Sanders

[coomsy]

I have been recently converted to the festool products, I am looking to get a orbital sander. What would be my best choice for a good all rounder

cheers

 

[kcasser]

Welcome!  It really depends on what you're going to be sanding, and whether you're looking for shaping or finish sanding.  My first Festool was the RTS 400 because I do narrow frames and didn't think a Rotex would work well there.  Several years later I picked up the RO90 and confirmed my suspicions.  But, the RO90 is extraordinary for the things it does best and I use it all the time.  I've added the RO150, and, for big work - floors, walls, table tops, etc, you can't beat it.  As I said, it depends on what you're sanding.  I expect you'll do what I did which is to start with one, get hooked, and add others as your budget allows.  I don't think you can go wrong with any of their fine sanders.  Oh, and you'll want to get their dust extractor, too.  With my RTS 400, I started just using the dust bag that comes with it, and that worked okay.  Then I hooked it up to a ShopVac, but when I added the CT 22 it made a huge difference.  Hope that helps!

 

[leakyroof]

With the larger ETS 150mm sanders, either the smaller orbit 3 or the slightly more aggressive 5mm orbit model.
For tighter spaces or less surface area, the DTS or  the RTS 400 excel.
Both of these types can be more aggresive with coarse grit abrasive installed on them, but are not a match for a Rotex if you need that ability to strip or really aggressively sand something.
So, some people just starting out opt for a Rotex model so they get several sanders in one.
Please be aware that they're heavier than the other models, so if you have to use one for an extended period of time, that could really be a factor in your decision making process.
Try them out, and decide for yourself at a local dealer. 
Plus 1 on using ANY of them with a CT Dust Extractor or something comparable like a Bosch or Fein Vac.[ adjustable suction level IS KEY] 

 

[Kev]

[Welcome]

My first Festool sander was an ETS150/5 (and a CT Mini). At the time I had several Rupes, Makita and AEG sanders.

After a short while I stopped using all of my other orbitals, half sheets, etc .. I rarely used my belt sander and the Rupes delta got used sparingly as I needed it for corners, but I was now a fan of sanding without mess (and despite it's dust port, the Rupes was very messy).

I was doing a lot of home renovation and medium finish work and it was a perfect fit for me.

I have many Festool sanders now and the ETS150/5 typically only comes out for plasterboard (drywall) as the ROTEX 150 and the ETS150/3 are great pairing.

When you say "all rounder" - what does that cover for you?

Kev.

 

[AlexThePalex]

I have been recently converted to the festool products, I am looking to get a orbital sander. What would be my best choice for a good all rounder

I have 11 Festool sanders by now (yes, still growing), and a long history of using sanders of many brands as I grew up in a body shop. I agree with others, what do you understand under "all round" and what is your primary intent for using the sander?

Festool has many choices, but all sanders have their own strenghts and weaknesses. To give you a good answer we really need to know what you want to use the sander for.

As for Festool's orbital sanders, I think the DTS 400 is the most usefull and basic of all orbital sanders. It's my all time favourite and I don't think anybody could do wrong adding this one to his arsenal.

But when you speak of an all round sander, I think a Festol Rotex like (preferably) the RO 150 or second best, the RO 125 are better choices.

 

[coomsy]

Brilliant, thanks for all your advice.

 

[gtriderr]

I have 3 sanders, a Bosch 5" orbital and 2 Festool sanders.  After using the Festool the Bosch sits on the bench. There is just no dust with the Festool. I have the DTS400 which I would recommend. Gets in tight spots with delta tip and you can control speed well. The DTS 400 has a decent footprint for flat sanding also. My other is the RO 125 which takes 5" paper. Bought that because I figured it would be easier to only have two sizes of paper already having a 5"

The RO 125 is a great sander for taking down some stock fast. A little harder to control one handed though.

John

 

[jacko9]

After I gave my son my Bosch sander, I purchased the Festool ETS 125 then returned it to the dealer and exchanged it for the ETS 150/3 and the RO90.  After deciding on how well I liked those two, I went and re-purchased the ETS 125 and the LS 130.  My favorite is still the ETS 150/3 even though I use all of the others.

Jack

 

[Kev]

After I gave my son my Bosch sander, I purchased the Festool ETS 125 then returned it to the dealer and exchanged it for the ETS 150/3 and the RO90.  After deciding on how well I liked those two, I went and re-purchased the ETS 125 and the LS 130.  My favorite is still the ETS 150/3 even though I use all of the others.

Jack

That sounds a bit like my wife shopping for shoes  [wink]

 

[DrD]

Don't overlook the RS2, it's a great sander with a multitude of uses.  And if you want to really remove some wood (or other material for that matter), the RAS 115 does the job quite nicely - although I wouldn't begin to consider the RAS as the best choice for a Festool all round sander.

DrD

 

[jacko9]

After I gave my son my Bosch sander, I purchased the Festool ETS 125 then returned it to the dealer and exchanged it for the ETS 150/3 and the RO90.  After deciding on how well I liked those two, I went and re-purchased the ETS 125 and the LS 130.  My favorite is still the ETS 150/3 even though I use all of the others.

Jack

That sounds a bit like my wife shopping for shoes  [wink]

You don't even want to know how long it takes me to shop for golf shoes [eek]

Jack

 

[Scott B.]

Don't overlook the RS2, it's a great sander with a multitude of uses.  And if you want to really remove some wood (or other material for that matter), the RAS 115 does the job quite nicely - although I wouldn't begin to consider the RAS as the best choice for a Festool all round sander.

DrD

RS2 (in my opinion) isn't a great all arounder either. It is too big for most applications in my world.

Great all arounders to me are the smaller orbitals (ets', dts, rts) and the RO90 and 125. Those tend to be the busiest in my group.

But it really depends mostly on the type of work that you do.

 

[DrD]

Here I thought the RS2 was an ORBITAL.

DrD

 

[Scott B.]

Here I thought the RS2 was an ORBITAL.

DrD

It is a gigantic one, indeed.