What's your favorite Festool Sander?

[ScotF]

I have been doing a lot of sanding recently, finishing up several pieces of furniture and I have had the opportunity to give most of my sanders a good workout.  With so much "me time" sanding, I began to think about which sander would be my favorite if I could only have one or if someone came to me asking about a recommendation.  This excercise has been a real challenge as I like them all and fortunately in my case I do not have to pick just one.  I have even tried narrowing my choices down by using each sander to sand similar parts to see if there was any noticeable difference in the finish of the work (i.e. RS2E to sand a panel, compared to the ETS and Rotex); ETS/Rotex/DTS to sand narrow rails/stiles, etc... and I have determined that they all have performed admirably -- The Rotex is a great choice due to its versatility, but the ETS is so smoooth...and then the RS2E -- well you cannot beat the flat surface it leaves and fine finish its leaves.  The DTS400 is a real gem too.  It is a tough choice. 

So, what sander would you say is your all time favorite and why?

Thanks!

Scot

 

[Oldwood]

Hi,

My opinion is a little limited as I only own the RO 150 RO 90 & ETS 150. Hands down for me the RO 150 is my favorite of these. Why ? It will go from fresh milled complete with mill marks etc. to ready for finish in minutes. I recently had to part company with a 10' stroke sander I have owned for years due to lack of space for it after purchasing a CNC & edge bander & without the RO 150 I would be lost.

I am curious about the other sanders & will try them out next time I am in a store that has a display.

Gerry

 

[AlexThePalex]

As for what's really my favourite sander, it's hard to say because there are 3 sanders I really like a lot. And that are the DS400, the RO 150 FEQ and the ETS 125.

The DS is by far my most used sander because it's what suits best for most paint work I do on houses and furniture. I love the way it handles, they way it lays in your hand and the stability you get from the pad, and what it does to the surface of the workpiece. Dust collection is simply excellent, even without a vac, because there is a very effective fan built in.

Btw, I'm talking about the DS 400, not the DTS 400. I had both but I sold off the DTS because the DS had a little more spunk in it.

But I equally love the big Rotex, it's a mighty sander with great possibilities for both rough and fine work. As soon as I have to do bigger surfaces or have to sand down to bare wood this baby comes out and I never would want to be without one.

I also like the ETS 125 a lot for the tasks that require it. I don't use it that much but when I do, like on cars, doors and table tops, this is the one that gives me best results. Like with the DTS, I love how it handles, the smoothness and the fine result and control it gives me.

The sander I like least is the RTS 400. It's basically the DTS with a different pad, so it has a lot of good things, except for .... exactly, the pad. I don't like the shape of the thin rectangular pad much, it lacks stability, it has the tendency to fall over during sanding if you're not careful. Considering I have the DS400 for most tasks that this RTS can do, I hardly use my RTS and should probably sell it asap.
 

 

[ScotF]

The sander I like least is the RTS 400. It's basically the DTS with a different pad, so it has a lot of good things, except for .... exactly, the pad. I don't like the shape of the thin rectangular pad much, it lacks stability, it has the tendency to fall over during sanding if you're not careful. Considering I have the DS400 for most tasks that this RTS can do, I hardly use my RTS and should probably sell it asap.

Hi Alex,

It is interesting to hear your thoughts on the RTS400 -- I like my DTS400 so much and I really like my RS2E that I have been considering adding an RTS to the mix -- only because I would like a bigger overall surface and I tend to wear out the tip of the paper and the pad on my DTS400.  Thanks for sharing!

Scot

 

[VictorL]

All of them. I just can't tell which one is my favorite. Each sander is perfect.  I can't compare RAS-115 and RS-2E, they are just different. I can't compare RO-150FEQ and ETS-125. It depends on task. I just grab most appropriate sander for the job, and start to sand. So far I have
RO-150FEQ
RO-125 FEQ
RO-90
ETS-125
ETS-150/3
ETS-150/5
RS-2E
RAS-115.04E
LS-130

I regret that I've sold DTS-400 and RTS-400

VictorL

 

[adubeau]

I have the RO90 and ETS 125.....

The RO90 is my favorite to use... I love that little sander...

 

[ScotF]

Hi,

My opinion is a little limited as I only own the RO 150 RO 90 & ETS 150. Hands down for me the RO 150 is my favorite of these. Why ? It will go from fresh milled complete with mill marks etc. to ready for finish in minutes. I recently had to part company with a 10' stroke sander I have owned for years due to lack of space for it after purchasing a CNC & edge bander & without the RO 150 I would be lost.

I am curious about the other sanders & will try them out next time I am in a store that has a display.

