I bought the TS55 and CT22 last month and was so impressed with the tools that I looking to get a sander or two now. Yes I am already addicted. [big grin] The main use of the sander is for finish sanding. I currently have a 5" Dewalt ROS and that has worked OK up until now but I am looking for something better now. I am looking at the ETS150/3 for a general sander and a DTS 400 EQ for getting into the corners on assembled projects. Does this make sense? I see that there are a lot of option when it comes to sandpaper. What should I start with for sandpaper? As I said the sander will be for finish work. Right now I am finishing a project made from Cherry plywood and solid cherry that is finished with a wash coat of shellac, cherry stain (to darken it a little) and several coats of poly. Later I would like to get a Rotex but that looks like more sander then I need right now and for the price of that I can get these two sanders to start with.
First Festool sanders
- Thread starter MavDog
- Start date
MavDog,
Welcome to wonderful world of incoming and outflowing green.
The 150/3 is an excellent choice. I have one and I think it is absolutely great. I sometimes see visions of the almighty when I am using it. It works quickly and yet still leaves a fine finish. I think the 125EQ leaves a little finer finish but it it is somewhat slower and the difference is nearly imperceptible.
In terms of sandpaper, since you are interested in finish sanding, I would go with the Brilliant line (up to 400 grit) and possibly Platin (500-4000 grit) to finish up, if you would like to stick with Festool. I use Mirka's abranet a lot and find I really like it. It is a bit more expensive than Festool sandpaper but it does last longer.
As far as the DTS 400, I cannot comment since I do not have one. I do have the Deltex 93E which has a smaller pad which might be more useful for getting into corners. If you have a Multimaster, it also offers this feature although many of the comments here indicate that the Festool is superior. I would suggest you get to a local dealer and check them all out.
Neill
Welcome to wonderful world of incoming and outflowing green.
The 150/3 is an excellent choice. I have one and I think it is absolutely great. I sometimes see visions of the almighty when I am using it. It works quickly and yet still leaves a fine finish. I think the 125EQ leaves a little finer finish but it it is somewhat slower and the difference is nearly imperceptible.
In terms of sandpaper, since you are interested in finish sanding, I would go with the Brilliant line (up to 400 grit) and possibly Platin (500-4000 grit) to finish up, if you would like to stick with Festool. I use Mirka's abranet a lot and find I really like it. It is a bit more expensive than Festool sandpaper but it does last longer.
As far as the DTS 400, I cannot comment since I do not have one. I do have the Deltex 93E which has a smaller pad which might be more useful for getting into corners. If you have a Multimaster, it also offers this feature although many of the comments here indicate that the Festool is superior. I would suggest you get to a local dealer and check them all out.
Neill
Bob Marino
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I think the question of which sander/sanders to buy is about as frequently asked as "which TS saw - 55 or 75?". Much depends on applications - and you have listed yours - at least your initial ones.
The 2 you mention are certainly a nice complement to each other...and will cover just about all your bases. The Dx 93 -Deltex is another option instead of the DTS 400. If you are more certain than not about getting the Rotex down the road, than the ETS 150/3 is perfect; if you are not so sure and want a sander that's a bit faster at the lower grits, more of an "all purpose sander and still can leave a smooth finish, then consider the ETS 150/5.
I think having a decent range of sandpaper is important; and Festool's paper is excellent quality and really no more $$ than other brands.
Rubin - 80/120/150/180 and Brilliant - 180/220/320 are good places to start.
Bob
The 2 you mention are certainly a nice complement to each other...and will cover just about all your bases. The Dx 93 -Deltex is another option instead of the DTS 400. If you are more certain than not about getting the Rotex down the road, than the ETS 150/3 is perfect; if you are not so sure and want a sander that's a bit faster at the lower grits, more of an "all purpose sander and still can leave a smooth finish, then consider the ETS 150/5.
I think having a decent range of sandpaper is important; and Festool's paper is excellent quality and really no more $$ than other brands.
Rubin - 80/120/150/180 and Brilliant - 180/220/320 are good places to start.
