Sander for freshly skimmed plasterboard

[KUMA]

Hi all.

I've read though nearly every thread on this subject so apologies if it's a semi rehash of an already trodden path. I'm currently renovating my house and looking for a sander to take out the imperfections in the skim that's been applied the plasterboard following a mist coat (i've given a mist coat to the fresh plaster as it's easier to see the imperfections for a little filler before sanding). Generally it's a light sanding over the entire wall but there are a few areas where a little more sanding is required, ie around electricity sockets etc and where the wall hits the ceiling in some spots. I'll also give the walls another sand after the next coat but with a finer grit.

I'm looking at either the
[list type=decimal]
[*]ETS EC 125/3
[*]ETS EC 150/3
[*]ETS EC 150/5
[/list]

Oh I am also making a few tall cabinets in my larder which are going to be ply wood frames so I'll also be using the sander to finish some of the frames amongst other bits of joinery that I plan to tackle - wardrobes in the loft, cabinets in the bathroom and shelving and alcove storage for the front room - these will be a mix of ply, veneered ply and painted MDF that will require a very fine sand before the final coat.

Any help much appreciated. I think I'm leaning more towards the 125/3.

Any help much appreciated.

 

[Cheese]

If you're leaning towards an ETS EC 125, then you can also install a 150 pad on it. However a 125 pad will not fit a ETS EC 150. [mad]

I forgot to add... Welcome to the FOG.

 

[ear3]

I would go 150/3 -- the 5mm might be a bit too aggressive and take off more than you need. 

The 125 would also work, but that one inch less in diameter translates to 50% less surface area on the pad.  You want the extra surface area if you will be doing panel construction in the future.

 

[Peter_C]

I don't do drywall for a living or I would own a Planex, but I do own one of these that will cut the surface flatter than an orbital sander, albeit with more dust on the floor. When coated correctly you shouldn't need to sand much.

 

[antss]

Poor man's Planex:    @ $125
http://drywall-dust-control.com/

 

[Tracky]

Or a real poor-man's Planex knock-off: http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/electric-extendable-drywall-sander/A-p8531766e.

I bought one for $199 a few years ago. Great tool for DIY'er. No dust in the house. Takes a little getting used to.

Look here for more models: http://www.alekodrywallsander.com/Drywall_Sanders_s/1837.htm

 

[leakyroof]

I would go 150/3 -- the 5mm might be a bit too aggressive and take off more than you need. 

The 125 would also work, but that one inch less in diameter translates to 50% less surface area on the pad.  You want the extra surface area if you will be doing panel construction in the future.

. ^^^^^. This...

 

[Cheese]

Well, I'll throw it out here for the wolves and coyotes out there that will take my dismemberment issue to the next level, but if you purchase an ETS EC 125, it will accept a standard 150mm pad. Bottom line...you now have 2 sanders in one.
If you purchase an ETS EC 150 sander, it will only accept a 150 pad. A no-go for the 125 pad... [mad] [mad] [mad]

You will only need a -5 sander if you use it mostly for wood or steel, a -3 sander is perfect for drywall.

 

[KUMA]

Thanks all. I downloaded the TapaTalk app for my iPhone and was wondering why I hadn't had any responses hahaha - turns out I didn't have the app set up right and there was plenty of helpful fellows having answered my Q this morning so thank you!

Appears the 125/3 or the 150/3 is the one then.

Question if I may - why is there such a differing view on whether or not the 150 pad can actually fit on the 125 machine. It really is a marmite issue and people are very much a believer one way or the other. If you can put a 150 pad on the 125 it's a no brainer. Does it just lose some of it's dust extraction ability?

Cheese, I've seen you post this comment on the forum before?

"I think I remember reading that a 150 pad would fit but that the pad brake would not operate."

Does anyone have any experience with this, anyone with any pictures of a 150 pad on a 125 machine?

Thanks again for all your replies. I plan to order this tomorrow for use over the weekend.

 

[Holmz]

One cannot go too far wrong with any of the ETS EC, and if NOT in north america than the Mirka Deros.

That said you are not really sanding much of the wall...

So I would either get the ETC EC in 150/5-mm for later projects. well... if you even have later projects in mind???
Using the 5-mm just use go up a grit (180 or 240) to soften the action a bit.

or (more likely)

I would get a vacuum attached hand sanding block and just do the outlets with that.
They are about $40-$60, from either Mirka or Festool and come in narrow or wide sizes.
(The wide is the same as the 1/2 in ˜115x230 mm), I would probably use narrow for your stuff.

That sick job that [member=50292]Peter_C[/member] posted would be the non vac version.
If it is too slow you can always get the ETS.

 

[Holmz]

[member=62527]KUMA[/member] Nothing is attached...

