Which Festool sander?

[DIY WoodWerx]

I'm a newbie to DIY cabinet making.  Projects consist of built in cabinets, bathroom vanity, bookcases, desks, and other small projects around the house.  I was lucky enough to pick up the Limited PRO5 sander for $99.  Is this sander all I need to prepare for paint and/or stain using MDF and Furniture grade sander Plywood?  Or will I need to invest in something like the rotex?  I would also like to refinish a small area of hardwood flooring.

 

[ear3]

The Pro 5, which only has a 2mm sanding stroke, is not the best option for doing panels.

Since you have this smaller finish sander, I would look into getting either the ETS-EC 150/5 or the RO150.  The ETS-EC 150/5 is my go-to sander, and is actually faster than the same size Rotex in RO mode.  The Rotex is still the king when in geared mode, but you don't necessarily need that kind of stripping power for the type of work you've outlined here.

As for 6" vs 5" sanders, keep in mind that 1" difference translates to 50% more sanding surface, which you come to appreciate pretty quickly on panel work.

Besides the brushless motor and form factor, the one big difference between the ETS-EC and the normal ETS sanders is the pad brake, which stops the pad from spinning almost instantaneously.  It might seem like a small thing before you use it, but it really proves useful over long sanding sessions, cutting down on the time when switching between abrasives and boards. 

I'm a newbie to DIY cabinet making.  Projects consist of built in cabinets, bathroom vanity, bookcases, desks, and other small projects around the house.  I was lucky enough to pick up the Limited PRO5 sander for $99.  Is this sander all I need to prepare for paint and/or stain using MDF and Furniture grade sander Plywood?  Or will I need to invest in something like the rotex?  I would also like to refinish a small area of hardwood flooring.

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

Will the ETS 150 be good for small area hardwood flooring jobs?

 

[nickao]

A Rotex is best for flooring, an RO 150, IMHO. The ETS 150 is a finish sander just not best for flooring, great for everything else, cabinets and such. I would only get it after a Rotex for FLOORING.

I own all the Festool sanders and I make nothing but flooring items. I use the ETS only rarly on floors for very light sanding. Any kind of stain of isn't going to lay the same if you using such a fine sander on flooring. Wherever I use the ETS on a floor I need be far more careful making sure I use grit lower than the main floor to compensate.

Now the Rotex has that rotary mode that will help you blast off finish  and leaves a find far better finish for flooring, especially if you just leave it in rotary mode. And if you do need a finer sanding just switch it over to orbital mode. Only at this point would an ETS 150 come into play.

If I could only have one Festool sander for floors it's always the Rotex.

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

So looks like I need both sanders.  Do people use the Rolex 150 at all for panel finishing and cabinet builds, or it cannot be used as a all in one for my uses? 

 

[nickao]

The Rotex can be used for cabinet and other stuff and some guys get away with both. But for me each sander has its use, I don't see a need for a Rotex for plywood or cabinet doors. Actually, the Rotex sanders are good way to damage ply and cabinet doors really fast if one isn't careful.  It's just too large and heavy(even the 125 version) for me to bother. Just because it can be done doesn't mean I am going to do it.

I am far better off with my ETC 150's and ETS 150/3 for  cabinet type of work.

If you have the cash I suggest an RO 150 and an ETS 150/3 as a nice starting combination toss in a CT collector and you will be very happy.

I actually have the ETC sanders as well, but for some reason I just like the feel of the ETS 150 better than the EC sanders. In my hands the ETS 150 just give a better finish easier  than the EC versions. That will be personal preference.

 

[DIY WoodWerx]

The Rotex can be used for cabinet and other stuff and some guys get away with both. But for me each sander has its use, I don't see a need for a Rotex for plywood or cabinet doors. Actually, the Rotex sanders are good way to damage ply and cabinet doors really fast if one isn't careful.  It's just too large and heavy(even the 125 version) for me to bother. Just because it can be done doesn't mean I am going to do it.

I am far better off with my ETC 150's and ETS 150/3 for  cabinet type of work.

If you have the cash I suggest an RO 150 and an ETS 150/3 as a nice starting combination toss in a CT collector and you will be very happy.

I actually have the ETC sanders as well, but for some reason I just like the feel of the ETS 150 better than the EC sanders. In my hands the ETS 150 just give a better finish easier  than the EC versions. That will be personal preference.

Thank you for all you input.  Can you provide the workflow you go thru with cabinets and flooring for the sanding process.  What grit and settings you use to start thru the last grit used before painting or sanding plywood.

 

[Holmz]

I'm a newbie to DIY cabinet making.  Projects consist of built in cabinets, bathroom vanity, bookcases, desks, and other small projects around the house.  I was lucky enough to pick up the Limited PRO5 sander for $99.  Is this sander all I need to prepare for paint and/or stain using MDF and Furniture grade sander Plywood?
...  Or will I need to invest in something like the rotex?  I would also like to refinish a small area of hardwood flooring.

Yes.

A belt sander or ETS/EC would be nice....

... but you would be better off buying your wife/husband something, hiring a house cleaner, or donating to a charity if you have extra funds.

Or (like the rest of us) get a hand plane, or some other goodie and claim it is sorely needed.