Happy with your Festool sander lineup?

[SoonerFan]

Lots of discussions on sanders here on FOG so I thought I would share my thoughts on my current lineup.  I currently have three Festool sanders.  And I think three is all I will need for a while.

I started with an RO 125 as part of my first Festool purchase.  Great at removing material and did a fairly good job of finish sanding.  It was the only Festool sander I had for a couple of years.  Next up for me was a DTS to be able to get in corners and have a sander more suitable to finish sanding.  I have used the DTS for lots of projects including one yesterday.  I like it more the more I use it.  My third is an ETS EC 125 which I purchased recently.  I have not used it extensively yet but so far I think its great.  I sanded a shelf yesterday and the ETS EC 125 was the perfect sander of this type of work for me.

I understand all the benefits of covering larger pieces faster with the 150 platform but as a hobbyist and home owner that advantage was not key for me.  Plus I just like the size of 125/5 inch sanders.  With these three I think I am set unless I ever find a need for a cordless sander.  Lots of other Festool kit I would like to have but at least for now there are no more sanders on that list.

What about everyone else?  Happy with your current line up?  Would you do anything different knowing what you know now and looking to purchase your first Festool sander?

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Those are great sanders. I also like the LS sander for profiles. I know some folks do not think it is powerful or fast, but it does a good job on its intended purpose. I also make sculpted pieces and really like the RAS for heavy sculpting and the RO90 for sanding smaller areas. I have most sanders FT carries except air or the 5mm orbit finish sanders and if I really had to pair it down i would go Rotex 125 and Rotex 90 and LS to start and would then add the RAS. I would quickly try and add a DTS and RTS because they are so good. These 5 would cover everythng for me, I think. I do like my RO150 but the 125 seems better suited for smaller furniture pieces, which i make more of than large pieces. Ask when i am building a dining table or other large work and i would probably say my 150 sanders and RS sander. [big grin]

 

[rljatl]

My thinking has been the same as yours with a difference in the order purchased and one decision yet to be made.

I currently have the ETS EC 150 3mm and the new DTS and have been very satisfied with this combo.

My uncertainty comes from whether to buy the ROS 150 or the ETS EC 150 5mm for my third sander?

Some people claim that the ETS EC 150 5mm is actually faster at stock removal than the Rotex.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Not sure I would agree with speed as 5mm orbit is same.

 

[rljatl]

Not sure I would agree with speed as 5mm orbit is same.

I don't think so...

Rotex speeds:
Speed Eccentric Motion 3300 - 6800 opm
Speed Rotary Motion 320 - 660 rpm

ETS EC 150 5mm speed:
Eccentric motion speed 6 000 - 10 000 RPM

 

[peter halle]

I am happy with mine:

1st:  Rolex - Rotex 150 - taught me that sanding didn't have to be miserable
2nd:  ETS150/3 - needed something lighter for overhead work.  Sacrificed speed for a finer orbit.
3rd:  RAS115 - needed to strip paint and other grinder type stuff
4th:  DTS400 - wanted to sand corners.  Round pads sometimes don't cut it.

Next sander if the need arises: LS130 - niche sander that can work on profiles.

Peter

 

[HarveyWildes]

150/3ETS EC, Pro 5, DTS, Makita 1/2 sheet, and most recently an RO 150.  They have pretty effectively sped up and cleaned up my sanding chores, and I think will do just fine until someone comes up with a sanding robot that totally relieves me of the tedium of sanding.  They have CNC routers, why not CNC sanders (rhetorical question)?

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Not sure I would agree with speed as 5mm orbit is same.

I don't think so...

Rotex speeds:
Speed Eccentric Motion 3300 - 6800 opm
Speed Rotary Motion 320 - 660 rpm

ETS EC 150 5mm speed:
Eccentric motion speed 6 000 - 10 000 RPM

Good points. Not sure weight matters or how it plays into speed. What you reference makes sense.

 

[Timtool]

Rolex 150

Looks like you made it in life

It's ets 150/5 for me, and I have several (check my signature) started with an RO and ETS 125, brought back the RO and changed for an ETS 150/5, it's my work horse.

 

[rst]

Peter, that is one hellava watch that sands as well as telling the hour... [big grin] 

My first Festool sander was a recon ETS 125.  I now own an all the sanders excepting the RO 150 (have the Bosch) and the RS (have the Makita).  All the sanders excel at different tasks, I work enough varied specialties to make owning them all worth while.

 

[SS Teach]

I’ve got 5 of them. Each was purchased for a specific purpose and project and each performed exceedingly well. Attached to my CT 36 they are the best sanders I’ve ever used. By the way the Festool sandpaper lasts and last.

 

[jacko9]

I'm happy with my lineup;

1) ETS 150-3
2) ETS 125
3) RO 90
4) LS 130

If I had a lot of heavy duty sanding I would probably get the Rotex 150

 

[ben_r_]

ETS EC 150/3 and an RTS 400 EQ. So far havent needed anything more.

 

[Cochese]

ETS 150/3, DTS, Pro 5.

Honestly I’ve been considering selling the Pro 5 as it overlaps almost completely with the 150. Would rather have a Rotex for fast removal.

 

[thudchkr]

Rotex 150
ETS EC 150/5
ETS 150/3
Pro 5
RO 90
DTS 400

Agree that their sandpaper is worth the premium price.

Clint

 

[Brian Livingstone]

Hi,

I am a cabinetmaker, furniture builder.  I own:

RO150
DTS 400 REQ
LS130
RS2

Considering:

RTS400 REQ not sure if necessary since I have the DTS
ETS125EC

Surprised how much I use my RO150.

Brian

 

[SoonerFan]

Peter, that is one hellava watch that sands as well as telling the hour... [big grin] 

My first Festool sander was a recon ETS 125.  I now own an all the sanders excepting the RO 150 (have the Bosch) and the RS (have the Makita).  All the sanders excel at different tasks, I work enough varied specialties to make owning them all worth while.

While I don't foresee a near term need for me to get another sander I am certainly jealous that you have all the Festool sanders except two.  That is quite impressive.

 

[sancho57]

RO 150
RO 90
DTS 400

 

[ear3]

Some people claim that the ETS EC 150 5mm is actually faster at stock removal than the Rotex.

It is, compared to when the Rotex is operating in RO mode.

 

[rljatl]

Some people claim that the ETS EC 150 5mm is actually faster at stock removal than the Rotex.

It is, compared to when the Rotex is operating in RO mode.

I wonder if the standard ETS 150 5mm is also faster than the Rotex in RO mode?