RO 125, is there a need for another sander?

[Gwerner]

I'm going to pull the trigger on the RO 125 tonight, and am just curious if there would be any value to grabbing an ETS 125 at the same time?

I already have the RTS 400 and DTS 400 and am adding the RO 125 for some more aggressive sanding. Thanks in advance!

 

[Brent Taylor]

I have basically the same sanders you have and are looking to get, l use the ETS  for most of the sanding over 180 grit. It's smaller and lightweight,  making it easier to use for me. I have a  RO 90 instead of the DTS  and a LS 130. I'm a remodeling contractor and also build furniture, so they get a good work out in my shop. 

 

[mouppe]

I have the ETS 125 and the RO125 and I use the ETS probably twice as much as the Rotex.

Rotex for aggressive sanding (of which I do very little) and polishing and the ETS for everything in between.

 

[avrs22]

The ro125, ro150, and the ro90 are awesome aggressive sander but not a good finish sander, even some claim it is.
I only use the ro up too 100 grit.
After that my finish sander takes over.
Sorry but its not a festool.

 

[deepcreek]

The ETS 125 is a sweetheart but you have to break it in first (hang it from a rope trick), be careful not to apply any downward pressure, and remember that it is a finish sander so start at 150 and go up.

 

[duburban]

take that money and get the ro150. if you want a finish sander you'll have the 150 ets3 available with shared paper and then your really at the top of the Festool range. Better finish sander and better aggressive sander.

 

[junk731]

I'll second what Duburban says and suggest you do a site search and research about the RO 125 before you make your decision.

John

 

[leakyroof]

Since I own about 11 Festool sanders, I thought the title of your post was funny. Esp. since I don't own any 5"/125mm sanders.  [embarassed]
I prefer the RO 150 over the RO125, as others have posted about. But it's your choice in the end. It IS a smart idea to be able to share abrasive discs between two different sanders that happen to be the same diameter/pad size, but just remember that if you work with larger pieces or sand sheet stock a fair amount, you will love the larger pad surface of the 150mm/6" sanders in no time over a 5" sander.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have the same sentiment as leakyroof above, in my world there's always room for another Festool sander. Well, to some point, but way beyond a single one. I have 8 of them right now after deciding to downsize a bit and get rid of the lesser used ones.

I agree with the posts above that the RO150 is a nicer sander than the RO125. If you go Rotex anyway, go for as much power as you can get because that's where it shines. And according to lots of people the 150 is more stable and easier to handle than the 125. Anyhow, you'll always be able to work faster with the 150 than the 125.

I also have the ETS150/3 and ETS125 and I use the 125 a lot more than the 150/3. I like how it is so small and prefer to use it on anything the size of a door and smaller. It is my door specialist. Only on bigger surfaces I see a time gain for the 150/3 but that doesn't happen a lot and I also have the Ro150 for that so I think I'm gonna let go of the ETS150/3 soon.
   
People often mention sharing papers between sanders, and I guess that matters when you have to buy 100 packs. I almost always buy 10 packs so sharing papers is not important for me. With 8 sanders you're still going to end up with a lot of diversity.

 

[SS Teach]

My ETS 125 was a sweetheart from the moment I first used it. It did not need a break-in period. I borrowed a Ro 125 and found it bouncy, went with a Ro 150. It is a beast and cuts through material quickly and cleanly hooked up to a CT. It will give a very smooth as glass finish if you work through the  grits. It is heavy so an ETS is easier to work with if you are sanding a wall or overhead. Using a hard pad I found that I could actually use it one handed once the piece was flat. 

 

[Gwerner]

Thanks for all the input! It sounds like the perfect combination is going to be an RO 150 and and ETS 125.

 

[deepcreek]

Truth be told, I ended up selling my Rotex 125 and ETS 125 to move to the larger Rotex 150 and RO 150/3.

I actually prefer both the 150 tools to their smaller counterparts.

If the ETS 125 is a sweetheart, the RO 150/3 is my true love.