RO150 FEQ or ETS 150/3?

[bluehaze013]

If you could only have one which would you choose? Due to recent expenditures the bank account is suffering but I need to get a sander anyway  because I am addicted to these Festools ;D I certainly can't afford both, and it will be quite some time before I can afford another one so I figured I would see what others thought. I am thinking the RO150 is more versatile, I can use it for polishing as well as rough and finish sanding and I really love innovative tools such as these! By comparison the ETS150/3 just seems so lackluster to me but many here seem to prefer the ETS for normal sanding over the RO. Then on the other hand if I went with RO125 I could probably swing an ETS125 and RO125 togethor for not too much more than an RO150 alone. Is the extra inch really worth the extra cost? Is the ETS really that much more pleasent to use in comparison to the RO for normal sanding operations? Mostly what I would be using the sander for is stripping paint, sanding dovetail joints flush and prepping for finish but I also like the thought of using the RO to polish my vehicles, in which case the bigger RO150 would probably be better suited. However I do enjoy very much making jewlery boxes with my Jointech setup and these are mostly smaller projects will the RO150 be to big and clumsy for finishing jewlery boxes? This decision is so hard. please help me make the right choice!

 

[Bill in seattle]

Sounds to me you are answering you own question. the ro125 and a es 125, would be a great combo pack for you. they will both take the same sandpapers papers and eliminate stocking 5 and 6" sandpaper. nice for those watching there budget, tho the es takes it own pad The ro will be great for the rough stuff and get it done very quick and the es will handle much easier when you want more control and finesse on the lighter stuff. they are a powerfull  pair together. the ro will be fine for polishing as long as you aren't doing a hugo suv or such. Then you would need more than a ro150 anyhow. sounds like you are doing more smaller stuff most of the time so the ro125 would be a better match for you. hope this helps the dilema. don't forget to put a vac in the package, like the midi if you don't have one yet. It will make your work and life a whole lot easier.

 

[Eli]

When the great god FES descends from the sky at the end of creation for the final reckoning to count your tools, you'll have two instead of one. Plus you can always get the RO 150 later.

Get a vac fo' sho'. I'm w/ Bill, I'd almost say get the ETS and a vac before anything else if you don't have one.

 

[eweber]

I have both the RO125 and ETS125. I started by the Rotext and recently purchased the ETS125.
I find myself using the ETS125 90% of the time and the Rotex only for very specific tasks most of which I could do with the ETS if I really wanted to.

My point is that if you really want the 6" sander I would start with the ETS150/3 and save some money until I can aford the Rotex. Also I agree with Eli, if you don't have Vac I would put it at the top of the list.

On the other hand I am not in a rush to sand and I am very satisfied with my 5" sander.  I actually tried the RO150 and find it a little too bulky for me (I have tiny hands  ) .

Emmanuel

 

[bluehaze013]

Already have the Vac, so far have a CT22, OF1400, TS 55, and an MFT 1080. I think once I get the sander that's all I will need for awhile. This is quite a bit of money already in the last few days so I need to take a break from spending so this will be the last purchase for a little while, that is why I want to make sure and get the right one! How much louder is the RO than the ETS? I do all my work inside the house because I don't have a shop or garage so the noise could be the deciding factor if there is quite a bit of difference between the two?

Also what is the best assortment of paper to start out with for sanding wood and paint/finishes? There are so many choices it's all a bit confusing  ???

 

[ROb McGilp]

RO150 without a doubt. It takes rough sawn timber to this in quick time. Oiled and sanded with the RO150 alone.

 

[Dan Clermont]

KAPEX In the Wild Located in Rob's shop!!!! You suck

I have the RO-150 and don't see a need for another sander at this time.... Could use a detail sander for corners and tight spots but that will be another day

Dan Clermont

 

[Tinker]

My combo is the RO 150 that is the workhorse.  I can do rough stuff on larger areas as well as small.  On larger areas, it is the only one I use.

Second down the slope was the DX 93 that is a necessity for getting into corners

Third was/is the LS 130.  i use this when i get down to finer finish as it is linear stroke.  Also, it has great versatility with various configurations.  I have the flat and the 90? angle pad.  Others will soon follow.

with those three sanders, I don't see the need for any others.  (Take note:  I always wear spiked boots when i go into the shop.  I do everything possible to avoid slipping on the slope  : )
Tinker

 

[Bob Marino]

Already have the Vac, so far have a CT22, OF1400, TS 55, and an MFT 1080. I think once I get the sander that's all I will need for awhile. This is quite a bit of money already in the last few days so I need to take a break from spending so this will be the last purchase for a little while, that is why I want to make sure and get the right one! How much louder is the RO than the ETS? I do all my work inside the house because I don't have a shop or garage so the noise could be the deciding factor if there is quite a bit of difference between the two?

Also what is the best assortment of paper to start out with for sanding wood and paint/finishes? There are so many choices it's all a bit confusing  ???

I just did a quick comparison between the ETS 125 and the RO 125, and frankly, there is no comparison; the ETS 125 is much quieter than the R0 125; the same as with the ETS 150 and the RO150. The noise differences will be mitigated a bit by using the vac when sanding. Choose Rubin for bare wood and Brilliant for painted/varnished wood, though it can be used perfectly well on bare wood.
Here's the PDF from Festool on their abrasives -http://www.festoolusa.com/supplyimages/Abrasives_brochure.pdf

Bob

 

[johnbro]

I wrestled with the same question--no doubt about it the R0150 is a monster sander. A bit much for me, actually, although I expect I'll get one someday (have to keep FES happy...). Since I have a jointer and planer, I realistically couldn't see much need for knocking down wood with a sander. So I bought the ETS 150/3 as my first FestoSand. And the first night I used it, I realized for the first time in my life I was power sanding with no hearing protection and no dust (connected to the CT-22). Truly amazing. If I were doing jewelry boxes I would go with the ETS over the Rotex.

