New Member

[Steve Wagner]

Hello all,

I'm new to FOG and Festool and don't own any product yet.  I've been reading the forum for months and timing my first purchase   I'm a remodeling contractor in Eagan MN (the south side of the Twin City area).  When I received a flyer from Seven Corners hardware about their expo a few weeks ago and saw that Festool was represented, I made a point to go and spend some time looking at the tools and talking with Danny Hale, the Festool Regional Rep who was there.

Based on the type of work that I do and what I've read from FOG members, I'll be starting down the path shortly with the ETS 150/5 ~ CT26, followed by the TS 55 REQ~ MFT/3.

I hope to be able to contribute.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

[welcome]

Welcome to the forum (and Festool), Steve. Dan's a great guy so I'm sure he took good care of you.

If you ever need anything, feel free to contact me.

Shane Holland
Festool USA

 

[ScotF]

Welcome!  There are many great people on this forum who will answer questions and offer advice.  The first purchases look good and if you are like many of us, they will only be your first and you will quickly go down the green slope... I went head first and still sliding.

Scot

 

[Integrity_Construction]

Hi Steve,

Another MN contractor here.....Danny is a great guy, and always go's out of his way for you !!

Dave

 

[nclemmons]

Welcome Steve.  7-corners is a dangerous place, even more-so with Festool in the house!

A 150/3 and a CT-22 were my first Festool purchases maybe 6-7 years ago.  You'll get a lot of use out of them.  They were the first of many for me, and I'm a hobbiest.

Look forward to seeing some of your work!

neil

 

[semenza]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

Seth

 

[NERemodeling]

Hey Steve,
Welcome, I just joined FOG today as well.. I am in a similar situation as you where i am new to Festool and Just about to start building my collection. if you dont mind me asking, what made you decide on the 150/5?  i am in need of a new sander (my 2nd makita 5" R.O. just died) and have spent alot of time researching them. It will be my sole Random orbit sander for a while so i was leaning towards the Rotex 150 for its versatility but ultimately unsure. also what made  you settle on the CT26 over any of the other sizes?

John

 

[semenza]

Hey Steve,
Welcome, I just joined FOG today as well.. I am in a similar situation as you where i am new to Festool and Just about to start building my collection. if you dont mind me asking, what made you decide on the 150/5?  i am in need of a new sander (my 2nd makita 5" R.O. just died) and have spent alot of time researching them. It will be my sole Random orbit sander for a while so i was leaning towards the Rotex 150 for its versatility but ultimately unsure. also what made  you settle on the CT26 over any of the other sizes?

John

HmmHmmmHmm, boy you guys are in trouble  [big grin]

Seth

 

[Steve Wagner]

Hey Steve,
Welcome, I just joined FOG today as well.. I am in a similar situation as you where i am new to Festool and Just about to start building my collection. if you dont mind me asking, what made you decide on the 150/5?  i am in need of a new sander (my 2nd makita 5" R.O. just died) and have spent alot of time researching them. It will be my sole Random orbit sander for a while so i was leaning towards the Rotex 150 for its versatility but ultimately unsure. also what made  you settle on the CT26 over any of the other sizes?

John

Hey John,

I picked the 150/5 over the /3 since it may be my only sander for awhile and the /5 can take off material faster, but from what I've read, results in nearly the same fine finish.  I did bounce back and forth on the RO 150 vs the ETS 150/5.  If I were looking for the polishing capabilities or needed to be more aggressive with removal, I would start with the RO 150.  For those that have both and are doing more finishing, I've read that they end up using the ETS 150 more often....  at any rate, that is how I arrived at that..

Regarding the CT 26, I read a bit and talked with Danny at the show too.  Looking at your consumables (disposable bag), the CT26 bags are priced right from a $$/volume standpoint considering the increased volume it holds.  I am also looking for a capable unit for the shop and for use at clients.  I figure I can haul the 26 and also have a unit that won't fill too quickly in the shop.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Kev]

Hey Steve,
Welcome, I just joined FOG today as well.. I am in a similar situation as you where i am new to Festool and Just about to start building my collection. if you dont mind me asking, what made you decide on the 150/5?  i am in need of a new sander (my 2nd makita 5" R.O. just died) and have spent alot of time researching them. It will be my sole Random orbit sander for a while so i was leaning towards the Rotex 150 for its versatility but ultimately unsure. also what made  you settle on the CT26 over any of the other sizes?

John

HmmHmmmHmm, boy you guys are in trouble  [big grin]

Seth

Yep - they're both down the rabbit hole for sure  [big grin]

 

[Kev]

Hey Steve,
Welcome, I just joined FOG today as well.. I am in a similar situation as you where i am new to Festool and Just about to start building my collection. if you dont mind me asking, what made you decide on the 150/5?  i am in need of a new sander (my 2nd makita 5" R.O. just died) and have spent alot of time researching them. It will be my sole Random orbit sander for a while so i was leaning towards the Rotex 150 for its versatility but ultimately unsure. also what made  you settle on the CT26 over any of the other sizes?

John

Hey John,

I picked the 150/5 over the /3 since it may be my only sander for awhile and the /5 can take off material faster, but from what I've read, results in nearly the same fine finish.  I did bounce back and forth on the RO 150 vs the ETS 150/5.  If I were looking for the polishing capabilities or needed to be more aggressive with removal, I would start with the RO 150.  For those that have both and are doing more finishing, I've read that they end up using the ETS 150 more often....  at any rate, that is how I arrived at that..

