Festool Sanders - Headache alert

[farimir]

Hi Everyone

I am planning on upgrading my workshop and am trying to decide on what festool sanders to buy.  I know this topic has been debated to death, but I would like to hear people's opinion especially people building solid wood furniture.

I have always planned to buy the Rotex RO150 and either the DTS400 or RTS400, thinking that the Rotex is the all-in-one sander.  After reading multiple opinions I get the feeling the Rotex might be too rough for my use most of the time and not enough of a finish sander.  A lot of people are singing the praises of the ETS150/3 as their main sander and I am leaning towards this, especially as this is half the price of the Rotex.  I will be doing a lot of panel glue-ups (not necessarily large panels), but I will use a shaper with glue joint cutters or the domino for good panel alignment (also a good jointer/planer), so I cannot see the need for very aggressive sanding.  It might happen that something somewhere is out of alignment or I need to remove a finish for refinishing and I think the ETS150/3 might have a problem there.  Will the ETS150/5 not maybe be enough for things like this?  I know people say that it is not worth having both, but you can have both for the same price as the Rotex and according to a lot of people the ETS150/5 is the same as the Rotex in Random Orbit mode.

I am also considering the RS2E which some people love and others hate.  As I will be doing lot of panels I thought this might be a good choice and some people say it is very good for sanding panel frames and narrower edges (where Random Orbit Sanders are uncomfortable).  We do not get the RS2E in South Africa, but the RS200 some people say are the updated RS2E and it looks to have the same specs.  People say that this sander is great for finishing large flat surfaces, but it seems quite fine to me with a 2.4mm sanding stroke, I might be wrong.

At the moment I seem to get myself in situations where I need a smaller sander to get into tight corners a lot, but I think pre-sanding parts will be the way to go for me in the future so I am not sure if I should get something like the DTS400 or RTS400 at first.

Your comments will be appreciated.

Heinrich

 

[woodguy7]

150/3

I have that & the ro150.  Sounds like the 150/3 would be best 4 u.

Woodguy.

Oh, welcome to the FOG

 

[Holzhacker]

As much as some guys talk about using the Rotex for finish work, having played with one I wouldn't. Waiting for the right rough job to buy the Rotex. I'd recommend the /3. I played with both the DTS and RTS. I chose the DTS for the work I do, Tighter areas, corners, details, etc instead of more flat straight stuff. The DTS seems to have the same break-in period as the ETS so don't freak out when it sucks at first.
Good luck

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I have the Rotex 150 and the DTS400 and I think that this is a great combination.  I did a review of the DTS400 that you can look at and it helped me get out of a problem with my sanding (with a different sander, not Rotex).  I find the Rotex to work great and use it as my primary sander now -- from rough to fine sanding to polish.  I have never had a problem controlling it and I find it to be pretty well balanced.  It does work a little differently than a traditional pistol-grip sander like the ETS 150/3, but it did not take long to get used to it and I think it works well.  I do most of my work in solid material.  The more I use it, the more I like it and it is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

Scot

 

[farimir]

I guess different strokes for different folks.  Thanks for the feedback so far.  Anyone have any advice on the RS2E?  If I do get the RS2E I will definitely go for the DTS400.

 

[scoffelt]

I have a 150/3 and both the RS & DS 400's, along with a ETS 125.  In all I find these to be more than enough when doing any furniture projects, though I do have a drum sander (cheapy) that I used to do the majority of the flattening of panels is out of align.  Though the 150/3 is not agressive, I do start with 80 grit and work my way down.  It for sure is slower process than using a RO.  What I would recommend though is a good hand plan to remove larger stock.  I've starting using plans more, though I have a long ways to go with them I can see how they can really fit in nice with my Festools.

 

[greg mann]

150/3, DTS/400,RS200, RO150 when needed

This order is from a guy who bought in the order of RO150, RS2, 150/3, DTS400.

My logic? It seems you need good finish sanding capability most; 150/3 will be your go/to sander and the DTS400 will get you out of tight corners. The RS200 will eventually be your big flat panel sander but the 150/3 isn't too shabby at that work either. Once you get spoiled and start getting sloppy with your glue ups you will see the benefit of the RO150.  ;D  I have fewer kids and more sanders (all Festool) but I love them all.

The RO can do more things than any other sander but I think you have indicated usages that would benefit from pure finish sanders most. Really, in a pinch, you can put pretty aggressive paper on a 150/3 and get fairly fast stock removal. The 150/5 is probably a compromise sander that would seem like a more easily controlled Rotex but without the benefit of a really aggressive mode.

 

[farimir]

greg mann

Just when I thought I had this figured out.  After too much reading an thinking I decided to go with RO150, ETS150/3 and DTS400.  I thought that the RS2 was a nice to have, but I might be able to do without it for now.  I can only afford 3 of the sanders which is already more than most people can buy at once so I feel fortunate.  I still have some time before I will go and buy them, so maybe I will change my mind again.  How aggressive is the RS2?  As I understand it only has 2.5mm sanding stroke, so it falls in the category of finish sander, but people say that they can flatten panels with it.  Ultimately I do agree with you that these 4 sanders will be perfect for my needs.

 

[greg mann]

Feel free to remove the RS200. Many folks would say it is a luxury. Clearly, I am making many assumptions about your use, once you get past finish sanding hardwood furniture. I do like my RS2 when I have large areas to sand, but if I didn't have it, I am sure the 150/3 would do the job to my satisfaction. I listed the 4 because I am spending your money.  [big grin]

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Be sure to check our Jerry Work's write-up on the different sanders and also Brice Burrell has a good review of the RS2E.

Scot