Something is Missing in My Life

[Brian Livingstone]

To be more precise, I think I am missing a more aggressive sander.  I have the ETS 150/3, RS2E, DX93, RTS400.  What seems to be missing is a ROTEX.  The six inch I think is way too big.  I like the look of the RO90; however, my DX93 is probably a close match.  Hence, I am leaning towards the ETS125, 5 inch sander.  However, the RO90 is less expensive, and uses the same paper as the DX93 ? 

I am a face frame cabinetmaker, specializing in built ins. 

Thanks.

Brian

Fall River, Nova Scotia, Canada

 

[Kev]

I'm a strictly 90 & 150 kind a guy (well, I'm a 115 guy too I suppose).

I have the RO 90 and RO 150, but I also have the ETS150/3 ETS150/5 and a DTS400 (there's a RAS115 and LS130 for good measure)

I suspect the 125mm pads fit a sweet spot of work that I'm not familiar with. Till then the ETS125 and RO 125 won't be in my tool stable!

Missing in my life?? Well ... I think there's room for an RS200 and the BS105 - that will see the sunset of my Makita half sheet and AEG belt sanders (though I can't say either of those have ben fired up in a long time).

 

[Wooden Skye]

I would go with the RO90 since you mentioned face frames.  I have both, and if I was doing face frames, I feel the 150 would be to big.

 

[Stephen B]

[size=11pt]

The ETS125 is a delight, but it is a finish sander and certainly not aggressive. Yes I have used as low as 60 grit on mine, but the pad does not move aggressively.

Yes the RO 90 does use delta pads like the 93 but you have the 93.

As a furniture maker consider the RO 125 (I have a 150, but my needs may be different). With an RO in addition to sanding, you can with the appropriate pads and accessories, burnish oil, buff and polish.

 

[BMH]

The ETS 125 is a great little finishing sander but is not aggressive. A good selection would be your ETS 150/5, a DTS 400, RS2E, RO 90 and the ETS 125. The bad news is that now you have 7 different sizes of sandpaper but you cover all of your needs for cabinet making and finishing.

 

[dltflt]

I have the RO90 & RO150 and for what you are doing the RO90 would be perfect.  Plus it has the delta pad like the DX93.  I don't think you could go wrong with the RO90.  Your other option would be the RAS115.  I don't have the 115 but everyone speaks highly of it.

 

[AlexThePalex]

To be more precise, I think I am missing a more aggressive sander.  I have the ETS 150/3, RS2E, DX93, RTS400.  What seems to be missing is a ROTEX.  The six inch I think is way too big.  I like the look of the RO90; however, my DX93 is probably a close match.  Hence, I am leaning towards the ETS125, 5 inch sander.  However, the RO90 is less expensive, and uses the same paper as the DX93 ?  

First off, the words "ETS125" and "aggressive" should not be mentioned in one sentence. The ETS125 is one of the least aggressive sanders they have. It is a very gentle and fine sander and I think it's ideal for cabinet making. However, with the sanders you already have like the ETS 150/3 and the RTS400, it's would be a bit redundant.

Second, the RO90 is only less expensive than the ETS125 in an alternate reality. Because in ours, the RO90 costs quite a bit more.

Third, the DX93 is no comparison to the RO90. They both have delta mode, but that's where it stops for the DX93 and where the RO90 takes off into space. Because the random orbit and orbital modes with the 90mm round pad is where the RO90 really shines. The aggressive mode can really eat material away, and the fine mode can do a really good finish for you on smaller objects, like for instance face frames.

Fourth, I don't know why some people mention the RAS115. Unless for scribing, it has no place in cabinetry. Way too aggressive. You can cut a small tree down with that thing.

 

 

[dltflt]

The only reason I brought up the RAS115 is because he asked for an aggressive sander.  I think that is others mentioned it also.

 

[tiralie]

To be more precise, I think I am missing a more aggressive sander.  I have the ETS 150/3, RS2E, DX93, RTS400.  What seems to be missing is a ROTEX.

Brian:
Not sure what you need a RO for, but I find for new construction, I don't need the power of a Rotex. They are just too aggressive for most finished cabinetry work.
When I put solid edging on shelves etc. I use my lipping planer and an ETS to finish. I use the ETS, RTS combo for all my face frame sanding.