 

[bluehaze013]

Thanks for the info everyone, the advice seems to span the gamut which makes the decision even harder LOL I am slightly leaning toward the RO150 as an all in one sander/polisher. That is a great point about the jointer and planer. I dont have a planer, nor do I think I would want to use one inside the house  So the RO mode would be my only option for rough cut wood The noise will still be the deciding factor though.

Bob thanks for doing that comparison, you say the Vac mitigates the noise somewhat? Does that mean both the sanders are quieter than the Vac? If that is the case I will most likely get the RO, as long as it is not louder than the vac the noise will be not be an issue for me as I consider the vac to be pretty quiet except when it's hooked up to the OF1400 wow does that dust attachment make some noise!

 

[Bob Marino]

Thanks for the info everyone, the advice seems to span the gamut which makes the decision even harder LOL I am slightly leaning toward the RO150 as an all in one sander/polisher. That is a great point about the jointer and planer. I dont have a planer, nor do I think I would want to use one inside the house  So the RO mode would be my only option for rough cut wood The noise will still be the deciding factor though.

Bob thanks for doing that comparison, you say the Vac mitigates the noise somewhat? Does that mean both the sanders are quieter than the Vac? If that is the case I will most likely get the RO, as long as it is not louder than the vac the noise will be not be an issue for me as I consider the vac to be pretty quiet except when it's hooked up to the OF1400 wow does that dust attachment make some noise!

  Yes, somewhat, depends if the vac is on full power too. No, the RO noise is heard well above the vac, while the ETS kinda hums along. This is not a knock against the Rotex; it's motor is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more powerful than the ETS and can do things the ETS series can't - at least way faster. But ear protection is a wise investment anyhow.
The ETS series are lightweight, smooth sanders, while the Rotex is heavier, more aggressive, but, at the end of the day, they all sand. Festool has such a complete line of sanders to accommodate every conceivable application.
The Rotex is an all in one sander, no doubt!
  As a dealer, I have all the sanders to use, but I generally use the RO 150 for grits up to 120 (except for polishing) than switch to the ETS 150/3 from there up - simply more comfortable to use. Take a look at Jerry Work's manual on the Festool sanders; well worth the read.
  Bob
Bob

 

[bluehaze013]

OK thanks I will go have a look at Jerry's article. It's really starting to sound like I am going to end up with both sanders at some point 

 

[Dan Clark]

RO150 without a doubt. It takes rough sawn timber to this in quick time. Oiled and sanded with the RO150 alone.

Rob,

First, that's very nice work!!!  ;D

Second, you suck!  That was a sleazy, stealth gloat if I ever saw one!

Warmest regards,

Dan.

 

[ROb McGilp]

No gloat intended guys.
Here's a couple pics of a full on working RO150. I'm sorry about the terrible mitres next to it. They're off the Kapex and I just used the edges to shave with. ;D ;D

Regards,

Rob

 

[Dan Clermont]

Hi Rob

Please send me your address so I can send you a compact cleaning kit!!!  In return, you can send me the KAPEX till you clean  up your shop

Dan Clermont

 

[ROb McGilp]

Thanks Dan,
Note to self... Take photo of ultra clean shed to use as background for future tool shots. ;D

Regards,

Rob

 

[Dan Clermont]

Hey Rob

At least your making sawdust and putting the tools to use!!

Dan

 

[jeff in vancouver]

I am in the same boat of trying to choose the right sander. I own no Festools  . But after many years of not being happy with power sanding I thought I would pay some attention to Festools.  Luckily I have a friend (Dan who posts here) who let me check out his Ro 150. After 5 minutes it was clear to me that this Festool Sander is light years beyond my Porter Cable Random Orbit sander, and I could have saved myself allot of time, frustration and dust in my lungs if I had a look at festool years ago. I don't think you can truly get what is so great about these sanders until you try one, because frankly from just reading about them, i found them too good to be true.

I recall Dan offering to let me use his RO 150 to level an end grain cutting board. Frankly I though he was a bit crazy or he had too much faith in my glue up skills and thought I had a very flat board already. In my mind the idea of leveling a far from flat 100 piece endgrain cutting board with RO sander was absurd. That of course was before I tried the RO 150. Now I realise how crazy I was, to use a perfomax, then belt sander then RO sander to level this board.  :

At any rate I will be picking up RO 150 or RO 125 ASAP. And I am sure an ETS will follow.

 

[Lou Miller]

I don't think one can say which sander is the best sander to get unless the type of work being done is taken into account. For me, and the type of work I do, its not even close. The ETS150/3 is definitely the better sander. My RO150 doesn't get used much at all, only for very specific tasks. If I had to do it all over, I probably wouldn't buy the RO150 again. I'd buy an RS2E to go along with my ETS150/3 instead. Unlike Rob above, I never take a piece of wood from rough to finish with just a sander. I'd much rather use the jointer and planer along the way. Everyone is different and their work is different too. Generic answers don't work in this case. Just my opinion...