Recommendations for sanders and accessories?

[Jason3211]

After years of drooling over everything Festool, I finally bought my first Festools!  I bought a used TS55 and a Trion PS 300 (package deal). The TS55 is an absolute dream to use. Can't wait for the miter/angle attachment to be available this summer.

SO, I'm going to be heading over to my closest Festool dealer today to buy a CT26 and a sander or two.  I have several large picnic tables I'm building, then will follow it up with some outdoor seating/benches as well.  So I'm thinking that a Rotex 125 would be helpful for aggressive sanding of the treated pine tables. Then I was also planning on going ahead and buying an ETS 125 as well for my smaller projects.

Questions for the experts:
1) Is a Rotex 125 and ETS 125 a good pair for general use to cover a wide range of projects?  I thought about getting a Rotex 150 instead, but frankly I like the idea of just needing a single size for my sandpaper collection.

2) What accessories would you recommend for the CT26/Rotex125/ETS125/TS55 combo I'll be using? I'm already planning on getting the BT module for the CT26, but there are so many accessories and add-ons available, I don't know which provide the most value and use.

I'll be building a lot of outdoor furniture but also some indoor hardwood pieces in the coming months.

Thank you in advance for any thoughts, recommendations, and advice you have!

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Without any doubt, the single most useful accessory I ever bought was the handle for my CT26. It means you can just pile a whole stack of Systainers onto the top of it, T-Lock'em together, and use the extractor as a sturdy transportation cart. Cheap to buy, fits in a couple of minutes.

I'd also strongly recommend a TSO GRS-16 guide rail square.

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[Jason3211]

Without any doubt, the single most useful accessory I ever bought was the handle for my CT26. It means you can just pile a whole stack of Systainers onto the top of it, T-Lock'em together, and use the extractor as a sturdy transportation cart. Cheap to buy, fits in a couple of minutes.

I'd also strongly recommend a TSO GRS-16 guide rail square.

That handle accessory is one of the main reasons I ended up going with the CT26 instead of the MIDI! And I totally forgot to add it to my shopping list for today!

I like that guide rail square too. Have you seen a guide rail miter/angle gauge anywhere?  I know Festool just announced the FS-WA (which is perfect) but it won't be available to buy until at least July.  Have you seen anything else like this:https://www.festool.com/accessory/577157---sys3-m-137-fs2-set

I've seen the FS-KS, but it doesn't really help me anymore than an angle finder. I'd like something that will hug/pull against the workpiece for a more accurate angle...especially for rougher stock like treated 2Xs for outdoor stuff.

Thanks for your reply and help! I really appreciate you!

 

[xedos]

First thing you need to get is a RIP BLADE for the ts55.

Don't even attempt to rip solid wood with the included blade,  you'll be back hear asking all kinds of questions.

Is a Rotex 125 and ETS 125 a good pair for general use to cover a wide range of projects?  I thought about getting a Rotex 150 instead, but frankly I like the idea of just needing a single size for my sandpaper collection.

You'll get differing opinions on this from guys but I don't think the rotex is a good general purpose sander - and I own two if them.  It's a great tool for hogging off lots of material quickly and replaced belt sanders for me.  But as a finishing sander it sux.  Which, brings me to my next point on the sandpaper.  While it seems intuitive to standardize sandpaper, I find it really isn't much of a bonus.  You're not likely to get much mileage out of 40, 60, 80, 100 grit discs on your ets125 and 180, 220, 320, 400 grit is gonna go wanting on a RO125 most of the time because it's a dog to handle.  So, your only real overlap is one or two grits.  Which for me is not really worth the convenience over the substantialy increased sanding area a 150mm/6" disc offers.

If I had to do it over again I'd also forego the rotex and get the bosch GET75-6 which 99% the sander at half the price.  You'll have to pry my ets125 from my cold dead hands to get me to part with it.

 

[sancho57]

i use a RO 150 and ETS 150 so yes your 125 combo is a good deal

 

[Cheese]

I own the RO 125 and ETS EC 125...a good combo if you need hogging capabilities along with fine sanding capabilities. The RO 125 has limited use but when I need it it's there. A nicer/more all-around sander than the ETS 125 is to consider the ETS EC 125 instead. I use the ETS 125 for very light sanding in between coats.

I kind of put the sanders in these categories.
RO 125 = rough to medium sanding
ETS EC 125 = medium to fine sanding
ETS 125 = very fine sanding

The ETS EC 125 is a good all-around sander, it can remove much material if used with coarse grit while it can also be used for auto prep surfaces with 800 grit paper.

One nice feature is that the ETS EC 125 CAN be used with a 6" pad on it if you need/want to use 6" abrasives. However you CANNOT fit a 5" pad on the ETS EC 150 sander.

If it is an older TS 55 then a 2.2 mm kerf rip blade as mentioned, is a must for solid wood. For ply I usually use the 48 tooth blade and clean it religiously so that it doesn't burn.

