vac+sanders advices needed for small shop

[Bob Marino]

As has been stated already, the Rotex can and does produce a fine finish; as with most qualirty sanders, technique and using the proper grits is way more important. I wouldn't be too concerned about my 2nd or 3rd sander; your 1st choice, time, $$ and needs will determine that. I would also agree that the most important thing you can do, is get to a dealer and get a good hands on. I think your choice will be way easier and way more solid, if you do that.

Bob

 

[Kevin Stricker]

I suppose I am lucky to have both a Rotex and two ETS's but I always grab the ETS when I am working on cabinets.  Yes the Rotex can do the job, but it is not as good of a sander for that purpose.

I wonder if most of the people defending the Rotex are ones who don't have an ETS...The ETS is simply the best RO finish sander out there.  The Rotex can do fine sanding but it is not as balanced and in my opinion does not get veneer to stain ready condition as easily.  It is also more difficult to use inside of cabinet boxes when you have an opsie, and requires more attention to keep it from tipping.

I can sand a flat surface with my ETS 150/3 with a single finger on the head.  I have also used it for over two hours straight without any numbness or fatigue.  Will it hog out a surface like the Rotex?  No way, but that is not it's job in my shop.

If your goal was to have only one sander I would say go with the Rotex.  If you want to take your sanding to the next level in comfort and efficiency on veneered surfaces you will not be able to top the 150/3.

 

[mwhafner]

I wonder if most of the people defending the Rotex are ones who don't have an ETS

I have both, and agree that the ETS is the best orbital sander I have used.  jzaavy's original post was the reason for my recommendation.

 

[Kevin Stricker]

I'd also like to add that I spent almost 4 hours today sanding plywood which is why I am so convicted in my opinion.  There is no way I could have done that with my Rotex.  I love the Rotex for everything that it is, it is truly an amazing sander.  I just know that when it comes to work it's important to have the right tools for the job.  Good luck in your decision.

 

[Frank Pellow]

...
I wonder if most of the people defending the Rotex are ones who don't have an ETS
...

As one of the Rotex defenders, you are correct I do not own any of the ETS sanders.  I have tried them and could not justify the extra cost.  For me, the Rotex does as good a job and is easy to control.  I grant you that the ETS is slightly easier but, at least for me, I put emphasis on the word 'slightly'.

 

[jzaavy]

Here we go again.  The debate over whether or not the Rotex 150 can do fine work is one that I have engaged in many times.  My experience has been that in 'fine sanding' mode it does just that and that the sander is very controllable.  I can even use it one handed and I have small hands.

Just this morning, I used them Rotew 150, mostly one handed, in order to sand and polish all the parts for a small music box in stages from 120 grit all the way down to 4000 grit.

And the advantage, of course, is that the sander can also be used to remove a lot of material in a hurry when that is what you need to do.

Hi Frank,
Im sorry about reviving an old debate. That was not my intention. Yes I dont know which one to choose and hoped to magicly find the answers to my questions, but I think there is a lot of people liking these sanders and there must be applications where one of these two shine more than the other. This is why I tried to describe my work the best I could.

Thanks.

Jerome

 

[jzaavy]

Tom: Ill consider waiting before buying the handle, I guess I could use the money to buy stuff not work related 

Jesse: Ill try to not forget about the package deals. Thanks. I dont know yet how to post pictures... I guess there is a gallery thread. Then, I need to think about all the crazy things I need to do before christmas...  [crying]

Bob: I will definitively try the sanders before ordering. The thing is that I feel there is a big difference between testing and daily real life use...  [wink]

Kevin: I dont expect to have only one sander, but hopefully not 5. I would love to have a rotex, but I fear what you are kinda describing. Trying to think it through, Id say that I need to be able to sand 8-10 hours in a row. This is in that kind of situation it matters the most, ie getting away with a crazy job or "dying" trying to. But then, Ill make sure to think of everything when I have each one in my hands.

Thank you all for your time.

Jerome

 

[Bob Marino]

Tom: Ill consider waiting before buying the handle, I guess I could use the money to buy stuff not work related  

Jesse: Ill try to not forget about the package deals. Thanks. I dont know yet how to post pictures... I guess there is a gallery thread. Then, I need to think about all the crazy things I need to do before christmas...  [crying]

Bob: I will definitively try the sanders before ordering. The thing is that I feel there is a big difference between testing and daily real life use...  [wink]

Kevin: I dont expect to have only one sander, but hopefully not 5. I would love to have a rotex, but I fear what you are kinda describing. Trying to think it through, Id say that I need to be able to sand 8-10 hours in a row. This is in that kind of situation it matters the most, ie getting away with a crazy job or "dying" trying to. But then, Ill make sure to think of everything when I have each one in my hands.

