New to Festool / First Sander Purchase

[spearse]

I am looking at purchasing my first Festool random orbital sander - after my Porter-Cable ROS recently died - along with a E26 Extraction unit.  Since Festool has such a large product line of sanders - it is confusing to me as to which sander(s) to get first.  Hence, why I am reaching out to all of you.

Primarily would be using the ROS for refinishing old and finishing new furniture and the like.

What determines whether to go with a 5" or a 6" sander?  Should I get a RO series as a "all in one" type sander or go with an ETS series?  If I were to invest in multple sanders...what would the order of priority be?

Greatly appreciate your input on this.

Thanks,

Stan

 

[jyarbrou]

You're going to get multiple opinions on this, but my suggestion is to try and get out and test drive them all with a local dealer.

I personally started with the RTS400, because I had a need for a rectangular sander. Then I tested out the ETS 150 and 125, and chose the ETS EC 150 version because it felt best in my hand, and felt better than the non EC version as far as vibration etc. Some folks like the feel of the 125 better. Now I have a RO150 as well, but found it kind of bulky and heavy for finish sanding, so I stay with the ETS for most things.

 

[Holmz]

A search can keep you busy for days.

In circular random orbital it is ETS/EC.

Their 1/2 sheet RS2 may be ideal for flat sanding.

Their belt sander "with a frame" can also do flat pieces if you use the 320 rather than the 60gr. I have not used theirs, and most people want smooth and flat is secondary.

In random orbital and 1/2 sheet there are other manufactures that make top shelf gear.
So one can make many good choices.

In a belt sander there seems to be less on the top shelf.

Both tools burning up at once seems odd. Do you know why? It would be a shame to burn up new tools if it was a problem with the wiring.

 

[semenza]

Hi Stan,

  Welcome to the forum! 

  You are going to get plenty of input here, enjoy.  [smile]

Seth

 

[nickao]

I would like to make one thing clear about the RS2

The RS 2 does do flat sanding. If something has peaks and valley, even minimal ones, a rotary and random orbital sander wit a hard pad are much better to make an item flat. The RS 2 is not the sander if you want to make things flat with any kind of speed.. If your item has been flattened already than the RS 2 works nicely. I actually sold my RS2 here becasue of this.

99% of my work is 18" to 72" diameter flat circular disks.

 

[Bhend18]

When I first started my Festool sander collection I bought the RO 90 because of it's versatility. It could do both coarse and fine sanding. It also had the delta pad for getting into corners. As I became more familiar with the line I added the RO 150 for larger projects and then the RTS 400. I do a lot of cabinetry work and the RTS is perfect for face frames. I've always felt that I didn't have a need for the very popular DTS because I had the delta pad on the RO 90. I think the RO line is a great first sander but there is a slight learning curve to handling it, especially in Rotex mode. Whether you choose the 90 or 150 depends on the size of your furniture projects. Note that the 150 does not have a delta pad.

 

[SS Teach]

Welcome to FOG. My first sanders were an ETS 125 and a RTS 400 along with a CT 36. I chose these because I was refinishing my kitchen and bathroom cabinets. They were great. Then came the LS 130 because of the profiles. Then when I wanted to refinish the windows the Ro 90 appeared. And then, I think you get the idea. As a new project popped up a new sander showed up. By the way all of this occurred over a three year period. Figure out what your first project will be and get the appropriate sander. The bigger the sander the more area they cover. The Rotex sanders can be very aggressive. The Ro is a two handed sander. You should watch some YouTube videos on their proper use. It all depends on what your project is. There is no one sander for every project. Somehow you end up with 5 or 6. It just happens. Enjoy.

 

[leakyroof]

The ETS sanders aren't as aggressive at stripping a finish like a Rotex sander. But, if you're not removing layers of paint and just need to carefully remove old film finishes as the roughest job your sander would encounter, you should be fine with either ETS sander version and a smaller sander for corners or tight spots.  The more aggressive 150/5 is a great starter sander and lighter than the Rotex 150 in either old or new EC body/style.
Add the DTS400 or the Rotex 90 for smaller discs space and/or corners plus a great variable suction vacuum and you're set.
Until of course some other sander catches your eye... [doh]

 

[Cheese]

Hi Stan,
You are going to get plenty of input here, enjoy.  [smile]

That's an understatement...

 

[Holmz]

I would like to make one thing clear about the RS2

The RS 2 does do flat sanding. If something has peaks and valley, even minimal ones, a rotary and random orbital sander wit a hard pad are much better to make an item flat. The RS 2 is not the sander if you want to make things flat with any kind of speed.. If your item has been flattened already than the RS 2 works nicely. I actually sold my RS2 here becasue of this.

99% of my work is 18" to 72" diameter flat circular disks.

So am I interpreting correctly as an RS2 will keep it flat?
And that a rotery will make it flat?

It seems like I have a better chance of being flat near the edges with a 1/2 sheet than with a random orbital ... So I might be able to learn something here...

 

[Jmacpherson]

I'm pretty new here and like yourself I recently purchased my first Festool sander, the ETS EC 150/5 after a lot of valuable input from everyone here.
Even though I started out thinking that I needed a Rotex, I was educated that using the correct abrasive with the correct sander for my specific needs right now, negates the need for a RO model.

I mentioned everything I planned to use the sander for, which helped everyone point me in the right direction.
Perhaps if you provided more details of what you need to do with the sander etc. the members would be able to provide better advice.

I know you mentioned furniture but imho that is quite broad. If you are only working with chairs for arguments sake, a RO 150 might be overkill. However if you work with dining room tables it might be a different story.

 

[spearse]

As suggested, I am currently upcycling an old front door (see attached) that I need to continue sanding.  Project on hold until  I determine which sander to get.  Also have refinished a garden bench, built a bathroom vanity counter-top out of walnut, and have a couple of rocking chairs that need to be repaired, sanded and put back together.  Planning on surfacing two black walnut slabs.  Once that is done, the slabs will need to be sanded and finished.  Hoping to get into furniture builds as time goes on.

Hope this gives a clearer picturer.  Thank you so far for the input that I have recieved.

 

[Goz]

Sounds like you have quite varied needs.  A 150 would be good for your larger pieces, but would be difficult to control on legs and does nothing for corners. The RO 90 would be great for those, with the smaller head, and the delta head for corners. I have an RO 90 and love it.  I don't have a 150 but have heard great things about the ETS EC 150 for an all around sander.

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