Need advice on what sander to get?

[festoolviking]

Hi!

I'm about to get me some new sanders but I can't make up my mind on which ones to get. I've got the ETS-125 today so I'm thinking about the Rotex 125 for the convenience of having the same size abrasives and a DTS-400 for corners. But since the RO-90 just came out I'm thinking that's a good option since you got the delta-pad for it. So my questions are:
1 For you who got both, do you ever use the same abrasive on both Rotex and ETS? If not I might as well get two different sizes.
2 Is it more convenient to have one machine for orbital sanding and a second one for corners. (ETS+DTS) or a RO-90 which can do both?
3 Is the Rotex in (non rotex mode) the same as an ETS sander, apart for that it's normally used with two hands?

festoolviking  [unsure]

 

[mouppe]

Hi,

I have the ro 125 and the ets 125. In answer to your questions, this is how I use them.

1. I use the rotex in rotex mode up to 180 grit. Then I switch to the ETS for the random orbit mode. Since I got the ETS, I have rarely used the rotex in random orbit mode. (Above 400 grit, I switch back to the rotex for polishing in rotex mode because I have the green hard polishing pad.)

2. can't answer that one.

3. Yes, and no. It is a random orbit sander with the same sized pad, but the ETS has a smaller stroke, which makes for a smoother surface. (Note: this is a long-standing argument on the FOG as to whether you actually need as small a stroke as the ETS has. I like it.)

Richard.

 

[Alan m]

i would sy stick with the pad isze you currently have. i would imagine that you will overlap the different grits and paper types on both. also if you run out of one type you can use anothertype that wouldnt fit if the pad sizes were different. having 1 size for the 2 sander will free up a systainer  as they can all be stored in one.
as for the corners, its personal preference, (im in a similar situation and am going to get the ro90). i think that it will be handy to be able to us it in rotex mod in small spaces and on narrow stock.

 

[Kev]

I'd just like to chime in with the fact that the ROTEX 90 is a brilliant all rounder for anything that's not a big flat surface. There's certainly overlap in the Festool sander range, but there are appropriate combinations for certain job types.

On another thread I'm tossing up the relative merits of the two bigger ROTEX units ... stupid thing is, if someone told me they were both unique and I need them both, I'd probably agree!

If this is about something that's your livelihood, does a 125 pad effectively span your needs? ... No, the 150 will do a job faster - but I know that's not the question you're asking.

Anyway, some things the ROTEX 90 can do ... with a different head - slats!!!

With a uniform triangular head ... three corners to wear out.

All you need in a 90 degree corner to cover the surface area a 125 or 150 won't.

Power - heaps of power ... per surface area I would say that this is the most powerful Festool sander ... any more power and they'd have to classify it as a saw!

...

I have a Rupes sander that's pretty much the same as a DTS-400 .. if I ever bother to get my backside into gear I'll put it on ebay - it's now a dinosaur. The ROTEX 90 is one of those really special tools you'll probably forget how good it is, coz you'll use it so much.

 

[Timtool]

1- RO and ETS 125 was my first combination aswel, because they shared same abrasives and were cheaper. After using them i found out it was a bad choice and my way cheaper Bosch GEX was more comfortable and faster than both. So i turned in the RO125 and got a ETS 150/5 instead. That sander on it's own will get any job done faster and more comfortably than the the RO125 an ETS 125 combined.

2- After realizing the ETS 125 finish sander was actually useless at finish sanding because of it's round pad that can get nowhere, i got a DTS 400 and the ETS 125 has not been used ever since.

3- technically the random orbit mode on the rotex's is the same as using an ETS with same stroke, but in reality i find that it isn't the case at all.
My RO 150 has the same 5mm stroke as my ETS 150/5, though in random mode it feels way slower and much less aggressive than the ETS.

 

[festoolviking]

Thank you all for your input, it's nice to get different opinions on which combo to get.
To sum things up it feels like my options are:

Getting a RO-90 for a start to be able to try out the Rotex-mode as well for being able to reach in to corners with the delta pad "With a uniform triangular head ... three corners to wear out" (Kev). It's probably enough for smaller surfaces, but what about larger surfaces? Is it just more timeconsuming or is the result going to differ from a 125?

Getting a RO-125 with the same size paper as I got for my ETS (Alan), but I wonder if I will ever use the same grit for Rotex mode and Orbital mode? If not I might get the RO-90. Then I still need something for corners. Might be worth mentioning that I've got a Bosch GOP 10,8 with a "deltapad" but that's lacking dustextraction and is very noisy. So then I might want a DTS400 or even Deltex 93E.

As it feels today I'm leaning towards the RO-90 but I'll keep you posted when it comes to make a choice

Thanks Guys!

 

[Kev]

As with your Bosch ... Noise and dust extraction are the floors of the delta style Rupes ... Shame is I've got zillions of pads for the rotten thing!

 

[semenza]

I think the RO90 would take care of your corner needs, without the need for another triangle/delta sander.  It also gives you a small sander with more power and aggressiveness than the ETS125.  And even though it is small will do rapid stock removal.

If you are going to go bigger I would skip over the RO125 and get the RO150, or ETS150/5. I say the ETS150/5 as opposed to the /3 because you already have an ETS125 which has a small stroke (2mm or 2.5mm?).  Adding a 150 sander will give you something better suited to large surfaces.  150 will obviously get the job done faster than a smaller one , but also more evenly.

As far as getting one with the same size abrasives goes,  that would be the least of my criteria for choosing a sander. More like a fringe benefit if the sander happens to be the right one. It only saves money on the initial outlay not on restocking cost. And , unless storage space is a serious issue for you, I would not let that determine which tool is the right one.

I think adding the RO90 and the ETS150/5 to what you already have would be the way to go. Possibly the RO150 in place of the ETS150/5 if you think you will be doing a lot of large area stock removal.

Seth

 

[Mr Jones]

The RO90 and RO150 is a great combination. I prefer to have the LS130 linear sander as the 3 option since it will handle mouldings very well, depends how much of that work you do. If the budget is tight then the RO90, LS130 is a good combination. If you do a lot of delta sanding you will get used to changing the head on the RO90 quickly and it's quite easy to do so probably no need for the delta sander, especially since the if you have the ls130 since that will sand into corners too.

 

[festoolviking]

Thanks Seth for a good answer about if to get the same size as my ETS. I think the benefit of the delta pad with the RO-90 is more worth then the same size. I'll probably get the RO-90 and will most likely get another sander as well. Which one will be decided when I've tried out the RO-90 and depending on what I'm "missing". I definitely got a few good options with the RO-150, LS-130 or maybe there's something new on the horizon :