RO 150 or ETS 150/3?

[kdzito]

I need the FOG's help in deciding between the RO 150 or ETS 150/3.

To help the FOG in determining my overall sanding needs here are the other sanders that I currently have:

1. DTS 400
2. RS 2 E
3. RO 90
4. used to have the ETS 150/3 - like the balance; however, will a RO 150 substitute w/ my RS 2 E used thereafter for the final grits?

My upcoming projects are:

1. cabinet doors, boxes, and drawers
2. exterior trim - 3" to 8" wide w/ painted finish: needs to be stripped & painted
3. windows w/ painted finish: needs to be stripped & painted
4. doors w/ painted finish: needs to be stripped & painted
5. door w/ transparent finish: needs to be refinished

Thank you for your advice,

Kurt

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I think all the stripping part of the projects throws it slightly towards needing the RO150 with it's dual modes.  I still think the ETS makes a great compliment if you can add it with the RO.  Why did you originally get rid of the ETS?

 

[GaryB]

Yah, the initial heavy removal on many of your projects does swing the pendulum to the RO 150. I think a 3mm orbit and only random orbit will take much longer to strip off old finishes. Don't forget, with some aggressive paper the RS2 is quite capable of good stock removal itself. I had one on loan for a few days and with 80 grit it leveled off the wavy humps my Rotex left behind with ease, them upped the grits for a beautiful surface.

My vote, Rotex.

 

[hanshamm]

+1 rotex

 

[kdzito]

I think all the stripping part of the projects throws it slightly towards needing the RO150 with it's dual modes.  I still think the ETS makes a great compliment if you can add it with the RO.  Why did you originally get rid of the ETS?

The most recent and current projects I'm working on didn't require this sander.  So I went over 9 months without using it.  Now I don't have enough $$$ in my budget to buy both (RO 150 & ETS 150/3) now, although I'll buy the ETS 150/3 again in the future.  So I'm really weighing out with what I can get by with for the next 1 to 2 years.  

 

[kdzito]

Yah, the initial heavy removal on many of your projects does swing the pendulum to the RO 150. I think a 3mm orbit and only random orbit will take much longer to strip off old finishes. Don't forget, with some aggressive paper the RS2 is quite capable of good stock removal itself. I had one on loan for a few days and with 80 grit it leveled off the wavy humps my Rotex left behind with ease, them upped the grits for a beautiful surface.

My vote, Rotex.

This is exactly what my potential method and approach would be given that I get the RO 150. 

 

[Neill]

I have them both and I love them both equally.  Sometimes it just depends on my mood and how much of a hurry I am in.  In all honesty given the right abrasive the 150/3 can remove a substantial amount of material, it just takes a bit longer.

I think that as a hobbyist with some time on my hands I would go with the 150/3.  As a professional where time is money, I would go with the Rotex.

Neill

 

[MadViking]

For the window work you are all set with the RO 90. For most of the other stuff the RO 150 will be faster than the ETS 150/3. So I vote Rotex as well (unless price is a major concern) - you can always get the ETS later and it uses the same papers as the RO 150.

I have all three of the above, and I can honestly say I like using the ETS more than the RO 150. So if I'm not stripping paint, it's usually the ETS that does the job.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

For your needs and to compliment the sanders you already have.......... I think the RO150 is the one to get.  Rotex mode is the ticket for the stripping jobs. I have used mine to strip paint and poly finish. I find that Cristal abrasive is good for this because it resists loading well. And on the paint turn the speed down to about 3-4 and keep it moving so it doesn't melt the paint.

Seth