In praise of ETS 125

[rdesigns]

This is old news to most of you, but I just tried it out yesterday. I expected tame, maybe even slow, but comfortable action from this tool.

Instead, I found it to be very aggressive (using Granat 80-grit), and I quickly got down to bare wood on a low bench in my shop. Much quicker than my Bosch 5" RO sander.

This will be a nice complement to my RO 125, and they use the same disks. The one-handed operation is a nice option to the RO 125, and can see myself using it exclusively for most projects that don't need deep sanding or grinding.

 

[Bikeboy80]

I agree!

Just used mine for the first time today to sand down some drywall in a sensitive area, it was easy and very pleasent to use compaired to my ro90.

 

[Sean7a]

I agree!

Just used mine for the first time today to sand down some drywall in a sensitive area, it was easy and very pleasent to use compaired to my ro90.

When compared to the 90 it's certainly a much more ergonomic and comfier option, though not as capable.  As the OP stated, it's great to pair it with an RO 125 thanks to the cost savings with using the same size 5" paper.  It's just so rare that we see folks spring for the 125 vs the RO 150 just because of the size of that pad.  That's personally what I would do, just go 5" on both or 6" on both a rotex and an ETS for the cost savings in paper.

 

[Birdhunter]

I started with the ETS125 for finish sanding. I had some larger sanders for more aggressive demands, but their dust collection system made them hard to use.

That was my "excuse" for adding the RO125 to the GROWING collection of Festool (Fesdrool) products. The RO125 surprised me with it ease of handling.

 

[jacko9]

The ETS was my first Festool sander but, I returned it before my 30 days to buy the larger ETS  150/3.  Less than 9 months later, A Re-conditioned ETS 125 will be arriving next week to add to my sander arsenal.

 

[Bikeboy80]

I agree!

Just used mine for the first time today to sand down some drywall in a sensitive area, it was easy and very pleasent to use compaired to my ro90.

When compared to the 90 it's certainly a much more ergonomic and comfier option, though not as capable.  As the OP stated, it's great to pair it with an RO 125 thanks to the cost savings with using the same size 5" paper.  It's just so rare that we see folks spring for the 125 vs the RO 150 just because of the size of that pad.  That's personally what I would do, just go 5" on both or 6" on both a rotex and an ETS for the cost savings in paper.

Yea, I now have to looking into getting a whole range of 5" paper now [unsure]
I do like the 90 to sand into corners, I wouldn't want to give that up.

 

[adubeau]

I agree!

Just used mine for the first time today to sand down some drywall in a sensitive area, it was easy and very pleasent to use compaired to my ro90.

When compared to the 90 it's certainly a much more ergonomic and comfier option, though not as capable.  As the OP stated, it's great to pair it with an RO 125 thanks to the cost savings with using the same size 5" paper.  It's just so rare that we see folks spring for the 125 vs the RO 150 just because of the size of that pad.  That's personally what I would do, just go 5" on both or 6" on both a rotex and an ETS for the cost savings in paper.

Yep, thats what I did... I liked the RO150 -- but already having a ets125 and all the paper swayed me to get a ro125 and it has performed as expected it just does not have the jetstream pad is all...

 

[Kev]

Stop it ! I already have most of the Festool sanders and 9 Systainers full of different abrasives - I've thus far managed to avoid the ETS125 or any 125mm abrasives ... La La La La La, I'm not listening  [sad]

 

[Roseland]

I've got two Festool sanders, an RS100 which I got for flattening panels and an ETS125. 

I bought the ETS125 as a finish sander and expected it to be woefully slow on anything else.  Recently I refinished a set of three stacking tables from dark-stain to no stain (they're Ercol Elm).  I was amazed at just how fast it worked with 100 grit Rubin 2 paper.  And the interface pad made the rounded edges a breeze.

Everything I've got from Festool has exceeded my expectations, but the little ETS125 has blown them away.

I did make one mistake though.  I thought I could use a sheepskin pad on it for polishing.  But with only a 2mm orbit, the sheepskin takes up all the movement...  Duh!

Andrew 

 

[jacko9]

[big grin] I love it. I now have 4 Festool sanders (EST 150/3, EST 125, RO90 and the LS 130 and for me I think I have it covered for my needs.  Buy more be happy!