Rotex vs ETS vs ETS EC

[Gregor]

Good to know these are interchangeable, at least in one direction. Thanks for the info.
Now I just hope I'll manage to stay abstinent...

 

[Tomsim]

Thank you all for suggestions.
I still haven't decides which one to buy, i still have some questions. Im even considering ro125 again.
Is Rotex in fine sanding mode less noisy than in geared mode? Still much noisier than ETS?
Can RO125 or maybe even RO150 be used onehanded for round sanding on the edges and similar round stuff? Or are the vibrations to prononounced?  I could do it occasionly with Bosch with its 2.1kg but im wondering will i be able to do it with rotex, or are the vibrations too high. Someone says that in fine sanding mode Rotex is like regular ROS, someone say it is hard to control even in fine mode, and that vibrations are much higher than regular ROS.

About ETS EC and brushless motor.. Since it is brushless motor and cannot be bogged down, can i put extra pressure on sander if i want to remove more material? Or it has nothing to do with it? On Bosch ROS extra presure wouldnt sand much more, even less. I always sanded only with sanders weigth, and that would get me to the nice  finish fastest.

Is ETS EC 150 quieter than ETS 150? According su spec on Festools site, it is not? But i tougth it is, because it is brushless

If i by chance run out of sanding paper discs, can i drill holes in regular 6 hole sanding disc using Festool patern and still expect good dust collection and resaults? I'll have to order Festool's online.

I tried to search older topics, but didnt find the answers to these. Thanks for the help!

Regards

 

[JeromeM]

Is Rotex in fine sanding mode less noisy than in geared mode?

No the same volume

Still much noisier than ETS?

Yes but as you will be using hearing protection it makes little difference ( if you don't wear hearing protection you should).

Can RO125 or maybe even RO150 be used onehanded for round sanding on the edges and similar round stuff?

It certainly be used one handed, I just confirmed that, but that's not usually the most comfortable way to use it.

Or are the vibrations to prononounced? 

I could do it occasionly with Bosch with its 2.1kg but im wondering will i be able to do it with rotex, or are the vibrations too high. Someone says that in fine sanding mode Rotex is like regular ROS, someone say it is hard to control even in fine mode, and that vibrations are much higher than regular ROS.

I don't think it's hard to control in either mode. It's very difficult to answer about a "regular" ROS there is no real answer is no such thing really as a regular ROS. Often the more you pay the less vibration you get with a ROS.

About ETS EC and brushless motor.. Since it is brushless motor and cannot be bogged down, can i put extra pressure on sander if i want to remove more material? Or it has nothing to do with it? On Bosch ROS extra presure wouldnt sand much more, even less. I always sanded only with sanders weigth, and that would get me to the nice  finish fastest.

Brushless motors can be bogged down it just much more difficult.

Putting extra pressure on a random orbit sander only gets you a bad scratch pattern, not a good idea.

Is ETS EC 150 quieter than ETS 150? According su spec on Festools site, it is not? But i tougth it is, because it is brushless

Brushless motors are not quieter than brushed motors, the brushes are virtually silent any way.

You are thinking of induction motors vs universal motors

If i by chance run out of sanding paper discs, can i drill holes in regular 6 hole sanding disc using Festool patern and still expect good dust collection and resaults? I'll have to order Festool's online.

The old Festool pattern is 9 holes the new is 17.

Can you drill the new hole pattern? Sure you can, I wouldn't bother as it's too much work for no real cost saving.

Will the hole pattern interfere with the 6 already there ? Maybe.

Dust extraction will probably be the same, no reason for it to be bad.

Can you get equal results? If the disks you use use the same quality of abrasive certainly. If you use cheap disks then probably not or you may need to replace them often.

On most consumables Festool is not charging a name premium. You get what you pay for and that is good quality.

 

[Alanbach]

These are random orbit dual action sanders so you can actually stop the rotation of the pad while running rather easily, with your finger. At that point you have orbit only, no rotation. That is why if you put too much downward pressure the rotation stops and you get excessive scratch pattern due to orbit only and no dual action. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ROTEX sanders in geared mode. Rotex in geared mode has tons of power and you can apply all the pressure you want, just look out because it is a beast capable of digging quite a gouge if you let it. In geared (direct drive) mode you will really hurt yourself if you try to stop the pad while running. You can’t do it. The ETS EC has a lot of power but it it still a Dual action sander and so you have to let it do the work. When I got mine I really had to get used to letting it stay flat (no tilting it up to get edge pressure) with minimal downward pressure and letting the sander do the work. Most of the time I hold it by the vac hose and barely even exert any downward pressure.

