Sanders
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truck90278
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If your doing larger areas I would suggest the RO 150. If you are working detail, then the RO 90 would work well
WarnerConstCo.
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I really like my ro125 but, I use my my RAS the most though.
The ro90 is nice but, I wouldn't want to sand anything large with it. Awesome for face frame work though.
The ro90 is nice but, I wouldn't want to sand anything large with it. Awesome for face frame work though.
Hi Stan,
Just to be clear by RO do you mean a Festool Rotex or Random Orbit sander?
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The Rotex line is going to be the most versatile... stock removal, finish sanding, polishing , delta pad (on the 90 only). If the delta pad is no big deal then it is mostly a matter of choosing a size.
The next most versatile would be the ETS150/5 random orbit sander.
Seth
Just to be clear by RO do you mean a Festool Rotex or Random Orbit sander?
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The Rotex line is going to be the most versatile... stock removal, finish sanding, polishing , delta pad (on the 90 only). If the delta pad is no big deal then it is mostly a matter of choosing a size.
The next most versatile would be the ETS150/5 random orbit sander.
Seth
Timtool
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had the RO 125 and took it back for an ETS 150/5, now i also have the RO150.
for me the ETS does 90% of the work, and does it fast and comfortably.
i'm still trying to figure out where the RO150 can give me any benefit over the ETS, it goes fast initially in rotex mode, but you need to go over again in random mode. witch makes that in the end when sanding un treated planed wood i go 1.5 to 2x slower with the rotex than with the ETS!
so it depends on what you do with it as usual!
sanding new, planed wood? = ETS 150
rough sawn/painted wood= Rotex
for me the ETS does 90% of the work, and does it fast and comfortably.
i'm still trying to figure out where the RO150 can give me any benefit over the ETS, it goes fast initially in rotex mode, but you need to go over again in random mode. witch makes that in the end when sanding un treated planed wood i go 1.5 to 2x slower with the rotex than with the ETS!
so it depends on what you do with it as usual!
sanding new, planed wood? = ETS 150
rough sawn/painted wood= Rotex
paintology
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Hi im new on this forum so i will with great care suggest the Rotex 150 has being the most versitile but if you have detail work then the Deltex is great, i own the RO 150 and Deltex and they serve me brilliantly, the RO 90 is smaller and has a change over pad for detail work but can be time consuming and fidigity although for small work skirting door frames etc , great. The ETS is a fine machine but does not have the diverity of the Rotex. hope this is of use.ctfeet said:
Sam Murdoch
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Timtool said:
I think this is a very valid assessment. I have been using the RO125 for a couple of years doing primarily cabinet & furniture work. Like the RO a lot but I have found it to require the longest learning curve of any sander I have ever used. Great success as a sander for glued up panels that needed some evening out of the surface & for prepping old painted work for reconditioning. Good success on hardwoods as a finish sander. Not much success as a finish sander for soft woods. Recently borrowed (& now have purchased) a ETS150/3 as I discovered it to be a really user friendly, light weight, well balanced finish sander that is very kind to soft woods - a real fun tool. I suspect it will do a better job as a finish sander on hard woods with less effort than with the RO125. I looked into the 5" version - the ETS 125 - but decided that it was too much of a light weight for the typical kind of work that I do. This assessment came from reading, not from experience. I agree with Timtool's equation above. I do not intend to give up the RO125 because it does satisfy a range of sanding chores that a dedicated finish sander simply can't match. The ETS150/5 might be a better all purpose sander, but this I don't know. I think I will get the best sanding options with the RO125 & the ETS 150/3 combined. In retrospect if I were to buy just one it would be the ETS 150/3. My 2¢.
ccarrolladams
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As I have shared before, the only current Festool electric sander I do not own is the ETS 150/5. The reason is that my first Festool sander was the RO 150 which in random orbit mode has a 5mm stroke. Having quickly become "as one" with my RO 150 in both modes, I am comfortable using its random action for finish sanding harder woods where the 5mm stroke is appropriate. Not long after buying my RO 150 I did buy my ETS 150/3 which I do use often on poplar and maple.
My DX 93 was another of my purchases back in 2006. It was my first delta corner sander. In delta mode the newer RO 90 DX is more aggressive because it has a 400w motor and the DX 93's motor is 150w. I agree the RO 90 DX is marvelous for sanding face frames and edges. Personally I seldom put the delta pad on my RO 90, but I notice that the specialist in frames and cabinet doors working for me keeps one RO 90 set up with a round pad and another with the delta pad since he wants faster corner stock removal.
The fact is there is a valid reason for every one of the Festool sanders.
Although my shop has a lot of compressed air and in metal working I am a fan of air powered sanders, all my life I have gone to great lengths to keep oil and such lubricants far from wood which will eventually be finished. We do no woodworking in our metal fabrication factory and no metal working in my wood shop. Should a trace of oil escape a sander in a machine shop, no big deal. In woodworking it is always that tiny bit of transparent oil you do not see until you start staining that causes the flop sweat.
