Looking for sander recommendations

[estesbubba]

Hi,

First time poster here.

I'm a hobbiest woodworker and like most, hate sanding! I send most boards through my Jet 16-32 drum sander at 120 grit. Depending on how the grain is I usually then start with 80 grit on my 5" ROS, then do 120, 150, and occasionally 180. This can take a long time and my hand is vibrating afterwards.

I've looked at the Festool sander selection PDF but not sure what would be best for me. I want to cut down my sanding time (and maybe grits) after the boards are through the drum sander. Wide boards are more important, but I would love a sander that I can also no narrower boards too.

What sander(s) would you recommend? Also, which Festool sanderpaper would be best for my application?

Website needs updated with my recent projects, but some old projects are here

 

[wubears71]

The ETS 150/3 with Rubin paper would be perfect for you.  I typically go 120, 150, 180 and then Brilliant 400 on rough solid wood that will be finished with a clear topcoat.  The ETS will not wear out your hand.  Before I purchased it, I could sand an hour at the absolute best with my old 5" Dewalt ROS.  Now I've sanded for 2 and 3 hours straight and have been fine.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I agree that the 150/3 or 150/5 would be a great choice to follow your Performax.  It is a wonderful sander that is very, very smoooth.  I have tried and use most of the papers (except for Rubin 2) and I like them all.  Granat seems to last the longest, but I have not tried Rubin 2 and from what I have read and heard, it is supposed to last much, much longer than the original.  Brilliant 2 is also good.  I would suggest buying some 10 packs of various grits/types or talk to one of the dealers about putting together samples to try some things out.  The ETS 150 comes with a sample pack too (about 25 sheets) of various grits so you can try out several different kinds to see what you like.

Another sander to consider is the RS2E -- this is awesome for sanding wide, flat areas and it helps ensure you keep surfaces flat. 

Scot

 

[Bob Marino]

I would echo what Tim and Scot recommended - ETS 150/3 or ETS 150/5. For your applications; it's almost a no-brainer. Of the two, the 150/5 would be somewhat faster - but not by yards, and the 150/3 would yield, or rather could yield, the better finish - also not by yards. I stated "could" because, as with many tools, especially high quality - and in this particular case, identical tools (except for the orbit size) proper technique will trump the smaller (finer) orbit's advantage.
If it were me and I were getting just one sander and did not envision the need for the way more aggressive Rotex sanders, I'd opt for the 150/5. If I were contemplating the Rotex anytime in the near future, I'd choose the 150/3.

Bob

 

[estesbubba]

Thanks for the advice. I submitted a similar question on the Festool website and a guy called me in less than a hour! He, just like you guys, suggested the 150/3.

How well does this sander work on smaller pieces like rails and stiles? Also, how well would it work without an extractor?

 

[mwildt]

For small pieces I'd recommend a hard pad for sure. If your pieces are really narrow then a RO90 is easier to control of course due to the smaller pad. That said the ETS150 works fine. Dust extraction is key after my opinion. The paper/pad runs cooler and lasts longer and its a pleasure with almost no dust, whats not to like. If you get the sander and extractor as a kit you'll save a bit too.

 

[Bob Marino]

Thanks for the advice. I submitted a similar question on the Festool website and a guy called me in less than a hour! He, just like you guys, suggested the 150/3.

How well does this sander work on smaller pieces like rails and stiles? Also, how well would it work without an extractor?

On smaller pieces - the hard pad is a better choice as it will be less likely to round the edges.  It's been a very long time since I have used the sanders without an extractor, and everyone's idea of what defines working well is different. For myself, the sander's fan and supplied dust bag are only accectable and in no way compares with using the sander and extractor.

Bob

 

[JerrySats]

I bought the 150/3 about two months ago and can't say enough good things about it .  I also got the CT26 vac , one of the nice things about using the vac is the dust collection and lack of dust . I can't answer if any shop vac would give the same results I only have the CT26 . 

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Agree with Bob and mwildt...hard pad for narrower work is key...in fact, that is the only pad I use and it seems to work very well for my application.  I have not used the dust bag that comes with it -- I hook everything up to the extractor and really that is critical for a great surface finish.  Obviously it keeps the dust out of the air, but it also helps keep the paper from getting clogged so it lasts longer too.

Scot

 

[estesbubba]

So with the extractors is the main difference the capacity? The smaller ones would probably be fine for sanding, but if I ever add a router or something later, maybe the 26 would be a better choice. I don't have any other power tool needs right now but you never know about the future...decisions  [big grin]

 

[tbellemare]

The only real difference in the Festool dust extractors (MINI, MIDI, CT 26, CT 36, CT 48) now, is the storage capacity. They all pull about the same air and are all full unit HEPA certified. The CT 36 AC is the only one that is not full unit HEPA certified.

Tom

EDIT:
There is also a configuration difference in that the hose comes out from inside the hose garage on the MINI and MIDI. It comes out the front on the others. That causes limitations on what can be directly connected, like the Y-adapter can't be used directly with the MINI/MIDI.

 

[jc]

The ETS 150 comes with a sample pack too (about 25 sheets) of various grits so you can try out several different kinds to see

My ets150/3 and ro150 both come with only granat 80, 180, 280. That's 3 pieces only! What gives?!

I'd also recommend the 150/3 with hard pad very nice sander.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that the sample packs change over time -- Granat is a more expensive paper -- when I bought my sander, it only had Rubin and Brilliant 2 and it was 25 sheets.

Scot

 

[jacko9]

Nice work, I do similar furniture work and I have and love the ETS 150/3.

Jack

 

[estesbubba]

Thanks for all the advice. I have a 150/5 and CT 26 on the way from Bob  [big grin]

 

[JimB1]

Thanks for all the advice. I have a 150/5 and CT 26 on the way from Bob  [big grin]

Good choice. I don't see any difference between the 150/3 and 150/5 for general woodworking. I have the 150/3 and it does a fine job of sanding and I have noticed that I don't need to go to as high a grit to get a nice finish as I did with my Porter Cable or Craftsman 5" sanders so I have cut down on the number of paper changes and have had to get less paper grades for the most part. Rubin lasts a decent length and Granat seems to have maybe 1/3 longer life then Rubin. Both work fine for bare wood though I think I like Rubin a little better in the corse grits (under 120 grit or so)

I'd also seriously think about the hard pad. It made a world of difference working on narrower stock like 2.5" rail and stile pieces. No round over on the edges...
Good luck with it.
-Jim

 

[estesbubba]

I'd also seriously think about the hard pad. It made a world of difference working on narrower stock like 2.5" rail and stile pieces. No round over on the edges...
Good luck with it.
-Jim

Ordered the hard pad too!