Gerry

I agree -- the Rotex is awesome and one of the critical sanders to have.  I have read a lot about folks using a stroke sander althought I have never actually seen one in use -- I think some users swear by them and prefer them to a wide belt.

Scot
Scot

 

[Kev]

All of them. I just can't tell which one is my favorite. Each sander is perfect.  I can't compare RAS-115 and RS-2E, they are just different. I can't compare RO-150FEQ and ETS-125. It depends on task. I just grab most appropriate sander for the job, and start to sand. So far I have
RO-150FEQ
RO-125 FEQ
RO-90
ETS-125
ETS-150/3
ETS-150/5
RS-2E
RAS-115.04E
LS-130

I regret that I've sold DTS-400 and RTS-400

VictorL

That's a pretty good hand of cards ... I'd be interested to know which you'd part with first ... having the ETS150/5 would you miss the ETS150/3 or the ETS125 the most?

The ETS150/3 and ETS125 are the two sander formats I'd probably consider defecting to mirka ceros for - at least to see what it's like on the "dark side".

Though I've defected from the other dark sides of Rupes, Bosch and Makita to come to Festool ...

 

[davee]

Btw, I'm talking about the DS 400, not the DTS 400. I had both but I sold off the DTS because the DS had a little more spunk in it.

What is the difference between a DS 400 and a DTS 400?  Is a DS400 available in the US?

 

[davee]

I think the ETS150/3 is the easiest to use.  The RO90 is the most fun to use.  If I had to have only one, however, it would be the RO150.  Not as easy nor as fun, but in my opinion the most useful.

 

[ShawnRussell]

That is so hard to answer.. it so depends on project.  However, after purchasing the Rotex 90, it has become my favorite go to sander. Especially not that I am also use my hand planes and really got the hang of a card scraper. I use the 90 around the house to touch up so much stuff. And with the finishing pads are great for cleaning up and polishing the granite and the car. It does take a bit longer than using the 150 or the ETS, but there is a lot of joy in just using the tool. Using the 90 is the closest to Zen I get when using hand tools.

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Very interesting thread.  I thought about it for a while (ugh...).

If the question was if you were on a desert island and could have only one sander (but electricity, too).  I would have to say the RO150 because of its versatility - everything from hogging out wood to polishing a finish in one machine.

If the question was what is the first sander you reach for most of the time, its definitely the ETS 150/3 for easy work and smooth finishes, which is most of what I do in furniture.

If the question was which sander saves your butt when no other will, then contenders would be:

LS132 linear sander for coopered panels

RO90 for sculpting chair seats

DTS400 (or I guess the RO90) for detail work

I've also got a Performax wide belt sander, a disc sander, and an oscillating sander for forms and patterns - each earns its keep on certain applications.

And, I never complete a project without using a hand sanding pad....

Don't think I could give one answer to that question if you put a gun to my head. [scared]

 

[AlexThePalex]

Btw, I'm talking about the DS 400, not the DTS 400. I had both but I sold off the DTS because the DS had a little more spunk in it.

What is the difference between a DS 400 and a DTS 400?  Is a DS400 available in the US?

The DS is the predecessor of the DTS. Festool thought the DS had a little bit too much vibration in it so they changed two parts: the counter weight was made heavier and the fan was changed from plastic to metal. As a result the newer DTS is a bit tamer. If you want one you'll have to find one on eBay or CL. 

 

[Neill]

I use different sanders for different jobs.  Even my ETS 125 that everyone is so critical about works well for what I use it for.  It did take a while to break it in.

I bought a LS-130 a number of years ago with the scraper and all the pads, except the DIY one.  It is a bit tame in removing material but that is what it is supposed to do.  Bottom line, I love it for what it is.

Neill

 

[tbellemare]

Is a DS400 available in the US?

I just looked at the stock at Festool and the DS 400 is no longer available and was discontinued a long time ago. You might find someone that has one but it's unlikely.

Tom

 

[RJNeal]

I'm with VictorL, All of them. really depends on the task at hand. Right now I'm setting windows jams and casings in a 100 year old home in San Francisco. I'm loving the RO90, and the RAS115. RS2e is great for flat panels.
Other sanders I have are RO150, RO125,ETS125, ETS150/5, LS130
Rick

 

[dltflt]

I only own the RO150 & RO90.  The RO90 is definitely my favorite due to the small size and plenty of power.

 

[Steve R]

The one I don't have..... [eek]

Cheers,
Steve

 

[waho6o9]

LS130 is an unsung hero, I'm amazed at how well it works.  Great thread Scot.
If I had to pick one it would be the Rotex 150.  [big grin]

 

[ScotF]

The one I don't have..... [eek]

Cheers,
Steve

Boy -- isn't that the truth!  ;D

Scot