Rotex 150 or ETS EC 150/5

[AlexThePalex]

I think we should invent the rotating belt sander. That'd give an interesting scratch pattern! [huh]

You go ahead Kev, but I'm staying out of this. I have sincere moral objections to interesting scratchs patterns.  [tongue]

 

[www.jbbinnenwerk.nl]

So the first conclusion should be that the RO is a bit difficult to handle but is a more versatile machine.
I do have a lot of projects in which I finish the surface using special pigmented oil. Does anyone have experience with the RO on this regard?

 

[AlexThePalex]

So the first conclusion should be that the RO is a bit difficult to handle but is a more versatile machine.
I do have a lot of projects in which I finish the surface using special pigmented oil. Does anyone have experience with the RO on this regard?

The rotex can sand as preparation for anything you want. It works better on a big table than on a small hall closet. But whether you want to use oil or paint or whatever as finish makes little difference.

If you're anywhere near the Haarlem area you're welcome to bring a piece of wood and try out mine.

 

[Kev]

Hi Guys,

My first post over here, I will post some more detailed info about my work and workshop later on. I'm struggling with exact the same issue of choice. I have a BS75E, a DS400Q (most common sander?), a RS200EQ and a DX93 (which I never use). I can hear you people think: "If he has a RS200EQ, why buy an ETS EC? Mainly because I'm getting tired of the handeling of the big and heavy machine. Your hand is to far away of the surface so you don't get the 'feeling' with the material you're working on.

Sometimes I wish for a machine which can take a lot af material away, but that can be done by the BS75. but is makes a very raw surface, and always with "tracks". Is this easier with the RO 150? And how does a circulair sander perform on the side of a 19 mm MDF board?

(I apologize for my language, I'm from Holland and trying to make the best out of it)

The thing I really like about the RO150 is that it's also a supreme polisher .. a fact many people do not realise! In forced rotation mode it compares with market leaders such as the FLEX VRG.

The RO150 is big and somewhat loud. I get a lot more pleasure finish sanding with the ETS150's. Having the luxury of choice I suppose means I'll always finish with an ETS and you certainly do "feel" more. I'm looking forward to playing with the EC's, I haven't had the opportunity to do more than look at them yet!

 

[semenza]

    Personally I think the ETS150/5 is a better choice for the type of sanding generally done in relation to furniture building than the RO150. Mostly due to the shape handling and balance. The ETS is much easier to use one handed than the RO when sanding a large flat area (table top or the like). In fact since it since the hose does not cause it to tip back it can be operated by just resting a hand on the top.  Granted you give up the aggressive stock removal and aggressive stripping and polishing, but the ETS/5 can do a good job of stripping and stock removal. Just a bit slower. It comes down to deciding on features / versatility vs. the better tool for 90% of the tasks anticipated for furniture building. I like them both and getting just one is a tough decision.

    I have not tried the new ETS EC sanders but the shape leads me to believe that the regular ETS will be better for general wood working.

Seth

 

[Tayler_mann]

    Personally I think the ETS150/5 is a better choice for the type of sanding generally done in relation to furniture building than the RO150. Mostly due to the shape handling and balance. The ETS is much easier to use one handed than the RO when sanding a large flat area (table top or the like). In fact since it since the hose does not cause it to tip back it can be operated by just resting a hand on the top.  Granted you give up the aggressive stock removal and aggressive stripping and polishing, but the ETS/5 can do a good job of stripping and stock removal. Just a bit slower. It comes down to deciding on features / versatility vs. the better tool for 90% of the tasks anticipated for furniture building. I like them both and getting just one is a tough decision.

    I have not tried the new ETS EC sanders but the shape leads me to believe that the regular ETS will be better for general wood working.

Seth

The ETS EC actually was incredibly comfortable for all types of sanding. It fit great in either of my hands and was comfortable holding it on top in the palmof your hand, or gripping it between your thumb and pointer finger. With the option of holding it either way makes it very versatile. For furniture work I would take the 3mm stroke as well. I feel it leaves a better finish.

