Sander confusion, overwhelming choices?

G

gstuartw

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Jan 24, 2014
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69
I am itching to buy a new sander and a windfall $450 is sure to push me over the edge. (Note this does not mean my budget is limited to $450) I'm in the process of outfitting my first shop and this will be my first Festool sander purchase and I hope to buy the most versatile model possible. My primary use will be for sanding unfinished wood for the construction of cabinets, though I anticipate that there will be finishing or refinishing jobs that a quality sander will necessitate. A friend advise that based on the fact that in cabinet construction doors, drawer fronts and frames require a large stable sander I opted for a (non Festool) 1/2 sheet sander as my first. I realize that few manufacturers can match Festool but for the price and close match in features and quality the Makita BO4900V 2.9 Amp Variable Speed 1/2 Sheet Sander was too hard to resist. (I did buy the Festool 481523 Hole Punch so fear not, I will be taking advantage of my CT 36 while using the Makita.)

But what about the next one? If you were in my position which Festool sander would you purchase first? In addition what range and line of sanding discs?

Thanks,

Stuart

UPDATE - I appreciate all who took the time to offer advice. To start my stable of sanders I have ordered not only the RO 90 but also the ETS 125 and with each the harder pads. I had also included the Sys 2 with the Abrasives insert but I'll be changing that to just the Sys and making my own insert. I really like the efficiency of shop made organizers such as those Willy and others have cared to share.

Thanks again.
 
Stuart,
I bought a ETS 125 with the intent of it being a good sander for the variety of applications. However, I was advised that I'd probably want a RO (Rotex) model sooner than later with the projects I've been working on (removal of water damage, coatings, etc.). And you know what...I ordered a RO 150 last week (should be here tomorrow). In the mean time, I wouldn't trade the ETS 125 as a great fine finisher - but is versatile enough that I used it yesterday after scraping lose paint on some exterior door jambs/trim. I bought a systainer for paper storage when I bought each sander...keeps you organized.

I'd say you need to invest in a harder pad for any sander you get - due to your application.

I expect the RO to be my go to sander for a lot of remodel projects.

Shaun
 
The most versitle sander is the Ro 90. You have a three inch disk that is orbital and random orbital along with a delta pad. After that jewel, the Ro 125 or Ro 150 are available. The Ro 90 falls within your cost perameters. The ETS and RTS sanders are tremendous finishing sanders. You will also need consumables. They are best stored in systainers. All of this means more expense. Festool sanders, papers, systainers, and Dust Extractors all work together as a system, and do they work together. Yes they cost more, but once you use the system as a whole you will wonder why didn't I do this earlier. 
 
I have always hated sanding.  I have a nerve condition that makes me susceptable vibration injuryand...my favorite festool is the RO 90dx feq.  FANTASTIC!!.  Versatile, from grinding with 40 grit to polishing, plus the small size and light weight make this a tremedous little bugger.  Plus, if you're going to be sanding face frames anything bigger is hard to work with.  Get the hard pad so you can keep the frames and cope and stick doors from rounding over on the corners.  you can flatten boards with it and then in 10 seconds switch to polishing your car!
 
I'm becoming sold on the 90. Anyone want to suggest a selection of sandpaper? It seems one could get carried away with all the grits and with the systainer spend as much as the sander!  [big grin]
 
Either the RO90 or the DTS400 if the pad isn't too large for your needs.
Both will complement a 1/2 sheet sander.
 
The ro150 is great for grinding down out-of-flush face frames but you might consider developing construction methods that make that only marginally necessary.  I use dowels now, having tired of pocket screws.

Bosch makes a sander that is similar in function and appearance to the ro150 and a lot less money to buy.  Perhaps it is not as hand-balanced or something like that.  I will say for sure that I get numb hands from long sanding session with a Rotex, no matter what mode it is on.  It can be steered by the cord/vacuum attachment though and this prevents much numbing.

