Recommendations for my next sander?

[Jeff Hein]

Hoping someone can help me make a decision on my next sander. I am looking for something that can help me remove some material a bit quicker.

I currently own at ETS 150/3 EQ Random Orbital Sander, and a DTS 400.

Should I try to sell my ETS and buy a Rotex 150?
Should I keep my ETS and get a RAS 115.04?

I currently spend most of my time in the workshop building cabinets.

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Keep ETS, add Rotex.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I have the DTS and Rotex and it is a great combo.  If I were to add another sander, it would be the ETS.  However, I am able to get an amazing finish with the Rotex so adding it is down the list.  I would add the Rotex and keep the ETS if you can.

Scot

 

[mosez]

keep ets, add rotex.

 

[tDot]

Just to be repetitive... Keep the ETS and add the 6" Rotex. 

Then add the RAS at a later date, if you feel you need it.  The Rotex is far more versatile.

 

[harry_]

The Rotex is far more versatile.

+1

 

[fdengel]

Keep ETS, add Rotex.

+1

 

[Sparktrician]

Add my vote for the Rotex. 

[smile]

 

[mavrick1903]

Add the Rotex, another vote. Having two sanders that can use the same paper is handy IMHO. I have the ETS125 and RO125 and love the combo.

 

[justinmcf]

keep ets, add rotex!

justin.

 

[wubears71]

After using the ETS/3 for a couple of years, I recently added a Rotex to the Festool Arsenal.  I love the Rotex for fast material removal but really do prefer the ETS for fine finishing.  I find the ETS much more comfortable to use, especially when progressing through various grits (100 to 180 and then 400 brilliant) especially when sanding a large area.

I definitely would not trade the ETS for a Rotex, but instead would find a way to own both.  I would have been really disappointed if I dumped my ETS and replaced it with just the Rotex.

 

[Pete Pedisich]

My favorite for cabinets...
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[GPowers]

Wait for the Rotex 90 due out in March 2011

 

[wubears71]

My favorite for cabinets...
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One of my 3 favorite sanders.  It is so underrated.

 

[Jeff Hein]

I just bought a Rotex 150, after using it for a while tonight,  I can't believe how many hours I have wasted! (I used to sand my glued up panels with the ETS 150/3).  I sanded several glued-up panels with the rotex and i was done in about 1/10 the time that it would have taken me with the ETS!!!! This thing is awesome!

Here some other things I noted about the Rotex after using my ETS 150/3 for years...
- You definitely need to clamp your workpiece when sanding with the Rotex. With the ETS, I am able to sand pretty much anything just using some bench cookies. When I started sanding with the Rotex on the bench cookies, my workpiece was ready to go flying!
-The Rotex is HEAVY. I am used to sanding one handed, the Rotex is more of a two handed machine.
-The Rotex is quite a bit louder than the ETS
-The Rotex has tons of power. I can't imaging any wood putting up a fight against it.

So I am glad I bought the Rotex, and I am also glad i didn't sell the ETS to buy it. The ETS is so much easier to control, and will be my go-to sander for all final finishing.
The Rotex will be used for flattening glued up panels, and most rough sanding.

Thanks for all of the advice.

 

[wubears71]

^^^Good Choice there.  The 150/3 is just too smooth and comfortable not to use it for finish sanding. 

 

[Jesse Cloud]

+1 for ETS + Rotex - a very good combo. 
Maybe I don't understand what you are looking for though.  When do you do fast material removal in cabinetmaking?

The RAS115 is like an angle grinder.  I use it for sculptural work, like Maloof style chairs where you are taking away maybe 60% of the stock.