Sander(s) Question

[Runhard]

I have a RO90 and am looking to add another sander or two to my Festool collection. I'm trying to decide between a RO150 or RAS115 and ETS150/3 combo. I have a few painted doors that I would like to strip down and refinish and after that I want to try  building some furniture for myself. I am a hobbyist and do not ever intend on doing any paid work. I know how slippery the green slope is and probably end up with more sanders down the road, but for now I am just looking to add one of the above options.

Can I get by and be happy with just getting the RO150 for now? From what I have read and all the videos I've watched (which has taken up way too much of my time  [big grin]) the RO150 seems great. But, I have also read that it is good at removing material and good at finishing where the RAS115 is great at removing material and the ETS150/3 is great at finishing.

I would like to get some feed back from some of you who were in my situation. What did you decided to buy and how happy are you with that decision? If you could do it over again, what would you do differently? I have been aching to buy some new Festools and can't make up my mind  [scratch chin]

Thanks!

 

[Kev]

OK, the ROTEX RO90 and RO150 are great at a broad spectrum of stuff, but they don't strip like a RAS and they don't handle for finishing like an ETS.

I'm in the same boat as you hobby and house wise, I have RO90, RO150, ETS150/3, ETS150/5, DTS400. My choice not to get anything aggressive as a RAS is based on not needing to strip paint 5 layers deep (at the moment).

I also have a bunch of other sanders (Rupes x2, Makita, Bosch) which cover belt, half sheet, delta and very aggressive rotary - but I haven't even pulled one of those out of the cupboard in a year ... actually, I tell a lie, I did use the Bosch belt sander recently.

I really like having the overlap of the RO150 and the ETS150/3 ... I think the ETS150/5 may be a little overkill, but that was my first and only Festool until late last year (when I was less addicted).

No matter which way you go, you will want an ETS150/3. I would grab the RO150 and attack you nastiest challenge - if it doesn't do it for you, consider switching to the RAS ... you US Festoolian get to make selection mistakes and change your minds ... we don't in Oz  [sad]

BTW, if you read the application tables, you will see the ROTEX is rated from coarse to fine sanding - it can do the fine stuff, it's just it's heft and balance that let it down for fine work in use.

 

[Runhard]

I do agree that the ETS150/3 is a must have.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I have all of the ones you mention and they all are great for what they do.  For me the RO150 was my first Festool sander and I added more to the collection based on need.  I would probably make the decision based on what future tasks you have in mind.  If you never plan to strip anything else or have a need to scribe or sculpt wood, then I would probably opt for the RO150 first as this can strip with the right grits and it is such a versatile sander.  If you do see a need for some of the tasks that the RAS is designed for, then I would opt for the combo ETS 150/3 and RAS as each excels at their respective tasks.

Scot

 

[Aaron Underdahl]

Runhard,  are you repainting the doors your are sanding? If so IMO the RO 150 is the best choice.  It will remove the old paint quickly and give a excellent sanding for paint.  If you are staining and top coating the door, the RO will still work very well.  You just might have to follow it up with a little hand sanding.
The RO 150 has been the only festool sander that I have had in my arsenal up until the last year,  since then I have been doing a lot more finish work and have added, dts400, RO 90, Ras and rs2.

 

[Runhard]

Runhard,  are you repainting the doors your are sanding? If so IMO the RO 150 is the best choice.  It will remove the old paint quickly and give a excellent sanding for paint.  If you are staining and top coating the door, the RO will still work very well.  You just might have to follow it up with a little hand sanding.
The RO 150 has been the only festool sander that I have had in my arsenal up until the last year,  since then I have been doing a lot more finish work and have added, dts400, RO 90, Ras and rs2.

I'm hopeing to stain the doors if they are in good enough shape. I think I will go ahead and get the RO150 now and then get the ETS150/3 when I need it.

