RO150 Vs EST150/5 vs ES150/3

[bohaiboy]

This will be m first Festool purchase along with the D/E.  I was in a local shop and they only had a RO150 on display.  Seems pretty doggone heavy, but then again will be used mainly on a flat surface.  Very aggressive looking and feeling.  My WW is primarily at the advanced hobbyist stage, nothing commercial, and I work a lot with cherry, walnut and mahogany, pretty simple woods without much change in grain structure.  I usually buy rough cut wood and plane it and joint it.  Usually only get a couple of days in the shop per week.

So my first question is an RO 150 vs EST as a general question and the second question is EST150/5 vs 3

Will I tire of the RO150 because of the heaviness and will I use the rotating portion that often?  I saw a video where it was used very successfully with Australian Lacewood which tore out very easily on the planer, but was perfectly cleaned up with the RO 150.  That being said, I have gotten along well with Dewalt 5" ROS for years(minus the dust issue) and now time to move up.

Thus the question of which EST 3 or 5, should I go for? 

Any pros and cons of this would be appreciated.  Tried searching on the forum but I find the search engine a little week in categorizing what I am looking for.

Thanks all

 

[bohaiboy]

Never mind, did find a reference, just didn't come up in search criteria.  Would still like pros and cones on ETS 150 3 vs 5

 

[peter halle]

The scratch pattern is wider spaced on the 150/5 because of its 5 mm orbit.  That may make it slightly more aggressive the the 150/3 but also means that you will need to spend more time sanding to try and erase the patterns.  I decided on the 150/3 figuring that if I needed to be more aggressive I could by using coarser paper.

Peter

 

[mike68au]

The scratch pattern is wider spaced on the 150/5 because of its 5 mm orbit.  That may make it slightly more aggressive the the 150/3 but also means that you will need to spend more time sanding to try and erase the patterns.  I decided on the 150/3 figuring that if I needed to be more aggressive I could by using coarser paper.

Peter

My exact same reasoning.  Used some Garnet 60 recently on a dining table and it ripped it back with little to no effort.

 

[Kev]

My indecision led me to getting both. Most of anything I tackle only warrants the ETS150/5, but the /3 is certainly finer.

 

[semenza]

RO150 is the most versatile.

ETS150/5 is still quite versatile.

Even thought the orbit is the same 5mm in random orbit mode on the Rotex and the ETS/5, the ETS/5  (I find) is a better finish sander.

The ETS150/3 is an awesome finish sander but not quite as good with lower grits as the /5.

The ETS150/3 is a great combination with the RO150 if you think you might get two.

Seth

 

[Bob Marino]

RO150 is the most versatile.

ETS150/5 is still quite versatile.

Even thought the orbit is the same 5mm in random orbit mode on the Rotex and the ETS/5, the ETS/5  (I find) is a better finish sander.

The ETS150/3 is an awesome finish sander but not quite as good with lower grits as the /5.

The ETS150/3 is a great combination with the RO150 if you think you might get two.

Seth

Seth,

Well said; you nailed it.

Bob

 

[Sparktrician]

If you're not doing large surfaces and you think (as you noted) that the RO 150 is unduly heavy for your application, I'd suggest looking at the RO 125/ETS 125 combination as an alternative.  I've never regretted buying this combination.  I originally chose the RO 125 when doing some unanticipated overhead work and thought the RO 150 would get unnecessarily heavy over time.  The ETS 125 was added later.  No regrets whatsoever here.  I'd do the same thing in a heartbeat if I had to make the choice.  I'm not knocking the RO 150 at all.  I've used it in Festool classes and think it's a fine machine.  It just wasn't the right machine for my circumstances. 

 

[peter halle]

To add one thing, maybe not for the OP but rather for future readers - the ETS line is very comfortable to use with one hand.  It takes some practice to use the Rotex line with one hand due to the weight distribution and size. Some users always use two hands.

Just a thought.

Peter

 

[SittingElf]

I really appreciate the insight that this thread has provided. I've had the same issues and questions in my head as the OP, and while I won't be purchasing until I get back from Nigeria in late November, this thread has helped me decide on my next sander purchases.

So, next in the shop will be the ETS150/3, and both the RO90 and RO150.  My ETS125 is being delivered with a CT36 tomorrow. [tongue]

(Dominos, Kapex, whatever the TS55 REQ becomes, MFT/3's, and others probably delayed until early March due to heavy machine $$ purchases in the short time I'll be in the USA in December. [Hammer A3 41, Laguna 24-36 REVO lathe, and a 6" belt sander with the Festool sanders) [big grin]