Problems with my ETS 125 EQ sander

[nova scotia]

Good Morning Everyone,

I have just begun sanding pine with my new ETS 125 sander and am having a heck of a time controlling it. Even using two hands on it it is way too aggressive. I have tried turning up my Festool vacuum system and turning it down. I have also tried to adjust the speeds on the sander. I have tried 120, 180, 220 grit. They are all doing a lousy job. I have used the sander on maple previously and it seemed to do a good job. I have been using a Bosch random orbital for years with no problem and have years of experience working with pine. I am perplexed.

Here is the only catch I can think of. When I bought the sander the dealer sold me Granat (the blue kind) sandpaper. ( They did not stock the red Rubin 2).

Is it possible that here could be that much difference between the two types of paper? Does anyone have any experience with this. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Frank

 

[tjbnwi]

Never heard of this with the ETS 125, normally the compliant is the exact opposite of yours.

The paper is not the issue.

Have no clue what it could be or if it's even possible with the ETS 125.

Tom

 

[Mort]

Same here. I bought one so my daughter could use it, she doesn't have a problem (she's 7).

Are you hitting pitch pockets and having the paper stick?

 

[leakyroof]

Vacuum level should be set to very low , esp. with finer grits and smoother wood so you don't stick from too much vacuum/suction.
With this sander, I would be surprised to hear that it's not smooth sanding for you.
Keep us informed. [blink]

 

[erock]

Give this a try......

Since Festool does not offer a way to reduce the suction, besides the dial on the CT, I close the holes on the ETS with the sandpaper. This reduces the suction for me.  Also, I turn the suction dial all the way down on the CT.

The way I used to load the sandpaper.....

[attachimg=1]

The way I load the paper now.......

[attachimg=2]

It's worth a shot,  right?      [unsure]

Eric

 

[nickao]

I am betting the sander is broken in some  way. Out of balance or the pad is warped, torn or loose.  The ETS 125 is a dog of a sander and just about the least powerful sander in the category not only across Festool, but all brands. It just doesn't have any power.

If its only 30 days swap it our for a new one.

 

[tjbnwi]

Make sure the sander speed is set to 6.

Tom

 

[MaineShop]

I have a couple of ets 125's that I use in my shop literally daily sometime just for an hour and sometime for the better part of the work day. Go to sander for me and my experience has been that they always move across the wood smooth as butter although for my part I almost never use any grit rougher then 150 for most of my work. Sounds to me like maybe you got a dud. I would return it for a new one. Also as for suction I find the difference in control very minimal based on suction, the speed setting on the sander does make a huge difference with certain woods however. Also have a Rotex 125 and that baby can be a two hand job very fast with certain grits and speeds.

It really can be a great tool I would get one that works.

 

[Holmz]

I am not sure how to make a comparison...
Ideally you would have a place to go where you could use their sander, and/or they could see what you are doing.

 

[Bob Marino]

Give this a try......

Since Festool does not offer a way to reduce the suction, besides the dial on the CT, I close the holes on the ETS with the sandpaper. This reduces the suction for me.  Also, I turn the suction dial all the way down on the CT.

The way I used to load the sandpaper.....

[attachimg=1]

The way I load the paper now.......

[attachimg=2]

It's worth a shot,  right?      [unsure]

Eric

  Eric,

Interesting, nice idea and thanks for posting.

B

 

[DB10]

  Doesn't sound right to me, an ETS 125 jumping around even with both hands, you mention you have turned down the extraction and you've got plenty of experience with sanding. Has the pad been fitted properly to the sander, might pay to remove the pad and check there's nothing obviously wrong with it.
Can you up load a video of the sander in action, folks here will soon notice if something isn't right.

 

[nova scotia]

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply.

I have read many interesting posts on FOG concerning Granat vs. Rubin paper since yesterday and have ruled that possibility out as the source of my problem.

The Bosch sander I have used for years was the 3725 DVS model and never gave me problems. I am getting resigned to the fact that there is something fundamentally wrong with the orbital action and may be damaged.

I may have to send it back to Festool. I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks again everyone...
Frank

 

[bradleyboggs]

I'm really interested to hear what happens with this one. I have an ETS 125 EQ as well and I've used it so very little because it has this same problem. My bad was not returning in the 30 days but I hadn't fully given it a chance when that lapsed.

