of the time is the ETS 125 EQ...

My lumber comes out of the planer/wide belt sander at 120 grit, and I use 120/150/180/220 in the Festool sander.

It's my go to sander.  [wink]

+1

I simply adore this sweet little thing.

I use a  BS75 belt sander (NAINA) or my Rotex 125 when it needs to be more agressive but I always try with the ETS 125 first. It's the nicest one hand sander I've ever owned.

 

[jacko9]

OK People,  I visited my local Festool dealer today (Japan Woodworker) and brought a 4" wide piece of teak that  had an oil finish on both sides as a sander test.

I first tried the RO 90 with an the hard and soft pads and the delta pad.  With 60 grit paper in the two non-delta modes I got a lot of swirl marks as the finish was being removed on one side.  I then tried the EST 125 and EST 150/5 and the 150/3 with different pads and grits.

After about one hour of sanding I purchased the EST 125 with an optional pad and a lot of sanding disks.  I'll probably go back in a week or so and purchase the RO 90 after I complete my current project.

Thanks for the advise.

 

[EWTHeckman]

I first tried the RO 90 with an the hard and soft pads and the delta pad.  With 60 grit paper in the two non-delta modes I got a lot of swirl marks as the finish was being removed on one side.

What mode did you have it in? Rotary? Random Orbit? Both?

 

[jacko9]

I first tried the RO 90 with an the hard and soft pads and the delta pad.  With 60 grit paper in the two non-delta modes I got a lot of swirl marks as the finish was being removed on one side.

What mode did you have it in? Rotary? Random Orbit? Both?

Ed, I tried the RO 90 in both modes.  The rotary mode was way too aggressive for my needs but,  I'm sure if I was doing stripping or re-finishing it would be perfect.

 

[jacko9]

Jack, I refrained from answering even though you posted in the Ask Festool section because I was confident that you would get some good advice from the members of the forum. And, that has happened. If you still have questions, let me know.

Shane

Shane,  I do have one question.  Does Festool intend to offer a hard pad for the ETS 125?  I brought the unit back to my shop and went to work on an oak table I'm making but when I attempted to sand the tapered legs the original pad started to round over a bit as I got to the narrow part of the taper.  I switched to the medium pad that I purchased but, it got too late to continue working in my unheated shop.  If you offer a hard pad, let me know the part number and I'll order one.

 

[mouppe]

I am curious to know to which pad you are referring. The ETS 125 ships with the soft pad, and an ultra-soft pad is available as an accessory, but I am unaware of a medium or hard pad.

There is a hard pad (it's blue) for the RO125, and a green polishing pad too.

 

[jacko9]

I am curious to know to which pad you are referring. The ETS 125 ships with the soft pad, and an ultra-soft pad is available as an accessory, but I am unaware of a medium or hard pad.

There is a hard pad (it's blue) for the RO125, and a green polishing pad too.

Richard,

I bought the 492280 which I thought was the medium hard pad but, after thinking about it I might have just purchased the same pad that came with the ETS 125!  I asked the salesman for a hard pad and he told me they only had a medium pad - which I now see is the same pad as the original.  Oh well, now I have an extra soft pad ;-(

 

[AlexThePalex]

There is no hard pad for the ETS 125.

 

[jacko9]

Problem solved for the hard pad, I purchased the RO 90 and exchanged the ETS 125 for the ETS 150 with a hard pad.  I loved the ETS 125 but, the 150/3 gave me more flexibility especially after I bought the RO 90.

 

[jvang]

i try to machine all the parts with jointers, planners and connection tools so there is little sanding to save time. after assembly i use my ets 125 mostly starting with 150, 180 and 220 before finish. some times i need to start with 120 but not often. when using the ets 125 i let the tool do all the work so i do not get the round over edges. being in a hurry during finish sanding stages is what gives you round over. i also have the rts 400 for touch up area and ro 90 for mostly inside corners. i build furniture for my children and grand children along with for my wife. bed's, hope chests and cabinets, there is nothing the ets 125 and rts 400 could not handle and has made my finish sanding so much easier since i purchased 9 months ago.

 

[GPowers]

Problem solved for the hard pad, I purchased the RO 90 and exchanged the ETS 125 for the ETS 150 with a hard pad.  I loved the ETS 125 but, the 150/3 gave me more flexibility especially after I bought the RO 90.

Now to complete your set you need the RO150.  [big grin]

 

[jacko9]

Problem solved for the hard pad, I purchased the RO 90 and exchanged the ETS 125 for the ETS 150 with a hard pad.  I loved the ETS 125 but, the 150/3 gave me more flexibility especially after I bought the RO 90.

Now to complete your set you need the RO150.   [big grin]

All I have to do is direct deposit my social security check right to my festool dealer  [big grin]

 

[Trosey]

"All I have to do is direct deposit my social security check right to my festool dealer."

Please check and see what the minimum deposit is from your dealer!

They may require three or more government checks(+90 day waiting period) before you can make any purchases before you have an "open" to buy. Checks clearing and a solid track record may be required before you can draw against you deposit. Just a thought.  [tongue]

 

[jacko9]

"All I have to do is direct deposit my social security check right to my festool dealer."

Please check and see what the minimum deposit is from your dealer!

They may require three or more government checks(+90 day waiting period) before you can make any purchases before you have an "open" to buy. Checks clearing and a solid track record may be required before you can draw against you deposit. Just a thought.  [tongue]

[big grin] thanks for the heads up!  I have been spending way too much time browsing the Festool catalog which my local dealer was all to happy to supply!

Edit> moved reply out of quote box.

 

[Trosey]

Yup, a "free" Festool catalog is like those "free" bowls of salty nuts on the bar at happy hour.

Ready for another beer, Sir?

Sure...give everyone 1 on my tab.

[big grin]

 

[Joe W]

Thanks for the help. Going to the Somerset, NJ Woodworkers Show tomorrow to buy a Festool sander and had the same questions. Looks like I will go for the ETS 150 and see if I get talked into an RO 150.

Just purchased a CLT 26 E and TS 55 EQ with extra rail and accessory kit. Looks like I have been bitten by the Festool Bug!

 

[semenza]

Joe,

Welcome to the FOG!

Glad we could help coerce bring you into the Festool fold  [big grin]

Seth