Sander - helping choosing between ETS and RO 150

Welcome to the FOG!  In order to answer your question properly it might be helpful to let us know how you envision using your sander - i.e. What kind of projects, etc.
Peter
 
numerous projects in mind.

I have a thickness planer that does an adequate job.  Fight snipe occasionally.  First progect in mind is an 9 foot long Mahogany counter for my dental office reception area, and a few tables for the waiting room.
 
If you can have only one, I'd choose the RO150.

Actually did so in the past, my first Festool was the RO150. I just wanted and needed one sander at that time. Back then, I didn't know these things were more addictive than crack, so I did a lot research and decided I'd get the widest range out of a Rotex.

The Rotex can do what the ETS150 can do, but not the other way around.

The Rotex does have a steeper learning curve though.
 
Ddsrod said:
numerous projects in mind.

I have a thickness planer that does an adequate job.  Fight snipe occasionally.  First progect in mind is an 9 foot long Mahogany counter for my dental office reception area, and a few tables for the waiting room.
Click to expand...

Excellent to see a fellow DDS here on the FOG!  Those sound like great projects.  i love the idea of the mahogany counter!  for the projects you mentioned, i would have to recommend the RO 150.  Rotex mode will allow you to flatten the glue lines quickly while random orbit mode will give you that butter smooth finish you'll want in order to do that mahogany justice.  would love to see some pictures.  last year i built a small book case for my waiting room.  it is kind of a lending library concept that has worked quite well.  people take books and bring in new ones as well.  i also built a couple simple melamine carts for various things that we don't use all the time (diode laser, electrosurgery unit, etc….).  i'll stop rambling now….just excited to see another dentist on here
 
Yup, a Ro 150 with a hard pad, for what you want to do. And if you do not have a CT, get one, I have a 36. Your lungs will thank you. By the way whichever you choose it wont be your last, they just seem to multiply. Maybe you should just get both less angst that way. Welcome to FOG.
 
[size=14pt]
Well everyone so far has said RO150, and due to its versatility I won't disagree.

However given your projects, [and after you get a Festool Dust Extractor (well as a Dentist would you drill a tooth without that extraction/sucking hose!?  [smile])  ] ; I think your next sander is sure to be either an ETS150/3 or ETS125.

Back to the RO150, there is a learning curve and for some it can be a beast. Try holding it with one hand over the gear housing at the front, the other hand back down just in front of the plug it power lead connector. Have the dust extractor turned down to around 30% so the sanding pad is not unduly  sucked down on your workpiece. And just like your dental equipment, be gentle but let it know you are in charge. If you hold it too tight the pad will dig in unevenly on your work and the sander will skip.

Don't worry too much, you will get the hang of it,
many on the FOG have!  [blink]
 
I honestly don't find the RO150 a challenge, but the ETS150/n's are easier still. I wouldn't be investing in a new ETS now anyway ... waiting for the new brushless jobbies - though I may have to travel to get them [huh] [sad]
 
Just for clarification -- what are the circumstances in which one would reach for the ETS rather than the ROTEX?  As I understand it (and as the flowchart seems to indicate), the one place where the ETS would top the ROTEX is when your finishing off at the higher grits.
 
Edward A Reno III said:
Just for clarification -- what are the circumstances in which one would reach for the ETS rather than the ROTEX?  As I understand it (and as the flowchart seems to indicate), the one place where the ETS would top the ROTEX is when your finishing off at the higher grits.
Click to expand...

[size=14pt]
I tend to switch over at around 180 grit. But that's because I can. Others take their RO on through the higher grits, but I find the ETS's lighter to use and provide a better finish IMO. I return to the ROTEX when applying and buffing oil finishes.

You can see from my answer why for many the RO is their only or at least main sander.
 
Edward A Reno III said:
Just for clarification -- what are the circumstances in which one would reach for the ETS rather than the ROTEX?  As I understand it (and as the flowchart seems to indicate), the one place where the ETS would top the ROTEX is when your finishing off at the higher grits.
Click to expand...

The RO 150 in random orbit mode has a stroke of 5mm, which is the same as the ETS 150/5. Technically, you could almost say you'd get the same finish, but most people prefer the ETS for fine sanding due to ergonomics, vibration, control etc.

The ETS 150/3 has a stroke of 3mm, so is a somewhat different beast and often owned alongside the RO 150.

If using the RO 150 on bare wood in Rotex mode, don't skip the grits at the lower end, start the sander ON the work (to prevent accidental gouging) and stop the sander OFF the work. On flat surfaces, move the sander up and down, moving from left to right, then move it left to right moving up and down.
 
One of the advantages of the ROTEX seems to be that you can skip grits as you move toward the upper end of the scale, because the aggressive mode grinds down the surface much quicker.

BTW, a lot of the links that have to do with finishing in the consolidated link post near the top of this forum are no longer valid.  Is there an updated list anywhere, or more specific links when it comes to wood finishing, particularly with things link applying oil or polishing?  Or different approaches when sanding veneered plywood as opposed to solid lumber?

Up until I got my ROTEX sanders this summer I treated sanding as a necessary though unwelcome task, even on pieces of furniture I built, and did it as my Dad had taught me to do through a three step process: 100, 150 and 220.  The only time I went for a smoother finish was on the lathe.  But the ROTEX has really unlocked a whole new range of possibilities, so I'm trying to learn as many best practices as I can.
 
Edward A Reno III said:
One of the advantages of the ROTEX seems to be that you can skip grits as you move toward the upper end of the scale, because the aggressive mode grinds down the surface much quicker.
Click to expand...

I don't think skipping grits with the rotex is wise. And generally, when you go into the higher grits, you don't use aggressive mode anymore.
 
GarryMartin said:
Edward A Reno III said:
Just for clarification -- what are the circumstances in which one would reach for the ETS rather than the ROTEX?  As I understand it (and as the flowchart seems to indicate), the one place where the ETS would top the ROTEX is when your finishing off at the higher grits.
Click to expand...

The RO 150 in random orbit mode has a stroke of 5mm, which is the same as the ETS 150/5. Technically, you could almost say you'd get the same finish, but most people prefer the ETS for fine sanding due to ergonomics, vibration, control etc.

The ETS 150/3 has a stroke of 3mm, so is a somewhat different beast and often owned alongside the RO 150.
Click to expand...

What Garry said ^  [thumbs up]

Seth
 
"Skipping grits" is a relative term. In my experience, as long as you dont double the grit you are on in the next step, you are all good.

At least that is what we followed in our recent much ballyhooed Cherry Gone Bad series, and all worked out well.

Rotex is so much safer than orbital or random.

It is not just about material removal, but yah wow there too.
 
SRSemenza said:
GarryMartin said:
Edward A Reno III said:
Just for clarification -- what are the circumstances in which one would reach for the ETS rather than the ROTEX?  As I understand it (and as the flowchart seems to indicate), the one place where the ETS would top the ROTEX is when your finishing off at the higher grits.
Click to expand...

The RO 150 in random orbit mode has a stroke of 5mm, which is the same as the ETS 150/5. Technically, you could almost say you'd get the same finish, but most people prefer the ETS for fine sanding due to ergonomics, vibration, control etc.

The ETS 150/3 has a stroke of 3mm, so is a somewhat different beast and often owned alongside the RO 150.
Click to expand...

What Garry said ^  [thumbs up]

Seth
Click to expand...

I used to be a "stroke" follower, but Rotex, once you "get it", is a whole nother ball game for finish sanding. We have done some things recently with Rotex that just can't be done orbitally.
 
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