Rotex 125 and 150 ... experiences please

[Kev]

Hi All,

I'm tossing up as to which way to go (probably more a question of which way to go first in all reality).

I spent some time with the 150 today ... playing ... I may be a bit of a whimp, but I can imagine the 150 shod with a coarse grit would be quite tiring handful in full Rotex action after an hour to two (This is intended for home use and DIY use).

Thing is, the 150 comes with a right angle handle, but the 125 doesn't ... big omission in my opinion.

I have a Rotex 90 and an ETS 150/5 - the Rotex action ROCKS!

So to the question:

Did anyone buy the 150 and wish they'd got the 125 first? ... and if you did - please tell your reason for wishing so.

cheers,

Kev.

 

[RJNeal]

No, I bought the 150 first and I really love it. A little bit later I bought the 125. I hardly use the 125 for it is not as smooth running as the 150. If I use the 150 in rotex mode for a period of time I would put the handle in. I normally don't use the Handle. Since you have a 90 [ which I agree it rocks] I would suggest picking the 150. Also you wouldn't have to stock another size of sandpaper.
Good luck
Rick

 

[Kev]

No, I bought the 150 first and I really love it. A little bit later I bought the 125. I hardly use the 125 for it is not as smooth running as the 150. If I use the 150 in rotex mode for a period of time I would put the handle in. I normally don't use the Handle. Since you have a 90 [ which I agree it rocks] I would suggest picking the 150. Also you wouldn't have to stock another size of sandpaper.
Good luck
Rick

Thanks Rick,

The sandpaper range has been haunting me - a big bonus if (as I do) you already have an ETS and are thinking of a ROTEX 150 IMHO.

Plus the handle .. you've cemented my thoughts ... if it all gets to hairy, there's speed control too!

Now that you've made the points, I'd probably ask ... "Would a ROTEX 125 be redundant if you have a ROTEX 90 & 150?"

Kev.

 

[RJNeal]

Kev, not knowing exactly what you are doing. I would think that the 125 would be redundant. I'm thinking of selling my RO125. I picked up the RO90 recently used as a group package. I was not sure I would  like the 90 due to the small diameter. But that little puppy is great.
Rick

 

[fisheye]

I've got the RO90 and RO150. I bought the 150 first with the 90 always part of my planning when out was needed. I could not be happier. I've used them on everything from buffing fiberglass to heavy sanding on old doors that won't close, newly installed staircase prior to stain and varnish, etc. Get the 150. You won't ever need the 125.

 

[Kev]

That's a wrap ... my next sanding doodad will be a ROTEX 150.

Thanks all !

 

[Timtool]

good choice, i don't really know why they make the RO 125, in rotex mode the bigger the pad the more stable it appears to be.
I first bought the RO125 and ETS125 as my first sanders, based on price and sandpaper compatibility, what a mistake!
In reality it combined the ineffective slowness of the ETS with the underpowered uncontrollability of the RO, horrible combination. Now i have and ETS 150/5 like you, and also a RO150. That is a great combination, the ETS is comfortable and effective as you probably know, and the RO has what it takes for rough work below 80 grit and polishing work.

The 150 will probably be cheaper for you anyway since you won't have to invest in a whole range of 125 sandpaper stock.

 

[fisheye]

I apologize for the detour. What does the ETS give you over the RO's smooth mode?

 

[junk731]

I have to add another vote for RO150/ETS150-3 combo. The RO 125 was my first sander, its the unruly little brother that I thought would work better because of my smaller hands, tried the ETS125and it went back. The 150 series in my opinion is the way to go. The RO125/ETS125 still need work to bring them up to the user friendliness of 150's.

John

 

[Scott B.]

One of the things I like about the RO150 is that for a large, powerful tool, it is really very gently...to the point where you can just about operate it with one finger. Part of my testing of it has been to put it in situations other than sheet goods or decks. Less open road, more delicate situations. Impressive that way.

That said, as a paint contractor, for general day to day use, the ets125 and ro125 sanders are used more frequently than their 6" counterparts.

It totally depends on what you are doing most. Thats one nice thing about Festool. The variety of sanders, and the variety of work each is capable of participating in.

 

[semenza]

I apologize for the detour. What does the ETS give you over the RO's smooth mode?

I find that even though they are technically the same , the ETS is a smoother running sander. Also the body design of the ETS is more conducive  for finish sanding than the long back weighted body of the Rotex. It is easier to let the ETS float. With the Rotex you need to make an effort to hold it flat ie; not pushing down on the front or lifting the tail.

Seth

 

[JSands]

I would think the biggest factor in deciding is how large the pieces you work on.... 6" has way more surface area,  so it obviously makes sense for large surfaces to buy the 150....

and yes, the ETS is very much smoother...  vs. the 150 in fine mode...big difference in stroke length....

 

[Kev]

When we're talking smoother ETS and finer sanding stroke ... there's:

ETS 125 with 2 mm stroke
ETS 150/3 with 3 mm stroke
ETS 150/5 with 5 mm stroke

I have the ETS 150/5 - I wouldn't say it felt as smoother as the ROTEX 150 (out of ROTEX mode) but I didn't try them side by side ... I'll do that when I've grabbed a ROTEX 150 in a short while.

 

[Scott B.]

I think its half psychological...the ets sanders just lend themselves really well to one handed operation, more so than the Ro's. On tasks that are repetitive and on going, as pictured below, that is sometimes what gets me through it. This was post chem strip defurring on a log cabin with beveled logs.

5 flat faces on each log. On my wish list is a ets 90 for situations like this.

[attachimg=#]

 

[tbellemare]

I have the ETS 150/5 - I wouldn't say it felt as smoother as the ROTEX 150 (out of ROTEX mode) but I didn't try them side by side ... I'll do that when I've grabbed a ROTEX 150 in a short while.

The ETS 150/5 and the Rotex 150 both have 5mm RO strokes. The difference in RO mode is weight and balance. I find that the Rotex is hard to use for any amount of time on a vertical surface without using the side handle but using it, makes a big difference.

Tom

 

[gkeas]

I started with the RTS125, later got the ETS125.  I sold after a couple of years and got the 150's.  I prefer the larger pads as it makes sanding considerably faster.  If I had to do much overhead work I might think differently due to the weight, but I'm not sure.  Good results with all the sanders, so you really cant go wrong.