Should I buy the ETS125 or 150/3?

[Handyman Mike]

I'm looking to get a sander for final surface prep and between-coat sanding. What's a better tool for these jobs, the ETS125 or the ETS150/3? I like the light weight and small stroke of the 125, but the 150 seems to have the advantage with its constant-speed electronics and pad brake. I imagine I'll be getting both eventually, but which is the better one to start with?

 

[semenza]

My vote would be for the ETS150/3.

Seth

 

[K119Phil]

One sander setup - ETS150/3
Two sander setup - ETS125 + RO150
Three sander setup - ETS125 + RO150 + RO90

My typical recommendations at the shop

 

[JerrySats]

My vote would be for the ETS150/3.

Seth

Me too , I like my 150/3 very much .  If you do smaller work the 125 may be good for you . I think the 150/3 is a good all around sander .JMO

 

[K119Phil]

to add another 2-cents... for abrasives I'd recommend a mix of Granat and Brilliant 2.  Granat works great from coarse up to fine, exceptional between coats, and you can finish off with Brilliant 2.

 

[Bob Marino]

Hands down, unless you are mostly sanding smaller workpieces, the ETS 150/3 is the better sander; smoother, faster, use one hand or two (or no hands - when I first did the ww shows with Festool USA, we'd just let the ETS sand/float over the board, guiding it by holding/tugging on the cord - there wasn't a woodworker who was not impressed at that "stunt" and way further impressed when they put that ETS in their hand and started sanding).
Can't recommend it enough.

Bob

 

[Stephen B]

Both, then RO150 or 125.

ETS150 is just delightful, and ETS 125 is great for over head, or with extension pad ideal for sanding curved edges.

You may find the RO150 too much for final sand and between coat sanding, but it is great for first and intermediate grits.

 

[dltflt]

+1 for the 150/3

 

[Kev]

Ultimately you'll be able to be more delicate with an ETS125, but that's at the "extreme end" of delicate. The ETS150/3 is good for ultra fine sanding.

The ETS150/3 and DTS400 are a great combo for fine/finish work.

 

[Timtool]

If your time is money then get the ETS 150, if not then the 125 will do the same but much slower. In some cases you do want that in order not to sand to deep into the finish, but i would then suggest a DTS400 instead.

 

[Julian Tracy]

I own the ETS3 and had a few of the ETS125's.  IMO, the ets125's are very similar to just about every other 5" ro sander, it's just not that impressive for the cost.  The ets3 however, is a gem of a sander and is worth every penny.  Initially had the ets5, but sold that and picked up the ets2 as I owned the 6" rotex as well.  The ets3 while a finer orbit, is still aggressive enough when you need it to be a great multi-purpose sander.

I sold off the 6" rotex because I really didn't need the gear mode that often, and it's a pain to use as a finish sander.  So now I have the ets3, ro90 and the 400 pad sander - these 3 seem to cover most bases for me.

JT

 

[Sparktrician]

If you're going to use two sanders, get two that use common abrasives so you don't have to buy multiple sizes of abrasives.  Example: RO 125 and ETS 125 use the same abrasives (125mm); RO 150 and ETS 150 use the same abrasives (150mm).  I seldom see the need for a 150mm sander, so I've standardized on the RO 125 and ETS 125 as a combination that use common abrasives.  YMMV... 

 

[Handyman Mike]

Thanks, guys, the consensus seems to be 150/3, and I think I'll go with that.

A bit more info, in case that affects your advice: I already have a RO125 and a DTS400 and they both get a lot of use, but I really need a fine sander for large wooden objects like floor-to-ceiling built-ins.

True confession: I also do a fair amount of drywall and plaster repair (mainly because of my lousy business model  [blink], but a guy's gotta eat) so I see the ETS125 some time in my future, but it's not an immediate need. I actually do more plaster-and-lathe type plaster work.

 

[RKA]

I think knowing what you already have on hand and that you probably intend to buy the ETS125 at some point, most would recommend exactly what Sparktrician recommended for the reasons he stated.  Why stock 2 sizes of abrasives if you don't have to?  Worst case, if you try it and it doesn't suite you for some reason, send it back and order the 150/3 and abrasives. 

 

[Bob Marino]

I think knowing what you already have on hand and that you probably intend to buy the ETS125 at some point, most would recommend exactly what Sparktrician recommended for the reasons he stated.  Why stock 2 sizes of abrasives if you don't have to?  Worst case, if you try it and it doesn't suite you for some reason, send it back and order the 150/3 and abrasives. 

While that point is well taken,  I would take a slightly different view about the redundancy/overlapping of the papers. If I already had the RO 125 and wanted the ETS 150/3, I'd recommend getting only the higher grit papers for the 150/3. As and aside, many of the papers for the 150 sanders are available in 10 packs, so if lower grits are needed for the 150, there's not much cost involved.

  Bob

 

[Handyman Mike]

While I like the idea of having to deal with fewer sizes of sand paper, if the 150 offers a definite advantage in performance I'm willing to put up with having to buy more abrasive. From what I've been reading, it seems like the 125 isn't just a smaller 150/3, but a substantially different and better machine. Is that right?

 

[Bob Marino]

While I like the idea of having to deal with fewer sizes of sand paper, if the 150 offers a definite advantage in performance I'm willing to put up with having to buy more abrasive. From what I've been reading, it seems like the 125 isn't just a smaller 150/3, but a substantially different and better machine. Is that right?

Mike,

Yes, beyond the obvious  (the 150's are a pistol grip - either one or 2 handed, the 125 a one handed sander) IMHO, the 150's are a better sander;  generally smoother running and faster (larger pad).

B

 

[Handyman Mike]

Thanks, Bob. And I just realized that it came out backwards the way I wrote it, but I meant that the 150 is the better machine. But you got that.

 

[wow]

Please forgive me if this is a stupid question, and I hope I'm not thread-jacking. I have the same issue BUT I thought the Rotex was both a cutting/dimensioning sander AND finishing sander? Do I really NEED another sander to follow the Rotex, or is it just a preference? I mean, I'm fine with drinking more of the kool-aid but I'd prefer to get a few different tools right now - not just several sanders.

Currently I own:

• 5" Dynabrade air RO (5 Hole)
• 5" Porter Cable RO (5 Hole)(on its last legs)
• 5" Dewalt RO (8 Hole)
• Fein MultiMaster
• Milwaukee M12 Oscilating sander
Edit: forgot I also own
• Porter Cable SpeedBlock 1/4 sheet square sander that I never use, and a
• Ryobi 1/6th sheet rectangular sander that has been a great little helper

Ignoring the SpeedBlock (which is already on Craigslist) Which should I replace FIRST, and with WHAT?

 

[Stephen B]

Please forgive me if this is a stupid question, and I hope I'm not thread-jacking. I have the same issue BUT I thought the Rotex was both a cutting/dimensioning sander AND finishing sander? Do I really NEED another sander to follow the Rotex, or is it just a preference? I mean, I'm fine with drinking more of the kool-aid but I'd prefer to get a few different tools right now - not just several sanders.

Currently I own:

5" Dynabrade air RO
5" Porter Cable RO (on its last legs)
5" Dewalt RO
Fein MultiMaster
Milwaukee M12 Oscilating sander

Which should I replace FIRST, and with WHAT?

The ROTEX is a great product, if you can only afford one sander the 125 or 150  are great. But go to a dealer and demo an ETS 150 and you will see what most above  who have recommended it truly  meant.