Reconditioned ETS 125 experience?

[guddeco]

I am considering jumping on the reconditioned sale and getting an ETS 125, but I wanted to see if anyone out there has already received one at 20% off and what condition it was in. I've been reading about the 125 and just want to figure out if it's the one for me. I already have a RO 150 for taking the bulk of the material off, and bigger projects, but I was hoping to use the ETS 125 for my smaller things. 

I was hoping to be able to take pieces from the planer, and sand them to 320 or so.  Will it do that well? 

One more, will any 5" abrasive disc work, or do I need to only use the Festool brand ones. I purchased a good amount of Diablo sanding discs for a current orbital sander I have and I would like to not let those go to waste. 

 

[Walk On Wood]

I just received a 20% off ets 125, i cant tell that its not brand new.  The 125 will do what you want just fine, but you may want to get a 150/3 or 150/5 so that you can use the same abrasives as your ro150.  Festool brand abrasives aren't necessary, but for dust collection, you need something with the same hole pattern. 

 

[guddeco]

Thanks for the quick reply. Are you happy with the overall condition of the ETS? I plan on using it, so scuffs and marks don't bother me. I just want to make sure that it's going to be one that lasts, since the warranty is only a year vs a new one.

 

[Walk On Wood]

Overall condition was perfect! No scratches/scuffs/fingerprints.  Go for it

 

[rvieceli]

I picked up a 30% off ETS125 last year on the recon sale.

I could tell that it wasn't brand new, but it wasn't beaten up either. It appeared to me at least that everything that was removable and replaceable was replaced with new. The pad and the braking collar looked new. your mileage may vary.

Overall I have been very pleased with it.

Your old sandpaper will work but the dust collection holes won't line up. Festool uses a unique hole pattern.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=12pt]

Re sand paper discs. Some other makes, such as Makita are compatible in hole pattern with Festool sanders. However, down here at least, there is a negligible price difference between the two, so I try to stay with Festool as they, particularly Granat and Brilliant, tend to last longer.

 

[guddeco]

Thank you guys for the replies! Really helps, I think I'm going to jump on it!

 

[jcpsmallwoodworkershop]

Hi all
does anyone know if "reconditioned" sander means a NEW replacment brush set? or just cleaned up exterior?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

does anyone know if "reconditioned" sander means a NEW replacment brush set? or just cleaned up exterior?

The brushes are likely not replaced, but these are 30-day returns. So, they have less than 30 days worth of use. Here's how we classify the various discount levels.

10% Discount Level - Unused tools. Original packaging with slight impairment (damaged, labeled and/or dirty).
20% Discount Level - Slightly used tools. Original packaging with slight impairment (damaged, labeled and /or dirty).
30% Discount Level - Moderately used tools. Original packaging damaged (tears, spots and dust).

 

[Sparktrician]

I got an ETS 125 on the 20% reconditioned sale last year.  It came in used, as expected, but is in almost-new condition.  I've been using it regularly and it has had NO problems whatsoever. 

 

[Oso Rojo]

I got the RO 125 at the 20% level and my experience is different than the others at 20%. There are scratches on the case like maybe is was scuffed on concrete or the like. But definitely serviceable. The systainer is clean, but both labels are pealing up at the edges. I have no concerns about operation because Festool warrants it. But I guess I'm saying that not all 20% tools look new. Some have had some firm love.

 

[jtwood]

I got my 20%-off ETS 125 yesterday.  The older-style systainer looks almost new and the sander had one very light scuff mark on the body that I really had to look for to see.  The cord looked a little dusty.  I plugged it in to make sure it works, but I haven't had a chance to use it yet (105° F in my garage/workshop today).
I got the 125 because I have the RO 125, so already have a supply of paper for it.  I have the ETS 150/3, so this will be used in smaller areas where the 150 might be a little too big.  It is supposed to have the smallest scratch pattern of any of the Festool sanders, so it will be used with higher grade papers and polishing.

It wasn't something I absolutely needed, but at the price, I couldn't resist.  Well worth it, in my opinion.

Steve

 

[Stoli]

I just got my ETS/125 as well and went through the same checkout.  The sander appears to have been minimally used.  There are some scuff marks on the inside of my older style systainer, but purely cosmetic.  I turned it on and it was noticeably quieter than my Dewalt 5".  Note that is does come with a selection of sandpaper.