By the way, my CT26 Boom Arm Set just was delivered to me at work! I love green [big grin]

 

[Bob Marino]

I have a RO90 and am looking to add another sander or two to my Festool collection. I'm trying to decide between a RO150 or RAS115 and ETS150/3 combo. I have a few painted doors that I would like to strip down and refinish and after that I want to try  building some furniture for myself. I am a hobbyist and do not ever intend on doing any paid work. I know how slippery the green slope is and probably end up with more sanders down the road, but for now I am just looking to add one of the above options.

Can I get by and be happy with just getting the RO150 for now? From what I have read and all the videos I've watched (which has taken up way too much of my time  [big grin]) the RO150 seems great. But, I have also read that it is good at removing material and good at finishing where the RAS115 is great at removing material and the ETS150/3 is great at finishing.

I would like to get some feed back from some of you who were in my situation. What did you decided to buy and how happy are you with that decision? If you could do it over again, what would you do differently? I have been aching to buy some new Festools and can't make up my mind  [scratch chin]

Thanks!

While there is never a definitive answer on which sanders make the best combinations, of the 2 choices you mention R0 150 - ETS 150/3 or RAS 115 - ETS 150/3, the RO150 would be my choice. I think the RO 150, though not as aggressive as the RAS 115, is way more versatile a tool.
Having said that, why not use your RO90 in the aggressive mode for the door stripping and simply get the ETS 150/3 and pocket the coin?

Bob

 

[Scott B.]

I have a RO90 and am looking to add another sander or two to my Festool collection. I'm trying to decide between a RO150 or RAS115 and ETS150/3 combo. I have a few painted doors that I would like to strip down and refinish and after that I want to try  building some furniture for myself. I am a hobbyist and do not ever intend on doing any paid work. I know how slippery the green slope is and probably end up with more sanders down the road, but for now I am just looking to add one of the above options.

Can I get by and be happy with just getting the RO150 for now? From what I have read and all the videos I've watched (which has taken up way too much of my time  [big grin]) the RO150 seems great. But, I have also read that it is good at removing material and good at finishing where the RAS115 is great at removing material and the ETS150/3 is great at finishing.

I would like to get some feed back from some of you who were in my situation. What did you decided to buy and how happy are you with that decision? If you could do it over again, what would you do differently? I have been aching to buy some new Festools and can't make up my mind  [scratch chin]

Thanks!

For small tasks, I think the Ro90 and ets125 make a great combo. My crew is fighting over the ets125 lately. I agree with Bob, that for small scale apps, the 90 in gear driven mode can do alot for you, and the ets125 is a nice size and stroke for finish sanding on smaller scales. I would grab that over either of the 150's for finish sanding on doors and such.

 

[AlexThePalex]

My crew is fighting over the ets125 lately.

That's not right, get them a couple more.

and the ets125 is a nice size and stroke for finish sanding on smaller scales. I would grab that over either of the 150's for finish sanding on doors and such.

The ETS125 is also my prefered sander for doors.

 

[jmarkflesher]

After talking to Bob Marino on the phone about 2 years ago I bought the ETS 150/3. He told me I would have a hard time stripping paint but it would do it, only take much longer. My primary use would be finish sanding but first I had about 50 pine boards with oil base paint to strip. He was right. That was my first Festool. Next was the RO 90 and the RO 150 FEQ. What a difference on paint. Both have there use. I use the RO 90 more because of tight places and the finger attachment, but the RO 150 FEQ for large surfaces that you want as flat as possible. I also have the LS 130 and find it useful but it is least called upon. I like the look of the 1/2 sheet sander but will not buy it until it gets plug it and a round dustport. This seems to be a simple request but I am told Festools ears are deaf when it comes to listening to this forum. MARK

 

[Ken Nagrod]

After talking to Bob Marino on the phone about 2 years ago I bought the ETS 150/3. He told me I would have a hard time stripping paint but it would do it, only take much longer. My primary use would be finish sanding but first I had about 50 pine boards with oil base paint to strip. He was right. That was my first Festool. Next was the RO 90 and the RO 150 FEQ. What a difference on paint. Both have there use. I use the RO 90 more because of tight places and the finger attachment, but the RO 150 FEQ for large surfaces that you want as flat as possible. I also have the LS 130 and find it useful but it is least called upon. I like the look of the 1/2 sheet sander but will not buy it until it gets plug it and a round dustport. This seems to be a simple request but I am told Festools ears are deaf when it comes to listening to this forum. MARK

