looking at my next Festool purchase

[jimmy986]

I am looking for my next Festool purchase and I'm not sure which way to go. I'm thinking that upgrading my sander would be the way to go.

Right now, I own a CT mini, a Domino 500 and DX 93. My random orbital sander is an inexpensive Bosch. I like the Rotex sanders because of the aggressive mode. Being able to remove stock faster sounds nice, especially when there are minor surface imperfections to sand out. I've heard a lot of good things about the ets models though too even though they don't have aggressive mode.

I've heard people say there is a longer learning curve with the Rotex models to get a good final finish. My current bosch model does pretty well in that regard but taking stock off quickly is tiresome so a rotex could be used for the aggressive beginning and my bosch could be the finishing sander until I upgrade that to an ets model.

I guess I should say that I build furniture, right now it is mostly end tables, cocktail tables, that sort of thing. Smaller pieces.
I've also been looking at the RS 2 for finishing. Since I do a lot of flat table tops, the larger pad is tempting for better finishing.

 

[TheTrooper]

Not much of a learning curve if you're coming from a Bosch. I'd highly recommend the RO150 then down the road get the RO90 or the dts 400.

 

[aloysius]

Rotex sanders are really fast in comparison to others.  Especially in "Rot(ary)" mode as opposed to the "Ex(entric)" mode of the others.

But they're not without problems.  The big RO150 FEQ model tends to "lose" its pads with heavy duty work.  The bayonet type fixing just isn't as solid or reliable as the older hex screw attachment on the end of the spindle used by the older RO150E models, and the 2 new Random Orbit models.

I've also found the RO90DX just isn't as ergonomically sound as it could be.  In Delta mode it's substantially bigger and bulkier than the Deltex DX93 I used to own, nor as smooth running.  In Rotary mode it can be a bit of a handful using coarser grits, making smooth progress difficult.  In Eccentric mode its better, but still tends to be a bit top heavy.

Given that you already own the Deltex, you already have a superior sander to the RO90DX for corners:  smaller, lighter, smoother and better ergonomics. 

Why not consider one or both of the new ETS-EC models.  Their low profiles should make a huge difference to the balance & handling & they should provide greater reliability & longevity in comparison to the bigger Rotex, with the only sacrifice being the ultimate speed of stock removal.

Such is the smoothness of finish obtainable with the ETS3 sanders that there really is no need to look at standard orbital sanders.  I've found "orbital" sanders, and even my 2 Duplex linear Festools, to be pretty irrelevant nowadays.

 

[Hawkeye1434]

I agree with bnaboatbuilder I just got a supermax 19-38 and I am officially in love it's amazing it saves time and effort cause I hate sanding