Looking Into Festool Sander

[Staniam]

Hey Guys

    I can already tell I'm going to be addicted to this sight but more importantly, I am in the market for a new sander. Here's some backround real quick... When it comes to my brands of choice its Festool and Milwaukee and I'm pretty loyal to both. I currently have a Milwaukee 5' orbital sander I got from my dad and so far its served me well for my little home projects. Recently I've started doing some odd jobs on the side that have me making, refurbishing or repurposing furniture for family and friends and my Milwaukee has really started showing me its limits. Its a good solid sander but I'm in need of something more versatile and would rather drop some money on something that will last a long time and do a lot of different jobs for me. I'm not too familiar with Festool sanders as a sander hasn't been a huge need before. So, can I get some suggestions from you Festool sander owners? If you need more info on my usual jobs just ask. Thanks!

 

[NHSP759]

I've got the RO90 and the ES125. Both are really awesome sanders and work phenomenally with my Midi. I kind of wish, actually I wish I had the ETS150 or RO150 just because of finish work but my ES125 does great finish work on its own as does my RO90. Not to mention the gear driven motor tears into rough wood like a monster. Absolutely love it and it is really one of my most used Festools.

 

[wow]

You will find a lot of information here if you search a little, but I'd suggest you start by looking at the RO90 or the RO150.

I too came from the world of 5" random orbit sanders, so I understand your 'overwhelmedness' - if that's a word.

I think for the versatility you are after, the Rotex is your best choice. Your projects will likely dictate which size you choose, but I'd like to suggest that you look at the two I mentioned above. Whichever you buy you won't go wrong, but be warned - Festool sanders are gateway drugs. Ultimately you may end up with what I consider to be the 'trifecta' of Festool sanders  - not only the RO90 and the RO150, but also the ETS150/3.

Welcome to the addiction!

 

[SoonerFan]

I think for the versatility you are after, the Rotex is your best choice. Your projects will likely dictate which size you choose....

I agree with Wow.  The answer to your question is a Rotex.  Which one depends on usage.  I went with the RO125 mainly because I use it for home projects and liked the weight over the RO150.  Since I don't use it for a living the extra surface area of the RO150 was not a huge deal for me.

 

[Staniam]

Thanks guys. I've spent the last hour looking at all the Festool sanders. There's some real eye candy to be seen. I think the RO125 may be the one for me. I'm sure I'll find an excuse to buy another down the road but looking at all the reviews the RO'S seem incredibly versatile. Thanks for the input guys, I just noticed someone else made a similar post so I'll check that out too.

 

[Bauskac]

I will chime in here,  Hello..my name is Chuck and I am an addict, and you will be too!!  I debated which sander to get.  Ultimately I got the RO150.  What an AWESOME sander.  I don't have the  125 or 90, but I sure like the 150.  I already gave my old DW belt sander to my dad..no reason to keep it!  By the way, a comment on the dust collection of the carvex, use a trick I saw Paul Marcel (Half inch Shy) use, cut from the underside, saw inverted (you can find a video of Paul on youtube)...thanks for the tip Paul!  anyway, the dust collection works better like that. 

 

[ear3]

I have both the RO150 and RO90, which have really changed the way I approach sanding.  I've been doing a lot of contoured surfaces recently, and so having the interface pad has been tremendously helpful.  I was going to add the ETS 150 to do ultra fine sanding (though I've found the ROTEX to produce smoother finishes than anything else I've handled), but I noticed that they are scheduled to introduce the brushless model sometime next year.  So if you're interested in that model, you might want to wait until the new version is introduced.  I'm not sure if Festool does pricing like other companies, and will discount the older model of the ETS once the brushless is introduced, which may be an additional reason to wait.

 

[Staniam]

I actually was looking into getting the ETS125 as my second Festool sander down the road but I may have to wait now. If there's one thing I've done since brushless technology came out, its get brushless in a tool if its available.

 

[SS Teach]

The ETS 125 is a jewel of a sander, light and easy to use. Like all Festool sanders it works even better when hooked up to a dust extractor. The Rotex sanders are very versatile, the Ro 90 being the most versatile. But there is a learning curve with them. The Ro 125 can be jumpy. I borrowed a friend's 125 before I got my 150. I let him use the Ro 150 and he told his wife he needed another sander. The thing to understand about Festool sanders and their other tools is they are part of a system. Festool sanders work best when using Festool paper located in a systainer, hooked up to a Dust Extractor. When you buy Milwaukee  you are buying a tool that's it.  Once you experience the system you will wonder why did I wait so long. Before you buy check out the FOG postings on the various sanders you are considering , also look at Paul Marcel's videos on sanders. Good luck, enjoy the hunt. Which ever Festool you choose you won't go wrong.

 

[WastedP]

I went with the RO125 to replace a 5" Bosch RO, mainly for the versatility.  I have always preferred pneumatic sanders when the situation allows it, but I don't own one, mainly because I'm not willing to give up the cash or the shop space for a compressor that can supply it.  I like the pneumatics because they low center of gravity gives you a lot of control. 

The videos of the new Festool brushless sander have me pretty excited, because it's a system that costs a lot less than a pneumatic, it's quieter, and it's portable.  I see that it looks like only a 150 is slated to be introduced, no 125, so the Mirka may be the only option for the near future.  I never even knew that whole class of tool existed til I saw it on this forum.