RO 125 or 150??

[Scorpion]

I have an RO90 and I use it nearly all the time.  Most of my projects to date have been cabinetry for which I've been able to make the RO90 work.  It's time to get a bigger RO.  When asking around I had a friend who owns both told me that his RO125 had a gearing issue (in comparison) to his RO150 in the small orbit setting.  What he said is the small orbit setting the RO125 seems too aggressive.  Has anyone heard the same thing or can anyone comment the other way?  All things considered, I'd rather have a 125 because I could use the same abrasives  as my ETS.

 

[rst]

I had the ETS 125 and papers so bought the RO 125 and have had no issues.

 

[Staniam]

I love my RO 125 and literally use it for every sanding task I have. No exaggeration. Will I be better off with an ETS to pair with it? Sure. But the RO 125 has served me.incredibly well. I've sanded everything from 2x12 rough cedar to sanded ply. It really is am incredible sander. I've never used the RO 110 or RO90 but unless you're going to be sanding large pieces then the RO125 may be your best bet.

A lot of people on here will probably say some pretty negative things about the RO 125 but in my personal experience, it's gone above and beyond in every situation.

 

[semenza]

  To me it makes more sense to go with the RO150 because the size increase will be more meaningful than going to the RO125 from the RO90.

    While it is nice to have the same size abrasives shared between sanders. Consider that in the long  run it is not a savings money wise. And also just because they are the same size doesn't mean that you will be using the same grits on the RO125 and the ETS125. So you may be purchasing a bunch of new abrasives any way.

Seth

 

[Sparktrician]

I chose the RO 125 first due to some work I needed to do overhead, then added the ETS 125.  Using the same-size abrasives is a benefit in my world because I only need to grab one systainer with abrasives.  Some folks have issues getting used to the RO 125, but I never did, and with proper technique, I don't get swirl marks. 

 

[semenza]

    Having done very little overhead work I am not sure if it makes a big difference or not. The weight of the RO125 is listed as 4.4 pounds and the RO150 at 5 pounds.  I could see the physical size making a difference over head as well though.

Seth

 

[Scorpion]

...and with proper technique, I don't get swirl marks.

So I suppose this is what I'm really looking to understand.  Is the "swirl marks" a RO125 thing (and not present with the 150 on the same settings) or is it a RO thing (also present on the RO90 because of the random orbit itself?

    ... not sure if it makes a big difference or not. The weight of the RO125 is listed as 4.4 pounds and the RO150 at 5 pounds.  I could see the physical size making a difference over head as well though.

Seth

I weld overhead but don't do much with wood overhead.  Though it may make a difference for some, the weight difference of 0.6 lbs is negligible.

  ... just because they are the same size doesn't mean that you will be using the same grits on the RO125 and the ETS125. So you may be purchasing a bunch of new abrasives any way.

Seth

I have four different grits.  Wish I could say I'm a finishing expert but I'm not.  If I can't see swirl marks after its finished I won.  As someone else stated - if I don't have to deal with multiple sizes (purchase and storage) then I'd rather go that route.  I do understand the observation that over time it's 6 one way, half dozen the other.

 

[orm8426]

Personally I don't see the point of the RO 125, especially if you already have an RO 90.

It's as near as makes no difference the same price as the RO 150 but has a significantly smaller sanding pad area...

For my money, if you've already got the RO 90 then you should be choosing between the 6" range of sanders, not debating between a 5" or 6".

 

[SoonerFan]

The RO 125 was my first and so far only Festool sander.  As a hobbyist I did not see the need several sanders.  I thought the RO 125 offered the best combination of size (not too small and not too big) and versatility (aggressive and non-aggressive modes).  Sanded everything since with that sander and no complaints at all.  If I was getting multiple sanders I would have leaned toward the RO 150 and the RO 90.

 

[jallen03]

Personally, I'd go with the RO150 and look at selling the ETS 125 for an ETS 150/3.  The RO150 makes a pretty sweet auto buffer too

 

[Scorpion]

Consistency...I like it.  RO150 + 90 seems to be the compelling pair.  I suppose I could have gotten there myself had the local Woodcraft had a RO125 on display (demo).  I've only held the 150.

The more you comment about the 125 not being that much bigger the more I'm getting it.  Just over 1-inch in diameter.  What's the point.

 

[VW mick]

Scorpion

I've the RO125 and I really like it I've sanded every thing with it and it's been absolutely no problem. In fact I bought a ets125 to go with it and have not used it yet .I still just go for the RO

 

[wow]

I think most (all?) of us have gone through this dilemma. Like most, I ended up with the RO90 / RO150 / ETS150/3 combination.

BUT - if I could ONLY have one sander size, I think that the 125mm is the 'ideal' size. I have (or had) 5" sanders by Dewalt, Porter Cable, and Dynabrade. They *were* my default sanders for many years, and they served me well.