 

[Stone Message]

The ETS EC actually was incredibly comfortable for all types of sanding. It fit great in either of my hands and was comfortable holding it on top in the palmof your hand, or gripping it between your thumb and pointer finger. With the option of holding it either way makes it very versatile. For furniture work I would take the 3mm stroke as well. I feel it leaves a better finish.

I agree entirely. I use mine more than any of the other sanders and its light weight and stability make it perfect for furniture work.

Peter

 

[yetihunter]

For the price of a 150 mm Rotex (ro150) you can purchase an ETS 150 + a Bosch 1250DEVS.  Something to definitely consider.

I know that Mr. Parfitt likes the new EC sanders, and I can respect that (especially since he's actually used them); but in my hands, they definitely felt more suited for vertical work (automotive detailing). 

 

[semenza]

    Personally I think the ETS150/5 is a better choice for the type of sanding generally done in relation to furniture building than the RO150. Mostly due to the shape handling and balance. The ETS is much easier to use one handed than the RO when sanding a large flat area (table top or the like). In fact since it since the hose does not cause it to tip back it can be operated by just resting a hand on the top.  Granted you give up the aggressive stock removal and aggressive stripping and polishing, but the ETS/5 can do a good job of stripping and stock removal. Just a bit slower. It comes down to deciding on features / versatility vs. the better tool for 90% of the tasks anticipated for furniture building. I like them both and getting just one is a tough decision.

    I have not tried the new ETS EC sanders but the shape leads me to believe that the regular ETS will be better for general wood working.

Seth

The ETS EC actually was incredibly comfortable for all types of sanding. It fit great in either of my hands and was comfortable holding it on top in the palmof your hand, or gripping it between your thumb and pointer finger. With the option of holding it either way makes it very versatile. For furniture work I would take the 3mm stroke as well. I feel it leaves a better finish.

Does it tilt back when the hose is attached and no hand holding it or does it have enough weight to sit flat on its own?

Seth

 

[Tayler_mann]

    Personally I think the ETS150/5 is a better choice for the type of sanding generally done in relation to furniture building than the RO150. Mostly due to the shape handling and balance. The ETS is much easier to use one handed than the RO when sanding a large flat area (table top or the like). In fact since it since the hose does not cause it to tip back it can be operated by just resting a hand on the top.  Granted you give up the aggressive stock removal and aggressive stripping and polishing, but the ETS/5 can do a good job of stripping and stock removal. Just a bit slower. It comes down to deciding on features / versatility vs. the better tool for 90% of the tasks anticipated for furniture building. I like them both and getting just one is a tough decision.

    I have not tried the new ETS EC sanders but the shape leads me to believe that the regular ETS will be better for general wood working.

Seth

The ETS EC actually was incredibly comfortable for all types of sanding. It fit great in either of my hands and was comfortable holding it on top in the palmof your hand, or gripping it between your thumb and pointer finger. With the option of holding it either way makes it very versatile. For furniture work I would take the 3mm stroke as well. I feel it leaves a better finish.

Does it tilt back when the hose is attached and no hand holding it or does it have enough weight to sit flat on its own?

Seth

The sander does tilt back with the hose attached. I saw that as one design flaw for the sander and as with any sander even with the sleeved hose it requires a boom. That is true for almost all sanders in my opinion to make sanding much more easy. With that said it had an automatic stabilization control so when the sander gets unstable it automatically balances the motor to stay flat and stable . Also it weighs something crazy like 2 lbs so it is extremely easy to use. The automatic stabilization feature makes this literally the most stable sander you will ever be blessed to hold. I never thought I would ever see a sander with this much technology incorporated into it.

 

[www.jbbinnenwerk.nl]

Today one of the account managers of Festool visited my workshop. He had the ETS EC 150/3 with him, I had the chance of a short try-out. It worked very well, I didn't expect it to be so powerful. I was aiming for the 150/5 but it will probably be to "aggressive". I tried the Granat P80, Granat P 120 and, just for fun, the Granat P1500 (!). Especially the P1500 was mind-blowing. I was sanding a piece of Oak-finneerd MDF en it became as smooth as a mirror.

