New person looking for first (proper) sander

[Dva99999]

This is my first post as I’ve been searching through a minefield and still no closer to what I need.
I’m a DIYer with no great skills but I am looking for a sander that can do both wood and metal. I plan on restoring the bodywork on my car and need something that I can just plug into the wall using 220/240v and work (if necessary) for hours until finished. I also have a large dining table which I want to strip and refinish in a colour to match my partners dining room. I also have a bed in a similar colour which I also want to strip and refinish in a different colour. The bed is not overly detailed but it does have the usual corners and edges.
I don’t have a shop vac, I want to be able to connect it to a standard vacuum cleaner (Dyson) as my budget will only stretch so far I.e around the £350-450 mark.
I’ve looked at Dewalts and Mirkas but keep coming back to Festool.
Do Festool do a product that can tick all those boxes.
Thank you in advance
D

 

[Mortiser]

ETS-EC 125/3 and you can optionally put a 6" pad on it. This sander is a joy to use. You need to save for a dust extractor for it... a CT-26 preferably or at least a Midi.

 

[TinyShop]

I second the recommendation to get a dedicated dust extractor. You can use your household vacuum but doing so will rapidly destroy it and it won't be able to properly filter the air that it expels. If you're pinching pennies rent a HEPA vac (""H" Class" in your neck of the woods) for a day or look for something pre-owned. If you go with another household vac just don't be surprised when it dies a rapid death (especially if its a non-HEPA bagless) and spreads toxic dust all over your workspace/home, etc.

Accordingly, you may want to ask yourself what your health (and that of your family/neighbors) is worth and then plan accordingly. Knowing what we now know about the negative health consequences of materials like wood dust, body filler dust, etc., I wouldn't be caught dead sanding anything without a proper dust extractor and, absent that (or even in conjunction with that), a high quality respirator.

 

[Gregor]

I have used a RO150 with a Dyson as extractor with no ill effect to the Dyson, it shut down though a few times as it was overheating (as of not enough airflow). The HEPA argument is moot with a Dyson as they are HEPA too (they have a foam filter after the cyclone).

Nevertheless: the Festool CTs have the upside of being not that loud - and you can turn them down, something you definitively want to be able to when sanding. Also no hazzle with obtaining hose connectors and such.

I would suggest getting a CT 26 or a MIDI when buying a Festool sander, especially as there's a deal available that reduces the price when you buy a tool and a vac at the same time.

 

[TinyShop]

Just to be clear, just because a vacuum is fitted with a HEPA filter doesn't mean it is a) capable of preventing dirty air from exiting the machine (via seals, joints, etc.) - only those that meet the various certifications requirements (much more stringent in the U.K. and Europe than the U.S.) can be said to be accomplish that or b) capable over the long term of being able to handle the volume of dust generated in the woodworking, metal working and remodeling trades, etc.

Not that this is rocket science but having seen my share of the internals of various makes and model of vacuums, there still exists wide differences among machines designed for home and work with respect to their ability to to handle high volumes of fine dust and prevent hazardous particles from being expelled back into the air.     

 

[Dva99999]

ETS-EC 125/3 and you can optionally put a 6" pad on it. This sander is a joy to use. You need to save for a dust extractor for it... a CT-26 preferably or at least a Midi.

Coincidentally, I’ve been looking at an ETS-EC 150/5. I’m assuming this is a larger one.
As for the extractor, that’s way out of my price band for now although I do understand the need for a good dust extractor. Noise is not an issue as I have a petrol generator operating most of the time for other tools.
Thank you for your responses.

 

[Gregor]

https://www.festoolproducts.com/festool-package-discounts.html might be interesting to you.

The ETS EC 150/5 is a great sander, but in case you're money constrained and looking to get only one that rules everything... also look at the Rotex 150.

 

[Cheese]

ETS-EC 125/3 and you can optionally put a 6" pad on it. This sander is a joy to use. You need to save for a dust extractor for it... a CT-26 preferably or at least a Midi.

I'd also go for the ETS EC 125.  [big grin]

Automobile repair = 5" pad
Large table = 6" pad
Bed project = 5" & 6" pad

Hard pad for the wooden items and a hard & soft pad for the bodywork.