Mark,

It must be your lucky day!  Just got word that Festool USA will be introducing their full line previously only available in other continents, on the same day the Underwriters Laboratories closes its doors -- December 22, 2012.  Set your calendar to remind you.  [poke]  [thumbs up]

 

[Kev]

After talking to Bob Marino on the phone about 2 years ago I bought the ETS 150/3. He told me I would have a hard time stripping paint but it would do it, only take much longer. My primary use would be finish sanding but first I had about 50 pine boards with oil base paint to strip. He was right. That was my first Festool. Next was the RO 90 and the RO 150 FEQ. What a difference on paint. Both have there use. I use the RO 90 more because of tight places and the finger attachment, but the RO 150 FEQ for large surfaces that you want as flat as possible. I also have the LS 130 and find it useful but it is least called upon. I like the look of the 1/2 sheet sander but will not buy it until it gets plug it and a round dustport. This seems to be a simple request but I am told Festools ears are deaf when it comes to listening to this forum. MARK

The RS200 has plug-it (the version for the markets with "real voltage"). I don't see a problem with the oval connects - it matches the machine's exhaust flow.

 

[Runhard]

I have a RO90 and am looking to add another sander or two to my Festool collection. I'm trying to decide between a RO150 or RAS115 and ETS150/3 combo. I have a few painted doors that I would like to strip down and refinish and after that I want to try  building some furniture for myself. I am a hobbyist and do not ever intend on doing any paid work. I know how slippery the green slope is and probably end up with more sanders down the road, but for now I am just looking to add one of the above options.

Can I get by and be happy with just getting the RO150 for now? From what I have read and all the videos I've watched (which has taken up way too much of my time  [big grin]) the RO150 seems great. But, I have also read that it is good at removing material and good at finishing where the RAS115 is great at removing material and the ETS150/3 is great at finishing.

I would like to get some feed back from some of you who were in my situation. What did you decided to buy and how happy are you with that decision? If you could do it over again, what would you do differently? I have been aching to buy some new Festools and can't make up my mind  [scratch chin]

Thanks!

While there is never a definitive answer on which sanders make the best combinations, of the 2 choices you mention R0 150 - ETS 150/3 or RAS 115 - ETS 150/3, the RO150 would be my choice. I think the RO 150, though not as aggressive as the RAS 115, is way more versatile a tool.
Having said that, why not use your RO90 in the aggressive mode for the door stripping and simply get the ETS 150/3 and pocket the coin?

Bob

As a side note, I received my boom arm set yesterday and installed it last night.
I'm still trying to decide on what to buy, but when I do I'll be placing my order with you.

Thanks,

Daniel

 

[Runhard]

Did the RO150 come out in 2007? If so, should we see something newer coming out soon?

 

[ericbuggeln]

IMO the ETS 125 has the nicest feel in the hand of any of the Festool sanders and its my go to general sander. Ive been using it lately on the interior of cabs after priming and painting. Its weight is perfect for small jobs like that. But, when you need an RO150, you will be glad you had it. I would consider the ETS 125 to be the perfect design for most tasks and the price point is reasonable too. Eric

 

[Runhard]

I finally decided and ordered the RO150!

 

[Scott B.]

IMO the ETS 125 has the nicest feel in the hand of any of the Festool sanders and its my go to general sander. Ive been using it lately on the interior of cabs after priming and painting. Its weight is perfect for small jobs like that. But, when you need an RO150, you will be glad you had it. I would consider the ETS 125 to be the perfect design for most tasks and the price point is reasonable too. Eric

My guys were just saying this last week, and I have always found it particularly ergonomical myself. This can cause some pause when its time to put it down and pick up a 150/5 though.  [scared]