First purchase, CT26 and?

[pjcoop]

I do reno work, from decks to built ins, just finishing a fireplace mantle and bookcases right now. I originally thought the TS55 as my first purchase, but am looking at a sander for drywall and cabinet work. Customers would really like less drywall dust and I would like less dust when sanding my cabinets and mantles. If it was a sander which one would you suggest? Or should I go with my original and get the TS55?
Any help from you guys would be appreciated, I keep changing my mind. The only thing I am confident on is the CT26 I think.
Thanks

 

[ajones]

[welcome]

I think you need both so its just a matter of which you get first if you are finnish sanding the ets150 is a good choice.

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Yeah, just accept the fact that once you see the goodness of the system, you'll wind up with more than a few.

With that said, based on the couple of tasks you wrote up...
Either an RO90, which is arguably the most versatile sander (but small pad)
or the RO150, which is the 6" sander.  With the Rotex / ROS modes, you get a really wide spectrum for uses.

Just for future consideration... the TS saws are the only item with which you can get a combo discount for a MFT3 table.  Food for thought!   [wink]

Oh, and  [welcome]

 

[hanshamm]

+1 on ETS150.  Smooth and balanced.  The planex might come out at the end of the year, specific for drywall (i think that's it's only function)

FESTOOL PLANEX

 

[waho6o9]

[thumbs up] and welcome to the slippery green slope. Festool's sanders rock, you'll be getting most all of them. Rotex 90, ets150 for starters. I like the dust deputy and the CT 33e. Good luck on your choices.

 

[AlexThePalex]

ETS150 or perhaps an ETS125 or a DTS400.

 

[Alan m]

[welcome] to the fog.
i presume it is surrey in england not the states.

good choice on the ct26.
as for the sander. if it is general work i would get the ro150 or ro90. the 150 will cover the ground a lot faster than the 90 but that can get into corners. the ro150 when in the non aggresive mode is basically a ets150/5mm stroke. i have a ro150 and love it, i dont see myself ever buying a ets150 over another ro150.  one of those ones with the profiled pads look handy for curved work (sorry dont know the name off hand).

as for the ts55. just get it you will love it. the only people that dont want a ts55 are those that need the ts75 only.  if you cut sheet goods regularly and need excilent cutts fast and accurate (dont we all) ts55 is perfect. if you cut large solid wood of 1.5"-3" regularly you might want the ts75.

 

[jacqplafond]

Planex, ETS150/3 and DTS400 are great on drywall and plastered walls.

Planex makes quick work of large surfaces and plastered walls, does take some getting used to to properly wield it (and is also still quite heavy).
ETS150 by far the nicest random orbit sander I've ever used, great for surfaces, also on paintwork. DTS400 very handy in corners. Rotexes not so good on plaster/drywall: rotary mode far too aggressive and the form factor enhances the risk of gauging (but excellent for woodworking though).

I use them with my trusty CT33 vac - turn the suction all the way down for ETS and DTS, otherwise they'll just stick to the wall.

Even though festool doesn't really recommend using the CT series (there's some special vac for drywall dust), performance is great. I really don't give a second thought to dust anymore, apart from the occasional fleck it just isn't there. (Well it is: in the vac bag) - I can sand in my sunday clothes all day long

Anyway for general drywall and woodworking use i'd heartily recommend the ETS150 (the ETS125 might be a bit too bouncy for your liking). Maybe also get the DTS400 on the side - you might just as well, it will save you a second trip to the store later on  ;D

 

[AlexThePalex]

rotary mode far too aggressive and the form factor enhances the risk of gauging (but excellent for woodworking though).

Ok, you got me, what does 'gauging' mean exactly in this context?

As for the rotary mode, I agree, that's way too aggressive, but in the other mode the Rotex is just fine for plaster/drywal work, I've covered quite some surface with it. Only the dust collection is not that great with plaster because the Rotex creates more dust than can be sucked away and spews it all over the place.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

He means gouging as in leaving small areas of deep sanding marks that dig into the surface.

 

[jhall]

Get witch ever one is a better deal as a package or your project needs.   You will end up with the next one soon enough.

 

[Julian Tracy]

Funny how before the ro90, everyone was touting the vast improvement in efficiency of the 150 sanders vs. the 125.  Conversations would basically say that " you'd be amazed at how much more work you can cover with that extra inch diameter, by all means get the 150 sanders if you can afford them..." 

And now that the ro90 is out, you all are touting it as the best all purpose sander out there...  I've checked it out, but as the only sander I'd want, it wouldn't make much sense  to do all my sanding with a 3" pad??!

And for someone sanding drywall, a 3" ro sander would be, let's just say, NOT the best choice.

