Sander Questions

[FesRookie]

Hello All,
First time posting here.  I'd like to buy a sander that will be useful for general woodworking, but especially for fine finishing.  I'm a hobbyist and for me sanding starts with boards that come out of the planer, and ends at 600 grit at most.  I also typically use furniture wax as a final step after an oil/urethane finish.  Although I've hand-buffed the wax off up until now, I  wondered which buffing attachments would make this job easier.  I'm leaning towards either the ETS 150/5, ETS 150/3, or the RO 150 FEQ Rotex Sander, which I understand also has a fine mode, but I could find specs for the sanding radius...In it's fine mode is RO 150 FEQ Rotex Sander as good a finish sander as the ETS 150/3?  In terms of the ETS 150/3...are there buffing attachments for this machine, and if so, which would you suggest for buffing out a wax finish?
Would appreciate input from those who have experience with these tools and uses..
Thanks very much!

 

[semenza]

Hi,

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

Rotex 150 in fine mode has a 5mm stroke.

If you are really leaning toward the high end on grits 240 and up I would recommend the ETS150/3.  But if not going beyond 240 very often the ETS150/5 is a bit more all purpose but can still handle the fine work.

Seth

 

[FesRookie]

Thanks--very helpful!  As a follow-up, I can't figure out if there are polishing pads/interface available for the ETS 150/5?  I'm thinking of using the soft felt pad to remove/buff wax on furniture...
Thanks again!

 

[semenza]

Thanks--very helpful!  As a follow-up, I can't figure out if there are polishing pads/interface available for the ETS 150/5?  I'm thinking of using the soft felt pad to remove/buff wax on furniture...
Thanks again!

For ETS150 , Yes, there are.    Interface pad 496647.  Polishing pad ...  I think its this one ...... 496152.

You'll want two sanders if your into the polishing idea the Rotex wins at that task  [wink]

Seth

 

[FesRookie]

Thanks again!  In terms of dust collection... I have the Porter-Cable 15 gallon HVAC shop vac; I imagine most folks here have the Festool dust extractors, but my PC with the HEPA filter is a good machine and I hate to have to buy another...  Will I need to reduce the vacuum if I use it with the ETS 150/5?  If so, what are some clever ways people have found to reduced the vacuum (or flow)... ? some sort of in-line diameter reducer in the vacuum hose?
Thanks again- great Forum!

 

[jacko9]

I use the 150/3 and for fine finishing I prefer the 3mm vs 5mm pattern.  The 150/3 is a great sander and will not leave you wanting as far as material removal.

Jack

 

[semenza]

Yes, you will need to reduce the suction to get good performance. I think it will take more than reducing the diameter. Perhaps a Y fitting with one side open or some type of adjustable opening. Basically you will need to get rid of some of the airflow. Also you will want to think about what hose you are going to use to connect to the sander. Festool hoses will fit most  other shop vacs.

Seth

 

[FesRookie]

Just looking into the "abrasive" section of the Festool world  [wink].. A bit overwhelming with choices!  At this point, based on the advice from Seth and others generously provided in this thread, I'm planning on purchasing the ETS 150/3 sander.  I'm a hobbyist and build no more than one project a month, so  if it takes a little longer with the coarser grits that's fine...  Now the question is which abrasives.  The current project is a 9 foot by 41 inch dining room table top (cherry) that I glued up and had drum sanded to 120 at a local cabinet shop.  I'm thinking about beginning at 120 grit, and ending at 400 grit before the wax. The finish will be General Finishes Oil/Urethane (Semi-Gloss); with light sanding (? 320 grit or 0000 steel wool) between coats.  I'm considering using a clear high-grade furniture polish as the last step in the finish to bring back the gloss and provide a bit of water protection-
Would really appreciate specific recommendations on the abrasives to use for the ETS 150/3...or any other suggestions on the finishing process..
Once again, thanks for the help! 

 

[jacko9]

I would use Garnat abrasives.  I just finished a "two month" finish of a rosewood dining table with the General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil & Urethane topcoat finish and it is not the easiest product to use.  If you haven't used a wiping Varnish finish before, construct something to practice with before you commit your project to that product.

I think you will be happy with the choice of the 150/3 sander but after your last grit, use a hand block sanding to get linear scratches with the grain before using the Arm-R-Seal.

The General Finishes product doesn't need to be sanded after the final coat.  If you need further help send me a PM and I'll try to walk you through the technique that I finally used.  I'm also in Northern Ca. in the San Francisco Bay area so, if your close by I can walk you through the process.

Jack