 

[Zenoah]

the ETC EC is much lighter and a lot easier to use one handed. If you sand anything vertically its much less effort. The Rotex offers the ability to rough sand. polish and finish though so is a more all rounder type of sander. its best to have both!

 

[ProCarpenterRVA]

My suggestion based on the items you seem to like to do, would be the ETS 150/5. FAST cut, take it to 220, then go to the old fashioned sanding block and 320, then 400. It's going to be a quick process and you'll feel like you hand crafted it at the end. Try to hand sand with the grain.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[Tomsim]

It’s an old topic, but few yeras later, i’m smarter... and and have less money
So just to share my opinion. Maybe it will help someone.
First I bougth Bosch gex 125-150. It’s a little louder, but it is really nice sander for horizontal on table sanding. But it’s really unpractical for anything else.
If I could buy just one sander from Festool for home/garden projects, it would be RO90.
The second would be ETS EC 150/5.

I still have big Makita belt sander, but in the future it will probably be replaced with BS75 with snading frame or RO150.

 

[nicholaskasala]

i just had the same issue, i ended up going with the Rotex 150, it has allot of power and will cause allot more fatigue after prolonged use, but it can give an incredible finish. In the course mode it is very efficient at removing all the swirls once a slab is removed from router table, in fine mode it just acts as a heavy/bulky Ets 150. The decision maker for me was the Rotex in course mode is much better for polishing then the Ets. You will have to clamp down smaller pieces as the Rotex will move them around the workbench. i am happy i chose the Rotex, as it is a sander that can do allot.

 

[mkasdin]

It’s an old topic, but few yeras later, i’m smarter... and and have less money
So just to share my opinion. Maybe it will help someone... If I could buy just one sander from Festool for home/garden projects, it would be RO90.
The second would be ETS EC 150/5.

I still have big Makita belt sander, but in the future it will probably be replaced with BS75 with snading frame or RO150.

I’m in favor of the ETS ec 125. I think the RO 90 and Rotax 150 are very good, but specialized. The ETS 125 and the ETS EC 125/150 are more DIY, general purpose, user friendly. I think once people starting sanding with Granat they end up buying a second style FT sander. One is never enough over the long haul?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I started with the RO90, since it is the most versatile. The delta pad made that an easy choice for me. At that time I still mostly used a pneumatic palm sander. It is light and simple to use, since there is more than adequate air power, but severely lacking in dust collection. I added the ETS EC 125 as a pretty much direct replacement. I was happy with those two for quite some time. After losing everything in a fire, I replaced those two right away, evidence of how good they were to me.  Since Porter Cable discontinued the baby belt sander, I needed something that could replace it. That became the RAS115's job. It works great for the same type of tasks. For larger areas I was still using a geared orbital pneumatic sander, sometimes still do, but it is not portable at all. If I needed something like that at home or had to level a solid surface joint in the field, it wouldn't work. The RO125 fits that need for me. I chose it over the RO150 purely because of the availability of abrasives. Already having an ETS EC 125 and the vast majority of the rest of the guys in the shop were I work having 125mm sanders, that is what the company stocks.
If I had to pic just one? RO125 for sure. It can do the RAS115's job, just slower. It can do the ETS EC 125's job, just heavier, plus it can polish. The only thing it can't do is the pointed delta pad and I don't use that nearly as much as I thought I would. It's nice to have, but I would still pic the RO125 as the only one, if I had to.

 

[mkasdin]

If I had to pic just one? RO125 for sure. It can do the RAS115's job, just slower. It can do the ETS EC 125's job, just heavier, plus it can polish. The only thing it can't do is the pointed delta pad and I don't use that nearly as much as I thought I would. It's nice to have, but I would still pic the RO125 as the only one, if I had to.

if some one was first starting out buying Festool:
On a budget - ETS 125 and a CT 15 vacuum.
Bigger budget ETS EC 125 + Rotex RO 90
Next Sander Buy: RO 125

Since Porter Cable discontinued the baby belt sander, I needed something that could replace it. That became the RAS115's job. It works great for the same type of tasks.. If I had to pic just one? RO125 for sure. It can do the RAS115's job, just slower. It can do the ETS EC 125's job, just heavier, plus it can polish. The only thing it can't do is the pointed delta pad and I don't use that nearly as much as I thought I would. It's nice to have, but I would still pic the RO125 as the only one, if I had to.