 

[mcooley]

ETS EC 125 is the one I find myself going to time and time again. I have the Rotex 125 but really don't like the ergonomics and handling etc. The two do different things but the 125 I find is more of use in my shop. One note, it can be challenging to not get pigtails on the Rotex in either mode where with the 125 I rarely have an issue. In general per Festool's advice it is best to use orbital sanders in multiple directions but which ought to be controlled motions and not haphazard ones.

 

[Dva99999]

ETS-EC 125/3 and you can optionally put a 6" pad on it. This sander is a joy to use. You need to save for a dust extractor for it... a CT-26 preferably or at least a Midi.

I'd also go for the ETS EC 125.  [big grin]

Automobile repair = 5" pad
Large table = 6" pad
Bed project = 5" & 6" pad

Hard pad for the wooden items and a hard & soft pad for the bodywork.

Excellent

 

[leakyroof]

ETS-EC 125/3 and you can optionally put a 6" pad on it. This sander is a joy to use. You need to save for a dust extractor for it... a CT-26 preferably or at least a Midi.

I'd also go for the ETS EC 125.  [big grin]

Automobile repair = 5" pad
Large table = 6" pad
Bed project = 5" & 6" pad

Hard pad for the wooden items and a hard & soft pad for the bodywork.

Excellent

  As an added benefit, the body of the EC sanders resembles the Pneumatic Sanders you'd find in an Auto Body Shop, so the lightweight and comfortable body of an EC sander is nice to have for vertical sanding at a long work period of time if you're going to be there.
You'll want Grant Abrasive or something similar since it will handle Raw Wood, Finished Wood, Painted Wood and Painted Metal with resistance to clogging.  Body Putty and Bondo should also be okay with Granat.
As noted, having some kind of Extractor will not only prolong the life of your abrasive discs, improve the surface of your work, but help protect your health as well.  Look for a decent used one if new is out of your budget.
There are other Vacs out there besides Festool. 

 

[Dva99999]

My partner has just “handed” me an extra £150 so it looks like the ETS-EC 150/5. I think she has an eye on me doing some external work at some point!! I have looked and seen there are other shop vacs out there, so I’ll get one of those but at least I can up my budget.
All your info has been very helpful thank you.

 

[Dva99999]

Why is the suction hose over £150....surely for small jobs I can use dustbags. I know that the suction hose will come in handy but if I was to purchase a shop vac with hose attachment would that not do the same job?

 

[Dva99999]

Actually it is the 125mm I’m looking at, however the 150/5 comes bundled with the suction hose at altogether cheaper than the 125mm.
Strange...but I’m still going for the 125mm as given everything I’ve read it is a good all rounder and as mentioned above I can add a 6” sanding pad.

 

[ColossusX]

It was my understanding that the ETS EC requires a dust extractor. You cant use a dust bag

 

[Cheese]

It was my understanding that the ETS EC requires a dust extractor. You cant use a dust bag

Correct, the entire ETS EC series does not have internal fans for dust collection. It’s probably part of the reason why they have such a low profile.

 

[dudeabides]

i just picked up a RO150 and a CT26 with CTcyclone and its been a great joy to use. Mostly wood dust for me.  If you have a good stream of sanding jobs ahead of you and want/can invest in the primo best. They are awesome! and if they're treated well, you'd have no trouble selling them if you needed to. Cheers!

 

[oldie]

I think satisfactory dust extraction is really important - the ability to vary the speed of the 'vacuum' will enable you to get optimum extraction and best finish possible; whilst prolonging the life of whatever abrasive sheets you use. 
A part of me would, almost, want a good extractor to start with... even if it meant getting less desireable sander(s) to start with. 

(Don't know if worth following up - but see there is a 240v Midi dust extractor on eBay at the moment - might need a bit of a tidy up? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Festool-CTL-Midi-workshop-hoover/233079616390 ) 

Richard UK.

 

[Pnw painter]

The ETS-EC sanders are the best well rounded sander in the Festool lineup. They’re light, powerful, small and very comfortable to use for long periods of time. If you can only afford one sander this is what I’d recommend.

About the only time I use my Rotex sanders is when I need to remove a lot of material quickly. Beyond that they’re heavy and very cumbersome to use.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dva99999]

It was my understanding that the ETS EC requires a dust extractor. You cant use a dust bag

On the accessory page of their website they list the turbo dust bags as a compatible accessory.
If this is incorrect then I’m going to have to wait or look at what Mirka have to offer (although I’ve read there are reliability issues with the Deros).
My head hurts.... [crying]