I give!! Need a new finish sander

[OXCanada]

I'm proud to say that I now own a Domino XL based on recommendations from the FOG.  It has changed the way that I do woodworking.  I just finished my first project which was two bedside tables and the quality is incredible. 

However, last night I was sanding until midnight with a fairly new (4yr old or so) Bosch 5" RO sander.  Its not a bad sander, but it doesn't have dust collection, it goes through abrasives fast and I feel like it is slow to get me to a finished project.  Could be that I just don't like sanding, but I am big on a quality finish and don't want to spend days getting there.

After using the domino, I feel like I am spoiled.  But it got me thinking about stepping up to a new sander.

Looking at new sanders, I'm torn between a 5" or 6" sander.  I don't do a lot of hardwood panel work and typically do plywood construction for cases. 

Then, the question is whether to go with the awesome new ETS EC or standard ETS.  I have a hard time spending the money on the EC, but it seems to have some great features.

I'm a not a professional but I like to do make great projects for my home and family.

Any recommendations are very appreciated!! 

 

[pingvinlakrits]

I have used the ETS EC 150/5 extensively over the last months. I love it. I also have the Rotex 150.

It all depends on what type of surface you are preparing, and size. For a finish sander I think the ETS EC is great.

I sanded down 96 doors during the last month and a half, both sides, and up to three times (matting down, surface fix, resanding before primer and then one more time before top coat . Had I used the Rotex I would have been worn out. It was a breeze with the ETS EC. Literally. I used the Rotex 150 for a couple of doors that needed more aggressive sanding and it was a relief to get back to the ETS EC... The ETS EC does reasonably well with slightly aggressive sanding provided you use the right paper! With Festool and Mirka paper for removing/sanding paint the papers last a looooong time but with the papers for bare wood, not so much when sanding down painted surfaces.

We also have a Mirka Deros 150 and it was used as well but for the most part I preferred the ETS EC 150.  Dust collection is excellent. Sander is quiet. I have no regrets.

The ETS EC isn't a very aggressive sander but it does "well" with lower grits. With higher grits I find the ETS EC 150/5 works better for me than the 150/3. We do spray painting (HVLP) in the shop and don't see the need for the 150/3 for our work flow.

Would be the "only" sander for me? No, I have the RTS 400, the Rotex 150 and the ETS EC 150 and a RAS115.

 

[Svar]

... a fairly new (4yr old or so) Bosch 5" RO sander.  Its not a bad sander, but it doesn't have dust collection...

A 4 y.o. Bosch RO sander without dust collection? Do you mean it has no dust port? What model is this?

 

[OXCanada]

Thank Henrik!

SVAR - Not sure of the model.  It does have the filter attached.  I think you can get a dust port but have heard of mixed results.

 

[Svar]

SVAR - Not sure of the model.  It does have the filter attached.  I think you can get a dust port but have heard of mixed results.

Remove the filter, hook up vacuum hose and you've got dust collection not much different from Festool.

 

[Holmz]

...
Looking at new sanders, I'm torn between a 5" or 6" sander....
...

Well you already narrowed down you selection... With 5"/6".
But how about a 1/2-Sheet like an RS2e ?

The ETS/EC is good.
Bosch do make newer sanders with dust ports.
How does the existing Bosch work with different sanding media?

Say if the existing Sander is slow, then a new ETS/EC should probably be a /5. And maybe you could still use the old one in theory. (But you will likely bin it). With a 1/2 sheer the old sander maybe retained.

 

[OXCanada]

That's a great point. I hadn't considered going to the /5. But that would help me get the surface finished quickly without quality sacrifice.

If I do that, is the ETS EC worth the premium?

 

[leakyroof]

That's a great point. I hadn't considered going to the /5. But that would help me get the surface finished quickly without quality sacrifice.

If I do that, is the ETS EC worth the premium?

YES...... Wait till you need to sand a wall or a ceiling with it after only sanding projects. You WILL be glad you spent the extra money on it versus the older ETS models...

 

[Cheese]

Wait till you need to sand a wall or a ceiling with it after only sanding projects. You WILL be glad you spent the extra money on it versus the older ETS models...

ETS EC...a whole nother sander experience.  [thumbs up] [thumbs up]

You can also flip between 5" and 6" pads on this sander.

 

[Holmz]

Wait till you need to sand a wall or a ceiling with it after only sanding projects. You WILL be glad you spent the extra money on it versus the older ETS models...

ETS EC...a whole nother sander experience.  [thumbs up] [thumbs up]

You can also flip between 5" and 6" pads on this sander.