Tonight I bought an ETS EC125 brushless sander and man, what a joy! I compared it to the ETS 125 EQ as I hadn't used it in so long and yep - the issue is still there. Compared to videos I've seen of people using the 125 EQ - I'm definitely beginning to believe something is wrong with the sander.

The first thing everyone brings up is the suction, but I've tried the sander with the extractor turned all the way down, and I've even tried it without the vacuum not hooked up at all and it still does the exact same thing.

Going to link up with Festool service and see if they can help but anxious to hear what happens with yours.

 

[leakyroof]

I'm really interested to hear what happens with this one. I have an ETS 125 EQ as well and I've used it so very little because it has this same problem. My bad was not returning in the 30 days but I hadn't fully given it a chance when that lapsed.

Tonight I bought an ETS EC125 brushless sander and man, what a joy! I compared it to the ETS 125 EQ as I hadn't used it in so long and yep - the issue is still there. Compared to videos I've seen of people using the 125 EQ - I'm definitely beginning to believe something is wrong with the sander.

The first thing everyone brings up is the suction, but I've tried the sander with the extractor turned all the way down, and I've even tried it without the vacuum not hooked up at all and it still does the exact same thing.

Going to link up with Festool service and see if they can help but anxious to hear what happens with yours.

The old 125 has a 2mm orbit, so you think it wouldn't be hard to control at all. Also, it's been around for a long time, so again, a new build issue cropping up would also be a bit strange unless there was a run of parts not made to spec?
Will be interesting to really hear how all of this sorts out for you and the OP since the new EC version you bought, which has a slightly larger orbit of 3mm I think, is working so smoothly for you.... [eek]

 

[JCLP]

I too have the ets 125 sander and love it. I use daily and it is my go to sander. However, I do find that it does jump sometimes depending on what you are sanding and how much pressure you are applying. The following list, in my experience, are reasons why it may jump.
- As mentioned before, the pressure on the vac is to high. I have mine set very low, probably down to 1/6th
- Applying to much pressure
- When the granat papaer starts getting clog it jumps.
- when sanding none cured paint and pressing to hard
- also when sanding pine. I found that if the pine is not dried, the sap in the pine will clog the sandpaper and make jump.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Cheers,
JC

 

[grbmds]

From my use of the ETS125, it seems to be more sensitive to how securely the piece being sanded is clamped down. Since buying the VacSys, my ETS125 performs much better; almost no vibrations and almost never jumping when the wood is clamped on the VacSys. When clamped down with standard clamps on my MFT, the sander does still vibrate a little if the wood is even slightly off the table on a corner. My ETS150 never does that, but I think that's because the 150 is heavier and is weighted more toward the bottom. If it shifts to one side or the other even slightly there is a noticeable difference in the vibration of the sander. The ETS125 EQ is just not balanced as well as the 150. The new EC model has a lower profile and wouldn't be nearly as likely to tip even slightly.

 

[TheMarvelousOne]

Is the suction from the CT-SYS (non-variable) too much for the ETS 125? I just bought both and the sander will not hardly move when turned on. When I hook up the CT-SYS to my old  Dewalt orbital (which I hate) the yellow thing does great. Only with the ETS it boggs down.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

 

[leakyroof]

Is the suction from the CT-SYS (non-variable) too much for the ETS 125? I just bought both and the sander will not hardly move when turned on. When I hook up the CT-SYS to my old  Dewalt orbital (which I hate) the yellow thing does great. Only with the ETS it boggs down.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

. A fair amount of people are trying to make or buy some type of valve to fit between the sander and the CT-Sys for suction control( lowering it).

 

[TheMarvelousOne]

So I think it was a clamping issue. Just clamped down a piece of rough cedar to the MFT and the sander did well. A little jumpy if I tried to really control the path but I'm sure that's part of the learning curve.

Part of me wants to send back the CT-SYS and upgrading to a bigger vac but I dont know yet.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

 

[grbmds]

So I think it was a clamping issue. Just clamped down a piece of rough cedar to the MFT and the sander did well. A little jumpy if I tried to really control the path but I'm sure that's part of the learning curve.

Part of me wants to send back the CT-SYS and upgrading to a bigger vac but I dont know yet.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

If you don't need the portability I'd upgrade to a larger vac - Mini, Midi, or CT. You will be able to control the airflow for sanding and get more capacity before emptying. I don't have a Mini or Midi, but I hear they are quite portable anyway.