The TSO rail square is also a must.

 

[tomktest]

I’ve had the ETS EC 125 and returned it for the ETS EC 150 with a hard pad. I will never go back to a 5” sander again.

I agree with the comment about the Bosch over the rotex. That’s the way I will be going.

You can also get a handle for the new MIDI-I if you are so inclined. I haven’t tried it so I probably don’t know what I’m missing.

 

[tsmi243]

I will never go back to a 5” sander again.

Same.  I'd say your first idea is right, but instead of two 125's, make it two 150's. 

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Why would anyone need more than one sander when there’s something out there which does it all? Check out the Mirka 5650CV Deros. Comes with both 5” and 6” heads, sands more dust-free than anything else out there thanks to its Abranet sanding material, weighs almost nothing, and will run anything from HD 40-grit to 1000-grit. Hooks directly up to the Festool 27mm hose. I love mine and wouldn’t ever go back to anything else. I use it for everything from stripping multiple layers of old paint and initial smoothing-out of roughsawn stock, right through to high-gloss polishing on acrylic countertops.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

My set-up is the same as Cheese. RO125, ETS EC 125 and ETS125. The ETS is my least used, preferring the EC, which is much more ergonomic IMHO.
I had the RO90 first and when I decided that I need more of that style sander, I went up to the RO125 and for the same reason, sandpaper size. It keeps them all the same.
If I really need to go bigger, I have 8" orbital sanders for that.

 

[xedos]

Why would anyone need more than one sander when there’s something out there which does it all? Check out the Mirka 5650CV Deros. Comes with both 5” and 6” heads, sands more dust-free than anything else out there thanks to its Abranet sanding material, weighs almost nothing, and will run anything from HD 40-grit to 1000-grit. Hooks directly up to the Festool 27mm hose. I love mine and wouldn’t ever go back to anything else. I use it for everything from stripping multiple layers of old paint and initial smoothing-out of roughsawn stock, right through to high-gloss polishing on acrylic countertops.

You work for Mirka ?  [eek] [eek]

There's no such thing as sander that does it all, sorry fella.   

Even if the Deros was aggressive enough for me (it's not BTW) to remove old finishes it won't accept foam backed abrasives for doing contoured moldings, or spindles / handrails and it certainly won't get into corners - especially with a 6" /150mm disc.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

You work for Mirka ?  [eek] [eek]

There's no such thing as sander that does it all, sorry fella.   

Even if the Deros was aggressive enough for me (it's not BTW) to remove old finishes it won't accept foam backed abrasives for doing contoured moldings, or spindles / handrails and it certainly won't get into corners - especially with a 6" /150mm disc.

What? You mean like everyone here works for Festool when they’re recommending products ??

After 35 years as a professional woodworker, I think I’ve just about figured out sanding - which is why I have three different machines, including one which gets into corners.

And where exactly did the OP mention a need to sand mouldings, spindles or handrails ?? I recommended the Mirka because it’s a great tool which I think would be a good fit with the tasks the OP set out. If it’s not aggressive enough for you - try the stiff-backed Abranet HD ceramic 40-grit. I’m pretty sure you’d be happy with it.

 

[xedos]

What? You mean like everyone here works for Festool when they’re recommending products ??

well........it is the FOG        not the MOG  [big grin]

which is why I have three different machines, including one which gets into corners.

Which just proves my point and means you shouldn't have dispensed this fallacy:

Why would anyone need more than one sander when there’s something out there which does it all

Glad you've mastered sanding.  I'm sure i can still learn something even though I've got another 10+ years experience on you. With re: to the Deros, I tried it with all kinds of Mirka's mesh , paper, and fabric discs as well as 3M , festool and Norton abrasives.  Rotex still kicks its tail up and down the shop floor as far as aggressiveness and speed of removal. 

And like almost all my tools that don't perform as I expect - they are returned , sold on or given to a new home.

We can save discussion of the paddle switch arrangement and the annoying disc changing dance that accompanies it for another time.  [tongue]

 

[Sci]

I own 2 RO125, RO90, a Pro5, ets125, ets ec 125 and an RTS400.

I like having as many papers as possible to be interchangable.  Hence so many 125's.

The RO125 is great for quick removal.  I never use the fine sanding mode.  The RO 90 is great at fast removal in smaller areas and is very powerful.

I have my Pro5 on one of the angle sanding adapters and thats the only use it gets. 

Ets125 gets lots of use mostly with high grit papers.

Etsec125 is great with high grit, but I don't like the form factor too much.

Of all the sanders the rts400 gets the most use.  It removes material very quick, fine sands excellent and with the rectangular shape fits well into corners very well.

Also have two ct26 one with handle for travel work and one without for use in the shop.  The CT26 is great.

I would probably go with the ro125 and rts400 if it was me.