Rotex 125 vs 150

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Hi everyone!
    I'm new to the FOG, but have been a festool user and owner for about a year. I've read many topics about rotex sanders and the difference between the 125 and 150 and need some opinions. My father and I own a painting business and have the ets 125, ets ec 125, RO 90 and planex for our sanders.
    We do mostly interior jobs and will do the occasional deck here and there. I would like to get the rotex 125 or 150 for an upcoming deck job because we need to strip paint and get down to bare wood and I'm afraid the 125 RO sanders won't do the job even at low grits. The planex may do it but frankly it's not designed to do the task.
    Since we already have two 125 sanders I'm leaning towards the rotex 125 for the abrasive advantage. The 150 has the side handle and front auxiliary handle which makes use easier it seems like. My question is what do you all think I should do? Get the 125 or bite the bullet and go for the 150 and buy the abrasives etc. that go along with it? Thanks in advance!
-Mike

 

[semenza]

Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

  Always a tough choice. But one thing on the abrasives ...... other than the upfront cost  the advantage of  having all 125 abrasives is only in inventory and storage / transport. Because at some point you need to buy more anyway. I say get the best sander for the job and disregard the abrasive issue.

Seth

 

[waho6o9]

The RAS 115 will take the paint off better, but to answer your question I'd get the

RO150.

And Welcome to the FOG!

 

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Thanks guys. I like the RAS but would like to use the rotex sanders for future jobs. I can't see the RAS fitting in the arsenal as well as either rotex sander. I'm personally leaning more towards the 150. Bigger is almost always better, right?

 

[RJNeal]

I agree with Seth's opinion.
Rick

 

[AlexThePalex]

I'd prefer the 150, it is always good to have a sander around for the bigger jobs, it will gain you some real time.

 

[TylerC]

Welcome to the FOG! I think you're fine either way, but the 150 is a more efficient option for large surfaces like decking.

 

[Scott in Bend Oregon]

I have a RO 125 FEQ and RO 150 FEQ and use the RO 125 FEQ for 2x6s on decks.  I find that deck boards are nearly all cupped to some extent and have slightly higher edges along their length.  The 5" pad seems to fit better without overlapping onto adjacent boards.  I'm not necessarily trying to flatten the deck boards, just remove the old coating.

 

[Holmz]

Thanks guys. I like the RAS but would like to use the rotex sanders for future jobs. I can't see the RAS fitting in the arsenal as well as either rotex sander. I'm personally leaning more towards the 150. Bigger is almost always better, right?

Can you picture a belt sander in the arsenal?