If only buy one sander

[stevefitzgerald]

which one please?

this is just to smooth off the odd bit of timber..normally oak or ash

diy only

Steve

 

[jmbfestool]

ummmmm

Larger areas like worktops,floors etc  Rotex 150

Smaller areas like kitchen doors, general trim work etc then Rotex 90

 

[waho6o9]

Rotex 150

 

[stevefitzgerald]

small area

beds, cribs, face frames ...small stuff

Steve

 

[jmbfestool]

small area

beds, cribs, face frames ...small stuff

Steve

H
Rotex 90 then

 

[TheTrooper]

small area

beds, cribs, face frames ...small stuff

Steve

H
Rotex 90 then

Second that

 

[Holmz]

which one please?

this is just to smooth off the odd bit of timber..normally oak or ash

diy only

Steve

Do you have a vacuum ?

 

[jimk66]

Hi
Rotex 90 work's well for the small stuff, window's,doors skirting and if you take your time have done a worktop or two if not to bad just re'oiling ,you can get a very good finish on anything with this, for the best finish do not skip the paper grades, I know we all do it at sometime,but it dose make a difference to the finish.

Jimk

 

[dltflt]

  Nobody can buy just one Festool sander.

 

[FM_SC]

I have most of the Festool sanders and would never consider RO 90 as a general purpose sander. It is good for small stuff, but for even a smallish surface, such as a coffee table top, I would not use anything smaller than 125mm diameter. Saying this to tell you get the RO 125 if you are into Rotex territory. 

 

[SS Teach]

Only one? Is that possible? A Ro 90 or 125 would allow you to smooth an odd bit of timber and finish sand said timber. The 90 has a 3.5 inch disk, the 125 is 4.9, and the 150 is 5.9 inches. The 90 also has a delta pad, really handy for corners. Which sander you choose depends on what the work requires. You will also need paper. It is best kept in a systainer, that way you will always know where it is. For your lungs and a clean work environment a dust extractor is also handy. Good luck deciding. 

 

[DrD]

RAS115 for shaping, removing surface, etc. then go to RS2.  Sounds like your needs are similar to mine, and I would be happier than hogs in mud with only the RS2.

 

[Holmz]

If your budget only allows one or the other, then I would suggest the cheapest Bosch sander and a good vacuum.
I have the CT-26, but the smaller one is good.

The cheapest Bosch with a dust port into a vacuum is better to use than the best Festool one rooster-tailing dust into the air.

With cribs I suspect kids, and hence a woman.
A vacuum helps preserve domestic bliss.
(An angry woman can be pretty abrasive ...)

 

[stevefitzgerald]

I have the extractor bit covered

CTL26 & Midi

I have a cheap ryobi 125 ROS but the velcro pad is dead and the sander not far behind

I have managed with it so far but it needs replacing

Steve

 

[live4ever]

Everyone is going to have differing opinions on this as there are so many Festool sanders and we all have our favorites.

If I could only have one, it would be the ETS 150/3.  I don't find the Rotex sanders ergonomically good enough to be my every-task sander.  First priority for me would be a reliable, easy-to-use and ergonomically perfect "standard" flat surface ROS in either a 5 or 6" size.  I don't find a difference on smaller/narrower surfaces between a 5" and 6" sander, but do find 6" to be significantly superior when surfaces get larger.

I think an ETS 150/3 is an awesome first sander.  And paired with a RO90 for smaller but aggressive sanding/stripping, polishing, and odd spots with delta head, it's just an amazing combo.  The only reason I wouldn't get the RO90 first or as your only is that sanding flat surfaces (the bulk of woodworking sanding for most people) with it isn't as mindless as it should be - you have to concentrate on holding it correctly or it can get tippy.

 

[Holmz]

I have the extractor bit covered

CTL26 & Midi

I have a cheap ryobi 125 ROS but the velcro pad is dead and the sander not far behind

I have managed with it so far but it needs replacing

Steve

The cheap Bosch of mine sounds similar.
I just bought some 'screens' to try out on it.

I am sure that someone sells replacement velcro pads???  [wink]
I have been waiting for a cheap jig saw to die for years... If you do not like it, those bastards never die.

Anyhow I got a used DX90, which is the earlier version of the RO-90 without the 'RO' and with only a triangular pad... So the RO-90 replaced it, and there-in the similarity ends.

I like it, as it is great for getting into corners.
It is not a power house, but good for finishing.
I got it used on here from someone, whom I assumed graduated to the RO90.

As you already have the Ryobi-125, so a corner sander or a 6" (150-mm) might make sense.
It would not make sense to upgrade a 125 unless you have 100s of GBP in 125-mm in pads/papers.
I think Live4ever's 150 idea sounds reasonable.

 

[stevefitzgerald]

I have to say i am being swayed towards the 150\3

if only my local supplier stocked the festool discs
I can get the mirka abranet ones but not sure on compatibility

Steve

 

[bertv]

The Mirka Abranet discs are awesome. You just need an adapterpad for your brand of sander. Friend of mine told me that the Mirka discs hold out far longer than the Festool branded ones.

 

[stevefitzgerald]

ok next question

ets or ets ec ?

Steve

 

[Holmz]

I have to say i am being swayed towards the 150\3

if only my local supplier stocked the festool discs
I can get the mirka abranet ones but not sure on compatibility

Steve

I got some Mirka pads for the Bosch  [big grin]