Porter-Cable 505, Festool RS2E and ETS EC 150/3 Advice.

[HarveyWildes]

I do a fair amount of hobby, medium sized furniture woodworking, including small tables and stuff with panel doors.  I have a big job ahead milling more or less flat cherry trim for my basement.  I have been using 5" DeWalt Random Orbital Sanders for most of my sanding.  I also have a Porter-Cable 505, but the dust it creates is terrible, and nothing does a good job of capturing it.  It's also a beast to control if you're not careful.  It takes me about 10-15 minutes to get used to it again every time I get it out.  Finally, it vibrates enough that my hands feel it for 15 minutes after I'm done.  I like it because it makes quick work of big jobs, but I've gotten to the point that I only use it outdoors, as a last resort.

Well... I just ordered an ETS EC 150/3 to (mostly) replace the two DeWalt sanders.  I expect it will become my new general purpose sander for nearly everything.  But I'm wondering if it will also replace the Porter-Cable 505, or should I look at the RS2E for the big trim job?  It sounds like the RS2E will be as aggressive as the 505, handle the dust, be marginally easier to control if I'm lucky, and reduce the vibration to manageable levels.

The questions is, with the ETS EC 150/3, do I really need the RS2E?

 

[McNally Family]

I do a fair amount of hobby, medium sized furniture woodworking, including small tables and stuff with panel doors.  I have a big job ahead milling more or less flat cherry trim for my basement.  I have been using 5" DeWalt Random Orbital Sanders for most of my sanding.  I also have a Porter-Cable 505, but the dust it creates is terrible, and nothing does a good job of capturing it.  It's also a beast to control if you're not careful.  It takes me about 10-15 minutes to get used to it again every time I get it out.  Finally, it vibrates enough that my hands feel it for 15 minutes after I'm done.  I like it because it makes quick work of big jobs, but I've gotten to the point that I only use it outdoors, as a last resort.

Well... I just ordered an ETS EC 150/3 to (mostly) replace the two DeWalt sanders.  I expect it will become my new general purpose sander for nearly everything.  But I'm wondering if it will also replace the Porter-Cable 505, or should I look at the RS2E for the big trim job?  It sounds like the RS2E will be as aggressive as the 505, handle the dust, be marginally easier to control if I'm lucky, and reduce the vibration to manageable levels.

The questions is, with the ETS EC 150/3, do I really need the RS2E?

Here is a nice video by "ask woodman.com".  He is a big 1/2 sheet sander kind of guy.  He also sells an excellent sandpaper made in Germany, that is a nice "E" weight sandpaper (heavy).  His advice is worth a listen:

 

[Holmz]

Using that logic one really only needs the 1/2 sheet sander.
I am a half sheet guy, so what he says makes sense.

I got a 150/5 as a secondary sander, but using his logic the 150/3 would be the choice.
One can do it all with the 1/2 sheet.

 

[blaszcsj]

It's also a beast to control if you're not careful.  It takes me about 10-15 minutes to get used to it again every time I get it out.  Finally, it vibrates enough that my hands feel it for 15 minutes after I'm done.

It's odd you say that it beats up you hand like you said. I have the opposite opinion on that part. My 505 is a pleasure to drive for the last 10 yrs. I will agree about the dust though. Reading your comment I do now want to try the rs2e out.

The ETS-ec is hands down my favorite sander. It is perfect size feel and power.

 

[semenza]

  How wide is the trim?  I don't see any need for a 1/2 sheet sander for sanding trim. I think you will find the ETSEC150 to be incredibly good! And I bet it will be your go to sander after the first use.

Seth

 

[HarveyWildes]

  How wide is the trim?  I don't see any need for a 1/2 sheet sander for sanding trim. I think you will find the ETSEC150 to be incredibly good! And I bet it will be your go to sander after the first use.

Seth

About 5" wide, flat except for a V groove about 1 1/4 inch from the top.  Around 350-400 lf.  I'll probably sand it to about 400.

 

[Michael Kellough]

The PC 505 orbital sander was a big improvement over the electric jitterbug machines that preceded it. But that was what, 45 years ago?

I bought a 505 about 35 years ago. Got the plastic boot that improved dust collection a little bit too.
A few years later PC came out with psa backed abrasives in roll form and that really increased productivity but dust was still a problem.

Then PC introduced the first electric random orbital sander to North America and I bought that. The random orbit motion was so much more effective that I rarely used the 505 after that but dust collection was still pretty much an afterthought.

Bosch brought out a similar looking RO sander but it also had a sort of direct drive mode that was more effective still and included very functional dust collection. The PC sanders stayed in the cabinet after the Bosch arrived.

A couple more more Bosch sanders came my way and I was pretty satisfied with them but I'd also become well informed about how subtle differences in design effect the results so when I heard about the new Festool sanders some 13 years ago I was intrigued.

My PC sanders haven't been used in years. The Bosch sanders get loaned out and I use Festool and Mirka sanders exclusively. The Festools are that much better than the older Bosch sanders I own.

I agree with Seth, get the Festool 150-3 and you'll probably never tear sheets of sandpaper in half again.

 

[McNally Family]

Using that logic one really only needs the 1/2 sheet sander.
I am a half sheet guy, so what he says makes sense.

I got a 150/5 as a secondary sander, but using his logic the 150/3 would be the choice.
One can do it all with the 1/2 sheet.

I have thought about the ETS EC 150/3, since the 3 version is almost the same stroke as the RS 2E, which I like.  Where I think the ETS EC 150/3 would really shine is in overhead or vertical sanding.  I like the weight of the RS 2E for flat horizontal sanding, in any width project.  I learned the hard way about sander weight by installing some plywood sheets on the block wall of my basement shop, then sanding between coats of shellac with the RS 2E.  My arms are getting pretty buff !  I was in Woodcraft last week and almost purchased the ETS EC 150/3, just to give my arms a break!  I am sure when I sand my next project, which will be a large horizontal piece, I will forget all the pain...

