RO 125 or RO 150?

[LMX]

I have no Festool equipment - yet. Contemplating a sander for three applications on pending remodeling projects.

Project 1: Sanding pine or fir paneling with 1978 era dark stain. Boards are 2.5" wide, but lots of vertical expanse, extending way up the wall in two places. Stairwell paneling extends approx 12' wide x 19' high from stair landing. Fireplace paneling extends approx 6' wide x 9' high above mantle. Some boards are smooth, just need stripping for recoating. Other boards have very rough or pronounced grain, along with knots.

Project 2: Sanding wood rails and caps in stairwell and in loft overlooking atrium living room. Wood is in smooth condition, just in need of sanding and restaining. Most of the area is accessible from standing height, but some will need access from ladder.

Project 3: Drywall sanding in bathroom. A previous remodel removed wallpaper, but resulted in gouges in drywall. Quick fix was to trowel in joint compound and texture - not a pretty job. Need to remove giant mirror and sand all drywall for retexture and paint.

Before you say it, I realize that more than one sander may be needed for all these tasks.  With that in mind, I think the RO 90 could be too small for so many large surface jobs.  RO 150 will cover the most ground, so I consider RO 125 a good compromise in both pad size and weight of the machine - since most of the work on these projects is both vertical surfaces, and at great height while I'm on ladders.

Am I on the right track with the two larger Rotex sanders, or will the ETS 150 be able to handle some of the more aggressive tasks well enough?

 

[boisetmetal]

Hello

I have the 90 et 150 and this 2 tools are really Supplementary.

90 goes in the places where the 150 can not! The 90 is light and easy to handle and perfect for a lot of little things.

The 150 is the power, it's more work surface.

I think the 125 is closer to 150 than 90
And if you find a lot of disk 125, I think (in France) the choice Abrasive 150 is much greater than 125!
So watch the USA has the choice of disks 125 and 150! Because It's important to have choice !

Conclusion: Maybe consider going on the 150 and later going on 90 which as I said above is quite different. (Well I think)

But other views of those who are fortunate enough to have 3 machines can help you better!

see you soon

 

[SoonerFan]

I went with the RO 125.  I considered the size and weight just like you are and found it to be the best match for me.  Ultimately I will have more than one Festool sander but for me the RO 125 was the right first sander.  I thought about getting an RO 150 and and RO 90 but could not justify the cost at the time. 

BTW, I think the 125 is great.  The power is fabulous, the weight not too bad and the quality of finishing sanding is terrific. 

 

[duburban]

Ro125 is just about the only sander I don't own. I'd imagine it would be a great all around sander to have though.

 

[Thistleman]

I have a RO90 and it is a fantastic machine that is very versatile but not so good for large flat expanses. I have contemplated a RO150 for larger boards but even with size 7.5 hands felt I was not able to hold and control it in the manner I wanted. Others have described alternative techniques for holding the larger sanders but I was not entirely happy with these. I realise it is probably heresy on this site butI have had a Mirka Ceros for a year and cannot fault it. Dust extraction and finish with the appropriate Abranet is in the Festool class

 

[SS Teach]

I asked this very question just two weeks ago, and I ended up with the Ro 150. l did not have to deal with vertical surfaces and ladder work. A friend lent me his Ro 125. The 125 seems somewhat skittish. The 150 has an easier learning curve. The surface area of the 150 is 44% larger than the 125, so you will get more work done more quickly. But, and for verticle and ladder work it's important, the 150 weighs one pound more, 5 pounds instead of 4. They are both very powerful sanders. But the sander(s) are not all you need. Whichever you opt for get the corresponding  sized ETS sander. That way you will only need one systainer loaded with paper. Most importantly you will need a dust extractor your lungs and everyone else in the house will thank you.

 

[wow]

I think most (all?) of us have gone through this dilemma. Like most, I ended up with the RO90 / ETS150mm 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 just 2 hours ago 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.

 

[boisetmetal]

You are fortunate to have the guarantee of money back on 30 days ...
If in doubt, it may be a way to take the 125 and see if the 44% more surface area of the 150 would be an advantage or not ...
The synopsis sanders, we see small differences between the 125 and 150 (not huge)
Then we can see the differences between the 90 and the 125/150!

I know that in France and Belgium, some users of the 150 express the fact that it really is important to keep as they do! Certainly the 125 requires less force.
But in a general way, there are many more users of the 150 and much less than 125!
Then like I said above, the ideal would be to have the advice of those who know the two machines to positively express things between the 125 and the 150!

I joined the French synopsis because I do not have U.S. catalog and I have not found on the USA website or to download the Festool catalog.
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