New versions of the RS400 and DS400

[bdog01]

Thanks Brice. Sounds like the quest for a small sander as smooth as the 150s is ongoing

 

[Brice Burrell]

  My thoughts on the ES125 and the new ETS125, they are not as smooth as the ETS150 sanders. However, once you dial them in, the 125's work well. You do need to play with the speed and suction with each particular grit paper to get it just right. But ask yourself dose it need to be as smooth as the larger sanders? I say no, here's why. The 125's are used mainly for smaller surfaces, like faceframes. How flat do they need to be? Now with larger surfaces, say a panel or a table top, dead flat is what you are after. This is were the ETS150's and even more so the RS2E excel. This is because of their exceptionally smooth, flat orbits. I'm not suggesting the 125's can't product flat surfaces.
They can, it just takes a little more effort, to dial them in. The bottom line, the ETS 150 can't do the ES/ETS 125's job any better. Meaning, the bigger, smoother sander won't make a faceframe's finish much better. My ES 125 sees a lot of work, I just make sure I use for the jobs it is intended for.

Keep two things in mind:
My advice is always free.
And, you get what you pay for. 

 

[Bob Marino]

It would also be interesting to see if one could leave the vac at full power with the new brake.

And Bob M.  DO you know if the new brake will fit the old sander?

  Yes, the newer (ETS) pad will fit  the ES 125.

Bob

 

[Joe Jensen]

I use a WAP (now Alto) Drywaller vac which is not speed adjustable.  My RS400 hops around a lot, so I tried with no vac and I seemed to have about the same amount of hopping.  The sander will stick to the work, but that hasn't been enough of a problem to find a solution.  I'd get a Festool vac, but they are way louder than my WAP (72db versus 56db), and doesn't have as much airflow or suction.  One workaround would be to make a short hard section that would go between the vac and hose.  I'd drill a hole in that section with a sleeve that I could slide over the hole to vary the amount of "leakage"...joe

 

[Les]

  Yes, the newer (ETS) pad will fit  the ES 125.

Bob

Bob,

Got a price and part number? I do see a lot of swirl marks with the 125. Especially when I forget to dial down the vac.

 

[Bob Marino]

  Yes, the newer (ETS) pad will fit  the ES 125.

Bob

Bob,

Got a price and part number? I do see a lot of swirl marks with the 125. Especially when I forget to dial down the vac.

Les,

I don't have a number yet, but will inquire Monday. Thios may be too new a part though.

Bob