Insert sander knowledge, please.

[Falch]

Yeah, so, here is another "help me" thread. But i guess that is what these forums are for

My home workshop is steadily getting new additions of the green, and my next purchase will include the df 500, a ctl 26 and a sander.
But, what sander? I got a bosch 125 ros at the moment, which is "ok". i have never used a festool sander, but i know there is a big diference between a bosch and a festool 125 ros.

My thoughts are:
I want a festool sander becuase (i have read) the finish/operation is so much smoother.
I "need" more/easier ways of sanding different projects.
I have been looking at the rts/dts 400 (think im stuck at the dts).
I have also been looking at the the ro90/125.
I have been thinking about replacing the bosch 125 with a ets 125, or adding the ets 125 as a fine finisher.
(how is the action on a dts compared to an ets? it is random compared to orbital? )

At the moment, because of the ctl 26 and the domino, i can only get one sander. But hopefuly more in time.

I WANT all the festools, but alas.. somehow that actualy costs allot of money.. who would have thought..

Onto what i do:
My home workshop is at the moment mostly for DIY home projects of all sorts (refurb, furniture projects etc) and some projects for the family and friends. There is no project i wont consider (after alot of research, and planning). Open for anything

Thanks!

 

[Kev]

Furniture refurb of something intricate with paint on it ... ROTEX ... The  RO90 is sweet.

If you're thinking is add/extend to what you have, the DTS400 is a brilliant little sander.

Don't ignore the ETS150/3 - unless you're are only doing the smaller stuff. People often settle into 125mm or 150mm sanding (eg: RO125 and ETS125 .. or .. RO150 and ETS150/3).

Back on the DTS400, I have a RUPES Delta and didn't feel that impressed with that sanding format until I put my hands on the DTS400. The difference was chalk and cheese.

If I was you, my path of sander addiction would probably be DTS400 -> RO90 -> ETS125 or ETS150/3 -> RO125 or RO150 -> LS130. That way you're augmenting what you have first.

 

[Scott B.]

The rts400, dts400 and ets125 are all equally competent finish sanders, just depends on the shape you need on the surface the most. The dust extraction of these smaller sanders is best in the festool fleet, which is critical in finish sanding and they are all very well balanced. They are finish sanders, but there are times when we will put 80 grit on any of them to sand down an epoxy patch or screw plug, but they are not efficient material removers.

If finish sanding is your immediate priority, I would grab the dts first and then complement with an ro90 or 125 to gain the benefit gear driven sanding and more aggressive capabilities. The dts (and rts and ets) is also highly competent in small scale wall patch sanding with great extraction if that is ever a need.

 

[erock]

I own the DTS400 and ETS125.  I like them both a lot.  My first Festool sander purchase was the DTS400.  I bought it because it's a detail sander.

The motor and specs of the DTS400 and ETS125 are the same.  I find myself grabbing the DTS400 more often the the ETS125. 

If you're going to be doing projects around the house and shop.  I would first buy the DTS400 and a assortment systainer filled with sand paper.

I don't strip paint or finishes from furniture.  So for me the 2mm stroke on the two sanders are perfect. 

I have a Porter Cable 5" orbital sander.  It's seems heavy now after using my Festool sanders for a while. 

Plus the Porter Cable sander is LOUD and "jumps" around on my work piece from time to time.    I have never had this problem with my Festool sanders.

I think you will be very happy with a DTS400.

Eric

 

[peter halle]

Here is a link that you might find helpful in addition the advice of our members.  Please note that it has not been updated since the introduction of the RO90, but that model would fit into the RO Family section and also cross over towards the DTS400 with the addition of the delta head.

http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/how_to_pick_the_right_festool_sander.pdf

Peter

 

[Scott B.]

Here is a link that you might find helpful in addition the advice of our members.  Please note that it has not been updated since the introduction of the RO90, but that model would fit into the RO Family section and also cross over towards the DTS400 with the addition of the delta head.

http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/how_to_pick_the_right_festool_sander.pdf

Peter

Thats a good chart, Peter, is there a corresponding abrasive flow chart somewhere?

I like how the chart references which sanders are preferred in horizontal application (bench top, floor, deck). That is one of the primary considerations when we choose sanders for tasks, and it can be a tricky choice.

All of the sanders are competent in horizontal apps. Then the list narrows when you go vertical, and really shrinks in overhead, which is like upside down horizontal, and eliminates several sanders from choice.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Here is a link that you might find helpful in addition the advice of our members.  Please note that it has not been updated since the introduction of the RO90, but that model would fit into the RO Family section and also cross over towards the DTS400 with the addition of the delta head.

http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/how_to_pick_the_right_festool_sander.pdf

Peter

Thats a good chart, Peter, is there a corresponding abrasive flow chart somewhere?

I like how the chart references which sanders are preferred in horizontal application (bench top, floor, deck). That is one of the primary considerations when we choose sanders for tasks, and it can be a tricky choice.

All of the sanders are competent in horizontal apps. Then the list narrows when you go vertical, and really shrinks in overhead, which is like upside down horizontal, and eliminates several sanders from choice.

Scott,

I'm dizzy now.  [tongue]

BTW, for anyone reading Scott's post above.  He was referring to a flowchart, not how well each sandpaper type flows.  I had to re-read it a couple of times to understand what he meant, so I figured I'd pass that along.