The regular ETS is not special comaraed to every other sander. Power is not high, removal rate is not great, brushed versus brushless, sanding stroke is small...

The ETC/EC  IS special compared to most... It is Just about like the other great sander it was based off of... The Mirka CEROS and DEROS.
The DEROS 5250 even comes with the two pads standard, whereas the FT it can only be done with the 125-mm model and the 150-mm is an extra part to be ordered.

But in North America the ETS/EC makes sense, unless a person prefers a paddle control.

Of course one could try the ETS and ETS/EC and see which one to return.
The 1/2-sheet RS2E is still interesting in many ways.

 

[ben_r_]

You can also flip between 5" and 6" pads on this sander.

Wait you can?! I thought Festool said you couldnt. Ive got an ETS EC 150/3, what do I need to buy to use 125 paper?

 

[Cheese]

Wait you can?! I thought Festool said you couldnt. Ive got an ETS EC 150/3, what do I need to buy to use 125 paper?

Whoops...you've got the wrong combo...125 and 150 pads can be interchanged only on 125 sanders.

 

[Holmz]

Wait you can?! I thought Festool said you couldn't. Ive got an ETS EC 150/3, what do I need to buy to use 125 paper?

Whoops...you've got the wrong combo...125 and 150 pads can be interchanged only on 125 sanders.

and doesn't the 125 only come in /3 ?  This is the difference between that and the Mirka...
Plus the Mirka 52650 costs more, but it is complete, and no 'extras' needed.https://www.mirka.com/product/#/MID5650202CA/Mirka DEROS 5650CV 125/150mm Vacuum Orbit 5,0%20Case

However in North america the ETS EC 150/5 may make more sense than when one is on 230v. Plus it is good.

Basically those are the two of three great sanders, but for "finishing" there are potentially more sanders.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Since I left the ETS EC 150 in the workshop I had to sand down a drywall ceiling and some walls with the Rotex 150 - it was literally a pain to work it over your head for 30 min. I had no platform so I reached out awkwardly in some spots from a step ladder. The next day the ETS EC 150 was brought along for the second sanding of same ceiling. Even with the neck and shoulder strain from the day before it was a breeze in comparison. (Think Enya playing in the background; sail away sail away sail awaaaaaayyyy...)

My friend who helped out was gobsmacked at the difference in handling. [blink]

 

[mkasdin]

The rotex 150 is a handful on a vertical surface. X2 for overhead

 

[ben_r_]

Wait you can?! I thought Festool said you couldnt. Ive got an ETS EC 150/3, what do I need to buy to use 125 paper?

Whoops...you've got the wrong combo...125 and 150 pads can be interchanged only on 125 sanders.

Whaaaaat! So now Im more confused. Youre saying that had I gone with the ETS EC 125/3 I would have been able to use 150 pads with it and thus be able to use 125mm and 150mm paper?

EDIT: Just found this thread:http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/ets-ec-125150/

But, these two posts cause me a bit of concern:http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/ets-ec-125150/msg461989/#msg461989http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/ets-ec-125150/msg462390/#msg462390

 

[leakyroof]

Wait you can?! I thought Festool said you couldnt. Ive got an ETS EC 150/3, what do I need to buy to use 125 paper?

Whoops...you've got the wrong combo...125 and 150 pads can be interchanged only on 125 sanders.

Whaaaaat! So now Im more confused. Youre saying that had I gone with the ETS EC 125/3 I would have been able to use 150 pads with it and thus be able to use 125mm and 150mm paper?

EDIT: Just found this thread:http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/ets-ec-125150/

But, these two posts cause me a bit of concern:http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/ets-ec-125150/msg461989/#msg461989http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/ets-ec-125150/msg462390/#msg462390

. Just remember that the smaller 3mm orbit of the EC 125 sander isn't as aggressive as the 150/5 no matter which diameter pad you have on it. If that matters to you... [scratch chin]

 

[antss]

^^^^^^^

No that's not correct.

If you get the 150 EC , you can swap its pad for the 125mm version, but you can't add the 150mm pad to a 125EC.

 

[ben_r_]

^^^^^^^

No that's not correct.

If you get the 150 EC , you can swap its pad for the 125mm version, but you can't add the 150mm pad to a 125EC.

lol you have that reversed. Read through the thread I linked. If you have the ETS EC 125/3 you can use the 150 pads. The ETS EC 150/3 & 150/5 CAN NOT use the 125 pads.

Unfortunately just over 30 days ago I bought the ETS EC 150/3 and while I havent used it yet and might still be able to return it, I really wish I would have known this fact before I'd made my decision.

 

[Cheese]

Here ya go...an ETS EC 125 with some 150 paper.