Nother sander question

[Ross 71]

Most of the work I do is, er, rustic. Agricultural.  So sanding stuff doesn't earn me any money. However, I'm upping my game on the home work side, and I need to improve my finishing. SO, if I'm going to buy just one sander, is a Rotex 150 a good option? I'm somewhat baffled by what are the differences between the various types. I don't want to spend more than I have to, but I don't want to buy less than I should. The Rotex seems, from reviews, to be an excellent all rounder.

I currently have a CTL Midi dust extractor. Is it sufficient for fine sanding dust? If not, what do I need. What is dust category L? Can anyone offer some wisdom please?

Also, is there such a thing as an abrasive assortment pack. A sort of abrasive equivalent of the 1060 Domino assortment.

 

[ben_r_]

Sure it can be an excellent all arounder, if you occasionally need to do some heavy stock removal. If you just need a sander for finishing something like an ETC EC 150/3 or /5 might be a better route to go as they are much lighter, balanced better and can more easily be used on handed.

 

[Holmz]

The ETS EC 150/5-mm is faster than a rotex in non geared mode.
Also as mentioned the handling is nice.

If you really need rustic, then a belt sander or a grinder with a flap wheel goes hard at it.

I would suggest trying the Rotex and ETS EC 150/5 if you can.

 

[ear3]

If I were forced at gunpoint to reduce my kit to just one sander, the ETS-EC 150/5 would be it.  Before I got it, the RO150 was my go to sander, but once I got the EC, and realized, as was mentioned, that it actually sands faster than the Rotex in RO mode (as opposed to gear driven mode), there was no looking back.  The Rotex still comes out for heavy stripping work and polishing, but otherwise the ETS-EC 150/5 is the first thing I reach for.  The pad brake is sweet, and ends up saving more time than you might think over the course of a long sanding session with many grit changes. 

 

[semenza]

  Hard to beat the Rotex150 for an all rounder, and if you don't mind the small pad size the RO90 has additional options but that's a big size trade off.  BUT the ETS150/5 does make a very good all purpose sander too. Especially if the work will lean towards the finish side. The "regular" ETS150/5 was my single all purpose sander for quite some time. And it can handle material removal / stripping all the way to sanding between coats of finish. It does a good job in that whole range but does not excel at the extremes. If you think the sander may have some crossover use into your rustic work then the Rotex could be a better choice.

Seth

 

[Ross 71]

I've looked at the ETS 150/5. Festool's catalogue is terrible, there's no real product descriptions, nor comparison other than that chart thing, so I'm still not much wiser. Its half the price of the Rotex, which is nice....

I'm not going to need it for day work. I build barns and cattle sheds, mostly, a cabin now and then. Mostly using planed finish tantalised timber and cladding. I've got a brute of a belt sander, which gets dragged out now and then to pretty up a bit of elm or similar to make a bar top. Cake it in antique wax and buff like hell. Never been able to get that really deep gloss that some guys manage.

Having started making a couple of built in wardrobes(closets?) there is a growing list of stuff to make for the house. It is all sounding like the ETS 150 could be the ticket. Going to have to get a better dust extractor though...

 

 

[nclemmons]

The Midi should be fine for sanding.  Not sure why you'd need a better one if that's what you are primarily using it for.

The one shortcoming is size, but you won't be filling it with dust from sanding that quickly.  But I personally like it's portability, particularly if you are using it between what sounds like your house and shop/farm buildings.

 

[Ross 71]

I had got the idea that the midi isn't suitable for fine dust. I'm happy to be wrong about that. I was always one of those guys who works knee deep in dust and chips, my dust extractor was a shovel.

 

[semenza]

I have not had any problem with my Mini on fine dust.

Seth

 

[Holmz]

I have not had any problem with my Mini on fine dust.

Seth

Arn't they made just for that?