If you want to sand drywall, find yourself the Porter Cable drywall sander - they're available all day long around here on CL for $125-200.  I've had one for 10+ years and it's just the ticket and I can't see how on earth the $2000++ Festool version could be much better in terms of dust collection, as the PC is very good in that regard.

I bought myself the little Festool square pad sander and it complements the PC drywall sander perfectly.  No more hand sanding at ALL!  I don't think for a hand sander I'd want a ro sander for drywall as you'd have to be extra careful not to gouge as you initially place it on the drywall surface.

If you do any amount of carpentry and built-ins, then by all means buy the TS55 FIRST.  That and the vac and you'll get the most use for the money spent.

Want to save some money?  Any vac will work.  I'm not ever one to suggest the rocket engine cheapo Ridgid shopvacs, but Dewalt makes a new line of variable suction premium vacs and the non-Hepa filtered version is around $200.  Or the Fein vac is a little closer to $300.  The Dewalt is made in Italy.  Don't get me wrong, I love my CT22, but aside from being able to stack my systainers on it, which is great, I liked the Fein Turbo vacs better.  Quieter, more durable and a bit cheaper and every bit as well, if not better made.

Careful asking how to spend your money around here, you'll always get friendly advice, but not necessarily very practical advice... 

Good luck to you.

JT

 

[Julian Tracy]

Oops - sorry, just realized you're not in the states.  You guys probably don't have access to the PC drywall sander there...

JT

 

[Ken Nagrod]

JT,

I've done a lot of drywall over the years, most of it using the Porter Cable 7800 drywall sander, and I sure didn't have the same experience, so I got rid of mine a couple of years ago.  That thing was a seriously unrefined version of the Festool Planex.  Dust collection I'd rate ok.  More importantly the thing was poorly engineered.  The drive cable would whip around inside the column and transfer that to the pad giving you a finish that was hit or miss, mostly miss.  Very easy to gouge the wall with it.  Had it serviced several times at Porter Cable's Northeast repair center for parts replacement having to do with the cable, cable housing and any little associated parts.  Bearings I had to replace several times.  Even the sealed ones eventually gave out to heat and drywall compound dust.  Weak bellows covering the bearing section.  Stupid flex hose at the head would always pop off even with new clamps.  Just an overall poor design.  I even complained high enough up the ladder that I had them telling me to use it on the wall surface lightly and quickly and not let it run much in mid air while not on any surface as that would cause wear in the cable housing leading to imbalance and further parts problems.

Yes, it did the job faster for me, sometimes created extra work if I wasn't careful, probably was worth the $450, but I continually got fed up with it, happily sold it and made back about what it originally cost.  The sanding discs I took the beating on when I sold them.

Until the Planex arrives or Brian lends me Festool's in Lebanon, I'm using a Radius 360 pole sander, a rectangular pole sander and hand pads.

I've read a lot of reviews of the Porter Cable.  Some swear by it, others like me hated it.

 

[MadViking]

RO90: definately not something I would recommend for the applications you mention - it's way too small (a 150mm like the ETS or RO150 has almost 3 times the surface area).
RO150: for drywall work this is too heavy (30% heavier than the ETS), hard to use it one-handed, and the 5mm stroke seems a bit much for finish work. And it seems you don't need the disc mode, which is the main reason to get a Rotex in the first place
ETS/3: seems like a very good idea, as it's good for what you need, and also great for counter tops etc. The dustcollection (with Multi jetstream) is the best you'll find (except maybe the Planex)
RTS/DTS 400: these are also excellent for what you mention, and lighter than the ETS (they weigh less than half of the RO 150). With the 2mm stroke they are specifically meant for finish work.
Planex: the obvious choice if you do a lot of drywall, but it's 3 times the price of an ETS or RTS/DTS, and can't realy do anything else but drywall (besides removing wallpaper). Plus the CT 26 is a bit on the small side for a Planex (there is however a combo deal with Planex + CT 36)

Of the above mentioned models, I own the RO90, RO150, ETS/3 and RTS 400, plus I've rented a Planex a few times. The way I see it, your choice is between either the ETS/3 or an RTS/DTS 400. Roughly the same price. The ETS has bigger surface area and slightly better dust collection but is heavier, and can't get into corners. If you plan on doing counter tops the ETS/3 is the one to get. As many have already mentioned, chances are you will end up getting more than one model in the long run.

 

[Julian Tracy]

That's odd - you must have had a dud of one then.  I bought mine used over 10 years ago and I think it was a refurb at that point.  Paid $225 with probably about $250 worth of sanding discs.

I've used it for every single drywall job I've had in that time and have loved it.  I've done 4x5 drywall ceiling repairs in a existing living room with not even a slight dusting on the coffee tables.

