Is it worth upgrading to ETS EC 125/3 EQ from ETS 125 EQ?
- Thread starter shdesign3
- Start date
The EC is far far superior in terms of ergonomics, comfort and all round pleasure to use. However, I don't believe your end results will be improved in any tangible way.
So, if you want a better user experience, go for it. If your primary concern is the quality of your end results I believe the difference is negligible, and the money would be better spent on filling some other gap in your tool line up.
So, if you want a better user experience, go for it. If your primary concern is the quality of your end results I believe the difference is negligible, and the money would be better spent on filling some other gap in your tool line up.
Cheese
Member
As bobfog stated...+1
However, it is a much more enjoyable sander to use and seems to remove finish at a much faster rate than the older ETS.
However, it is a much more enjoyable sander to use and seems to remove finish at a much faster rate than the older ETS.
ear3
Member
That would be my vote too.
Holmz said:
Huxleywood
Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2016
- Messages
- 136
The ETS EC 150/5 indeed makes an excellent companion to a ETS 125
musserwood
Member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2012
- Messages
- 8
Absolutely not in my opinion. We have been using the old EQ in a professional shop setting for years, at least since 2012 I'm thinking and everyday I'm shocked that it keeps plugging away. Lately we have been having issues with the connector plug on the old EQ - my guys (and one girl) have at times not properly locked the cord in and there was some degradation due to arcing. We need to have a new connector put on the tool but since we use it everyday, I figured I'd get one of the new ETS EC 125 for while tool is away for repairs. Eventually I figured it has to give up the ghost anyway and would be good to have a spare. We have a Rotex too but for the general finish sanding the EQ is easier. My office manager ran down to Woodcraft in Delaware and picked up the new ETS EC - we literally switch from operating the old to the new mid-board. What a difference - but not in a good way. Contrary to what others have said, the ergonomic of the new sander are awkward. They might be better with just the bag, but with a hose the weight of the hose causes the tool to tilt and you have to fight it to keep it flat. Either it is more aggressive than the old but there is definitely more vibration and more torque on your wrist to deal with. We tried for another day, but it is just unacceptable. This is the first Festool product I am going to return dissatisfied. There are a bunch of the new promotional 5 sanders on eBay, which are basically the old EQ - I just bought one and probably will purchase another while they are still available. I picked up for $195 which was the final price of the old EQ anyway, and much less than the new ETS EC. For how much money more I expected a lot better performance, less noise, etc, Don't waste your money in my opinion. Keep your old one going.
I have mixed reviews from those friends of mine who have bought the EC; both bad and good. One reported a similar feeling of awkwardness with the new EC sander. I'm not sure why though, since, for the ETS125 the EC has a lower profile and would seem to be more balanced. The only think I've ever felt was a problem with the old ETS125 (and I have used it for a few years) was that it was a little top heavy. Since it is a relatively light sander in weight, the fact that it is as tall as it is always gave it a little bit of an imbalance for me. Having said that, though, after using it for awhile, I feel it would be a waste of money to upgrade to the EC for me as the old sander does a great job and, through use, I have learned that the slight imbalance is eliminated by holding it a certain way and supporting the vac hose with one hand. That's me though. I see no other advantages. The old ETS125 had enough power to do the job, so extra power isn't really an issue for me. How much power do you need for finish sanding?
Buddy of mine - Mike - sent me a little phone video where he was sanding a cutting board - end grain walnut - with his new EC 150/3 with one finger! Yea he used a boom arm. Amazingly easy to use. I tried it versus my ETS 150/3 and I am upgrading.
nickao
Member
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2008
- Messages
- 4,617
Come on, its a fact that ETS 125 is a dog and anyone that says it has enough power never tried another sander with it side by side, its impossible.
And to say someone would not be better off with an EC 125 over an ets 125, well that tells me they never tried those two side by side.
Even for the people that don't like the EC there is no way they can say it's not better by a huge margin over an ETS 125.
Opinions may vary over the ETS 150's and EC 150's(I like the EC and the ETS 150's), but the older ETS 125 is just a weak, poor value sander, period. Many publications will back me up on this.
Makita, Bosch and DeWalt all make far better sanders at the ETS 125 price point, heck those manufacturers 99.00 sanders I feel are better than the Festool ETS 125 at near double the cost.
