Happy with your Festool sander lineup?

[Peter Kelly]

Happy with your Festool sander lineup?

No, I would say not. My ETS 125 has been pretty disappointing, wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

 

[Pnw painter]

If the ETS 125 is your only sander then I can understand why you're disappointed. Many people don't realize that it's a finish sander and for anything other than finish sanding it's a painfully slow sander to use.

The ETS 125 was the first Festool sander I bought. At first I was extremely disappointed with it, because I was trying to use it for projects outside its intended use.  I was trying to use it for things like stripping lacquer off a door and it was frustrating to use because it was sooooo slow. But then when I'd use it to sand primer I loved it.

My point is that each Festool sander has a sweet spot where they're extremely effective tools.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Holmz]

Happy with your Festool sander lineup?

No, I would say not. My ETS 125 has been pretty disappointing, wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

There are other makers of sanders than Festool, so it should be easy to find a good sander. I have 3 very nice sanders, and the corner sander is pretty good too.

"most sanders just wriggle the paper around, and are not imbued with magical status."... so I am obviously a poor example of a FT-fan boi.

That being said, festool's BS105 and their discontinued dx93 I found worth having.

 

[jacko9]

Happy with your Festool sander lineup?

No, I would say not. My ETS 125 has been pretty disappointing, wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

That's how I felt when I purchased the ETS 125.  I returned it and bought the RO 90 instead.  After a short while I decided to get the ETS 150/3 which I love and use very often in my shop.  I did wind up re-purchasing the ETS 125 (during a reconditioning sale) and use it on large furniture projects on vertical surfaces during the final stages of sanding.

Jack

 

[Motown]

I love my Festool sanders. Have the RO 90 & 125, ETS 125 and 150 and LS130. I've actually found myself going to the LS when sanding flat boards in the shop which was unexpected as I bought it for profiles. Interestingly enough, I am completely okay staying with the corded versions that I own, versus the newer battery operated. 

 

[Peter Kelly]

If the ETS 125 is your only sander then I can understand why you're disappointed. Many people don't realize that it's a finish sander and for anything other than finish sanding it's a painfully slow sander to use.

The ETS 125 was the first Festool sander I bought. At first I was extremely disappointed with it, because I was trying to use it for projects outside its intended use.  I was trying to use it for things like stripping lacquer off a door and it was frustrating to use because it was sooooo slow. But then when I'd use it to sand primer I loved it.

My point is that each Festool sander has a sweet spot where they're extremely effective tools.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If there's a "sweet spot" for the ETS 125, I certainly haven't found it. I've tried it extensively on all types of wood at varying stages of finishing and end up with swirls and pig tails pretty well everywhere. I've had a Makita sander that cost 1/2 as much that performed better.

I bit the bullet a while back, purchased a Ceros and wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[SoonerFan]

I used my ETS EC 125 again today on a small project for my wife.  I know there have been a few positive and few negative comments on the ETS sander in this thread and I appreciate both types of comments because I learn from both the positive and the negative. 

I found mine a joy to use.  I find it great that I can can share consumables, plug-it cord and hose with my RO 125.  I really like how close it is to the work piece and I am very happy with the results.  Dust collection was terrific even with suction on my CT turned all the way down.  I used Granat up to 220 on this project and knocked it out quickly after work. 

All in all I am good with the ETS EC 125.  I do however greatly value my RO 125 when there is a need to remove material quickly and easily. 

 

[waho6o9]

Happy with your current line up?

Yes, the sanders are efficient and the consumables last a long time.

 

[Cheese]

I used my ETS EC 125 again today on a small project for my wife.  I know there have been a few positive and few negative comments on the ETS sander in this thread and I appreciate both types of comments because I learn from both.

One has to be careful when discussing the ETS 125 & ETS EC 125. Sometimes people get sloppy or lazy when referring to the performance of these two sanders and mistakenly interchange the nomenclature when reviewing the performance of these 2 sanders.

From personal experience, there is a huge difference in performance between the ETS 125 and the ETS EC 125. And having read most of the reviews of these sanders on the FOG, it’s been my experience that when people specifically refer to the ETS EC 125 it’s had glowing reviews. The ETS 125...not so much. 

The only trash talking of the ETS EC 125 has centered around its cost and the lack of Festool’s factory support for interchangeable 5” and 6” pads, even though it’s possible and easy.

 

[Holmz]

I used my ETS EC 125 again today on a small project for my wife.  I know there have been a few positive and few negative comments on the ETS sander in this thread and I appreciate both types of comments because I learn from both the positive and the negative. 

I found mine a joy to use.  I find it great that I can can share consumables, plug-it cord and hose with my RO 125.  I really like how close it is to the work piece and I am very happy with the results.  Dust collection was terrific even with suction on my CT turned all the way down.  I used Granat up to 220 on this project and knocked it out quickly after work. 

All in all I am good with the ETS EC 125.  I do however greatly value my RO 125 when there is a need to remove material quickly and easily.

It is a good sander... But the Mirka screens might be worth a try if you want to see if it can be even better.
They sell a combo pack, and I often stop at 240 (120,180, then 240)

I only have 2 FT sanders, but I like them both.

 

[Kev]

Happy? Yes. But I'd still add more.

I Have RO150, RO90, ETS150/3, ETS150/5, LS130, RAS115, BS105, DTS400.

The range is supplemented by a few sanders in other brands, but I'd still like a nicer half sheet and if I do a lot of plasterboard work soon then a purpose specific sander there too.

My ROTEX sanders probably see more time polishing over sanding right now and they're supplemented by a forced rotation FLEX polisher and a rotary beast from the past.

Funny how people seem to either love or hate 125 format sanders [scratch chin]

Ultimately I'd like a couple of big stationary sanders - I can see using them for shaping and finishing being more functional than VACSYS and hand sanders.

Really looking forward to the cordless/hybrids. I've always felt like getting a RTS400 as it shares the LS130's abrasives, so that'll probably be my first hybrid sander.

 

[Jonathan Starr]

ETS 150/5  My first Festool, always felt it was the optimum sander for larger work... till I tried a ETS EC 150 at a local store.
ETS EC 150/5 Just brought it home. Love it, a lot more comfortable than anything I've used, great material removal and controllability.
ETS 125/2 Thought it was defective when I got it. Took some hours to break in and start to loosen up & rotate. Glad I kept it. Now I find it nice for fine finishing with higher grits.
Still go back to my old Bosch and Makita RO's for some 5" work. Someday may replace them with a ETS EQ 123/3.
For a lot of projects I work up through a number of grits, and like to load a half dozen sanders up with different grits and label them with console tape. Saves a lot of time, especially if I'm making a series of pieces.
Also have my eye on a RTS 400 to replace the old Porter Cable 1/4 sheet finish palm sander for when I need to sand up to a line.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I like them all - I do not have the 5mm finish sanders, but have 2 of the 3mm. I am wondering is a 5mm would be a good option when I do not want to use the RO150...maybe...

 

[Holmz]

I like them all - I do not have the 5mm finish sanders, but have 2 of the 3mm. I am wondering is a 5mm would be a good option when I do not want to use the RO150...maybe...

There is a 30 trial...
That ETS/EC 150/5 is so close to DEROS in performance even I can only say that it is a really good sander.
I do not think you can make a mistake getting the 150/5 - unless you really liked a paddle switch.

It is a fact that I had a had time controlling an RO-#, but maybe I could get used to it.

However when I chucked the Mrs the DEROS, which is about the same weight and balance as the ETS/EC, she used it straight away like a champ. There is something nice about a power sander that is also light and well mannered.