Review of Pro5 Limited
- Thread starter Wes.C
- Start date
I'm having a similar experience with my pro5. This is my first Festool product and so far I am a little underwhelmed. While mine doesn't seem to misbehave as badly as yours, it is difficult to keep from walking around on me and from "chattering" on my workpiece. I have to keep an unusually firm grip on it to somewhat prevent it.
I have used it both with and without a vacuum with similar results. I've been using it on 3.5" wide cedar to make a simple gate for the top of the stairs on my deck. So far it seems my Porter Cable 390 ROS is much easier to use.
I have used it both with and without a vacuum with similar results. I've been using it on 3.5" wide cedar to make a simple gate for the top of the stairs on my deck. So far it seems my Porter Cable 390 ROS is much easier to use.
nickao
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There may be a QC issue with these, I have two and both act just as my video shows, no jumping at all.
I can only think something isn't right about the brake. Take off the pad and put it back on.
Even working perfectly as mine are, I have stated a couple times there is nothing special about the sander. It's not even near the top of the 5" class, 99.00 or not.
It is marginally better than the Festool ETS 125 and works with the plug it, so I will keep it. My brother doesn't care so I may sell or trade his.
I can only think something isn't right about the brake. Take off the pad and put it back on.
Even working perfectly as mine are, I have stated a couple times there is nothing special about the sander. It's not even near the top of the 5" class, 99.00 or not.
It is marginally better than the Festool ETS 125 and works with the plug it, so I will keep it. My brother doesn't care so I may sell or trade his.
clark_fork
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- Apr 7, 2015
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"Leaping Lizards..."Perhaps we could get back to reviews:
Would someone jump in and do a step-by-step on the new hose connection. What are those rings for? Photos maestro....
I did not order the dust collection bag yet. Anyone have thoughts on the dust bag? My thoughts were that I could not see a time when I needed it. What's the good of it?
The snap-on sander protector... seems flimsy
I was pleased with the sander pack included in the Pro-5. However, I ordered the new 400 at the same time, and when I opened the systainer, it had one measly sheet.
I will say this... this week I took possession of a T-18 +3, a 400 and the new Pro-5. It seems , along with my prior purchase that I have reached the tipping point. in the club at last and what a club it is.... [big grin]
Would someone jump in and do a step-by-step on the new hose connection. What are those rings for? Photos maestro....
I did not order the dust collection bag yet. Anyone have thoughts on the dust bag? My thoughts were that I could not see a time when I needed it. What's the good of it?
The snap-on sander protector... seems flimsy
I was pleased with the sander pack included in the Pro-5. However, I ordered the new 400 at the same time, and when I opened the systainer, it had one measly sheet.
I will say this... this week I took possession of a T-18 +3, a 400 and the new Pro-5. It seems , along with my prior purchase that I have reached the tipping point. in the club at last and what a club it is.... [big grin]
[member=17913]Wes.C[/member] - you got the same results with the vac hookup as with the bag ?
If so, I'm guessing there's a problem with the brake mech.
I also agree with bdiemer - the speed is way too fast for that board. Did you try it with a lower setting ? Same behavior ?
[member=3373]Dovetail65[/member] - do you think the 30%+ power increase of the sanders you mention is a distinct advantage for finish sanding ??? I'd say yes if you're using it as an all purpose sander and want to use lower grits on rough boards ect... but for final sand before sealer / finish and between coats I'm not convinced the xtra 150watts is that advantageous.
Certainly doesn't hurt.
If so, I'm guessing there's a problem with the brake mech.
I also agree with bdiemer - the speed is way too fast for that board. Did you try it with a lower setting ? Same behavior ?
[member=3373]Dovetail65[/member] - do you think the 30%+ power increase of the sanders you mention is a distinct advantage for finish sanding ??? I'd say yes if you're using it as an all purpose sander and want to use lower grits on rough boards ect... but for final sand before sealer / finish and between coats I'm not convinced the xtra 150watts is that advantageous.
Certainly doesn't hurt.
I removed and replaced the pad and there was no change in performance unfortunately. Looked like alignment pins were well engaged in pad, rotated the pad 180 degrees in 2nd attempt, to make sure.