Never had to replace any parts on it, the tube hasn't slipped off and the bearings seem ok.

You do have to get the hang of it - it's very easy F-up your drywall if you're not careful - have to always keep it moving and have a light touch.

In the field, dust collection is excellant - get near an edge and you see some escape.

I even bought another used on CL last year just to have for a spare motor now that Porter Cable is going the way of Craftsman in terms of tool quality.

I also use it to scuff up walls prior to painting - it's great for cleaning up poorly painted (isn't that most of them?) walls.

I have no doubt the planex is 2-3 times nicer, but what's it gonna retail for in the states?  $1400 or something ridiculous like that?

For others out there - if you see the PC for sale - give it a try, I think Ken's experience might not be the norm...

Funny thing is, guy I bought it from was a contractor that was selling it because his guys couldn't seem to get the hang of it and were screwing up the drywall in the process.  Can't be a meathead with this tool, and I imagine the Planex's the same way.  (Not suggesting that was the case on your end Ken -sounds like you got a lemon unit...)

Julian

 

[Ken Nagrod]

That's odd - you must have had a dud of one then.  I bought mine used over 10 years ago and I think it was a refurb at that point.  Paid $225 with probably about $250 worth of sanding discs.

I've used it for every single drywall job I've had in that time and have loved it.  I've done 4x5 drywall ceiling repairs in a existing living room with not even a slight dusting on the coffee tables.

Never had to replace any parts on it, the tube hasn't slipped off and the bearings seem ok.

You do have to get the hang of it - it's very easy F-up your drywall if you're not careful - have to always keep it moving and have a light touch.

In the field, dust collection is excellant - get near an edge and you see some escape.

I even bought another used on CL last year just to have for a spare motor now that Porter Cable is going the way of Craftsman in terms of tool quality.

I also use it to scuff up walls prior to painting - it's great for cleaning up poorly painted (isn't that most of them?) walls.

I have no doubt the planex is 2-3 times nicer, but what's it gonna retail for in the states?  $1400 or something ridiculous like that?

For others out there - if you see the PC for sale - give it a try, I think Ken's experience might not be the norm...

Funny thing is, guy I bought it from was a contractor that was selling it because his guys couldn't seem to get the hang of it and were screwing up the drywall in the process.   Can't be a meathead with this tool, and I imagine the Planex's the same way.  (Not suggesting that was the case on your end Ken -sounds like you got a lemon unit...)

Julian

I heard that a lot and it could have been true in my case or I was just a mini meathead since I occasionally got it to work pretty well.

Festool, you listening? ? ?  I'd still spend the money on the Planex because I know it'll get the job done better and faster which translates to enough of a savings, return on investment, payback, whatever you want to call it.  Plus maintenance issues will be a thing of the past compared to the lower quality of the Porter Cable unit.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Being a non pro who among all house related chores hates anything to do with plaster the most, this thread is interesting. Years ago we fixed up our plaster ceiling. I was so sick of hand sanding I whipped out the old Bosch 6" ROS, a respirator and a box fan to blast the torrent of dust out the window (I know, not nice) and had at it. To this day I look at that ceiling and am super impressed. It is the best in the house. Now, apparently, you are telling me I can take my beautiful and well maintained ES 150/3 and CT 22 out of the shop and do this? On one hand I am intrigued, on the other horrified. Once exposed to all that plaster dust would either tool ever be the same again?

I've used my ETS150/3 for sanding that and no problem with the dust.  I always use my air compressor to blow off any tools I've used for sanding instead of just putting them away dirty and caked up with stuff.  If you have an RTS or DTS400, I think you'll get better results than the ETS models and I wouldn't recommend the RO models unless you really wanted to get in tight spots with the delta pad on the RO90 and didn't have a DTS400.

 

[Julian Tracy]

No need for a respirator with any of the tool we're talking about using...

I've found the dust collection is so efficient on the little 400 pad sander, that it doesn't get gunked up like you'd think.  I blow them out with an air compressor to before storing them after drywall use though.

You've got to find the right mix of rpm, dust suction and grit though.  I found for drywall finishing, any less that 240 grit is too agressive.

Once you hit the sweet spot of those three, works like a charm, even in the taped inside corners, which is really the only place I use it - wherever the PC sander won't reach with it's 9" pad.

Julian

 

[Ted Miller]

coop, I do quite a bit of remods and I use the ETS 125 and the Midi. I have two of these sanders that only are used for sheetrock sanding and they work great. The paper lasts a long time on these sanders and they do a excellent job. I will break out the LS 130 for inside corners as it makes quick work of them. I do have to adjust DC speed as needed on the sanders.

I found the RO 150 way to heavy and well just too brutal...