The six inch I think is way too big.  I like the look of the RO90; however, my DX93 is probably a close match.  Hence, I am leaning towards the ETS125, 5 inch sander.  

The RO 90 is a very aggressive sander, and unless I need to fix client finishing goof ups, it's too aggressive for me. Personally I would rather have a DTS 400.

The RAS is a great sander/grinder but I really don't like it over a jig saw/TS 55 for back cutting and scribing but the RAS works really well.
Hope this helps.
Tim

 

[Kev]

The RAS is the only one that you'll find a metal brush on ... for when the lower grits just don't seem enough [cool]

 

[shed9]

I'd suggest Brian wades in again and clarifies as his original post is a little confusing.

If I'm not mistaken, the ETS125 has the shortest stroke of any Festool sander at 2mm - as others have pointed out if you had to place the ETS125 on an aggressive scale it would be at the other end of the spectrum. Also, not sure how the ETS125 is more expensive that the Ro90?

I think there may be some wires crossed there. Perhaps some info on where his current stable of sanders fall short and where a more aggressive sand is required.

 

[Brian Livingstone]

Oops, I meant the RO125, not the ETS 125.  My apologies.

I am trying to decide between a RO90 and a RO125.  Sorry about that.

Brian

 

[tiralie]

Oops, I meant the RO125, not the ETS 125.  My apologies.

I am trying to decide between a RO90 and a RO125.  Sorry about that.

Brian

What problem are you trying to solve...or do you just want one...which is ok too. Just curious...

 

[nickao]

Its depends on your work, but unless you do only small surfaces get the 125. Heck, I couldn't survive with a 125, I need the 150(and looking at the 7" air) .

For me the 150's(ETS 3mm& Rotex) and RO90 would be a great combo.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Oops, I meant the RO125, not the ETS 125.  My apologies.

I am trying to decide between a RO90 and a RO125.  Sorry about that.

Ah, that explains. Seeing what you do for work and what sanders you already have, it is difficult to give a clear cut answer. I think you wouldn't be disappointed with either one of them.

All sanders have their own strenghts, but each one also has some overlap with other sanders. The RO 125 overlaps with the ETS 150/3 and the RS2 you already have, and the RO90 overlaps with the RTS400 and DX93.

The RO125 is better on larger surfaces, and the RO90 is better on smaller surfaces. You need a more aggressive sander, but for which jobs exactly? That's what you have to weigh between the two. You could use the RO125 on smaller surfaces, it is not the best solution, but it can work. On the other hand, I don't like the RO90 for anything but small surfaces. It's just too small to work on larger ones.

And then something else to think about, since the RO90 has a delta pad like the DX93, you could sell the DX93 again when you get the RO90 and get some money back. That's what I did. Or plan to do. Since I got my RO90 I haven't used my DX93 anymore. So it's on the shortlist to go.

 

[VW mick]

I've a ro90 and a ro125 I love the ro125 but am thinking of a 125 ets for fine finishing . the ro's are aggressive but can be changed for polishing which works well too

If I could only have one sander would be the RO125 .my first love

 

[wow]

If I could only have one sander would be the RO125 .my first love

I agree with Mick - if you can only have one get the RO125. BUT - if you think you'll be getting another (and you will [devil]) then I recommend you go with the RO90 and the RO150. I got the RO90 first for versatility, and the RO 150 later for speed and efficiency.

Whatever you decide on, you can't go wrong. Even if you use it for a year and decide you made the wrong choice, wait until after next year's price increase and you can probably sell it for within a few bucks of what you paid.

 

[batcave]

I don't care for the ro90. It has it's own tendency to tip and it is tiring to operate. I prefer the ro150 paired with the rts400. I also have a mutimaster for the extremely rare instance the rts400 won't fit.

 

[sancho57]

I use RO90, 150 and 400, that combo gives me what I want/ need

 

[Kev]

I don't care for the ro90. It has it's own tendency to tip and it is tiring to operate. I prefer the ro150 paired with the rts400. I also have a mutimaster for the extremely rare instance the rts400 won't fit.

Multi master v's RO 90 for delta sanding would see me reaching for the RO every time! I love the little RO for balance and control.