At a lower speed it is proportionally easier to control yes, but I have tried several surfaces included painted, poplar, softwood veneer ply at varied or no suction and it is still strangely difficult to control.
Will return mine, but my boss will be getting two of the Pro 5 soon so I will see how those do!
At a lower speed it is proportionally easier to control yes, but I have tried several surfaces included painted, poplar, softwood veneer ply at varied or no suction and it is still strangely difficult to control.
Will return mine, but my boss will be getting two of the Pro 5 soon so I will see how those do!
nickao
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- Feb 24, 2008
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This is so weird both mine work perfectly fine, on high speed, on low speed on 8 different types of woods with or without vacuum. There is simply no problem with the two Pro5's I have.
It's a QC issue it must be. Something internally is broken and there isn't many parts to these things.
I don't think a user could be at fault for that action, but one video I saw showed the sander jumping around so much I thought the user was forcing it to act that way. It looked like a Rotex in the hands of someone that never used one. These Pro 5 sanders are smooth as silk, I have two of them. My video shows clearly the Pro 5 works fine.
I wish I could use your sander.
I had a lot of thought about this promotion and most know I disagree with this type of low priced item promotion working to gain new customers for high end products. People that get 99 sanders dont all of a sudden jump to 500 sanders becasue of a voucher. The sander would have to be the best they ever used for Festool to have a chance at this working to gain new customers. If there is an issue with this tool it the biggest backfire in tool history(well Festool promotion wise anyhow). Festool may lose customers instead of gain new ones if a good majority of these sanders jump around like this. This delay could be blessing for Festool.
Festool should get a good sander from a user and a bad one and compare, test and fix the issue before they send out the next batch. Possibly there inst an issue, but more than one person has shown this jumping around. Can this be user fault?
It's a QC issue it must be. Something internally is broken and there isn't many parts to these things.
I don't think a user could be at fault for that action, but one video I saw showed the sander jumping around so much I thought the user was forcing it to act that way. It looked like a Rotex in the hands of someone that never used one. These Pro 5 sanders are smooth as silk, I have two of them. My video shows clearly the Pro 5 works fine.
I wish I could use your sander.
I had a lot of thought about this promotion and most know I disagree with this type of low priced item promotion working to gain new customers for high end products. People that get 99 sanders dont all of a sudden jump to 500 sanders becasue of a voucher. The sander would have to be the best they ever used for Festool to have a chance at this working to gain new customers. If there is an issue with this tool it the biggest backfire in tool history(well Festool promotion wise anyhow). Festool may lose customers instead of gain new ones if a good majority of these sanders jump around like this. This delay could be blessing for Festool.
Festool should get a good sander from a user and a bad one and compare, test and fix the issue before they send out the next batch. Possibly there inst an issue, but more than one person has shown this jumping around. Can this be user fault?
HarveyWildes
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Fired mine up last night - it was on the silky smooth side of things.
clark_fork said:
Hi Clark
I cover the new hose connector in my video about the new sanders. Here is the link to the video:
Peter
clark_fork
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dmick said:
I could not have figured this out without the video.Thanks
overanalyze
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- Aug 1, 2013
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Have owned and operated the older ETS125 for many years...smooth as can be...got the new Pro5...smooth as silk. The new version has a little, more power, a little less noise, and a better grip. It looked like you were using a lot of pressure to try and control the sander...hard to say. As a side note...these are "finish" sanders first. They excel in sanding between finish coats. They are not the best choice to smooth out uneven and rough lumber.
Ujipster
Member
Ran my old 125 and the new pro5 side by side. The pro5 is far better; smooth, less vibration. Hands down festool made a better mouse trap.
I have an ETS 150 and a RO150. My RO 150 makes similar movements. For that reason I hardly use it. It is like the pad is gripping just on one side. It throws the sander in the direction, then the other side bits in. I didn't really look into it. I just went back to the ETS.
Seanpodean
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- Nov 15, 2016
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I'm having the same problems Wes, I have sent mine out for repair now. Very disappointing for a festool product.
