Looking to purchase an ets150/3

[JCLP]

I would like to purchase the ets150/3 but before I do I would like some help. I see that you can use this sander for polishing by changing the pad and getting the polishing pad. Would anyone know what additional items I would need to purchase in order to be able to polish finished surfaces such as paint, lacquer, poly etc.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The ETS 150 is actually not well suited for polishing since it is a random orbit sander. The Rotex 150 would be a better choice since it can switch from random orbit to gear-driven rotary mode, which is what you'd want for polishing.

Here's a video that shows the process.

 

[JCLP]

Thanks Shane. I watched the video and I'm sold. I noticed that some of the products used such as the orange pad, release agent, the 5000 grit polisher and the 8000 grit polisher are not on the Canadian web site. Are they hidden or are they not available in Canada?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The orange pad is available in Canada. The polishing compounds are not, but there are other products available from 3M and others that can be used in their place. The release agent is just water.  [wink]

Orange pad - http://www.festoolcanada.com/power-tool-accessories/polishers/polishing-sponge-orange-medium-1-pack-493852

 

[JCLP]

The orange pad is available in Canada. The polishing compounds are not, but there are other products available from 3M and others that can be used in their place. The release agent is just water.  [wink]

Orange pad - http://www.festoolcanada.com/power-tool-accessories/polishers/polishing-sponge-orange-medium-1-pack-493852

Thanks Shane. Also I did a google search for mpa5000 and mpa8000 and it found it on the canadian web site. Product numbers 499021 and 493816 respectively. Going shopping tomorrow. Cheers.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Like I said, the polishing compounds are not available in Canada currently. So, you may need to choose an alternative compound.

 

[JCLP]

Like I said, the polishing compounds are not available in Canada currently. So, you may need to choose an alternative compound.

OK thanks. Will search the 3M web site. Cheers.

 

[JCLP]

I've been searching the 3M web site for an equivalent product to festool mpa5000 and mpa8000 as these 2 products are not yet available in Canada. As I am not familiar with these products would anyone know the equivalent products in the 3M line that I may try out until such time that these products become available north of the 49th parallel. Thanks.

 

[gippy]

I have been thinking about this myself as I am looking for a new sander and do the occasional high gloss polish, not enough to justify a separate polisher or a Rotex. I notice on the Festool UK website that the polishing supplies are not listed as accessories for the 150/3 but are for the 150/5. Several Youtube videos show the 150/5 being used to polish to a high gloss. Is the 150/5 more suitable for general sanding and the odd polish job?

 

[JCLP]

I have been thinking about this myself as I am looking for a new sander and do the occasional high gloss polish, not enough to justify a separate polisher or a Rotex. I notice on the Festool UK website that the polishing supplies are not listed as accessories for the 150/3 but are for the 150/5. Several Youtube videos show the 150/5 being used to polish to a high gloss. Is the 150/5 more suitable for general sanding and the odd polish job?

On our Canadian web site non of the polishing accessories are listed for the ets150. As Shane mentioned, the orbital action of the ets150 is not good for polishing. If you watch the video on this thread, you will see that they use the 150/3 for sanding and then use the RO150 for polishing in non-orbital mode. I have the ets125 already and it is a great sander but I have a project with large surface areas to sand and I want a larger sander. The RO150 with the 150mm pad and the ability to run in orbital mode and polish mode will satisfy all of my sanding needs. A little expensive but worth the money.