Sander ETS EC 150/5 or /3

[petertheeater]

Hi all. I've dipped my toe in this green pool sporadically and absorbed much useful knowledge. I have a question on Sanders. I already have a Bosch 150mm ROS and a Metabo 150 ROS dual (2.8 to 6.2mm stroke). I like them both a lot. However I have developed a case of Tennis Elbow which has been going on for months now. Sanding and arrising are two activities which cause the most stress to the problem and I suspect the condition developed from these procedures. So the new ETS EC 150 has caught my eye. I had been toying with the option of buying the Mirka deros but you know what this Festool collecting is like, not to mention the plug it and hose connecting ease. So the question is 5mm or 3mm stroke. I mainly sand MDF edges in a stack - drawers and carcass edges etc, Veneered boards - usually to be oiled and general timber sanding - doors frames etc. Is the 3mm stroke going to make hard work of the MDF edges and flushing of door frames etc. I dont just need a de- nibber between oil or paint coats. Any opinions advice would be much appreciated. I do still have the Metabo for the more aggressive tasks. Many thanks
Peter.

 

[Kev]

/3 would be my target in your shoes.

Best judgement is the grades of abrasives you intend to use ... Personally I'd never use a 3mm orbit with anything under 80 grit as I have /5 and RO150 as alternatives, but every application differs.

You certainly want excellent DC with MDF !

 

[Michael1960]

As you have a Metabo dual for aggressive work I'd go for a 3mm stroke.
Another thought...  How many sheets of MDF do you stack to sand the edges? If not many, the RO90 maybe easier to use and improve dust collection.

 

[duburban]

As you have a Metabo dual for aggressive work I'd go for a 3mm stroke.
Another thought...  How many sheets of MDF do you stack to sand the edges? If not many, the RO90 maybe easier to use and improve dust collection.

No offense Michael, but I find my 150/3 so much smoother to use than the ro90. The 150/3 really is the luxury car of my 6 festool sander lineup.

 

[jacko9]

150/3 with dust extractor and Granat sanding paper.

Jack

 

[Stephen B]

 

[Just F Me]

I've been sanding various plywoods and also painted plywood recently.  I have the CT26 + ETS 150/3.  It's a beautiful sander for what I do.  If you need to finish rough wood, I can see getting a Rotex, but for me, the ETS 150/3 gets a great finish. 

 

[Kev]

As you have a Metabo dual for aggressive work I'd go for a 3mm stroke.
Another thought...  How many sheets of MDF do you stack to sand the edges? If not many, the RO90 maybe easier to use and improve dust collection.

No offense Michael, but I find my 150/3 so much smoother to use than the ro90. The 150/3 really is the luxury car of my 6 festool sander lineup.

Spot on! The RO90 is awesome, but not for this purpose.

 

[wow]

I would/did go for the 150/3. It's a prefect complement to my RO90 and RO150, so I expect it will fill the same roll for you and your Metabo.

 

[petertheeater]

Well thanks all for your input. I will opt for the 3mm stroke. Now to check out the various posts on which type of abrasive to use. Here in the UK I notice that 'Ironmongery direct' do a festool compatible pad- any one tried it?  Could be good for the less delicate jobs maybe! http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/search?searchtext=festool

 

[Stone Message]

I have had the ETS EC 150/3 for a few days on loan from Festool UK. I am making a video about it and when complete the sad thing is it has to go back - that is going to break my heart.

I think the consensus above of the 150/3 is right. You can use one of 3 sanding pads; ultra soft, soft and hard. As was said above, you can then use the grits to suit your task.

I am sorry that you have tennis elbow - I have something similar in my right leg but I am calling it roofer's ankle ! With luck we should both recover soon. The new ETS EC 150 is so easy to control. When you see my video you will spot that I start by using a two handed (force of habit) stance but I very soon found that one hand is enough. It is light and is certainly easy to control.

I hope to finish the video editing by tomorrow - if I have a sleepless night I might do a few hours before day break and guarantee to get it up by tomorrow evening.

If you are not aware, I only make videos of kit that I am prepared to recommend to my very best friend and this machine has passed that test with flying colours. Now, if I spent the time that I have making the video by pushing trolleys around our local supermarket I would have made enough money to buy two ETS 150s - I think that may be the future !

Peter

 

[Stephen B]

Well thanks all for your input. I will opt for the 3mm stroke. Now to check out the various posts on which type of abrasive to use. Here in the UK I notice that 'Ironmongery direct' do a festool compatible pad- any one tried it?  Could be good for the less delicate jobs maybe! http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/search?searchtext=festool

[size=14pt]
Down here at least, original Festool papers do not suffer from premium pricing over other brands such as Bosch and Makita. The Festool Granat range is very popular amongst FOG members including myself.

 

[jacko9]

I have had the ETS EC 150/3 for a few days on loan from Festool UK. I am making a video about it and when complete the sad thing is it has to go back - that is going to break my heart.

I think the consensus above of the 150/3 is right. You can use one of 3 sanding pads; ultra soft, soft and hard. As was said above, you can then use the grits to suit your task.

I am sorry that you have tennis elbow - I have something similar in my right leg but I am calling it roofer's ankle ! With luck we should both recover soon. The new ETS EC 150 is so easy to control. When you see my video you will spot that I start by using a two handed (force of habit) stance but I very soon found that one hand is enough. It is light and is certainly easy to control.

I hope to finish the video editing by tomorrow - if I have a sleepless night I might do a few hours before day break and guarantee to get it up by tomorrow evening.

If you are not aware, I only make videos of kit that I am prepared to recommend to my very best friend and this machine has passed that test with flying colours. Now, if I spent the time that I have making the video by pushing trolleys around our local supermarket I would have made enough money to buy two ETS 150s - I think that may be the future !

Peter

Peter, When you start pushing trolleys around the local supermarket please have your wife make a video of it for the FOG members [wink]

Jack

 

[Stone Message]

Peter, When you start pushing trolleys around the local supermarket please have your wife make a video of it for the FOG members [wink]

Jack

I will certainly do that - it might even get on local TV !  [smile]

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

I worked through and have just finished the video and it is uploading now. That will take about 2 hours which gives me a chance to grab some sleep and dream of those shopping trolleys. I will start a new thread when the video is up.

Peter

 

[Kev]

I worked through and have just finished the video and it is uploading now. That will take about 2 hours which gives me a chance to grab some sleep and dream of those shopping trolleys. I will start a new thread when the video is up.

Peter

Hi Peter,

I both can and can't wait to watch your video ... ?Schrödinger's Video? ... I'm looking forward to getting your impressions, but knowing that you'll only produce a video if you rate the product makes me certain that my existing ETS150/3 and /5 are likely to be up for sale soon with far more expensive EC versions on the way [embarassed]

I both do and don't love you Peter!

Kev

 

[Stone Message]

Here is the link to the thread for my video of the new sander:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/festool-ets-ec-1503-video/

Peter

 

[petertheeater]

Hello all and thanks for the advice. I always enjoy mr Parfitt's review videos so the latest on the new Ets sander will I'm sure, answer all the questions. Thanks Peter. I shall sit down with a nice glass of something - maybe some cheese and enjoy it.  Thanks for these reviews. You are becoming a go to man for these things and dare I say becoming Sage.