Sander recommendation

[Wooden Skye]

I am currently own the following sanders,  Ridgid 5" ROS, Bosch 6" ROS and a PC palm sander.  The Ridgid is my go to sander, the Bosch was given to me and I think the pad needs to be replaced.  The porter cable is my least favorite.  Why am I considering a new sander,  improved dust collection is my main motivation for upgrading.  As i increase my stable of Festool, I am going to get the CT 26 or the CT midi.  Right now, with the other sanders I have I am leaning towards the RO90, but open to suggestions on whether I would be better off considering RO125 or RO150, or something else.  Buying all of them, or even 2 at this time isn't going to happen with the CT purchase.  Also what accessories/abrasives should I consider? 

I am about to begin doing some planter boxes, bathroom vanities, built in shelving and once we do our addition, building new kitchen cabinets.

Thanks for your input.

 

[ericbuggeln]

Sell everything on CL, cut your losses and get the RO150 and ETS125 or RO150 and RO 90. Either of those set ups will allow you to do anything besides specialty sanding. Definitely get the 26 over the midi. Eric

 

[Joberwocky]

I just recently got a CT26 and a RO90, and love both of them. The size of the 26 over the midi is a huge factor, I would go with the larger CT every time as not to be changing bags so often.  The CT26 is still small enough to be easily portable/ not cumbersome.  The RO90 is great, but if you plan on doing larger surfaces down the road and can only get one sander at this time, go with the 125 or the 150.

 

[Ken Nagrod]

My thoughts are either the ETS 150 or the RO 90 if you're set on getting rid of the other sanders and going for a Festool replacement along with a CT.  If you think the delta pad and small round pad size would better suit your future projects --> RO 90, otherwise ETS 150.  I don't think the RO 150 or RO 125 will benefit you since you won't be needing agressive stock removal and the ETS 150 is a great all around sander with more power than the ETS 125 for a wider range of tasks.  I'm now a believer --> Granat.  Get the hard pad in addition to the stock pad no matter which sander you choose.  Great for flattening panels, rail, stiles, etc. without rounding over the edges unintentionally.

As for the model of CT dust collector, if you don't have a problem with the size of the CT 26 and less bag changes is important or getting the boom arm at some point, then that's probably your best choice.  If small size and portability is important, I'd say go for the CT Midi.  Actually I just said it.  ;D

 

[Kev]

My thoughts are either the ETS 150 or the RO 90 if you're set on getting rid of the other sanders and going for a Festool replacement along with a CT.  If you think the delta pad and small round pad size would better suit your future projects --> RO 90, otherwise ETS 150.  I don't think the RO 150 or RO 125 will benefit you since you won't be needing agressive stock removal and the ETS 150 is a great all around sander with more power than the ETS 125 for a wider range of tasks.  I'm now a believer --> Granat.  Get the hard pad in addition to the stock pad no matter which sander you choose.  Great for flattening panels, rail, stiles, etc. without rounding over the edges unintentionally.

As for the model of CT dust collector, if you don't have a problem with the size of the CT 26 and less bag changes is important or getting the boom arm at some point, then that's probably your best choice.  If small size and portability is important, I'd say go for the CT Midi.  Actually I just said it.  ;D

+1

The ETS150's are gems (in either size orbit).

 

[ericbuggeln]

Its important to remember that no one sander is going to give you everything you want. Try to get most of what you want out of two. If you ever have drywall finishing on your plate, the RO150 works great for that too. THe ETS 125 is the most comfortable in the hand, more so then the RO90 and is great for everyday sanding. It dominates cleaning up FFs. You would be psyched with any of the sanders mentioned, Eric

 

[hhh]

What type of sanding do you need?  I have several of all FT sanders, several PCs and Mirkas.  Each sander has a suite spot.  I admit that I don't use the PCs much any more...  The Mirkas are great.  The 150/5 is my go to for grits from 80 to 120... Then I switch to the /3 for 150, up.  The 125 is great for smaller work, then I look at the 400, et al for corners, etc.  The RO90 is a flexible tool, and I use it quite a bit, but it is for smaller work...  I find the RO150 and 125 make great work from grits 40 to about 120.

What type of projects do you do?  Do you need ROS, Orbital, edge specialist?  Most folks start with the 150/5 or the 125 ROS, then expand from there...

 

[kdzito]

I prefer the 150's over the 125's as you can sand more surface area.  If you can only get one sander, I recommend the RO 150.  If you can get two, the add the RO 90.  Also the RS 2E half sheet sander is excellent for large flat surface areas.  Go with the CT 26 as your dust extractor. BTW the RO 90 has a delta pad as well and can suffice as a detail sander as well.

For what your projects require and what you already have for sanders I would start with the RO 90.  As for the abrasives it sounds like you may be sanding sheet goods like birch veneer plywood so you can probably start with 150 grit Rubin.  FOG please help him with more abrasive suggestions.  Thanks!

 

[Wooden Skye]

Thanks everyone.  I am convinced about the CT26.  As for the sander, I will go and test drive a few and if I can swing 2 I will.

 

[andvari]

Well what I have is the following:

Mirka 150 - the light weight of the head makes it excellent for vertical surfaces like drywall.
ETS 150/3 - surprising combination of smoothness and power.
RO 90 - awesome versatility.

Prior to discovering Festool I had a Bosch 5" RO. One use of the ETS 150/3 and I gave it and all the abrasives I had for it to a neighbor.

If I could have only two it would be the Festools.

 

[Wooden Skye]

I went to Woodcraft and tried them out, and I made my decision, I am going to get the RO90 and the ETS150/3. They didn't have the ETS in stock so I will either go to Delaware (tax free) or locate a dealer online.

 

[Kev]

I went to Woodcraft and tried them out, and I made my decision, I am going to get the RO90 and the ETS150/3. They didn't have the ETS in stock so I will either go to Delaware (tax free) or locate a dealer online.

You'll be pleased with you choices.

 

[RC]

I got the RO90 + ETS150/3 + CT26 combo and I'm very happy with my choise - not a bad decicion at all. And I'm quite happy with Granat on both sanders - I have 80 - 120 - 240 - 320 for both and it works nicely. Though I'll probably get a box of 40 for the Rotex for really aggressive paint stripping and some higher grit polishing papers/pads for the ETS once my Surfix kit Vlies run out.

Since you are in NA you can probably get one of those nice abrasive mixed systainers from one of the online dealers represented here on FOG - Tom Bellemare I think? Search for 'abrasive mix systainer' and you should easily find the recent thread for them. Much nicer than purchasing 100 pcs. of every grit and the abrasive systainers separately - wish our local dealers would bother to do these mixes  [sad]

 

[Joberwocky]

Great choices on the sanders/CT.  An ETS 150/3 is next on my wish list!

 

[jacko9]

I went to Woodcraft and tried them out, and I made my decision, I am going to get the RO90 and the ETS150/3. They didn't have the ETS in stock so I will either go to Delaware (tax free) or locate a dealer online.

That's the combination I purchased a while back and I'm sure you'll be quite pleased with those sanders.  I purchased an assortment of abrasives from Tom Bellemare for each of the sanders.  Tom is online on the FOG and at ToolHome.com.

Jack