Sander choice

[Jan_P]

Dear all,

I am planning to buy a Festool sander, for indoors renovation work, and hobby-woodworking. The projects I have planned currently are:
1. Removing carpet and paint from old stairs, to be treated with varnish or oil afterwards.
2. Renovate doors. I will need to sand the old paint to remove paint drops from the previous job, fill up holes and damages, and finish with a new layer of paint.
3. Renovate wooden chairs. Currently varnished; I want to remove the old layer, replace with oil or wax.
4. Sanding a table I’m currently making new, from oak, will also be finished with wax or oil like the chairs.

So, I consider two options:
1. RO125 and DTS400. The RO125 is good for doing larger surfaces for coarse sanding, the DTS should be used for coarse sanding in corners on stairs, and for the fine sanding on all projects. Disadvantage is the money ofcourse.
2. RO90 with the delta pad: Seems good enough for the stairs, and I can get into tight corners. Finishing step should be better than RO125, because of the smaller amplitude (3mm vs 3.6mm). However, I don’t think it’s very easy to keep the tool flat on the table top or doors, because of the smaller area… Advantage is the less money spent ofcourse.

So, my concern in buying the RO-90 is that I buy something that is multi-purpose, good at many things, but not as good as a specialized sander. And that in the end I will end up buying a larger RO125 for larger surfaces, and the DTS for finer finishing… which in the end will make me pay 3 tools, instead of 2…

Please share your opinion

Thanks,
Jan

 

[skids]

the 125 and DTS combo is killer...Tough to beat that set up and the results you will get will be pleasing, trust me on that. They compliment each other well.

 

[jacko9]

The RO125 and the DTS400 or the RO150 and the ETS 150/3 would be good combinations.  The RO 150 is a brute but it will take care of those stairs in a hurry and the sanding discs will be the same size as the ETS 150/3 which will be useful for finishing the table.  Sanding discs are an expensive consumable so consider commonality in your decision.

Jack

 

[batcave]

I would consider the dx 93. The paper can be rotated so you can use all three corners. It is also shorter than the ro90, so you can get between chair rails and such better. I have had the dts400 and you will wear out the tip quick. Anywhere you would use the back big section of the paper you can use a DA on. The dts400 is also taller than the dx93. Then add the DA/rotex of choice for the grunt work.

And ONLY buy granat paper!

Kevin

 

[currentsupply]

ETS 125 is my vote.  The 150 is too heavy for long sanding sessions.  The RO's are too heavy unless you're only doing heavy duty work.  The ETS 125 is the perfect size for long sanding sessions.  It is nice to have more than one, but I wouldn't ever want to be without the ETS 125.

 

[bkharman]

I have had a RO 90 and used it for a lot of similar projects like you have coming up. I also have a ETS 150/3 that Tom sent me and arrived this morning. I am very excited to have 2 physical sanders that do the jobs of about 5.

I ran a board through 5 150 disks (80 to 220) and the thing is smooth as a baby's butt. Plan on testing my surfix kit tomorrow as well.

 

[leakyroof]

People who work with stairs love the RO90 since it can strip, sand and sneak into tight corners . I really think you will end up with it at some point, but for now, agree with Skids that a starting combo of the RO 125 and the DTS400 or DX93 is a nice one.
Another choice is an ETS150/5 and the DTS400. You lose the Rotex mode, but a 150/5 with coarse grit abrasive can really remove some material in many cases, and then act much tamer with higher grits and a slightly lower speed setting to give you a smooth surface with less struggle over a heavier Rotex model.
You also gain a larger sander for faster surface area coverage when using the 150mm over the 125 models.

 

[Roseland]

I have similar needs and ended up with two sanders, an RS100 and an ETS125.  They are opposite end of the sander spectrum, but I think complement each other well.  The RS100 is a brute and a workhorse - it's also good at flattening panels.  But don't underestimate the ETS125 - with a coarse paper it can be pretty fast, and with a fine paper it's the best finishing saner there is.

 

[Jan_P]

Thanks for the answers guys,

although not doubting the convenience a RO90 would offer, I'm more convinced to go for the RO125 / DTS400 combination.

A lot of amongst here suggest the ETS125 as an alternative for the DTS125, but I would prefer the latter since it takes me into the small corners. Since they have the same 2mm stroke, I guess both will reach the same level of fine finishing, am I right?