Festool vs DeWalt sander

[ic3ss]

Hey all. I'm a newbie to the Festool world. I just bought a Domino 500 a few days ago from Woodcraft here in Portland. The sales guy pretty much game me a tour of all the Festool stuff they had there before letting me out of the store. I thought about some of the stuff he told me and I have a question about the Festool random orbit sanders. I've been using a DeWalt ROS for a few years and love it. I use it with my shop vac and while the grit on the pad does wear, there's never any dust left over when I lift if off the work surface. It works really well. Is there a really compelling reason for me to buy the Festool ROS over using my DeWalt?

So far I really like the Domino 500. I got it calibrated the other day and have been using it to align panel boards. It works fantastic and  is saving me surface prep time after glue up. I can't wait to see what else it can do for me, I bought the kit and the domino systainer and dropped $1222. Also got a hose adapter to work with my shop vac. So far that's working ok, until the power button on my vac broke yesterday. I just don't have the cash for a CT unit right now.

Thanks,

Wayne

 

[Holmz]

They all basically jitter around the paper.

It might be smoother, but if the dewalt is working fine, then keep using it.

There is a new small vacuum out now or in a few weeks. Or just get a switch for the shop vac. There are also electronic remotes for ~$20, if you were to have the switch always on.

I am a fan of the Mirka Abradenet screens, and as it is a screen one does not have to worry about the hole pattern. But if you are happy with you sanding media then stick with it.

 

[Mort]

I got a few Festool sanders after using my DeWalt, mostly for the ergonomics (ETS125) and extra features (RO90). The Festools vibrate a lot less than my DeWalt, which means I can use them longer. The Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde personality of the Rotex sanders are nothing short of amazing for a recent convert such as myself.

The proprietary sandpaper is kind of annoying sometimes but it's good paper, and I think reasonably priced.

 

[Birdhunter]

I also had several DeWalt sanders. After buying the first (of many) Festool sanders, I gave the DeWalt sanders to a young friend who is a beginner woodworker.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the DeWalt tools. I prefer the Festool sanders because they are easier on my hands and ears. The Festool dual action sanders are the most unique. In the aggressive mode, they can remove a lot of material. Move the switch to the random orbit mode and you have a finish sander.

Be warned, the dual action sanders in the aggressive mode need to be handled with a degree of technique and they work best with a moderate amount of suction. Too much suction and the sander can be difficult to control.

 

[mleny77]

the vibration alone was why I switched to the Festool ETS125 sander. It took a little time to want to afford it but after using it I can use it for a lot longer. I did just upgrade to the RO125, I should have just bought that one first but didn't want to pay that much for a sander.

 

[poachiche]

the new dewalt sander DWE6423K is quite amazing  just sanded  piece with 120  that i colored after  and not one fish eye and pratically no vibration had the older model and hated it trew it away !! the new one is great and cheap too

 

[kixnbux]

I used only dewalt sanders up until I purchased the ets125, followed shortly after by Rotex 125 and now Rotex 90. Gave away the dewalts. No comparison. I do a lot of refinishing work and sometime I'm sanding 4-6 hours straight. Totally worth it!

 

[ic3ss]

Ok, so it sounds like vibration is the big difference here, or lack of it. Thanks guys. I'll give it some thought.

Wayne

 

[#Tee]

basically anything green i bought i gave away my other brands to friends, as its no longer fun to use and the mess it makes.