My DX 93 was another of my purchases back in 2006. It was my first delta corner sander. In delta mode the newer RO 90 DX is more aggressive because it has a 400w motor and the DX 93's motor is 150w. I agree the RO 90 DX is marvelous for sanding face frames and edges. Personally I seldom put the delta pad on my RO 90, but I notice that the specialist in frames and cabinet doors working for me keeps one RO 90 set up with a round pad and another with the delta pad since he wants faster corner stock removal.
The fact is there is a valid reason for every one of the Festool sanders.
Although my shop has a lot of compressed air and in metal working I am a fan of air powered sanders, all my life I have gone to great lengths to keep oil and such lubricants far from wood which will eventually be finished. We do no woodworking in our metal fabrication factory and no metal working in my wood shop. Should a trace of oil escape a sander in a machine shop, no big deal. In woodworking it is always that tiny bit of transparent oil you do not see until you start staining that causes the flop sweat.
ccarrolladams, that sounds like a great shop and a fun place to work. I'm going to assume the OP is a hobby shop. While some of us at home would like nothing more than 5 different sanders, or two of one set up for different tasks, for the person making cabinets and other projects which one or two sanders would you recommend? I can't imagine anything better than what I have, but that's me and I could be wrong.
Julian Tracy
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I started with a R0150. It's a beast, but pretty amazing too. Then picked up a ETS150/3 - haven't had the chance to use it much, but can see it being a great finish sander and having (1) size of sandpaper is great. Had the ETS125, but didn't seem to be much point in keeping it along with the ETS150...
Picked up a RAS recently, thinking I'd mainly use it for coping, but it's a handy bugger for any circumstance where you need to shave some wood down in a controlled manner.
Also have the 400 1/4" sheet pad sander - it's my goto for any jobsite quick sanding needs and also is the ticket for drywall taped corners and areas where my Porter Cable drywall sander can't reach.
Have the half sheet sander RS2E - haven't done any large surfaces since I got it, but it's gonna be a workhorse for that I'll bet, and I got it for way less than half price used, so it was a noo brainer purchase.
Am currently buying a LS130 from a fog member - I think it'll be great for scarf joints on trim and shelf edging and any restoration work.
My next purchase will be the RO90 - it looks to be a very versatile little guy and the perfect companion to the larger 150.
Nice tools.
Julian
Picked up a RAS recently, thinking I'd mainly use it for coping, but it's a handy bugger for any circumstance where you need to shave some wood down in a controlled manner.
Also have the 400 1/4" sheet pad sander - it's my goto for any jobsite quick sanding needs and also is the ticket for drywall taped corners and areas where my Porter Cable drywall sander can't reach.
Have the half sheet sander RS2E - haven't done any large surfaces since I got it, but it's gonna be a workhorse for that I'll bet, and I got it for way less than half price used, so it was a noo brainer purchase.
Am currently buying a LS130 from a fog member - I think it'll be great for scarf joints on trim and shelf edging and any restoration work.
My next purchase will be the RO90 - it looks to be a very versatile little guy and the perfect companion to the larger 150.
Nice tools.
Julian
sancho57
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To the OP it depends on what you would use it for. I have both the ETS 150 and the RO 90. I use the RO 90 a lot more then the 150, its just a lot of fun for me to use. The 150 is great for sanding cabinet sides and larger things. I dont own a belt sander any more with those 2 sander I dont need one.
MrToolJunkie
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Deke said:
No wrong answer here and if you have a combo that works well for what you do, then you have the right combination. For me I have the RO150 (my first Festool sander) and I added a DTS400 shortly thereafter...this one is a real gem for sanding edges and getting into corners and I needed it before the RO90 even came out. I have added an ETS 150/3 and a RAS to the mix and feel like this combination allows me to do most anything I would ever need to do with hand- powered sanding. I would like to add the RS 2 E for larger surfaces someday and I might pick up an RO90, but both of these tools are farther down on my list for now.
To the OP, go to a dealer and try them out if you can. Get the feel for how heavy they are and if they are comfortable to use. With the right grit paper any of the RO sanders can be aggressive and leave a fine finish. Do you envision buying only one sander or is this just the first of other purchases? If just one tool, then a Rotex would provide a lot of versatility but if you see yourself adding different sanders, then an ETS 150 or ETS 125 might be a good place to start.
Have fun in the process.
Scot
ccarrolladams
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Deke said:
Thank you, Deke,
Before I committed to finding a large industrial building which could be remodeled as my woodworking shop, I had rented space as needed in several shops belonging to friends. This is how I met several of the cabinet makers now working for me. The others found out that I was planning a large modern shop, shared my vision about featuring CNC machines, so they contacted me. My goal with the shop is to reduce frustration so each of us can concentrate on doing our woodworking thing. All of us do our best to have fun while working. When we enjoy our careers the tasks we do are no longer chores.
