Have a Rotex RO 150 want to buy an ETS EC 150 - 5mm or 3mm stroke???

[mino]

So you are thinking since I have a RO150 (that can do 5mm on ROS mode) that the ETS EC 150/3 would be a better addition than the 150/5?

Yes. (fix: No, I suggest the ETS EC 125/3 plus a 6" pad from ETS EC 150/x sander series for it)

You already have an aggressive sander in the RO150 with the super-aggressive Rotex mode and the still-aggressive random orbital 5mm mode.

So it makes sense to get a less aggressive sander that is suited also for finishing touches hence the /3 models from the ETS EC series.

From those, the 125/3 is the better option as it gives you a 5" and 6" sander in one tool. So should you ever want/need a 5" sander - e.g. when you get the ES ETS for edging or you have a problem getting Festool 6" abrasives. You will have the option of using the ETS EC with the 5" pad.

The only difference between the 125/3 and 150/3 are the pads (and the pad interface on the 150/3 which does not accept the 5" pads). Everything else is the same.

From what is understood, the ETS EC 150/x sanders use the "winged" pad connection as it is stronger for transferring loads for the bigger pad than the simpler 125/3 par interface is.
But this is likely a concern only for a heavy industrial user. So far no one, even Pro daily users, reported the connection on the 6" pad getting loose when used on the 125/3 sanders. I guess it may be because there is no 125/5 sander option and the stronger pad connection may be necessitated by the /5 sander scenario while being an overkill for the /3 model.

 

[mrboult]

As someone who prefers the 125mm pad size, I’ve long wondered if the ETS EC 150/5 could accommodate the 125mm pad. I know how the key mechanism of the 125mm pad doesn’t have the cutouts for the shaft of the ETS EC 150, but surely that could be cut into the 125mm pad!???

Any thoughts on why I might be wrong.

And back on topic, I have the ETS EC 125/3. Is a really great sander and a pleasure to use. Personally I prefer the size, balance, trigger, power of my Metabo branded MIRKA DEROS.

 

[binettea]

Any update from Festool on the EC sanders sudden stopping issues? Also, interesting article on 3mm vs 5mm sanding stroke.

www.buffdaddy.com

 

[dltflt]

Thanks all. I appreciate the responses.  I recently made a 7.25' (88") wooden countertop and corresponding cabinet and used the RO 150 to do the whole thing.  It was fine except it's pretty heavy for that many hours of sanding and a bit cumbersome on the edge of the door frames.  I realize the RO 150 in ROS is a 5mm stroke.  Is there any disadvantage to going with the 3mm stroke on the ETS EC 150?  In my head, I was thinking 5mm stroke for an all around kind of device and that 3mm might be a bit slower, but was looking for some folks (like you all) with actual experience to weigh in on one vs the other.  At the time I bought the RO 150, my financial situation dictated an "all-in-one" solution, but some finances have freed up and I'd like to keep the RO 150 for coarse and medium stuff and add the ETS EC for medium to (potentially) fine work.  Although probably won't ever go past 320 grit on any of them.  Thanks for your help.

The RO90 is also a little sander fit for smaller wood like your face frames.

 

[presidentsdad]

Thanks all. I appreciate the responses.  I recently made a 7.25' (88") wooden countertop and corresponding cabinet and used the RO 150 to do the whole thing.  It was fine except it's pretty heavy for that many hours of sanding and a bit cumbersome on the edge of the door frames.  I realize the RO 150 in ROS is a 5mm stroke.  Is there any disadvantage to going with the 3mm stroke on the ETS EC 150?  In my head, I was thinking 5mm stroke for an all around kind of device and that 3mm might be a bit slower, but was looking for some folks (like you all) with actual experience to weigh in on one vs the other.  At the time I bought the RO 150, my financial situation dictated an "all-in-one" solution, but some finances have freed up and I'd like to keep the RO 150 for coarse and medium stuff and add the ETS EC for medium to (potentially) fine work.  Although probably won't ever go past 320 grit on any of them.  Thanks for your help.

The RO90 is also a little sander fit for smaller wood like your face frames.

I have a multimaster for stuff like that.

 

[nj_five]

Any update from Festool on the EC sanders sudden stopping issues? Also, interesting article on 3mm vs 5mm sanding stroke.

www.buffdaddy.com

I just purchased an EC 150 a few weeks ago and although overall happy with it I have noticed that it does slow down when sanding at an angle to the point it almost stops oscillating. Not a shut off as some are reporting but wonder if it is related. 

 

[Cheese]

As someone who prefers the 125mm pad size, I’ve long wondered if the ETS EC 150/5 could accommodate the 125mm pad. I know how the key mechanism of the 125mm pad doesn’t have the cutouts for the shaft of the ETS EC 150, but surely that could be cut into the 125mm pad!???

Any thoughts on why I might be wrong.

[member=22067]mrB[/member]  In 2016 after I first converted my ETS EC 125/3 to a 150 mm sander, I was so happy with the results that I considered converting an ETS EC 150/5 into a 125/5 also. It appeared to be a straight forward proposition. Purchase an ETS EC 150/5 and install the 125 pad drive shaft sub assembly. I never bothered because I wasn't sure and am still not sure, that I need a 5 mm orbit sander.  [smile]

The nice thing about that approach is that all the pads are stock items and can be swapped back and forth effortlessly. No modified pads to contend with.

Another option could to be to grind the 2 ears off of the ETS EC 150 drive shaft. 

 

[mrboult]

As someone who prefers the 125mm pad size, I’ve long wondered if the ETS EC 150/5 could accommodate the 125mm pad. I know how the key mechanism of the 125mm pad doesn’t have the cutouts for the shaft of the ETS EC 150, but surely that could be cut into the 125mm pad!???

Any thoughts on why I might be wrong.

[member=22067]mrB[/member]  In 2016 after I first converted my ETS EC 125/3 to a 150 mm sander, I was so happy with the results that I considered converting an ETS EC 150/5 into a 125/5 also. It appeared to be a straight forward proposition. Purchase an ETS EC 150/5 and install the 125 pad drive shaft sub assembly. I never bothered because I wasn't sure and am still not sure, that I need a 5 mm orbit sander.  [smile]

The nice thing about that approach is that all the pads are stock items and can be swapped back and forth effortlessly. No modified pads to contend with.

Another option could to be to grind the 2 ears off of the ETS EC 150 drive shaft.

Because the flat sides of the shaft keep the pad locked in position fine (proved by the ETS EC125) I felt that as long as a 125 pad was hacked to make space for the ‘ears’ on the 150 shaft it wouldn’t need to be neat or accurate?