Rotex vs ETS vs ETS EC

[jimk1963]

Just purchased the ETS EC 125/3 EQ... Like you, I wanted to purchase one sander. All I can say so far is, WOW. I've never experienced sander dust collection like this. Using my CT Midi I w/ 27mm hose, it's like a dream to sand now. Zero dust except a tiny amount of very fine powder to wipe off when done. What sold me initially was:

(1) 125mm is a good, easy size to hold; the low profile and low weight make it easy to use, and I noticed some people complained about the 150mm weight/handling; I wear a "L" size glove but am not a "big guy" at 5'8" so YMMV
(2) the 125mm actually works with the 150mm discs! This really sold me. I actually bought both 125mm and 150mm disc pads and discs at the same time, knowing this. So who needs the 150mm sander, unless you really need that horsepower...
(3) For belt sander needs, I decided to eventually buy a separate belt sander rather than an RO sander, because I figured that 90+ % of the time, I just need a basic sander and so it should be "comfortable" to use; with an RO I'd be suffering that extra weight (and cost) when I only need it 10% of the time. Again, YMMV depending on your projects. Someday I may very well buy an RO if I become good enough to really need one, like many of the great experts on FOG

I couldn't be happier with the ETS EC. And by the way, I've sanded two drawers and half-dozen cabinet faces with just one stick-on disc and the disc still looks brand new! Unreal quality. Took me a good while to pull the trigger due to cost, but I've already put that in the rear view mirror after a week. Product is simply outstanding.

 

[Cheese]

So who needs the 150mm sander, unless you really need that horsepower...

The ETS EC 125 and ETS EC 150 weigh the same and have the same amount off power, they're both 400 watts.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

So who needs the 150mm sander, unless you really need that horsepower...

The ETS EC 125 and ETS EC 150 weigh the same and have the same amount off power, they're both 400 watts.

Yeah, I think the thing you actually gain with the 150 (other than the bigger pad)is the stroke length. It goes from 3mm to 5mm.

 

[jimk1963]

Thanks guys for catching my mistake, was thinking of the RO 150 which is a few lbs heavier. Too many sanders in my head. What I should have said is that the smaller sander is slightly more versatile as you can use the smaller 125 pads where appropriate and bolt on the bigger 150 pads as needed. On the flip side, I've read you can't bolt on 125mm pads on the ETS EC 150 (Sawmill Creek) but it's unverified as I don't have an ETS EC 150. Many have posted they would have chosen the ETS EC 125 had they known this distinction. I

Re: stroke difference, there's both a ETS EC 150/3 and a 150/5. The former is identical to the ETS EC 125/3. For me, same versatility idea.. the ETS EC 125/3 with 3mm stroke enables both fine sanding and coarse sanding, while I've read the 150/5 can be too aggressive for fine sanding especially with thin veneers. I did a 60 grit sand of an old door panel just for fun and was amazed at how efficient the 125/3 was. Plenty good enough for these kinds of tasks IMO.

 

[hdv]

Not necessarily. I have the ETS-EC 150/3 and am very glad I choose it over the 150/5, because I have a RO150 for those more heavy duty jobs that benefit from a larger stroke. On the other hand, now I am wondering whether I should buy the new ES-ETS 125 edge sander with its 2 mm stroke or not. I really like the idea of getting sharp edges with a sander (for those cases where a plane cannot do it or is not as handy). But sometimes I am thinking I have enough sanders as it is... Ah, too many choices...  [unsure]

[Edit] The "not necessarily" was aimed at the "Yeah, I think the thing you actually gain with the 150 (other than the bigger pad)is the stroke length. It goes from 3mm to 5mm."

 

[jimk1963]

Agree. Also - more sanders!! Feel like I'm on crack after using this 125/3 for a weekend, can't get over what a night-and-day difference it makes vs. mainstream stuff at the big orange store. Already thinking of an edge sander, maybe an RO down the road...

 

[Cheese]

An ETS EC 125 pad will NOT fit on an ETS EC 150 sander unless you attacked it with a Dremel.

And an ETS EC sander will not fit in the new edge sander without some modifications. The edge sander is designed around the ETS/DTS/RTS line of sanders.

 

[jimk1963]

Thanks. Also found this post which explains why the 125 pads won't fit on the 150 - the 150 shaft is keyed while the 125 shaft is not. Near the end of the thread pics are posted of the 125 with 150 pads on it, author said it works perfectly with no braking or balance issues whatsoever.
https://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?pretty;board=ask-festool;topic=ets-ec-125150.0

 

[Mr Speaker]

After reading this thread and a bunch of others on the Rotex dilemma, I knew I had to post something after purchasing. My entry in the Festool universe started with their sander. After buying from the big DIY stores, a rectangular sander, a delta, a belt sander and an osculating gadget, I saw that the painters who did my home used Festool, and that they were so much faster than I was. I build loudspeakers, for home HiFi and for sound reinforcement. I hated sanding, still not an activity I do to relax. That is why I ended up with a belt sander. I know, not appropriate for what I am doing. I have the DTSC400 li and RTSC400 li, they are such a relief. Much faster, much smoother. But I was looking for a more aggressive sander for renovation. I was looking for just one more sander, and one that is different from the ones I already own. So I was looking for a Rotex. It is really different. They also are heavy. A lot of people here say that you need to test them yourself, and boy are they right. I ordered the RO125 thinking I could just get one more. I was surprised how heavy it is. I could not see myself waving that around. I try not to send stuff back but the Rotex is also difficult to handle, you really need to control it. I noticed it is tricky especially along edged of a cabinet. I ordered the ETS 125 EC and I tried them both. For my speakers it is easy. The balance and weight of the ETS 125 EC just wins and it is aggressive enough with the right grit and 3 mm stroke. I can use the ETS125EC one handed. For me it is clear that was the sander for me. So case closed right? Then I was asked to help in an old house remodeling, and I thought, I have already used the Rotex, might as well try it there as well. Big mistake, expensive mistake. I just did a staircase with multiple layers of paint infused with tobacco, the oldest layer is 55 years. That is where the Rotex shines. The house is not going anywhere, so I can use both hands on the Rotex, and it is so much faster. Plus I learned that there is no protector available for the ETS.  I just ordered the RO90, the jury is still out on the RO125, but I fear that I may get 3 sanders i.s.o. one (and at least two instead of one). Not because the Festool cannot do multiple things, but because they excel in what they are designed for. If I had to choose though, I would rather strip a staircase with the ETS, than use the Rotex on a speaker. Long story short; No sander is a Swiss army knife. Swiss army knives are fun, but neither good knives nor good bottle openers nor screwdrivers.

 

[JINRO]

I have Ro90, Ro150, ETS EC 125, and RTS400.  I have to say my favorite is RST400