 

[Kev]

Here is a link that you might find helpful in addition the advice of our members.  Please note that it has not been updated since the introduction of the RO90, but that model would fit into the RO Family section and also cross over towards the DTS400 with the addition of the delta head.

http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/how_to_pick_the_right_festool_sander.pdf

Peter

Thats a good chart, Peter, is there a corresponding abrasive flow chart somewhere?

I like how the chart references which sanders are preferred in horizontal application (bench top, floor, deck). That is one of the primary considerations when we choose sanders for tasks, and it can be a tricky choice.

All of the sanders are competent in horizontal apps. Then the list narrows when you go vertical, and really shrinks in overhead, which is like upside down horizontal, and eliminates several sanders from choice.

Scott,

I'm dizzy now.  [tongue]

BTW, for anyone reading Scott's post above.  He was referring to a flowchart, not how well each sandpaper type flows.  I had to re-read it a couple of times to understand what he meant, so I figured I'd pass that along.

Next you're going to tell us you can't read Klingon.

 

[Scott B.]

Here is a link that you might find helpful in addition the advice of our members.  Please note that it has not been updated since the introduction of the RO90, but that model would fit into the RO Family section and also cross over towards the DTS400 with the addition of the delta head.

http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/how_to_pick_the_right_festool_sander.pdf

Peter

Thats a good chart, Peter, is there a corresponding abrasive flow chart somewhere?

I like how the chart references which sanders are preferred in horizontal application (bench top, floor, deck). That is one of the primary considerations when we choose sanders for tasks, and it can be a tricky choice.

All of the sanders are competent in horizontal apps. Then the list narrows when you go vertical, and really shrinks in overhead, which is like upside down horizontal, and eliminates several sanders from choice.

Scott,

I'm dizzy now.  [tongue]

BTW, for anyone reading Scott's post above.  He was referring to a flowchart, not how well each sandpaper type flows.  I had to re-read it a couple of times to understand what he meant, so I figured I'd pass that along.

Thanks Ken, sometimes even I don't know what I mean until I see what I say.

I do want to do a piece on how well each sandpaper type flows. Haven't gotten all the way through Granat yet though.  [scared]

 

[jacko9]

I have the Bosch 5 inch sander and I find it to be too heavy (5 pounds), too noisy and even with my Festool Dust Extractor hooked up, too dusty.

I bought the ETS 125 and returned it after 2 weeks because it was to light weight for furniture sanding (for my projects) and I purchased the RO 90 and the ETS 150/3.

If I had to be limited to one sander, I would but the ETS 150/3 without hesitation.

 

[Falch]

dammit festool. why do you make so many sanders! Not to mention kinds of paper (help!)

The flowchart, and in a way my logic, moves my gaze on to the rotex. two for one is always good!
And i think staying with 125/5", since i have a lot of paper, is a normal thought..

How big difference is there between 2 and 3 mm stroke, aside from the obvious 1 mm...thinking ets 125 compared to ro125.
And the fine finish on the ets 125 vs ro125, i am betting both have a better final finish on say 180,240,320, than my bosch.

I am also liking the delta shape for corners on the dts 400. Could i use the dts like my bosch? sand from 80/120 and upwards, on mostly oak and pine/spruce, to a oil ready finish?

The Ro125/150 and the dts 400 seems to be a goal to own in the future

Most of my work stays "au natural", aside from a hardening oil treatment. i rearly paint anything. Wood is beautiful!

edit: Oh! And thanks guys, very helpful

 

[peter halle]

In my opinion the differences in the orbit size when you are talking about 1 mm difference for woodworkers is insignificant.  Whereas Festool is heavily involved in the auto industry in Europe I think that is where the mm's come into play.  Festool has made it easier and more difficult by having all the offerings in sanders.  If you had told me 10 years ago that I would own multiple finish sanders and still wanted more I would have laughed at you.  [big grin]

Just my  [2cents] worth.

Peter

 

[jacko9]

dammit festool. why do you make so many sanders! Not to mention kinds of paper (help!)

The flowchart, and in a way my logic, moves my gaze on to the rotex. two for one is always good!
And i think staying with 125/5", since i have a lot of paper, is a normal thought..

How big difference is there between 2 and 3 mm stroke, aside from the obvious 1 mm...thinking ets 125 compared to ro125.
And the fine finish on the ets 125 vs ro125, i am betting both have a better final finish on say 180,240,320, than my bosch.

I am also liking the delta shape for corners on the dts 400. Could i use the dts like my bosch? sand from 80/120 and upwards, on mostly oak and pine/spruce, to a oil ready finish?

The Ro125/150 and the dts 400 seems to be a goal to own in the future

Most of my work stays "au natural", aside from a hardening oil treatment. i rearly paint anything. Wood is beautiful!

edit: Oh! And thanks guys, very helpful

The main reason I gave up on my Bosch was using it for a very short time, the paper was either totally loaded or the abrasive was missing on most of the disk.

The astonishing thing about my two Festool sanders is that with the air flow system and sandpaper system.  I mostly use Granat for both sanders but I started with Brilliant and thought that I would use the few boxes of that before I went totally Granat.

To my surprise these disks hardly wear out and I have sanded a lot of Honduras Mahogany, Black Walnut and Oak over the past 6 months.

Go to one of your local dealers and try out these sanders.  The Rotex 150 while giving you two sanders in one is a beast to handle at 5 pounds and a lot of torque.

Keep in mind that you get the delta pad with the RO 90 and while that sander is great, I find myself reaching for the ETS 150/3 most of the time.

Most of my work is building furniture from rough sawn timber and almost all of my sanding is on bare wood.

Jack