Which sander? RO 150 or ETS 150?

[Jeff Scott]

Hi guys, my wife is going to get me a new sander for Christmas but I can't decide on which 6" sander to get. I plan to use it for general purpose finish sanding but would like the option to do some aggressive sanding from time to time. Is the ETS 150 up to this task or do I need to move up to the RO 150?  I own the RO 90 so I'm familiar with what a Rotex can do. What a dilemma, right? 

 

[Timtool]

if you already have the RO90 which can do aggressive work, then i would suggest to accompany it with an ETS 150/5. I think you will find yourself using the ETS most often because it's so comfortable and yet effective.
I use my RO150 for real rough sanding with grit 50 only, or polishing oiled surfaces. For anything else i use my ETS because it's so much more comfortable

 

[Scott B.]

If you already have an RO anything, get an ETS anything. The ets sanders are so sweet. Nice to have just one hand on a Festool when possible. It is great for finish sanding and also has enough nut to 80 grit sand a deck or floor for cleanup (for material removal, use an RO).

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[PeterK]

The RO150 is a very nice sander and multifunctional but it is quite a bit heavier and takes 2 hands at all times to operate. I use my ETS150 99% of the time over my RO150. Mine is the ETS150/3 and I find I can do some serious aggressive sanding with it even with the small orbital stroke if I just go to a coarser grit sandpaper. It sure gives a nice finish on wood and is very easy to control. I have often used it one handed.

 

[spikfot]

My ETS 150/3 gets more use than any other. Heavy use will trip them off to cool down. ( gently laying in a snowpack works great) But they are a great one handed sander. you can use them TOO long.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'm leaning towards the ETS 150, just have to decide between the /3 or the /5 now...

 

[Kev]

I've got RO 90, RO 150, ETS 150/5 ... I'm thinking of getting an ETS 150/3 or an ETS 125 next as I'm short a fine sander (also thinking of defecting to the Mirka CEROS for fine sanding ... just to see what all the fuss is about if nothing else).

If you'd got a RO 90 and you don't need to do large area coarse work, the ETS 150/3 is your best sander next.

Now that I've said that, if you get the RO 150 you've also got a pretty damn good polisher ... plus the ETS is easy to slip under the radar.

It really comes down to the intended purpose - Festool make great sanders for just about any purpose ... but you need to know you're targets. The ETS 125 could also be a really good option!

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that the ETS 150 would be a nice compliment to what you have.  I do not think you would go wrong with either the /3 or /5.  If you intend to add an RO 150 to the mix, then I would opt for the 150/3 as the 150/5 has the larger stroke that is the same as the RO 150.  If you do not intend to add an RO 150, then I would probably opt for the 150/5 as this will be slightly faster with stock removal and it will still leave a very fine finish on wood.  I got close to pulling the trigger on an 150/5 during the sander promo, but decided not to do so since I already have a 150/3 and Rotex 150.  You might also consider the RS2E half-sheet sander too -- this is great for sanding anything large or open field areas and ensures a smooth, flat surface.  This would be a different direction entirely, but give you some different sanding options than what you can get with a round sander.  It is my go-to sander for most flat work nowadays.

Scot

 

[davee]

If I had to have only one Festool sander, it would be the RO150 as it can do about anything from aggressive to fine.  However, I recently purchased a ETS 150/3, and find I am using the ETS more often than not.  The combination together provides the best of both worlds in my opinion.  I think the ETS 150/5 would be too much like the RO150 in a final result.  If you think you might purchase the RO150 someday, you might consider the /3 ETS version.  They are all great sanders.

 

[Neill]

Jeff,

I agree with the others regarding the 150.  I have the 150/3 and could not be happier.  I actually started with the 125's.  While I like my Rotex, I actually look forward to using the 150/3.

I agree with PeterK.  If you need a bit more aggression go with a coarser paper.  When I first got mine I bought some of the Mirka Abranet which seems a bit more aggressive at their respective grits than the Festool papers I had on hand.

In either case I would go with the 150 series.  One word of caution, once you have the 150/3, it is just a matter of time until you add the Rotex to your wish list.  That is what happened to me.

Neill

 

[Kevin Stricker]

If you can check out the Mirka Ceros that would be my first choice, second might be a 150/5. Without a 5mm stroke sander you are really limiting yourself, unless you are a hobiest and have unlimited hours.  I spent over a year thinking my combo of RO125 and ETS150/3 was the bomb. Then I got the Ceros and realized I had wasted dozens of hours with the less efficient combo. The 150/3 is a cadallac and combined with a RO 150 you would have an efficient and comfortable system. Or you could get the Ceros which covers 90-95% of the same ground in a more versatile single package.  3M is also releasing a DC brushless sander, I guess Festool will jump on the bandwagon eventually.

 

[spikfot]

If you can check out the Mirka Ceros that would be my first choice, second might be a 150/5. Without a 5mm stroke sander you are really limiting yourself, unless you are a hobiest and have unlimited hours.  I spent over a year thinking my combo of RO125 and ETS150/3 was the bomb. Then I got the Ceros and realized I had wasted dozens of hours with the less efficient combo. The 150/3 is a cadallac and combined with a RO 150 you would have an efficient and comfortable system. Or you could get the Ceros which covers 90-95% of the same ground in a more versatile single package.  3M is also releasing a DC brushless sander, I guess Festool will jump on the bandwagon eventually.

Oops. Again.
I must have been tired when I said I own the 150/3. Wrong. I own the 150/5.
I'm going to try out the Ceros at the next possible opportunity. The great reviews are piling up.
But seriously:  "covers 90-95% of the same ground"(as the 150/3+RO150)? That is *a lot* of ground...