New ETS EC150/5 Owner

[Mike Goetzke]

I've had an ETS 150/3 for several years. I've been wanting a 2nd sander for years that is more aggressive and decided to pick up the subject sander. I really like this new EC sander over the old. It reminds me of an air sander w/o the air.

I use my sanders almost exclusively for sanding soft and hardwoods. I mill all of my own lumber so I sand from planer finish to fully finished. With the top coats I use I usually only go to 220 grit.

Over the weekend I tried out the new EC 150/5 on an unplaned rough sawn piece of ash. I started with 80 grit and worked myself to 220. This surface looked every bit as good as 220 would have given me with my 150/3.

I'm wondering do I need the ETS 150/3 since it seems the ETS EC150/5 can match it's finish?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Kev]

If you only ever go to 220 you could probably free yourself of the /3 .. but are you certain? [wink]

 

[Holmz]

Since you have both, you could potentially do a comparison on the finish at say 220, 320, 600.

I go one grit beyond on the /5 and it never seems to have obvious swirls, but I have not put a loop to the eye like Col Klink and really gotten down close to it.

 

[southrider]

As a lurker to this thread these couple post have given me tremendous insight into the difference between the orbit diameters.

Thanx guys!

 

[leakyroof]

Keep the 150/3 if you do stain grade work often. With the right woods, you should see a difference in higher grit sanding. Just might not be as noticeable with a open pore wood like Ash. I too used a 150/5 for years as my single all-around sander, but heeded the advice given here on FOG to take the sanding a bit finer if wanted, by buying the 150/3.
Also, I've heard that some people are keeping their older ETS 150/3's since it's easier to 'feather in' a spot or edge over their EC sander. I kind of see that, but haven't taken the time to fully explore this line of thought just yet with some wood. [scratch chin]

 

[ear3]

I've noticed a difference above 400 grit, and so I tend to switch over the 150/3 once I hit the higher grit ranges.

The 150/3 is also essential for me when working with veneered plywood.  The EC 150/5 will  burn a hole through the top layer in no time.

 

[Holmz]

I've noticed a difference above 400 grit, and so I tend to switch over the 150/3 once I hit the higher grit ranges.

The 150/3 is also essential for me when working with veneered plywood.  The EC 150/5 will  burn a hole through the top layer in no time.

At which grits? 400?

 

[Mike Goetzke]

I solved my problem between 150/3 & 150/5. Last week on local CL I found a 2-month old ETS EC 150/3 for an attractive price that I couldn't refuse. It was at a cabinet shop and the guy said he used it for an hour and hated it and didn't see why everyone praised Festool so much. I asked him if he used a dust collector and he said no. He was also using the 150/3 for rough sanding some skip planed lumber. I'm a happy camper!

Mike

 

[leakyroof]

I solved my problem between 150/3 & 150/5. Last week on local CL I found a 2-month old ETS EC 150/3 for an attractive price that I couldn't refuse. It was at a cabinet shop and the guy said he used it for an hour and hated it and didn't see why everyone praised Festool so much. I asked him if he used a dust collector and he said no. He was also using the 150/3 for rough sanding some skip planed lumber. I'm a happy camper!

Mike

. And they lived happily ever after....except that former owner who wanted more aggressive sanding out of a 3mm orbit sander..... [doh] [doh]

 

[grobkuschelig]

Thank you guys for all your insights.
Came home from the dealer today with a 150/5 EC. Great tool, as fat as I can say after the first couple of sanding minutes.
I am very glad I chose it instead of the RO150 I was looking at as well...
The RO just seems to heavy for day to day stuff. If I start a big renovation, the RO will definitely join the pack, but for now, the 150/5 is perfect.

As Timothy pointed out above, it is the best combination of fast working and smooth finish.
Will see how the final surfaces will turn out, but so far, all is smooth as butter and no swirls to be seen...

 

[ear3]

Starting at 400.

I've noticed a difference above 400 grit, and so I tend to switch over the 150/3 once I hit the higher grit ranges.

The 150/3 is also essential for me when working with veneered plywood.  The EC 150/5 will  burn a hole through the top layer in no time.

At which grits? 400?

 

[bdiemer]

I use the ets 150/5 for nearly everything, but when I get into the finer grit papers  and fine work, I use the ets125 because it not only has a shorter stroke , it is also lighter making it less aggressive.