Regarding the CT 26, I read a bit and talked with Danny at the show too.  Looking at your consumables (disposable bag), the CT26 bags are priced right from a $$/volume standpoint considering the increased volume it holds.  I am also looking for a capable unit for the shop and for use at clients.  I figure I can haul the 26 and also have a unit that won't fill too quickly in the shop.

Thanks,
Steve

Perfect logic on the CT's ... the 36 is just a little too big to move about as a "portable" and will be a backache if you try to lift it when full. The 26 is in the sweet spot and is hassle free with the bigger hoses (the Mini and Midi less so). I got the 36 ... but it only moves from garage to outside for mess making and back and I have the Mini for mobile stuff.

Probably stating the obvious ... but always look out for a good CT + tool bundle deal, they're quite common.

 

[NERemodeling]

Hey Steve,
Welcome, I just joined FOG today as well.. I am in a similar situation as you where i am new to Festool and Just about to start building my collection. if you dont mind me asking, what made you decide on the 150/5?  i am in need of a new sander (my 2nd makita 5" R.O. just died) and have spent alot of time researching them. It will be my sole Random orbit sander for a while so i was leaning towards the Rotex 150 for its versatility but ultimately unsure. also what made  you settle on the CT26 over any of the other sizes?

John

Hey John,

I picked the 150/5 over the /3 since it may be my only sander for awhile and the /5 can take off material faster, but from what I've read, results in nearly the same fine finish.  I did bounce back and forth on the RO 150 vs the ETS 150/5.  If I were looking for the polishing capabilities or needed to be more aggressive with removal, I would start with the RO 150.  For those that have both and are doing more finishing, I've read that they end up using the ETS 150 more often....  at any rate, that is how I arrived at that..

Regarding the CT 26, I read a bit and talked with Danny at the show too.  Looking at your consumables (disposable bag), the CT26 bags are priced right from a $$/volume standpoint considering the increased volume it holds.  I am also looking for a capable unit for the shop and for use at clients.  I figure I can haul the 26 and also have a unit that won't fill too quickly in the shop.

Thanks,
Steve

I see your logic on the 150, I find myself using my palm sander for a lot more than just finishing (not so much polishing) but find myself wishing for a more aggressive sander alot.     what type of work do you do mostly?   
good logic on the 26,   i was thinking the 36 but might not be so sure anymore.  currently im using a ridgis 12 gal and 6 gal vac so anything seems smaller than the 12gal  i have never liked how little capacity the 6gal seems to have (the filter takes up a lot of space)  but i have to remember that the CT's will fill all the way up.

anyone else out there have rotex 150 vs 150/5 or ct26 vs ct36 advise? 

 

[nclemmons]

I have a 150/3 and a Rotex 150.  I chose them because of range of finishing options - from aggressive to finish on the Rotex and then a finder finish and smaller random orbit on the 150/3.  If you are going to end up with the Rotex, I would suggest you take a look at the 150/3.  It's a better finish sander and easier and less tiring to control on extended sanding when you are going through finish grits from 150 on up to 320 or higher.

If you are mostly doing paint grade work, the 150/5 is fine, but I do a lot of furniture and like the control and finer finish on the 150/3.

I have a CT-Midi and a CT-22 for vacs.  The -26 vs -36 comes down to portability and capacity.  You are pretty much constrained with the -36 if you want to be going up and down stairs or moving in and out of job sites on a frequent basis.  You might end up with a Midi/Mini in time to handle that.

All the vacs have equal suction, so really comes down to capacity and whether you want to use the boom arm or not.

neil

 

[Steve Wagner]

I have a 150/3 and a Rotex 150.  I chose them because of range of finishing options - from aggressive to finish on the Rotex and then a finder finish and smaller random orbit on the 150/3.  If you are going to end up with the Rotex, I would suggest you take a look at the 150/3.  It's a better finish sander and easier and less tiring to control on extended sanding when you are going through finish grits from 150 on up to 320 or higher.

If you are mostly doing paint grade work, the 150/5 is fine, but I do a lot of furniture and like the control and finer finish on the 150/3.

I have a CT-Midi and a CT-22 for vacs.  The -26 vs -36 comes down to portability and capacity.  You are pretty much constrained with the -36 if you want to be going up and down stairs or moving in and out of job sites on a frequent basis.  You might end up with a Midi/Mini in time to handle that.

All the vacs have equal suction, so really comes down to capacity and whether you want to use the boom arm or not.

neil

Thanks Neil, sounds logical, would you start with the 150/3 or the RO150?  I continue to waver on my selection   I think I would get "other" uses out of the RO150 and would consider starting with it, if the finish sanding would be acceptable until I added a 150.... Thoughts?
Thank you,
Steve

 

[tbellemare]

I use the Rotex sanders from rough to smooth, in demo's and my projects, but most people seem to like the ETS series better for smoothing.

You mentioned a local Rep'... Get him to show you the difference. If he's not available, your dealer(s) should be happy to.

Tom

 

[sancho57]

Steve,

DONT DO IT!!!!!! Once you get a taste of the blue and green you'll never go back. You will be consumed beyond belief…
Stay away, you are warned…

With that being said, welcome Steve  [big grin]

 

[builderbob]

Welcome Steve!  This is a great place to contribute, ask or just lurk in the shadows!

Don't hesitate to ask any questions, Festool related or not!

Lots of new members recently...love it!!!

Bob