New to Festool. Advice?

[ColossusX]

Hello.  I'm starting to get addicted to Festool even though I haven't purchased anything yet.  I'm a remodeler working out of a van, no shop or garage. I'm starting to get into building built-ins in my customers homes and looking to upgrade my dewalt sanders and dust collection.
I'm considering the ETS 125 and the CT-SYS as my entry points into Festool.  I use a standard shop vac to clean up larger debris, but need something better for the finer dust and debris.

Cost and space in my van are prime considerations, thus looking at the CT SYS. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 
Thanks

 

[rljatl]

Save up a little more and get the ETS EC 150 sander and the Midi vac.

 

[semenza]

Hello.  I'm starting to get addicted to Festool even though I haven't purchased anything yet.  I'm a remodeler working out of a van, no shop or garage. I'm starting to get into building built-ins in my customers homes and looking to upgrade my dewalt sanders and dust collection.
I'm considering the ETS 125 and the CT-SYS as my entry points into Festool.  I use a standard shop vac to clean up larger debris, but need something better for the finer dust and debris.

Cost and space in my van are prime considerations, thus looking at the CT SYS. 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 
Thanks

Hi,

    Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

        The ETS125 (not to be confused with the ETS EC 125) is not really the best general purpose sander. It is really a fine finish sander. So it may or may not be what you want. And in particular will not be that good with the CT-SYS. The CT-SYS does not have variable suction (for best use on most sanders the variable suction is needed) and the capacity is very small.  It is great for being handy and useful for a few cuts  a little sanding and quick clean ups. The CT Mini or Midi are the all purpose but still compact vacs to look at.

    What type of sanders are you replacing and what sort of sanding do you plan to do?  Do you build in the shop then install units? Or build entirely on site? Scribing? Stock removal? Sanding in corners?  All of the details will effect your sander choice.

Seth

       

 

[Cheese]

If you don't have a shop, where are you cutting the sheet goods? Are you actually cutting the materials on-site outdoors or on-site within the customers residence?

If it's within the residence, I'd look at purchasing a TS 55 first as you'd be able to eliminate the largest producer of dust.

As mentioned, the ETS EC 125/150 with a MINI/MIDI is the cat's meow.

 

[ColossusX]

Thanks for the replies.  I have been going back and forth between a MIDI and a SYS. 
I've just started woodworking for clients. I do a little everything like rough and finish carpentry, flooring, some electric etc.  I typically build onsite, outside if possible.  Once in awhile I can borrow my in-laws garage to do some assembly.
I did just pick up a Makita track saw.  Haven't had much chance to use it yet. 
I think I will go with the MIDI, and save my shop vac for large waste and wet cleanups.
Is the 125 EC that much better than the ETS 125 to justify the 2x cost? I've had pretty good results with my Dewalt ROS, but wanted to get a better dust collection.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The MIDI is a good choice and it will allow you to improve dust collection with any sander you can fit the hose to.

 

[rst]

Midi was my first Festool vac after three Feins...great vac.  That one sits below an Oneida cyclone for my cutting table.  Also have a 26 that sits under a WCR work center.

 

[SilviaS7]

Thanks for the replies.  I have been going back and forth between a MIDI and a SYS. 
I've just started woodworking for clients. I do a little everything like rough and finish carpentry, flooring, some electric etc.  I typically build onsite, outside if possible.  Once in awhile I can borrow my in-laws garage to do some assembly.
I did just pick up a Makita track saw.  Haven't had much chance to use it yet. 
I think I will go with the MIDI, and save my shop vac for large waste and wet cleanups.
Is the 125 EC that much better than the ETS 125 to justify the 2x cost? I've had pretty good results with my Dewalt ROS, but wanted to get a better dust collection.

I'm new here, and new to woodworking, but I just purchased and started using the ETS EC 125/3 EQ.  This is a brushless version, so it's pretty small and lightweight.  I talked to a gentleman who builds custom cabinetry for a living when looking at getting a Festool sander, and he recommended this to me based on my budget and need.  The important thing about the need was that I needed to use this sander in some corners and edges for refinishing the hardwood floors in my home.  This sander had enough power to get the job done in the places where the big edger that I rented could not get into.  I'm sure a Rotex would have been better (better as in had more power, could knock out the job quicker) but it was a bit out of my budget.  However I am stupidly happy with how well the ETS EC 125/3 EQ worked for me in sanding down the edges and corners of the room.  It had enough power for me to grind out some really uneven spots, even out in the center area of the floor where I would have whittled down forever to get to with the drum sander I rented.

