Plaster Wall Finishing/Polishing RTS 400 EQ Vs ETS 150/5 Which Best?

[atacama40]

Morning all, first post, new & non-trade Festool user.

Have a CTL-MIDI extractor & an RO150 EQ. Both super bits of kit but not quite what I need for my current project I think.

The project....an old 1920's brick built & plastered house requiring total renovation. Plaster is surprisingly good & only requires refinishing with Toupret TX130.....(very fine low build French plaster/filler) & then sanding glass flat before high quality paint finish applied.

I need a lightweight, fine finish sander for & I'm struggling to work out the best way to go.

Think the RO150 (whilst a fine machine) is too heavy for the volume & angle of work. Leaning towards either the RTS400 EQ or the ETS 150/5 but honestly speaking have no experience with either.

The fine filler is very low build & requires only a light but consistent sand.....the finish needs be glass smooth.

It will be sanded at 320 for the paint finish & to date I've been using Mikra Abranet 115mm roll but open to other suggestions.

I have no personal preference of machine but want it to work with the CTL-MIDI extractor.....would like it be light (4 days overhead plaster sanding is little fun even with the best of equipment  [crying]) & of course get a great finish.

Very much appreciate advice, experience and recommendations from those with more knowledge.....including folks at Festool of course. Many thanks in advance

 

[AlexThePalex]

The RO150 can work for plaster with grits of 180 and up, but it is not my favourite because it can also go wrong easily.

I prefer the DTS400 or RTS400 for plaster, as well as the ETS125. ETS150/5 will do just fine too.

 

[atacama40]

Morning Alex & thanks for the advice & feedback....sounds like I'm in the right area then.

I'm not so familiar with the Festool range (although what I do know I like so far ) .... I'm struggling a bit to differentiate between the models....possible for a quick heads up on the differences between those four models you mention please?

Or is there a comparison table or application table that clearly shows the differences on the Festool web site.

I get a feel for them but not a clear differentiation or understanding of why A over B etc.....and yet there must be one otherwise why would they make the variations?

And maybe put another way....if you could pick only one, for ultra fine plaster/paint finish & for long runs....which one would be your goto one?

Thanks for coming back so quick

 

[Stephen B]

In addition to what Alex has said, yes you will find the RO150 too heavy for prolonged high wall and ceiling work. I find the ETS125 is just great in the house I am renovating - mainly patching and sanding back work to a mixture of solid and drywall.

[size=8pt][member=60547]atacama40[/member] [member=5277]Alex[/member]

 

[atacama40]

Hi Untidy Shop, yes the RO150 is a bit of beast and I wouldn't fancy it for the amount of work I have ahead of me.

So the ETS 125 is the smaller brother of the 150 I guess. Is the 125 / 150 the disc diameter or motor speed? I'm reading the Festool site as we speak and the answers don't easily shake out. I'm sure they are there but wood for trees etc.

And just out of curiosity, what abrasives are you using for your plaster finishing? Thanks for your advice

 

[Stephen B]

Hi,
The 125 is the dia of the sanding pad in mms.
For further details re this sander -http://www.festool.com.au/epages/tooltechnic.sf/en_AU/?ObjectID=28064

The only difference to the NA model is the Voltage - oh and yes the better price!  [smile]

Re abrasives, I have been using between 120 and 220, but most often 180 grit and usually Brilliant or Granet. My choice of grit has been dependent on solid plaster vs drywall and or the patching medium. Very ocaisionally I have used 80 grit to nock back some solid plaster around a crack in solid plaster. Use the RO150 or DX93 for that.
http://www.festool.com.au/epages/to...ooltechnic/Products/497146/SubProducts/497146

[size=8pt][member=60547]atacama40[/member]

 

[atacama40]

Super stuff, getting it now.....thanks for taking the time to explain that. Leaning towards the ETS.

Was reading about the ETS EC.....it looks a lower profile version and maybe lighter looking although a bit pricey.

My sanding is a good deal finer .... it more for good paint finish than repair work but sounds like this unit would be happy with both.

Thanks again for the pointer

 

[Holmz]

Super stuff, getting it now.....thanks for taking the time to explain that. Leaning towards the ETS.

Was reading about the ETS EC.....it looks a lower profile version and maybe lighter looking although a bit pricey.

My sanding is a good deal finer .... it more for good paint finish than repair work but sounds like this unit would be happy with both.

Thanks again for the pointer

The ETS EC is similar to the Mirka Deros, and are both light weight which makes them ideal for wall work.

 

[nclemmons]

I've used my ETS 150/3 on plaster and drywall, both walls and ceiling.  It works well with a CT Midi.  I used 180 grit paper between taping coats and was really happy with the results.  Best drywall repairs I have ever done thanks to that sander.  And zero dust!

Agree the Rotex models are a bit heavy and a bit too aggressive.  I have the Rotex 150 and use it on wood, but would not want to hold against a ceiling or wall for very long.