I have used every sander I talk about, I don't just say, well my 125 has enough power and then write off an EC as not needed. I try and use the darn things before I make recommendations. Once you try a quality took only then do you know whether you need it or not.
And to say someone would not be better off with an EC 125 over an ets 125, well that tells me they never tried those two side by side.
Even for the people that don't like the EC there is no way they can say it's not better by a huge margin over an ETS 125.
Opinions may vary over the ETS 150's and EC 150's(I like the EC and the ETS 150's), but the older ETS 125 is just a weak, poor value sander, period. Many publications will back me up on this.
Makita, Bosch and DeWalt all make far better sanders at the ETS 125 price point, heck those manufacturers 99.00 sanders I feel are better than the Festool ETS 125 at near double the cost.
I have used every sander I talk about, I don't just say, well my 125 has enough power and then write off an EC as not needed. I try and use the darn things before I make recommendations. Once you try a quality took only then do you know whether you need it or not.
Dovetail65 said:
Well, everyone has their own needs and uses for sanders. In this case, for me, you're absolutely wrong. The old ETS125 works just fine for finish sanding. My reasons for using it as opposed to other brands is the dust collection and low vibration alone. Is the EC better? I don't know. I don't need anything more than what I have. I'm sure not going to pay another $200 just to upgrade to a sander that really does the same thing. So, I'm not saying the EC isn't better; just not worth it for me and those that I know who have it have given it mixed reviews. You know, I don't usually get confrontative, but I'm tired of posters telling people what they need. I have a lot of high quality tools that I paid a lot for and I have a lot of middle of the road tools which are just as good and I didn't pay a lot. We all use what we need and it just doesn't make sense to upgrade to another sander when the one you own works for you. Sorry, but I've been woodworking for 40 years and I don't need someone to tell me what works for me.
musserwood
Member
- Joined
- Jun 18, 2012
- Messages
- 8
Someone brought up the old ETS being top heavy. I actually think the EC is top heavy in comparison. If you take the old ETS connected to a hose from a boom arm and put it on your work, it will sit flat by itself. The EC will not - the weight of the hose causes it to tilt. Id actually rather have some weight to help with the sanding. The EC might be more aggressive, which would explain its, in my opinion, excessive vibration and pull. We tend to stick with what works. Figured the EC would be an improvement or same when we bought, but not worse. Again, these are our requirements. If I was doing weekend woodworking projects I might like a more aggressive sander. We run most of our stuff through a wide belt sander first, so only need the ETS for the final sanding. All our frames and doors come out of wide belt very smooth and clean, so it's just to take things down to 180 or 220. But again, our requirements - you aren't going to see a wide belt in most home shops as they are three phase 30 hp motors - so you might want the pep to smooth out your glue ups etc. I just read somewhere else in this forum that they are releasing the old ETS again at the end of the summer, once they get all the Pro-5s out. This, I think tells you something - that Festool knows the EC is a bit of a dog, otherwise why have two 5" RO disc sanders?
I'm not sure that's the right conclusion.
The EC sanders have been out a while and simply offer a choice - and the newer technology. Plus, they're situated in the middle of the price matrix. German co.'s love that "good, better , best " marketing/pricing pitch.
On a jobsite the EC is great for sanding walls or other vertical work.
The EC sanders have been out a while and simply offer a choice - and the newer technology. Plus, they're situated in the middle of the price matrix. German co.'s love that "good, better , best " marketing/pricing pitch.
On a jobsite the EC is great for sanding walls or other vertical work.
leakyroof
Member
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2011
- Messages
- 2,532
I reviewed the EC Sander soon after it was released and up for sale. I , and others, noted that it's not going to sit flat on a workpiece with a hose attached, unlike the older ETS Sander. But, I also pointed out that once your hand is on the sander, it's a moot point since the sander is so easy to keep flat.musserwood said:
Would a lighter hose like a 22mm work differently or perhaps easier than a 27mm hose attached to an EC sander, maybe. I'll be trying that out this weekend with a Bosch anti-static 22mm hose as a test.
Lastly, I don't get how either size EC sander could be considered a 'dog' of a sander. They don't lack power, I don't find them hard to control or get the surface finish that I want out of them. They DO sand and feel differently than the older ETS Sanders, so for now while both styles are still being offered by Festool, you have choices which is nice for a change since we've lost sanders and abrasives from Festool over the past few years