Then it’s a horse race depending on your needs RAS, the RTS?, RO150 if doing large panels, it gets the work done quickly in geared mode. Just sanded some red balau it was 3x quicker than the ETS 125. It is a lot of sander and you need to watch what your doing, it has a 8mm stroke in geared mode, plus it’s heavier

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I only have the ETS because it was given to me from a lot that a friend bought in an auction. I don't particularly like the taller electric sanders. I'm am so used to the form factor of pneumatic sanders, that the typical electric units feel awkward. That's why I got the ETS EC125, it is almost exactly the same.

Yes mkasdin, the RAS115 can be quite a beast, especially with paper in the 40-60-80 grit range. I use it literally like a belt sander. I find the reducing the speed helps to tame it a lot. It's kind of beyond what I would really call a sander, it's more like a soft padded grinder.

 

[aloysius]

Hi all!

I cannot decide what sander should I buy so i'm asking for some help. I'm a hobby woodworker.

I have used Bosch GEX 150 AC a lot for may projects. Its 3727devs in the US. I dont have access to it so frequently any more, so i decided to buy a sander for myself.
I also own Makita 4" belt sander. It's a 6kg beast and I dont enjoy using it, but it does the job when needed. But can also destroy the workpiece in a second if not careful.
I also use it as a stationary sander sometimes, but i may even sell it if i decide to buy Rotex.

I was satisfied with the Bosch for fine sanding (but too slow for cleaning glueups etc) so i even considered buying a new one for myself, or maybe the dual mode version (Turbo or 1250devs in US). Went to my local dealer, and saw that its not made in Switzerland any more. Its probably still good, especialy  for a hobbyst, but I decided my new sander will be black and green The same thing happend with jigsaw. Planed to buy a Bosch GST 160 CE, but ended with a Carvex

I do projects around the house. Shelves, nightstands, table, bar stool, wooden clock, bed, cutting boards...
I dont own a jointer. When i prepare rough timber for jointing/glueing i usually do it with a router and router planing sled and a track saw.
When i sand, i usualy dont go over 400 grit, only between coats. I dont enjoy sanding very much. I never sand more than 30minn, but i like a smooth sanded wood, and i like it as soon as posible.

Initialy i thougth geting a Rotex RO125 would be the best option. But than i've read that its not as stable as RO150, so i thougth gettin a RO150. More i searched i thougth ETS 150/5 would be best allaround sander because Rotex is to rough. Then i thougth the EC version is better, but than i read that its not as stable as non EC version. Then i thougth ETS 125 EC wold be best because it can accept 150 pads if needed, but has only 3mm orbit, so im worried it will be too fine sander for me, since iz will be my only sander, so ill have to do a lot of sanding to get to the finish.
And then when i gave up of Rotex, i saw this Festool video where a guy sands only in Rotex mode and gets a swirl free glosy finish... Im confused.


I know that every one of these sanders will be ok for me, but i'd like to buy the one that is the best for my needs, since it will be my only sander. They are all from 400 to 530 euro price range.
I dont have a Festool dealer localy so i cannot try it side by side. I have to order online. I also dont have a Festool dust extractor, just a regular shopvac that i use with my powertools. But i plan to upgrade to MIDI in near future.

I know this is a long post, but it may help you helping me make a decision

Thank you for the suggestions.

If mail order is your only option, then I'd seriously reconsider buying Festool.  Getting the hardware is no problem, but if all you require is a few discs or a replacement pad, then you're in trouble.  You'll have to purchase a full box of any chosen abrasive, or alternatively carry large & expensive stocks of all required & anticipated grits & varieties at home.  Not to mention anticipating delivery lead-times.

Getting the Bosch or Makita Rotex equivalent will allow you to drop into your local hardware store & get as little as 5 each (even less in assorted packs) of your required grits.  The issue is Festool's rather greedy use of a unique hole pattern that precludes many aftermarket software alternatives.  Both B&M use much more universal patterns and backing pad designs.

