Lack of rotational impulse in new ETS 125 EQ

[Jonathan Starr]

I recently bought an ETS 125 EQ sander. I have had a ETS 150/5 for some time, and it is great.
The new ETS 125 EQ hardly rotates. Much of the time it sits stationary as it vibrates. The ETS 150 and my Bosch & Porter Cable 5" units, which I want to replace with Festools, rotate with many multiples more impulse.
Is this a defective unit? If so, what should I do? I have never had to deal with an issue on a Festool.
Regards, Jonathan Starr

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Did you try sanding anything with it, or just stare at it?

 

[AlexThePalex]

This is normal.

 

[mopo]

Did you try sanding anything with it, or just stare at it?

I think the OP has a fair question. I have the Pro 5 as well as a Bosch 6" and was wondering about the same thing myself. The Pro 5 on full speed spins at 120 rpm, the Bosch at 280 rpm. They both work well and both can achieve an excellent finish, with the Bosch being quite a bit more aggressive. My take on it is that the Pro 5 is designed as more of a finish sander and the lower rotational speed is more conducive to its intended purpose.

 

[Scott B.]

I've had this question a few times over the years...

Here is mine...its an older ets125

 

[Holmz]

Did you try sanding anything with it, or just stare at it?

[big grin] Don't want to wear it out...

 

[TylerC]

This is pretty normal. Does it seem to be performing properly?

(Also, for your security, I took your email off your original post. As an administrator, I can see it if we need to contact you.)

 

[Jonathan Starr]

Thanks, Tyler.
I've used it a bunch on several projects over the past couple of weeks since it arrived. Mostly for finish sanding after rough sanding with the EQ 150 on walnut, wedge, maple, mahogany etc table parts. Using 220 to 400 granat & rubin, it leaves a beautiful finish, but takes 2 or 3 times as long as my old workhorse Bosch ROS20VSC units, which I had hoped to retire. On flat surfaces it will rotate only an eighth to a quarter turn every 15 to 30 seconds. On edges, it doesn't rotate and doesn't seem very useable. Wish I had another unit available to compare it to. I suspect that something is not right.
Does this sound normal?
Regards,
Jonathan

 

[mopo]

On flat surfaces it will rotate only an eighth to a quarter turn every 15 to 30 seconds.

From what I gather the Pro 5 and the new ETS 125 are very similar if not identical. The Pro 5 spins at 2 revolutions per second.

 

[mrboult]

I've never used a Pro 5 (ETS 125) but I've seen this exact question come up on here several times. Each time the overriding opinion seems to be that this is normal because "this is just a finish sander".

Given this I'm afraid I've never given the sander a second thought. But I'm not often a super duper gloss sheen finish guy. Other people on here swear by them as finish sanders. . I'm sure some of them will chime in. .

Welcome to the FOG Jonathan and mopo.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Try applying a little grease between the pad and the pad brake. There should have been a little in there when shipped, but you may need to reapply periodically, especially if you don't ever get dust buildup to make the brake a little slick.

Yes, the pad should rotate. When it doesn't rotate, that's when you get more swirl marks.

ETS_Sanders.pdf

 

[Jonathan Starr]

I'll try some lube as you suggest, Rick. Thanks for the reply. I now see that Festool recommends this periodically, and they mention paste wax.

Hope it works and adds some spin. I want to like this sander.

Aloha from Maui,

Jonathan

Try applying a little grease between the pad and the pad brake. There should have been a little in there when shipped, but you may need to reapply periodically, especially if you don't ever get dust buildup to make the brake a little slick.

Yes, the pad should rotate. When it doesn't rotate, that's when you get more swirl marks.

ETS_Sanders.pdf

[/quote]

 

[Jonathan Starr]

Some lube between pad and brake did the job. I used graphite dust, and the ETS 125 EQ now works as it should, and the pad rotates enough for nice finish sanding.  Thanks for the responses. FOG is a fine resource!