I think the OP might well be a woodworking hobbyist. I do not presume to offer advice. All I can do is share my experience, realizing each of us is unique.
My primary Festool dealer is owned by a fellow who has gained the confidence of outstanding Los Angeles area woodworkers for the past 30+ years. Some are world-famous furniture makers and others better known to the public as a result of their entertainment projects.
When asked by anyone working on projects where a 150mm sander could be appropriate, I encourage starting with an RO 150. My reasoning is that once a person has experience and confidence using a substantial sander, then using sanders which are not so large will be relatively easy. On the other hand, my experience has been that friends who start out using smaller, delicate sanders have a lot of trouble becoming "as one" with a larger, powerful sander when they need to do so. Good Festool dealers have a wide selection of demo tools in a place where they can be put to use.
All of us need to feel different tools in use on the kinds of wood we actually use.
Bob Marino
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Stan,
You have asked a good question and have gotten responses and will get more as the day/days go on. You also need to mention the anticipated projects in your future. This is a question that there isn't any one correct answer, but from my own experience, coupled with feedback from my customers, as well as informed posts on the FOG, my choice would be the RO 150.
The larger pad size will "pull" less than the RO 125 and is way quicker - due both to more power as well as larger pad size.
Bob
You have asked a good question and have gotten responses and will get more as the day/days go on. You also need to mention the anticipated projects in your future. This is a question that there isn't any one correct answer, but from my own experience, coupled with feedback from my customers, as well as informed posts on the FOG, my choice would be the RO 150.
The larger pad size will "pull" less than the RO 125 and is way quicker - due both to more power as well as larger pad size.
Bob
Bob is, of course right. Another thing that this thread demonstrates is kind of interesting. Nobody is saying, "I bought the Festool X sander and it was a bad decision." Their sanders are so good, so well designed and of such quality, perhaps there is no bad choice. Having so many choices doesn't make your life any easier and it is easy to obsess over all this endlessly. However it seems a safe bet you will probably not be disappointed. In addition, you have 30 days to return any Festool sander. You really can't lose. I started with other Festools and the dealer was kind of funny. He told me he knew 100% I would be back for Festool sanders and he was right.
The RO 125 = 3.6mm stroke
The ETS 125 EQ = 2.0mm stroke...
Putting aside the obvious differences, the RO has rough mode , and the ETS being much lighter weight for overhead work or vertical work....
but for final sanding panels, does this small difference in stroke make a big enough difference to warrant buying the ETS if you already own the RO 125? (this is a real question, not a rhetorical question)
For the first time I read a possible benefit, maple and poplar benefit from the ETS? How? Wouldn't moving up one grit on the RO negate the smoother surface the ETS might provide on the same grit?
The ETS 125 EQ = 2.0mm stroke...
Putting aside the obvious differences, the RO has rough mode , and the ETS being much lighter weight for overhead work or vertical work....
but for final sanding panels, does this small difference in stroke make a big enough difference to warrant buying the ETS if you already own the RO 125? (this is a real question, not a rhetorical question)
For the first time I read a possible benefit, maple and poplar benefit from the ETS? How? Wouldn't moving up one grit on the RO negate the smoother surface the ETS might provide on the same grit?
Sam Murdoch
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JSands said:
My answer to this question today is –YES! I have used the RO125 for several years as both a finish and a prep sander (read - rough work ) and have recently put an ETS150/3 EQ into service. There is absolutely no question that the finish sander is very much more better for finish work than the RO 125. I think, but only from reading other posts, that the ETS 125 EQ is not a fair comparison to the RO125 as it is too much of a light finish sander to compare to the range of work that the RO can do. The RO125 can do finish sanding but the ETS 150/3 IS A FINISH SANDER.
Thanks Sam.... so I guess the ETS 125 does a better job for finish sanding....
I was going to buy one to compliment my RO125, but then read this review on Amazon from a guy who owns every Festool Sander
> the ETS 125 is Festools weakest link in its sander line. I have owned every sander offered in the USA from Festool and the ETS 125 is junk compared to the rest. The Porter Cable 390 far outperforms it for 109.00.
I am curious if the ETS125 is a "dated" sander and maybe due for an upgrade? This guy did not have an ax to grind with Festool, he loves the rest of the sanders... thoughts?
I was going to buy one to compliment my RO125, but then read this review on Amazon from a guy who owns every Festool Sander
> the ETS 125 is Festools weakest link in its sander line. I have owned every sander offered in the USA from Festool and the ETS 125 is junk compared to the rest. The Porter Cable 390 far outperforms it for 109.00.
I am curious if the ETS125 is a "dated" sander and maybe due for an upgrade? This guy did not have an ax to grind with Festool, he loves the rest of the sanders... thoughts?