I changed to what I have now because of the RO90. It really is 'the little sander that could'. I was using it recently to sand rust off the battery tray and roller frame for my stock picker (forklift). The size is SO perfect it's unbelievable.

Once I had the RO90, the decision to go with 150mm sanders to complement it was a no-brainer. The 150mm surface area (77 sq in) is triple the surface area of the RO90 (26 sq in). By comparison, the RO125 is 53 sq in - still double the RO90, but 50% smaller than the RO150. I just didn't find enough difference between the RO90 and RO RO125 to make sense to me.

YMMV.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=14pt]
Agreement with WOW's first paragraph. [member=25476]wow[/member]

I have some bias towards the RO150. I have just come inside from using mine to sand Veranda posts for repainting. So quick!  [smile]

I have found mine so versatile from paint preparation, wood and ply sanding, burnishing/rubbing in oil finishes, waxing and polishing. Although many use it for finishing, I tend to use ETS sanders.

With a RO90 you will have a great combination. Yes a RO125 will do all this, but the greater size difference will offer more versatility.

 

[Sparktrician]

...and with proper technique, I don't get swirl marks.

So I suppose this is what I'm really looking to understand.  Is the "swirl marks" a RO125 thing (and not present with the 150 on the same settings) or is it a RO thing (also present on the RO90 because of the random orbit itself?

Swirl marks are due to improper technique and can come from any sander.  Much has been discussed here on the FOG about how to hold a Rotex sander.  There's a very good video by Larry Smith of Festool http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZZyypf-Qqk on doing swirl-free sanding.  Basically, the Rotex is like a miniature floor buffer.  Have you ever used one of those floor buffers with a 18" - 24" disk that throws you across the room if you don't balance it right?  Once you learn how to balance them, you can use them with one hand easily.  The principle is the same.  That balance is most easily found and maintained when you hold the Rotex right.  It's best to hold the sander by the Plug-It connector and dust extractor hose at the furthest extent of the handle.  I'll attach a document that was originally from the Solid Surface class.  I've tuned it up a bit for clarity and added in some of my own experience.  The advice from both Larry Smith and this document applies whichever Rotex you choose.

 

[waho6o9]

Get the 150 it's a great compliment to the 90.

 

[VesaS]

I have RO125 (and DTS 400) and used 125 sanders lot. If I were buying RO sander now, I would go for RO150.
I think it is better when combined with RO90.

Like my RO125 very much, it is very powerful and leaves wonderful finish. Prepare for some learning time, now I can use it with both hands but at first machine lives it own life..

Perhaps my sanders in the future are RO 150, RO 90, ETS 125 and existing DTS 400. And my belt sander is quite underpower..
Grits with same size sanders don't necessarily overlap, so you might end up with big amount of consumables.

I use with RO125 grits 60, 80, 120, 180, 240 and 320.
With DTS400 grits 120, 180, 240, 320 (and buying 400). also I bought some small packs of coarse grits for just-in-case situations.

Vesa

 

[SS Teach]

This question comes up often. In fact I asked the same question last year. You did say a friend has both Ros. See if you can try them. I realize the 125 has a gearing issue, but the 150 doesn't. I was able to borrow a 125 and see how it felt in actual use. I went with the 150, which really did compliment my Ro 90. Also Tom Bellemare at Tool Home will sell you a systainer of paper for the 150 at a reasonable price. We are talking Festool, so reasonable in the Festool scheme of things. 

 

[Renovatedspaces]

I think most (all?) of us have gone through this dilemma. Like most, I ended up with the RO90 / RO150 / ETS150/3 combination.

BUT - if I could ONLY have one sander size, I think that the 125mm is the 'ideal' size. I have (or had) 5" sanders by Dewalt, Porter Cable, and Dynabrade. They *were* my default sanders for many years, and they served me well.

I changed to what I have now because of the RO90. It really is 'the little sander that could'. I was using it recently to sand rust off the battery tray and roller frame for my stock picker (forklift). The size is SO perfect it's unbelievable.

Once I had the RO90, the decision to go with 150mm sanders to complement it was a no-brainer. The 150mm surface area (77 sq in) is triple the surface area of the RO90 (26 sq in). By comparison, the RO125 is 53 sq in - still double the RO90, but 50% smaller than the RO150. I just didn't find enough difference between the RO90 and RO RO125 to make sense to me.

YMMV.

Correct me if I'm wrong but using "pi r squared"

RO 150 = 28.27 SQ IN
RO 125 = 19.63 SQ IN
RO 90 = 9.62 SQ IN

EDIT> fixed quote box

 

[Scorpion]

Correct me if I'm wrong but using "pi r squared"

RO 150 = 28.27 SQ IN
RO 125 = 19.63 SQ IN
RO 90 = 9.62 SQ IN

EDIT> fixed quote box

Don't go usin' you voodoo science on us...