Bob
Brice Burrell
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I like the advice given so far. The EST150 sanders are first rate tools. I like Bob's thoughts on getting the ETS150/5. The /3 and /5 suffix are the size of the stroke or orbit in millimeters. The /5 will sand fast and the /3 will make a finer finish. If you're working with wood most of the time and not doing super glossy finishes that require sanding above 400 grit, then /5 is ideal.
I've got a DTS 400 and it a nice tool for getting into corners and other finish sanding. It's not the most aggressive sander. I also have the DX 93, it can be used to aggressively remove material, that's a good thing for rough work. While it can be used as a finish sander the DTS is a better choice.
I've got a DTS 400 and it a nice tool for getting into corners and other finish sanding. It's not the most aggressive sander. I also have the DX 93, it can be used to aggressively remove material, that's a good thing for rough work. While it can be used as a finish sander the DTS is a better choice.
Bob Marino
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MavDog said:
Speaking for myself, for general sanding, having the Rotex also, I use the Rotex up to 120 and switch over to the 150/3 - as much for sheer comfort, as for a finer finish. As an aside, IMHO, proper sanding technique, including not skipping too many grits, is more important a factor in attaining a finer finish than the benefit of the smaller orbit.
BOB
nickao
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\Richard Leon said:
I totally 1000% disagree. He does not have a sander he has a DeWalt 5" which is not even that great of a 5" sander compared to other non Festools.
Sanding is done on 99% of all projects, some people may never use the domino in their work.
For me the sanders and dust collection must come first, even before any Festool saw.
Forget the ETS 125, it's not a whole lot better than the DeWalt.
Get a 150/3 if you are going to get a Rotex. If a Rotex is never in your future then I probably would get the 150/5.
My go to sandpaper is Cristal, I don't use anything else for wood except on very rare occasion a low grit Saphir. I don't like the Rubin much at all.
Jonathanerrrm
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I have a few Festool sanders but I find myself reaching for the 150/3 for more often than not. I just find it a pleasure to use, low noise and vibration and hooked up to a boom arm it's extremely comfortable, it's quality really shines through. The Rotex 150 is more aggressive and louder and is great for stripping surfaces. Both great sanders but in terms of use I just seem to want to use the 150/3 more and find it more versatile than you might expect.
When I was new to Festool I was a bit unsure wether spending that kind of extra on their sanders would be worth it. The 150/3 was my fourth buy after the TS55 and I was really taken back by it's quality on all fronts. After using Dewalt and Makitas it was a revelation. Whichever option you go for I'm sure that you won't be disappointed and that it won't be long before you will be adding more to your collection.
When I was new to Festool I was a bit unsure wether spending that kind of extra on their sanders would be worth it. The 150/3 was my fourth buy after the TS55 and I was really taken back by it's quality on all fronts. After using Dewalt and Makitas it was a revelation. Whichever option you go for I'm sure that you won't be disappointed and that it won't be long before you will be adding more to your collection.
MavDog said:
MavDog,
I think the standard pad is great. Just be careful at the edges not to round them over, unless you want to. The firm pads to a better job of not hugging the contour when you reach the edge. The soft pad, on the other hand, will follow and round over the edge a bit more.
Neill
Bob Marino
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Neill said:
Agree with Neill. Also, hard pads are preferred with the more aggressive grits.
Bob
AlexThePalex
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The soft pad is ok but I prefer the hard pad a lot more when removing paint. That also goes especially for the DX90. The soft pad of the DX90 is crap.
It was my birthday Sunday and my wife got me the ETS 150/3. [big grin] I only had a few minutes to play with it but it seems pretty impressive. The Dewalt ROS is back in the case on a shelf now and I don't think it will see another piece of wood. I also got a bunch of gift certificates to my local woodworking store and will be picking up the DTS 400 EQ tomorrow. Thanks for all the helpful comments from everyone.
Less than a month ago I didn't have any Festool products and couldn't understand why there were priced so much higher than other tools. Well now I have a vac, saw, and two sanders and can't wait to decide what the next tool will be. [big grin]
Less than a month ago I didn't have any Festool products and couldn't understand why there were priced so much higher than other tools. Well now I have a vac, saw, and two sanders and can't wait to decide what the next tool will be. [big grin]
RJNeal
Member
MavDog, welcome to the slippery slope. I'm waiting for my 6th sander to arrive, RAS115.
