PRO 5 Comeback

Cheese said:
Shane Holland said:
The weight is 1.2kg for both sanders. I'm surprised, I actually thought the ETS EC was slightly lessy weight.
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I agree...because of the lower center of mass, the EC handles better and feels lighter than the Pro 5. I was just using both of them on a drywall job and I enjoy using the EC more.  [cool]  That's the reason for the photo...there were both on hand.
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As you end up wanting to use the ETS EC it begs the question as to whether the PRO5 was a good deal? The price and the coupon were good, but unless one loans it out, then it is $50 for a "bench drawer queen" that will sit unused.

^this^ is somewhat a question, and was my logic for why it did not need one.

[member=44099]Cheese[/member] does this make sense, or should I have picked one up?
 
Just received my PRO5 today,  it will take it's place on the sanding line for the 220+ grit pass.  Am I the only one who loads a few sanders with progressive grits and just changes the dust collection hose as I move up grits? ::)
 
Mike Upstate said:
Just received my PRO5 today,  it will take it's place on the sanding line for the 220+ grit pass.  Am I the only one who loads a few sanders with progressive grits and just changes the dust collection hose as I move up grits? ::)
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Mike - you might be the first I've heard of.  So tell me, do you also put a different size drill bit in 24 drills?  I'm sure it would save time!  ;)
 
Yes,  but I never have more than 5 different size holes to drill,  which equals the number of drill guns [laughing]
 

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Holmz said:
...or should I have picked one up?
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Hey Holmz...you already know you should have picked one up if you had the opportunity to do so, they were on the cheap and that's the reason for the cataclysmic proportions of that whole Festool debacle...oh my head hurts just thinking about it.

To answer your question, the PRO 5 is:
a fantastic $100 sander...it's also a good $200 sander, but it's not in the same class as the ETS EC 125. That sander is a standout, similar to your Mirka.

The Pro 5 will live its life NOT as a trailer queen, but as a viable finish sander with its 2mm orbit, while the ETS EC will continue to be my main go-to sander with its 3mm orbit.

I already own an RO 125, but I pretty much position that sander as the equivalent to a belt sander. The convenience in the Rotex mode is extremely nice, however the weight and bulk is not really conducive for fine finishing. It can be accomplished but at a cost.

My Milwaukee belt sander however...made in the USA...is a plywood/hardwood eating machine. It chews up wood and stainless at the same rate. It knows no master and acquiesces to no one..its really too bad that Milwaukee no longer makes this sander as it could be refined into being a really strong sanding machine if they'd have offered a sanding platen like the Festool.
 
#Tee said:
hahah "comeback"
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Now all I hear is LL Cool J in my head...

I purposely didn't pick one up. I have an ETS 150 which has been my Clydesdale for years. I picked up a ETS EC 125 last year which has quickly become my #2 (and sometimes #1) sander dejour. I have used it a lot and may do the 150 pad swap, but no need at this point.

Enjoy whatever you get...be it a Pinto or a Porsche.

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yeah [member=44099]Cheese[/member] It would be a nice compliment to the ETS EC 5-mm.

Funny you mention a belt sander... I am getting pretty close to getting a BS105 so that $100 can go in that direction.

Then also I was thinking that maybe a scraper plane would be better for me than a Pro5, which is also something that requires funds.
Basically I like going with the grain... when I can.
 
Holmz said:
Yeah [member=44099]Cheese[/member] It would be a nice compliment to the ETS EC 5-mm.

Funny you mention a belt sander... I am getting pretty close to getting a BS105 so that $100 can go in that direction.
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I also use the belt sander for straight-lining stainless. Using it with a worn 180 belt and it loses a lot of it's nastiness. A well used belt will change its personality.
 
Holmz said:
As you end up wanting to use the ETS EC it begs the question as to whether the PRO5 was a good deal?
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The PRO 5 was a good deal and I think there are 3 features of the PRO 5 that are nicer  [thumbs up]  than the older ETS 125 sander:
1. The on/off switch is easier to use and it takes less brute force to actuate, it's always nice and smooth.
2. The PRO 5 seems to remove material at a slightly faster rate.
3. The pad guard is a really nice addition to prevent bumping against other surfaces.

Now the one thing I hate about the PRO 5...the new bayonet dust port, it's always dropping dust when I change sanders.  [crying]

 
copcarcollector said:
Would it be within the realm of possibilities that a dealer might still end up with sellable stock from their initial order? I know these sanders were / are coming into the USA in batches, for example my dealer sent mine to me about a week ago, maybe they received extras not spoken for too...?

Maybe a dealer can pop in here, or the OP could check with several dealers to see if they can get on a list still. Festool NA may be 'sold out', but that does not mean all dealers are.. Just an idea.
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Agree. As we dealers are pretty much at the end of our allotments on these sanders, some may/will have a small batch left over from cancellations. Right now we are pretty much sold out - even for the few add ons from customers ordering a little late, but still a good idea to check around. 
 
Cheese said:
Now the one thing I hate about the PRO 5...the new bayonet dust port, it's always dropping dust when I change sanders.  [crying]
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Kinda a non perfect solution, but if you hit the power on when you disconnect the bayonet it should suck up any errant dust. (My dust collector annoyingly stays on for a few seconds after tool shut down which makes it easier when I know there is going to be dust, or if I want a quick vac, like when I disconnect the hose from the dust deputy where there is always extra dust.)

 
Cheese said:
Holmz said:
...or should I have picked one up?
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Hey Holmz...you already know you should have picked one up...
...
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Yeah [member=44099]Cheese[/member]
I was afraid I would try to pimp them at a profit. And there are multiple snares there.
Plus... one has to consider their legacy and reputation. And selling tools at a huge profit is financiallywise but puts one's moral compass in question... Basically humans have a de facto position of wanting to be part of the group, and pimping them ostracises one from the main herd.

The other pull was to give it as a gift to a junior-Holmz... but I already have the plan to will all the woodworking tools to the one of them that has the interest but is currently busy with studies.

Basically I sleep well at night just using the sanders I have.
 
adcolor said:
I have both.
A $200 Pro5 (about what the regular price will be) is not the same as the $400 ec125.
I love having the ec125/3.  Bought it last summer. 

I set the 2mm swirl unit with the soft pad, the 3mm swirl unit with the hard pad.  Nice combination so far.

Had I known I was getting the pro5, I would have bought the 150/5 as a better compliment.

Now that I've had time to fondle the x400 line, the triangle model might be a  better general purpose sander.
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You're luckier than you realize.  The ec 150 pad will mount to the ec 125, but not vice versa.  And, yes, the ec 150 + pro5 is a nice combination, indeed. 
Heck, an ec 125/150 + pro5 should be sweeeeet.

Concerning 3mm vs 5mm... I wouldn't worry about it.
I'm sure you've noticed the power that the EC delivers.
 
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