I also have the RTS400 sander and use it a lot on cabinets and furniture.  For me it was a little small to deal with drywall and plaster sanding and I felt like the 150/3 was more balanced when moving across the surface.

neil

 

[SS Teach]

I've used my RTS 400 on cabinets. While light weight it is small and requires its own sandpaper. The ETS 125 is also light weight which would make it easy to use on walls. But the pad size is small and it would require its own paper. The Ro 150 is a beast and heavy. Since you already have a Ro 150 it seems a ETS or ETS EC 150 would work quite well. Lighter than the Ro, easier to control, covers more area, and you do not need to get a different size paper that is sander specific.

 

[Grakat]

Agree with what has been said above. I have used an ETS150/3 on drywall and plaster with a 180 grit pad. Worked very well. Quick and dustless.  [big grin]

 

[Holmz]

...
I have no personal preference of machine but want it to work with the CTL-MIDI extractor.....would like it be light (4 days overhead plaster sanding is little fun even with the best of equipment  [crying]) & of course get a great finish.

Very much appreciate advice, experience and recommendations from those with more knowledge.....including folks at Festool of course. Many thanks in advance

You already know about the Mirka screens.
I would not give the haus-boss RO sander to use, as it i too heavy and requires too much skill.

This also fits on a CT vac...

The ETS EC is a very close copy if you prefer festool.

 

[ThReM]

I have the Mirka 5650 cv, and I agree is probably the better sander u can use for plaster wall finishing.

It's very light and natural to use. Sanding with Mirka is like carressing the wall with a sponge.
I love it, and many painter i know use it.

 

[RKA]

I think the ETS is the right choice, but if you're contemplating the ETS150, hold it first and imagine working vertically for an hour, then hold the ETS EC.  To me, the cost difference evaporates quickly with this kind of work.  Lower weight and center of gravity will make a huge difference with the EC.

 

[ThReM]

And then hold the Mirka ... 50% lighter : 800 grams vs 1200 grams.

Great finish, two pad (125 & 150 mm), pretty yellow systainer, compatible with festool's dust extractor.

OK, that's not a Festool, but that's really really a great sander ;-)

 

[Holmz]

And then hold the Mirka ... 50% lighter : 800 grams vs 1200 grams.

Great finish, two pad (125 & 150 mm), pretty yellow systainer, compatible with festool's dust extractor.

OK, that's not a Festool, but that's really really a great sander ;-)

Amen.
Mirka only do sanders.  [cool]

 

[atacama40]

I've used my RTS 400 on cabinets. While light weight it is small and requires its own sandpaper. The ETS 125 is also light weight which would make it easy to use on walls. But the pad size is small and it would require its own paper. The Ro 150 is a beast and heavy. Since you already have a Ro 150 it seems a ETS or ETS EC 150 would work quite well. Lighter than the Ro, easier to control, covers more area, and you do not need to get a different size paper that is sander specific.

Thanks for the points ssTeach, definitely leaning towards the ETS EC weigh and size wise. Many thanks

 

[atacama40]

...
I have no personal preference of machine but want it to work with the CTL-MIDI extractor.....would like it be light (4 days overhead plaster sanding is little fun even with the best of equipment  [crying]) & of course get a great finish.

Very much appreciate advice, experience and recommendations from those with more knowledge.....including folks at Festool of course. Many thanks in advance

You already know about the Mirka screens.
I would not give the haus-boss RO sander to use, as it i too heavy and requires too much skill.

This also fits on a CT vac...

The ETS EC is a very close copy if you prefer festool.

Thanks for the advice...will take a look at the Deros option as well....have heard of that but never considered. I'd read of some reliability/build quality issues with the Deros.....but have no first hand experience of that, just what I read. That said many folks seem equally enthusiastic as they do about Festool products. Cheers

 

[atacama40]

I think the ETS is the right choice, but if you're contemplating the ETS150, hold it first and imagine working vertically for an hour, then hold the ETS EC.  To me, the cost difference evaporates quickly with this kind of work.  Lower weight and center of gravity will make a huge difference with the EC.

Agree....not exactly pro stuff but to date I've been using a Flex 713 an adapter and a Henry hoover! Very cheap....very effective...but extremely painful for TX130 overhead and wall fine finishing. So weight is definitely a factor for me going forward. Thanks for the heads up on that....definitely worth the extra investment

 

[atacama40]

And then hold the Mirka ... 50% lighter : 800 grams vs 1200 grams.

Great finish, two pad (125 & 150 mm), pretty yellow systainer, compatible with festool's dust extractor.

OK, that's not a Festool, but that's really really a great sander ;-)

Thanks for the advice ThReM, is good to learn from your experience. I had not considered the Mirka....purely as I'd headed down the Festool road.....successfully so far. Again the 400 grams is a big difference ...especially from my benchmark...The Flex 713 is over 1.3 kg, the adapter maybe 500 grams and the Henry hose another 1kg....And the adaptor has to be held together, not secured!!! 800grams on a lightweight hose I lie awake dreaming of! 

And can I just ask how you find the reliability on the Mikra please? I read more than a few stories from P&D guys who had multiple swap outs...they like the kit but had a question mark on reliability. I don;t have any experience good or bad but interested to know about that. I never considered mixing the two makes.....and it is a simple and reliable inter-connection between Mirka and Festool? Many thanks