 

[Greg M]

does anyone know if "reconditioned" sander means a NEW replacment brush set? or just cleaned up exterior?

The brushes are likely not replaced, but these are 30-day returns. So, they have less than 30 days worth of use. Here's how we classify the various discount levels.

10% Discount Level - Unused tools. Original packaging with slight impairment (damaged, labeled and/or dirty).
20% Discount Level - Slightly used tools. Original packaging with slight impairment (damaged, labeled and /or dirty).
30% Discount Level - Moderately used tools. Original packaging damaged (tears, spots and dust).

Are you saying that the 20% tools are 30 day returns?

 

[anthonyz]

does anyone know if "reconditioned" sander means a NEW replacment brush set? or just cleaned up exterior?

The brushes are likely not replaced, but these are 30-day returns. So, they have less than 30 days worth of use. Here's how we classify the various discount levels.

10% Discount Level - Unused tools. Original packaging with slight impairment (damaged, labeled and/or dirty).
20% Discount Level - Slightly used tools. Original packaging with slight impairment (damaged, labeled and /or dirty).
30% Discount Level - Moderately used tools. Original packaging damaged (tears, spots and dust).

Are you saying that the 20% tools are 30 day returns?

They say all sales are final on Recon Tools, But they come with a one year warranty. I purchased 3 different tools. Received 2 of them and they are like new. A small scuff on my new RO 125, but other than that blemish looks great. Picked up a rs 400, works great and waiting on a t-12+3 drill. The most affordable way to get into the Festool world. Now selling off all my old sanders. I already have the ets 125 and love it.

 

[Greg M]

You misunderstand.  Shane stated that the tools offered up for sale don't have the brushes changed because they are returned tools within the 30 day return period.  At least that's how I read it.  I'm asking if the tools listed at 20% off are the ones he's talking about since the 10% off ones are suppose to be unused.

 

[jcpsmallwoodworkershop]

You misunderstand.  Shane stated that the tools offered up for sale don't have the brushes changed because they are returned tools within the 30 day return period.  At least that's how I read it.  I'm asking if the tools listed at 20% off are the ones he's talking about since the 10% off ones are suppose to be unused.

i would love to hear a clearer demarcation of the price brackets, based on what reconditioning has been done.
clearly if one marks products up 70% to go from distributor to retail list, then one would only loose money when
it gets marked down greater than 40%, so a 20% off product could be sold with replacement parts and not
loose money. or one could turn the product around with a air spray and call it a day.

i can imagine people buy festool with the intention of never owning it and using it for 29 days and returning it.
i can also imagine the returned tools are the lemons i see complaints about on fog.
i can also imagine the occasional purchase of the wrong tool for the job, but these are the 10 % off units
so whats the real story of the other two categories?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

You misunderstand.  Shane stated that the tools offered up for sale don't have the brushes changed because they are returned tools within the 30 day return period.  At least that's how I read it.  I'm asking if the tools listed at 20% off are the ones he's talking about since the 10% off ones are suppose to be unused.

Well, none of the reconditioned tools would have brushes replaced. But, yes, the 10% tools are supposed to be in unused condition. I was just answering your question about replacement of brushes, not addressing tool condition so much. Sorry if there was any confusion by my statement.

 

[Greg M]

You misunderstand.  Shane stated that the tools offered up for sale don't have the brushes changed because they are returned tools within the 30 day return period.  At least that's how I read it.  I'm asking if the tools listed at 20% off are the ones he's talking about since the 10% off ones are suppose to be unused.

Well, none of the reconditioned tools would have brushes replaced. But, yes, the 10% tools are supposed to be in unused condition. I was just answering your question about replacement of brushes, not addressing tool condition so much. Sorry if there was any confusion by my statement.

Just to make sure that I'm understanding it clearly:
So the 10% tools are the tools that came back within 30 days or the ones that have some cosmetic imperfections in packaging, systainer or tool.

The difference between the 20% and 30% is a judgement call by the person evaluating/repairing the tool based on how much use it appears to have had and the discount is on what that particular tool sold for when new.  Evaluation doesn't really have anything to do with age.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Correct, the decision on 20-30% is subjective but also we are very conservative. I think you will see that from others experience with recon purchases.

There are no guarantees regarding the age of the tool. But that it will be complete and in good working order. 1 year warranty.