My second sander will probably be the ETS EC 150/3.  I like the removal rate to be determined by the paper, and not the stroke.  That gives me more room for mistakes (which I make plenty of)..

**this post reminds me of when I asked the Festool Trainer "which sander should I get" question during the Festool Roadshow, he corrected me by saying, "you mean, which sander should I get first".

 

[Michael Kellough]

Using that logic one really only needs the 1/2 sheet sander.
I am a half sheet guy, so what he says makes sense.

I got a 150/5 as a secondary sander, but using his logic the 150/3 would be the choice.
One can do it all with the 1/2 sheet.

I have thought about the ETS EC 150/3, since the 3 version is almost the same stroke as the RS 2E, which I like.  Where I think the ETS EC 150/3 would really shine is in overhead or vertical sanding.  I like the weight of the RS 2E for flat horizontal sanding, in any width project.  I learned the hard way about sander weight by installing some plywood sheets on the block wall of my basement shop, then sanding between coats of shellac with the RS 2E.  My arms are getting pretty buff !  I was in Woodcraft last week and almost purchased the ETS EC 150/3, just to give my arms a break!  I am sure when I sand my next project, which will be a large horizontal piece, I will forget all the pain...

My second sander will probably be the ETS EC 150/3.  I like the removal rate to be determined by the paper, and not the stroke.  That gives me more room for mistakes (which I make plenty of)..

With suction on full and and the sander at full speed using medium or finer grits my ETS 125 will actually stick to the ceiling allowing me to steer it by the vac hose.

 

[Holmz]

The deros in 6" (150/5) is about the same.

With either a 1/2 sheet or random orbital the only thing missing is corners.
If one is doing wood then the 1/2 sheet is hard to beat. Vertical dry wall or car bonnets not so much so.

If your stock is not planed or jointed, then maybe a belt sander or disk sander (RAS, RO-#) is handy. Or a hand or electric planer.

I would suggest the OP get the RS2E, or the uva115e. I have the later and use Mirka screens. But Using stock paper and poking ones own holes favours the RS2E. While I have not used the RS2E, it seems a wise and prudent choice.

Then after I got the deros... I found it was faster... but I still needed to work the low grits with the uva115, if I wanted it all to stay flat.

If wavy but smooth is ok, then skip a 1/2 sheet.

Others can probably make a cogent argument that a round sander is all you need.
I am kinda with [member=60452]McNally Family[/member] in liking a 1/2 sheet.
If the RS2E has hook n loop then get some Mirka screens for it. If is just uses papers then you have a lot of choice.

 

[McNally Family]

The deros in 6" (150/5) is about the same.

With either a 1/2 sheet or random orbital the only thing missing is corners.
If one is doing wood then the 1/2 sheet is hard to beat. Vertical dry wall or car bonnets not so much so.

If your stock is not planed or jointed, then maybe a belt sander or disk sander (RAS, RO-#) is handy. Or a hand or electric planer.

I would suggest the OP get the RS2E, or the uva115e. I have the later and use Mirka screens. But Using stock paper and poking ones own holes favours the RS2E. While I have not used the RS2E, it seems a wise and prudent choice.

Then after I got the deros... I found it was faster... but I still needed to work the low grits with the uva115, if I wanted it all to stay flat.

If wavy but smooth is ok, then skip a 1/2 sheet.

Others can probably make a cogent argument that a round sander is all you need.
I am kinda with [member=60452]McNally Family[/member] in liking a 1/2 sheet.
If the RS2E has hook n loop then get some Mirka screens for it. If is just uses papers then you have a lot of choice.

The RS 2E does come with a hook n loop pad as standard, but I ordered the sheet pad and punch plate so I could use the sheet sandpaper instead. 

Another brand to consider is Mikita, who has a value alternative 1/2 sheet sander that is very highly rated, and many say it is difficult to kill a Mikita tool.....
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...iveASIN=B0000789HT&linkCode=as2&tag=vertoo-20

That Mafell UVA 115E is sure nice with it's delta pad option for corners, but it was out of my reach financially.  Although, I do keep coming back to the P1cc Jig Saw, as I have read fantastic reviews by other owners.  I have so many things I want or need (not sure which it is at this point), it is a constant compromise on make, model and features, for everything.  I think that is one reason I ended up in the 1/2 sheet sander camp.  I love the ability to save money on sandpaper, particularly since I am a hobbyist, and not a professional who can expense consumables.

So, while drills dull bits, and saws dull blades, sanders burn through paper that can't be resharpened, just replaced.

 

[Holmz]

[member=60452]McNally Family[/member] you've captured it well.

In Australia the imported uva was about the same a locally sourced RS2E, and the p1cc versus Carvex was the same story. But these are 230v tools and countries. We all know the US is 110v, so the decision-outcome is different.
Therefore, In the US the RS2E makes sense... (unless one needs a 22000 RPM 450W sander then the uva may be overkill, plus the transformer dramas.)
That extra RS2E baseplate also seems a no brainer.
If one likes using the hook-n-loop, then the Mirka screens maybe worth a try on the RS2E.

 

[semenza]

  How wide is the trim?  I don't see any need for a 1/2 sheet sander for sanding trim. I think you will find the ETSEC150 to be incredibly good! And I bet it will be your go to sander after the first use.

Seth

About 5" wide, flat except for a V groove about 1 1/4 inch from the top.  Around 350-400 lf.  I'll probably sand it to about 400.

I think the ETS EC will fly through that job.

Seth