Jerky ETS EC 125/3

[deantchi]

Hello,
Just received my new ETS EC 125/3 and started playing with it.  I don't know if I'm using this incorrectly, but I can't get the sander to go the direction I want, it tends to be jerky sporatically and/or just plain hard to control.  I'm turn the speed all the way down and same, I even reduced the suction on my vac and same issue.  I'm I using it incorrectly or should I send it back?  this does not happen to my ETS 125.

 

[peter halle]

Welcome the forum!  Sorry to read about your situation.  I might suggest that you try - just for totally eliminating suction as the culprit - turning the speed on the dust extractor all the way down and the speed on the sander all the way up.  Then if you find the issue gone, try to slowly up the speed on the extractor to find the sweet spot.

Out of curiosity, what paper and grit are you using?

Peter

 

[rvieceli]

In addition to peter’s comments, the regular ETS series sits flat on the sander pad automatically because of the way it’s designed.

The EC series does not do that especially with the vac hose attached. It tips back towards the hose, so make sure you are keeping the pad flat on the surface and not favoring one edge.

Ron

 

[MrToolJunkie]

The EC should be very smooth and not jerky. Try without DC for a few minutes to see if suction is having anything to do with it.

 

[deantchi]

Welcome the forum!  Sorry to read about your situation.  I might suggest that you try - just for totally eliminating suction as the culprit - turning the speed on the dust extractor all the way down and the speed on the sander all the way up.  Then if you find the issue gone, try to slowly up the speed on the extractor to find the sweet spot.

Out of curiosity, what paper and grit are you using?

Peter

Thanks Peter!  I'm using the included 120grit granat paper. 

 

[deantchi]

In addition to peter’s comments, the regular ETS series sits flat on the sander pad automatically because of the way it’s designed.

The EC series does not do that especially with the vac hose attached. It tips back towards the hose, so make sure you are keeping the pad flat on the surface and not favoring one edge.

Ron

Thanks. yeah I was thinking it was my technique so I'll continue using it this weekend with what you suggested to see if my user experience improves.  btw, I'm using the CT26e extractor, typically what setting should I be using on the vac to get optimal DE?

 

[peter halle]

Start at nothing while working on a scrap that is wider than your pad.  then gradually turn the suction up.  Usually you will begin to hear when the sander slows down a little bit when the pad is being sucked down onto the workpiece.  Then lower the suction just until the rpm's come back up.

There isn't a prescribed setting because the grit of the paper and the hardness of the material can also come into play.

For the majority of my sanding tasks I am around 1/4 to 1/3 of full suction.  But I also don't have the new pads with more holes.

Peter