You could do the hand unit and then decide on the sander later.
Personally I would get the /5 as it does it all, and I got the DEROS which is pretty much a yellow ETS EC in 5-mm.

Plus it gives you credibility as you can say I only need the hand block for the walls for project X, but project Y needs tool Y.
But you can hardly make a mistake anyway you go, so if you have lots of walls get the sander. (It is like complaining that the Porsche does not have a Mazeratti trident emblem or a Ferrari horse decal.. Either way it is not a Ford pinto)

I put the house boss on the power sander and did the edges with a hand block for her office.
After a few minutes she said that the sander was a bit heavy... (A conversation ensued )

 

[KUMA]

[member=40772]Holmz[/member]...yeah I think that's what I'm realising is that with either of the EC machines I've got a winner on my hands.

Yes plenty of future projects that should get some use:

• I've a wall in my kitchen which is going to have tall cabinets through the length (5m). I'll build 7 ply carcasses that sit in the wall (it's been built out around the space for the joinery to a depth of 210m specifically for this bit of joinery) with tonk strips for the shelving (just a change from the usual shelf pin holes) and the addition of open and closed box shelves at a later date (something like the attached)
• I've also got a few cabinets to build in the larder (see attached)
• Then there is the alcove storage (this will just be painted MDF)
• Fitted wardrobes in the loft
• Bathroom storage

Hopefully my old man's Rotex 150 is going to come in handy for some of the above also.

I think as per Cheese's advice I'm sticking with the 125 given the flexibility to add the larger pad if needed.

 

[KUMA]

[member=62527]KUMA[/member] Nothing is attached...

You could do the hand unit and then decide on the sander later.
Personally I would get the /5 as it does it all, and I got the DEROS which is pretty much a yellow ETS EC in 5-mm.

Plus it gives you credibility as you can say I only need the hand block for the walls for project X, but project Y needs tool Y.
But you can hardly make a mistake anyway you go, so if you have lots of walls get the sander. (It is like complaining that the Porsche does not have a Mazeratti trident emblem or a Ferrari horse decal.. Either way it is not a Ford pinto)

I put the house boss on the power sander and did the edges with a hand block for her office.
After a few minutes she said that the sander was a bit heavy... (A conversation ensued )

Yes that's a fair point - I hadn't really noticed the hand sanders until last night and I can rig them up to my CTL.

The /5 is just rougher than the /3 correct? Ie less of a finisher? Given my dad has the RO 150 perhaps I could get by with the 150/5? There really is a lot of joinery for me to get through so having the larger surface area does make sense.

The Rotex doesn't live with me permanently tho but not an issue - it's only 1hr drive away so perhaps the question is, what's the better combination for that given that all three of the EC machines can help out with the walls.

Oh in terms of walls I have two bedrooms, front room, three floors of hallway to get through so a fair amount. I'll sand the entire thing once I've given a mist coat to everything, fill and then sand specific bits again.

 

[Holmz]

...
The /5 is just rougher than the /3 correct? Ie less of a finisher?
...

5-mm stroke/orbit or 0.2"
The /3-mm is 1/8"

Most people paint the walls, but I recall in St. Petersburg the plaster walls were just polished... So a 5-mm swirl with 180 is about the same from a foot away as a 3-mm swirl with 150gr.

You probably need to try both and see if one is obviously better for you.
For me it was a 5-mm, but we are all different.

The worst that can happen is that you get a very good sander instead of a great one. Those good/great labels depend on what happens in the future... (Que Sera Sera)

 

[Paul G]

I don't do drywall for a living or I would own a Planex, but I do own one of these that will cut the surface flatter than an orbital sander, albeit with more dust on the floor. When coated correctly you shouldn't need to sand much.

Less dust using a Hyde but the hose adds weighthttps://www.amazon.com/Hyde-09170-Dust-Free-Drywall-Vacuum/dp/B000M2WSHY

 

[KUMA]

Thought I'd update you all and hopefully the info serves some others looking for something similar.

I went for the ETS EC 125/3 with the hard 125 pad. Got loads of Brilliant 2 180 grit 150 and 125 sizes plus some Rubin 2 for the wood...120 and 180 I think. Oh I got the set with the dust hose in the sleeve also...all in about £620.

I must say, I was using the unit today WITH the 150 pad all connected to my CTL Midi and whilst using it I was thinking that it was simply the best £600 I've ever spent on anything.

I've most coated the walls and filled so now time to sand. On speed one I was taking out all of the paint globules and even taking the filled holes back in no time.

This sander is amazing. I am sure I will use the 125 pad but at the moment his is perfect as a 125 machine mascerading as a 150 machine.

If yoU're thinking about getting one then do it!