Thank you all for your time.

Jerome

Jerome,

You have nothing to apologize for. The FOG (and most similar type forums) are here to answer  these type of questions. You will get recommendations from some very sharp people, but when the question is "which sander/sanders should I get for my shop"you are going to get many different, but equally valid, opinions and suggestions; especially when your applications are fine as well as heavy duty sanding.
But again, at the risk of repeating myself (and beatin' that dead horse) the ETS 150 will be more comfortable for sanding at extended times than the Rotex. The Rotex (in the rotary mode) is way more aggressive and a way better polisher than the ETS 150. True, there is a difference between trying a sander out and using it daily, but if you bring in a couple of pieces of wood, some smooth, some rough, and the dealer allows you a reasonable time to use the sanders; checking their capabilities, balance, etc. etc. you'd get a pretty fair assessment.
Besides, Festool does offer a 30 day return policy, if you happen to change your mind post purchase.

Bob

 

[mwhafner]

Slightly off-topic, but I think it is still relevant, has anyone else tried the New Rotex Handle?  I bought one on a whim Saturday.  After a few hours of use, it really does help.

 

[Aspiring FT Owner]

From a hobbyist handyman perspective,

I started down the Festool skislope 2 years ago, and the RO 150, and Deltex 93 are the 2 sanders that have let me do everything from building in house furniture, refinish walls, redo paint and prep an entire log cabin exterior, power clean shower pans with sponge attachment, polish and wax cars etc.... they are very very versatile.  The CT 22 was the best vac purchase I ever made, and I use the bucket attachment way more than I thought.  It's amazing for wet cleanup, and portable enough to go most places.

Your idea of getting the cleaning kit, and the hose garage will make your purchases nice and small to store in one neat stack.

Good luck with your decision, I have no regrets, and am looking forward to getting more tools as the needs come up in the future.

 

[aafoote]

I have two sandpaper types in my shop because I invest more in stockpiling grits than I spend on the sander. So, I have 6" round, and the iron-shaped sander. I like the ETS /5 sander and call it "the painter's sander" because of the weight. Imagine waving your arm above you and to the side while sanding with one hand. The sander is cheaper than the dual-action one is, but also one less pound of weight. The iron-shaped sander has less "edge" to work with than the DTS rectangular one has. The larger the selection of grits on hand, the more economically you can work.

The CT22 was my choice. I decided that the extra capacity was "free" and if carrying it up stairs, will jettison the half-filled bag and carry it up with a new bag installed.  Also, I must admit to predjudice for the HEPA feature. If the small vacs had HEPA, I'd have one of them too. I would use the smaller vac outdoors then.

I ended up with two CT22's, but only bought one handle, boom, and tool hanger. It's just that the boom and handle got in the way in one "shop" but proved to be great in the other. In the "no boom/no handle" shop, I have plenty of access to attaching a hose hanger from the ceiling. It is good not to have the handle so I can roll the vac under things.

At the more spacious shop I use the boom and the full stabilizer legs that come with it, and one of the tool hangers which eases one from having the hose pull a sander off of a table and dropping. I cut the black brackets on the boom to allow the 27mm and 36mm hoses to pop in and out since I need to work "off boom" at times too. I find it necessary to use an extra, full length, 50mm hose ($140) also. I like it with a 50mm crevice tool quite a bit, and also it gangs up to one of the smaller hoses(no adaptor necessary) without cutting back on suction too much. The cleaning sets are hard to decide. I like the upholstery tool because I have a red velvet couch in the wood shop! I get quite a kick out of that. You would use this pickup on carseats too. It's no good for anything else. I want to try one of the full width swivelling heads. I want to use it on an abrasive concrete floor to get under cabinets. The metal ones are too fine for this abuse-the brush would get wrecked.

summary: it is the handle and the boom and tool hanger which are tricky to plan for. Once they're installed, they can get in the way. A systainer popped ontop of the CT22 works as a handle and is quick. Then I make do with the hose holder and with the guard strip on the end of the guide rail.