The last time I ordered a job-lot of Festool abrasives & backing pads the order took some THREE MONTHS to arrive.  Ridiculous!  My local "supplier" won't even carry the product in-store any more!  Everything (& I do mean everything) must now be "special order" & pre-paid, with a vaguely indeterminate date of arrival!  Needless to say I've replaced almost all my "incompatible" F/tool gear as a consequence!  I also now have to send all my repairs away to an anonymous & uncommunicative remote location for repair too!  My local, friendly, efficient, courteous and informative repairer & supplier (with whom I've had a 40 year association) was summarily "sacked" by the company for reasons unknown.

I'd strongly recommend getting more mainstream product that can be ordered, repaired & supplied with parts & accessories locally.  It may not matter now, but you may very well bitterly regret the lack of foresight in the future.

 

[mkasdin]

I only have the ETS because it was given to me from a lot that a friend bought in an auction. I don't particularly like the taller electric sanders. I'm am so used to the form factor of pneumatic sanders, that the typical electric units feel awkward. That's why I got the ETS EC125, it is almost exactly the same.

Yes mkasdin, the RAS115 can be quite a beast, especially with paper in the 40-60-80 grit range. I use it literally like a belt sander. I find the reducing the speed helps to tame it a lot. It's kind of beyond what I would really call a sander, it's more like a soft padded grinder.

I agree about the tallness of the sander, but it’s not a deal breaker, for how I use it. I typically use the ETS sander outside for general home repair. It is inexpensive enough if it falls off the ladder and ends up in dirt or scratched it doesn’t matter (hurt as much). It does have a 2mm (2.2mm?) stroke so it fairly docile and it’s a keeper now that Festool has the edge guide thing for it.

Honestly, the only reason I bought it was the (Promo5) Pro5 for $100 and I couldn’t pass up that deal. JTDG. I wish Festool would offer future deals.
The flatter profile sanders are nice! I remember back in the day working at a body shop it was called a DA or a jitterbug. I guess it looks like a jitterbug? Not sure if that term is still used today.

 

[Bertotti]

My first Festool sander last year was the RO90 and it is a small beast. I damaged my wrists the first two days I used it but they healed and now I know to take breaks I used it for two days 8+ hours each day the first time I picked it up and it was too much for my mid 50's body at the time. I can now use it one-handed with no issues it just takes a bit of work and a lot of technique. A few months later I added the RO150 and I find both are more difficult for me to use in random orbit mode. But I have no other sanders these do everything I could want.

 

[aloysius]

I found the RO90 to be an all around awful sander.  Not the absolute worst, but close.....

 

[Bertotti]

I found the RO90 to be an all around awful sander.  Not the absolute worst, but close.....

It has its place for me with its lower profile but I can see adding the DTS, is that the big delta sander, at some point as well. But the little RO does a nice job with the extended delta for the hard to reach places, if you don't need that don't buy the RO90, in my opinion anyway.

 

[chase_leibowitz]

I can't give a ton of insight to this, but I own the festool ETS-125 REQ (the older cheaper version). Its been a GAMECHANGER coming from my old sander. no vibrations, and sands pretty fast. Im super happy with it, and it was only 200$. I'm sure that the other ones are better, but this one is great and i'd recommend it!

 

[mkasdin]

I found the RO90 to be an all around awful sander.  Not the absolute worst, but close.....

I’ve used the RO90 with the delta pad as an electric file.  I was able to create some transition moldings for hardwood floors getting an even profile on Asian Cherry. I did another transition on my front door using Red Balau. It has a Janka rating of 2100 and the depth of cut, flexibility and control made the job doable. I used a 60 grit Rubin followed by 80 grit Granat to 120g. It had several compound curves. No other sander would have been comparable.  I will say that it was my third FT sander.  I think this is one of those sanders where you need to wrap your head around it. It shines for home improvement, but it’s not typically my first line of defense, but it’s usually the last line of defense when you need to get yourself out of a tight spot or need more dexterity to accomplish the task?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I use the RO90 primarily as an edge sander for solid surface work or for working on edges of acrylic panels. It can go from very rough sanding all the way to polishing, though I disconnect the CT at that point.
I work in a commercial cabinet shop and although I don't work in the specific solid surface area, I do get involved with it for many of the reception desks that are my main focus. Loose (stand alone tops) are done buy a dedicated team, but things that are built into the desk are mine.