Finally, this guide: https://topcoatreview.com/2017/03/which-festool-sander/  is fantastic and recommend you check it out.  I think the author does a great job of covering use cases and where specific sanders excel and where they don't.  If you have a Festool dealer nearby, I suggest going and talking to the folks who use the tools.  I came away feeling a lot more confident about my purchase after explaining what I needed to do, and having the gentleman who helped me explain how the sander I was looking at would meet that need.  I hope this helps somewhat.  [laughing]

 

[SoonerFan]

Get a Midi over a CT SYS.  For sanding you will need variable suction.  If you do not need to get into corners to sand the 125 EC is a great sander.  I have a 125 EC and an RO 125 given my preference for 125mm/5 inch sanders.  Unless I need to remove lots of material, I usually grab the 125 EC as a I like the form factor a little better.  That said if you can swing the extra money for a Rotex and will need to remove lots of material sometimes I suggest you get one.  A Rotex will do a pretty good job finish sanding and can be really aggressive when needed.

 

[ColossusX]

Thanks for the insight Silivia and Sooner.  I think the 125 EC is the direction I'm going, with  MIDI.  And for more aggressive stock removal I'll keep using my ridgid sander.

 

[semenza]

Thanks for the replies.  I have been going back and forth between a MIDI and a SYS. 
I've just started woodworking for clients. I do a little everything like rough and finish carpentry, flooring, some electric etc.  I typically build onsite, outside if possible.  Once in awhile I can borrow my in-laws garage to do some assembly.
I did just pick up a Makita track saw.  Haven't had much chance to use it yet. 
I think I will go with the MIDI, and save my shop vac for large waste and wet cleanups.
Is the 125 EC that much better than the ETS 125 to justify the 2x cost? I've had pretty good results with my Dewalt ROS, but wanted to get a better dust collection.

      It's not so much the "better" part as it is the other attributes. The ETS125 has a very small stroke, less power, and is a light touch sander.  I know some people really like it but I have never felt it was a good general purpose , woodworking, random orbit / finish sander.

      I make built-ins (and lots of other stuff). I try to do as much work as possible in the shop and then assemble / install on site. For several years I only used an ETS150/5. It has been a good broad spectrum sander. I have several sanders now. It is hard to do the work with just one type but possible depending on the method (EX- I sand all the parts before assembly).

    When I go to a site I take the RO90 because it can do everything if need be with some compromises. That way I can take just one sander unless the job is really a  sanding  job. Not the sander I would suggest if only getting one sander though.

    If I were you I would be looking at any of the ETS or ETS EC series sanders except the ETS125 for your work. /3  if you think you might buy a Rotex down the road or /5 otherwise. The Rotex are more versatile than the ETS but less form factor friendly when it comes to over head work or edge work or one handed use.

Seth

 

[RJNeal]

I’m with Seth, I only have two Sanders with me daily. One is the RO 90. It covers most jobs. The other sander is the RAS 115.
If I’m working a job that requires sanding then I’ll pick others out of the arsenal.
On the CT. Get the mini or the midi.
Rick.

 

[SS Teach]

As far as CTs are concerned the smaller the unit the more often the bag will have to be changed. The bigger it is the heavier it is, but it does have wheels. For ROS you will have to decide on 5 or 6 inch. Budget will of course play apart. Whether you opt for 5 or 6 you will need the appropriate size paper. That needs to be figured in to your budget. If you build cabinet doors you will need to corner sand which nessitates a different sander with different size paper. To break down sheet goods the TS 55R is great. All of these will connect to your CT. It’s best you get a CT that allows you to control the power. You’ll probably end up with more sanders than you initially planned on. It just happens. And as far as budget is concerned George Harrison said it best, “It’s gonna take money.......a whole lotta money “. You won’t do it at once. It took me 5 years to get my Festools. So get started and enjoy, they’re great fun. Welcome to FOG. 

 

[ColossusX]

I'm really considering the RO90, I hadn't realized how versatile it is.  And keep my current dewalt and other ROS until I start to do more fine woodworking type projects.  Right now im still mostly doing room and basement remodels, and adding built in shelves and such. 
I'm fairly brand agnostic, i have Makita's, Bosch, dewalt, ridgid, etc.  I try to get the most bang for my buck.  I don't even have any Systainers yet lol.  Just L-Boxxes, and dewalt tough systems, and a couple of makpacs. 

Thanks again for all the helpful advice and warm welcome.

 

[KongKirill]

If you are new to Festool, I'll say that the right number of tools you need is N+1, where N is number of Festool you already have  [tongue] [big grin]