The P120...P180 range is probably the best use for this machine, for the type of work I'll use it for (furniture which is going to be finished with oil).

Also I have to mention the machine has a very easy handeling because of the low height and it's minimal weight. I've read you guys' comment about the machine tipping backwards with the hose attached, but why should that be a problem? Most of the time I put the hose over my shoulder or over my lower arm.

The Rotex is perhaps someday a good investment for heavy sanding and some oil-polishing but it will have to wait. I ordered a set with an AS-QG hose.

 

[semenza]

    On the tipping back ........ Just a personal thing for me. When I am sanding a large horizontal panel I like to be able to just place (not really even hold or hold down) a hand or a couple of fingers on the top to guide it. Gives my hand a rest and also my back (because I don't need to lean forward as much) when sanding far out  from my body. If the sander tips back it would need more than that to keep it flat on the surface.

    Now on the other hand it sounds like the new EC sanders have some nice benefits in other ways.

Seth

 

[Kev]

An can see the new EC's creating a surge in the sander hanger space. To me it's just German thinking that you have your sander set aside this way and no other thought enters their heads [wink]

 

[Holmz]

An can see the new EC's creating a surge in the sander hanger space.
...

Plus one could hang them up for the 10 hour break in period.
And with Halloween coming up one could hang them like bats (flying foxes). [big grin]

 

[Stone Message]

    On the tipping back ........ Just a personal thing for me. When I am sanding a large horizontal panel I like to be able to just place (not really even hold or hold down) a hand or a couple of fingers on the top to guide it. Gives my hand a rest and also my back (because I don't need to lean forward as much) when sanding far out  from my body. If the sander tips back it would need more than that to keep it flat on the surface.

    Now on the other hand it sounds like the new EC sanders have some nice benefits in other ways.

Seth

The "tipping back" thing is a combination  of the machine being light and the hoses being relatively heavy and stiff. I had not felt it presented any problem at all and even now cannot see why anyone finds it a disadvantage. As jbbinnenwek says, just support the hose if you have a problem.

The key thing to take away from this is that the ETS EC 150 is a joy to use, only needs one hand and it produces excellent results.

Try one if you need to be persuaded.

Peter

 

[Kev]

    On the tipping back ........ Just a personal thing for me. When I am sanding a large horizontal panel I like to be able to just place (not really even hold or hold down) a hand or a couple of fingers on the top to guide it. Gives my hand a rest and also my back (because I don't need to lean forward as much) when sanding far out  from my body. If the sander tips back it would need more than that to keep it flat on the surface.

    Now on the other hand it sounds like the new EC sanders have some nice benefits in other ways.

Seth

The "tipping back" thing is a combination  of the machine being light and the hoses being relatively heavy and stiff. I had not felt it presented any problem at all and even now cannot see why anyone finds it a disadvantage. As jbbinnenwek say, just support the hose if you have a problem.

The key thing to take away from this is that the ETS EC 150 is a joy to use, only needs one hand and it produces excellent results.

Try one if you need to be persuaded.

Peter

[member=11196]Peter Parfitt[/member]

I think I need a way of blocking your posts Peter ... if you praise a tool I seem to have little will power fighting it's acquisition [embarassed]

... I'm still borderline on a Conturo [crying]

cheers,

Kev

 

[Stone Message]

[member=13058]Kev[/member]

I am deeply sorry Kev for causing so much trouble. If it helps...

If you cannot afford the Conturo then it is one of the worst machines Festool ever produced. [wink] (I did look for a tongue in cheek symbol)

If you can afford it, then believe me, it is amazing. I had never used one before and Festool only sent just enough edging for me to do what I showed in the Conturo video - every bit of edging went on perfectly.

For anyone in any doubt about any Festool purchase - read the FOG, go to a show or a demo day at your dealer's or make use of the free trial period.

I still reach for my Hitachi impact driver when I need to get some large screws in !

Peter