Which sander - ETS150/3 or 5

[rustystoes]

I'm in the market for a 6" sander to cover more ground on cabinet panels. I currently have the RO90 - my only sander excluding my DeWalt 1/4 sheet pos. For panels, they just need fine sanding. My initial thought was to get the 150/5 because it has the more aggressive stroke than the 90. Now I'm leaning toward the 150/3. Any thoughts on this?
-Russell

 

[Sam Murdoch]

Don't know about the /5 but I really love the /3. It is a great finishing sander - light weight, well balanced, lots of speeds to handle a range of grits and tasks. It is a perfect sander for ply panels or other flat surfaces. If you are stripping paint maybe the more aggressive /5 would be a better tool but even better would be a RO 125 or 150.

 

[kdzito]

Since you are using the sander for finishing cabinet panels, may I recommend the RS2E?  I know you are looking for a 6" sander; however, this one will also fit the bill quite nicely.  It excels at finish sanding over large surface areas and is even well suited for smaller ones as well.  If the cabinet panels are assembled into boxes, the RS2E gets into corners as well and this is something an ETS 150 can't do.  If you stick with the ETS 150, get the 3 as it has a smaller stroke and is more of a finish sander than the 5.  Check out Jerry Work's "Getting the Most from Festool Sanders" for more advice on which sander is better suited to each sanding task.  His website is - http://www.jerrywork.com/ 

 

[nickao]

Changed my 5 for a 3 .

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I agree with kdtizo - try an RS2E - this is an awesome sander that excels at sanding panels and such.  I would try one at a dealer and see how you like it compared to a rotary.  I have the 150/3, but on my current project I have been relying on the RS2E for all of my sanding and it has done a remarkable job.

Scot 

 

[rustystoes]

Thanks for all the help! I have heard a lot of good things about the RS2E. I had not considered it until this point. I'll have to put my hands on one. Has anyone found issue with the scratch pattern? A random orbital sander should leave a better surface than an orbital sander shouldn't it?
As far as corners are concerned, I do most of my sanding on panels before they are assembled and I have the delta on the RO90 when I need it.

 

[Kevin Stricker]

Sold my ETS 150/3 for a Mirka Ceros, wouldn't think of going back.  Worth the consideration if you want the best electric sander out there. 

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Thanks for all the help! I have heard a lot of good things about the RS2E. I had not considered it until this point. I'll have to put my hands on one. Has anyone found issue with the scratch pattern? A random orbital sander should leave a better surface than an orbital sander shouldn't it?
As far as corners are concerned, I do most of my sanding on panels before they are assembled and I have the delta on the RO90 when I need it.

The scratch pattern is different, but that does not mean one is better than the other. If you use progressively fine papers and go through the grits, you eliminate the scratches from before and the surface will look and feel smooth, regardless of the sander.  I have found the RS2E requires a different technique than a RO sander and there may be more of a learning curve to learn how to drive it, but the results have been great for me so far and I like knowing that my resultant surface will be flat without gouges.  With a RO sander, I have a tendency to sand in one area longer or accidentally tip the sander on an edge and this can show up in your finished piece.  I have found I have to be very careful with an RO with lower grits as you can remove a lot of material quickly.  I have not had this trouble with the RS2E yet on large panels or narrow rails and stiles.  Both sanders are great and they each have their place in a workshop.  I am using my RO with the higher grits of paper and to use between coats of a finish and
the RS2E for the lower grits and flattening stage of sanding.  YMMV, and I do not think you can go wrong with either one.

Scot

 

[JSands]

Scot, I often thought the same thing..... what is the big difference in scratch pattern, when in the end, just go up another grit to get finer with a larger scratch pattern, right?  seems to make sense but I never tested this....

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Scot, I often thought the same thing..... what is the big difference in scratch pattern, when in the end, just go up another grit to get finer with a larger scratch pattern, right?   seems to make sense but I never tested this....

I agree.  I can get pig tails or swirl marks with a RO with the wrong technique or not using a fine enough grit just like I can have a swirly scratch pattern with an orbital using the wrong technique and coarser grit.  I have found that orbital sanders like the DTS and RS2E work well moving the quickly across the surface - you don't want to stay in one place or you get swirls.  A RO allows a user to concentrate in one area since the pad is always rotating and if you move a RO sander quickly, you end up getting swirls and pig tails, especially with coarser grits.  I have also found that the RO sanders work best using the weight of the sander and paper to remove material.  The orbital sanders seem to work best with a very, very slight downward pressure as you move the around.  So far if I just rely on the weight of the sander they tend to get a little jumpy, especially with a new sheet of paper.  Very slight pressure keeps them tamed and then it is just a matter of pushing them around quickly.

Scot