Have ETS EC 150/5 - considering getting 125/3 - advice requested

[louder]

Hello! Trying to decide if my requirements are real or just gear acquisition syndrome. Most of my projects are cabinets and built ins with the odd desk here and there. I’ve been debating getting the 125/3 to have something for finer finishing with higher grit sandpaper especially when doing a mirror finish on walnut or something. I find I have to switch to hand sanding above 300 with the 150/5 which slows me down. But also, I sand a lot of smaller pieces and sometimes find the 150 a little beefy.

Lastly I marginally considered the detail sander but it doesn’t look as good for the fine finish work.

Thoughts ?

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I've been using the 150mm sanders since the mid-2000s. It's only this year that I acquired first the RO90 to cover a few "size matters" things and just this month, I bought a 120mm sander, but primarily to be able to use the edge guide. I rarely feel the need for the smaller unit, but it certainly will get used for some operations. The edge guide was clearly the catalyst for me buying that smaller sander.

 

[mrboult]

As i rarely do the kind of finish sanding where i find my 150/5 orbit too aggressive, I’m not the best person to answer, but i have used both the machines you mention extensively.

The nice thing about the ETS EC 125/3 is that it will also take your 150mm pads and paper (though not the other way around unless you want to modify a 125mm pad)
But as you already have the ETS EC150/5, i would consider spending less on a ‘true’ finish sander like the ETS 125. Or going cordless with the ETSC 125 that will give you a cordless option in your lineup. Both of these two also work with the edge sanding attachment, if that’s any consideration to you.

 

[woodferret]

I have a RTS400 and find that I still hand sand with a soft sponge back at 320 and 400g.  I did get the ETS125 recently but mostly for edge work, and while I haven't done a lot of flats sanding with it yet, it feels pretty much the same - so I expect my collection of mirka goldflex aren't going anywhere.

Primarily, I find that by the time I put on the n-th coat of lacquer, it's not that flat - flatter than most woodworker things, but you can imperceptibly see it not laying down perfectly even.  The power sanders eat up too much trying to feather, so I keep to the flexpads.

 

[louder]

Good to know, thanks all. I'm not entirely clear on how the ETS 125 is different from the ETS EC 125/3 aside from the obvious form factor differences. Are there significant differences?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Good to know, thanks all. I'm not entirely clear on how the ETS 125 is different from the ETS EC 125/3 aside from the obvious form factor differences. Are there significant differences?

There are a couple. The ETS 125 has an internal fan that allows for use with a bag, rather than an extractor, the EC version cannot do that. The EC also will not fit in the edge sanding guide.

 

[Cheese]

Good to know, thanks all. I'm not entirely clear on how the ETS 125 is different from the ETS EC 125/3 aside from the obvious form factor differences. Are there significant differences?

The ETS 125 has a smaller stroke than the ETS EC sanders. 2 mm vs 3 mm vs 5 mm so theoretically it should give you a finer finish. I do notice that when sanding between coats, the ETS does remove less material than the ETS EC sanders.

Per Festool: "The versatile ETS 125 has our finest sanding stroke at 5/64" (2.0 mm), and is the ideal one-handed machine for maximum surface quality when finishing or pre-sanding."

 

[ear3]

[member=82099]louder[/member] If it's more about the high quality finish, I might also consider the 150/3.  This is the sander I switch to above 400 when I am working the higher grits, and the 3mm stroke has always been small enough to get great results.  The 125 is more for when I'm sanding narrower pieces -- like 2.5" or less.  So if you do have a lot of narrower work, this might be the better route to go.  I personally would find it annoying if I'm doing a larger piece at higher grits to have to use the 125 as opposed to the much speedier and more efficient 150/3.

Hello! Trying to decide if my requirements are real or just gear acquisition syndrome. Most of my projects are cabinets and built ins with the odd desk here and there. I’ve been debating getting the 125/3 to have something for finer finishing with higher grit sandpaper especially when doing a mirror finish on walnut or something. I find I have to switch to hand sanding above 300 with the 150/5 which slows me down. But also, I sand a lot of smaller pieces and sometimes find the 150 a little beefy.

Lastly I marginally considered the detail sander but it doesn’t look as good for the fine finish work.

Thoughts ?

 

[louder]

I would not have thought about the 150/3, but not opposed to it. I impulse bought the DTS 400 from recon yesterday, I may just grab the 150/3 when it comes up too. It's not like you can have too many sanders for a hobby that doesn't earn you any money right?

 

[rst]

Some guys have expensive hobbies like cars, guns, golf…I buy tools, often just to see how well they work.  I do make money using money mine… that lets me buy more [big grin] [big grin]