An aggressive 6" random orbital sander will go through grits to get to finish-ready faster than a 1/2 sheet sander.  It's still all rather slow compared to a machine like a stroke sander.
 
if you don't keep the plug it cord in the sytainer, you can have ALOT of paper in there for both the delta and the round.  it depends on what you're trying to accomplish.  If you want to sand off a prefinished wood floor you'll want some 40 and or 60.  If you're sanding oak/maple then 80 or 100 and 120 or 150.  The granat paper is expensive, but lasts a really long time and worth the price.  There's really no reason to ever sand wood wood over 180 grit....period.  I'f you're going to be sanding cabinet grade plywood then some 150 would be great because most manufacturers sand the ply to 120 at the factory so anythying less than that is counterproductive.  Search for "abrasive systainer" if you would like to get a nice assortment, i can't remeber who sells them, but they stock like 40 sheets of each grit.  that will keep you busy for a while!!  also there's 10 disc packs you can buy that way you won't go broke buying paper like i did!  [eek]
 
Take a look at this video from another thread

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-how-to/swirl-free-finishes-with-festool-sanders/

I found it very educational.

I have an RO-90 and I do love it because it is so flexible as a gear drive aggressive sander, a random orbital sander, and even a delta pad sander for getting into corners. 

Once you get to playing with it you may find yourself wanting to replace your 1/2 sheet sander with an RO-150.  Festool sanders tend to multiply in your shop [big grin]
 
The RO90 should be a very good versatile compliment to a 1/2 sheet sander. But if you didn't have the half sheet I would say that the 90 is too  small for large surfaces and that the RO150 or ETS150/5 would be a better choice. But since you have the 1/2 sheet , go with the RO90.

Seth
 
ro150.

I lived without a ro90 for a while and could do it again, the ro150 however…
 
gstuartw said:
I'm becoming sold on the 90. Anyone want to suggest a selection of sandpaper? It seems one could get carried away with all the grits and with the systainer spend as much as the sander!  [big grin]
Click to expand...

RO90 is great, and I've certainly spent more than the sander on its consumables/accessories and their storage. For basic sanding I've been happy with Granat, get a few grits that suit you and add more as projects dictate. Also be sure to get a vac with it.

EDIT: here's some abrasive storage ideas http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-and-tanos-systainers/systainer-insert-for-ro-90-abrasives/msg278616/#msg278616
 
gstuartw said:
I'm becoming sold on the 90. Anyone want to suggest a selection of sandpaper? It seems one could get carried away with all the grits and with the systainer spend as much as the sander!  [big grin]
Click to expand...

Give Tom Bellemare (tool-home.com) a shout and ask him about the 'wow' assortment he made up for me. Here's a link to my original post:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/ro-90-abrasives-assortment/msg309600/#msg309600

The request was mine, but the creation was Tom's - and a fantastic job he did! Several other members have purchased it since I did and it seems to be a winner. He will also customize an assortment for you any way you want it.
 
wow said:
Give Tom Bellemare (tool-home.com) a shout and ask him about the 'wow' assortment he made up for me. Here's a link to my original post:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/ro-90-abrasives-assortment/msg309600/#msg309600

The request was mine, but the creation was Tom's - and a fantastic job he did! Several other members have purchased it since I did and it seems to be a winner. He will also customize an assortment for you any way you want it.
Click to expand...

I am one of the satisfied "wow assortment" buyers.  Tom is really easy to work with.  He helped me customize the assortment to better fit my needs and he also made up two other assortments for my other sanders.  Saved lots of money and got some good advice.

FWIW, my very first Festool purchase was the ETS 150/3 paired with a Midi Dust Extractor.  I think you mentioned you already have a DE, but in case you are looking for another unit, you do get the discount if you buy it with a sander.  I like the smaller orbit size of the 150/3.

Mike A.
 
I bought two abrasive assortments from Tom, I bought the bigger version that comes in the systainer, and they are great.  The first was for the 6" abrasives, the second was for the RTS.  When I bought my RO 90, the fog member I bought it from already had the abrasive systainer.

Tom is a great dealer, and likes to work with his customers, so like Wow said, give his a ring or contact him through here.
 
I have the ETS 125, ETS 150/3, LS 130 and the RO90 and I'd recommend the ETS150/3 as the best overall sander for cabinet/furniture shop work.

Tom Bellemare is great to work with and if your close by, stop in and try the different sanders.

Jack
 
Eventually you'll end up getting a few of the sanders as they are engineered to excel a certain tasks (although a few offer greater versatility). I really like my RO90 it's very fast and can get into places no sander can.
 
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