Which sander to buy first! - First Post in the Forum

[ender]

Good to hear it

What does the EQ+plus mean for the ETC EC125?

I'm tempted to get that, the 6" adapter, and the CT36.

 

[mino]

Good to hear it

What does the EQ+plus mean for the ETC EC125?

I'm tempted to get that, the 6" adapter, and the CT36.

"Plus" means it ships in a Systainer for most /all?/ Festools.

For ETS EC series, being the high-end offering, I do not believe there is a "non-Plus" packaging option. Other sanders like the ETS 125 do ship as "non-plus" in cardboard in some markets.

ADD:
E - full-wave electronics, means the tool is detecting loads and attemps to maintain constant speed irrespective of load /most Festools today, was a pretty unique feature in the 90s though/
Q - adjustable speed

 

[ender]

Awesome! I think I'll be getting of those. Many thanks to [member=74584]hammy[/member] for starting this thread and all you fine folks who participated so I could lurk and just decide base on this thread

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Mirka 5650CV Deros + Abranet.

That is all.

Next ............

 

[ender]

What part # is the 6" sanding disc that fits the 5" sander?

I'm trying to decide why not just getting the ETS EC 150/3 instead - it's not that much more by the time you consider the cost of the plate into the 5" one.

But if the plates are the same it'd mean the internals are mostly the same right? I guess I'm confused.

 

[hammy]

What part # is the 6" sanding disc that fits the 5" sander?

I'm trying to decide why not just getting the ETS EC 150/3 instead - it's not that much more by the time you consider the cost of the plate into the 5" one.

But if the plates are the same it'd mean the internals are mostly the same right? I guess I'm confused.

You can always upsize but you can't downsize is my understanding and I think the 5" is more nimble.  I've never felt like I wanted a bigger disc size.

 

[ender]

I just really like the 6" mirka discs

What have you been using [member=74584]hammy[/member]?

edit: oh I'm retarded. they make 5" versions too ahahhahahahahahahahaha

 

[mino]

What part # is the 6" sanding disc that fits the 5" sander?
...

125mm pads /without "wing" detents/ - work with ETS EC 125/3, WTS 150/7 (EOL)https://www.festool.de/zubehoer?mai...Products=True&accessoryCategory=Schleifteller

150mm pads /with "wing" detents/ - work with ETS EC 125/3, ETS 150/3, ETS 150/5, WTS 150/7 (EOL), ETS EC 150/3 and ETS EC 150/5https://www.festool.de/zubehoer?mai...Products=True&accessoryCategory=Schleifteller

The /newer/ Festool 150 sanders have "wings" on the shaft which additionally fixes the pad. This, in theory, provides for a more secure interface for heavy/rough work. It also prevents installing the respective 125 pads /without detents/ on most of the 150 mm sanders.

The wings are not really necessary - even the "heavy removal" WTS 150/7 does not have them - for "sane" usage of the sander. So it makes sense to get the 125/3 as it gives you the 125 mm pad option. The ETS 125/3 is currently the only Festool sander which works with their "main" series 150mm pads yet accepts its own 125 mm pads for it. From past models the /rare/ WTS150/7 also has no wings and can take those 125 mm pads as well.

Take note the ETS/ETSC 125 series use a completely different pad interface. Above is specific to the ETS EC 125.

 

[ender]

This thread convinced me to go pick up the ETS EC 125/3 and a CT26 dust collector yesterday from Rockler.

I didn't get a lot of chance to use it last night but on a 2x4 I sat on a sweatshirt (mainly testing the dust collection) I was amazed at how little dust got onto the sweatshirt.

Going to be a happy festool user!

Thanks again [member=74584]hammy[/member] for starting this thread. It was super useful to me.

 

[hammy]

This thread convinced me to go pick up the ETS EC 125/3 and a CT26 dust collector yesterday from Rockler.

I didn't get a lot of chance to use it last night but on a 2x4 I sat on a sweatshirt (mainly testing the dust collection) I was amazed at how little dust got onto the sweatshirt.

Going to be a happy festool user!

Thanks again [member=74584]hammy[/member] for starting this thread. It was super useful to me.

That's great to hear, I'm sure you won't be disappointed! I think for the home hobbyist it's all you'll ever need.

 

[mikev12345]

I was originally going to get the ETS 125 and CT15 as my first sander and extractor combo.  After reading this thread I've decided to get the ETS EC 125 as my first sander.  I had also decided that bluetooth and anti-static hose was important to me and I'm going to  move up to the mini.

What I'm confused about is the amount of guidance to move up to the CT26 and I'm not sure why.  I'm planning to pair the extractor with a separator so I don't think capacity will be an issue.  I don't intend to put a work center on it and we don't really have the same ratings in Canada as they do in the EU.  With that being said am I missing something on why one should go up to the CT26 over the mini or even the midi?

Much appreciated.

 

[hammy]

I was originally going to get the ETS 125 and CT15 as my first sander and extractor combo.  After reading this thread I've decided to get the ETS EC 125 as my first sander.  I had also decided that bluetooth and anti-static hose was important to me and I'm going to  move up to the mini.

What I'm confused about is the amount of guidance to move up to the CT26 and I'm not sure why.  I'm planning to pair the extractor with a separator so I don't think capacity will be an issue.  I don't intend to put a work center on it and we don't really have the same ratings in Canada as they do in the EU.  With that being said am I missing something on why one should go up to the CT26 over the mini or even the midi?

Much appreciated.

Mike I think for me it was just that I was already spending a ridiculous amount of money on dust collection so why not just get the bigger one that I could stack my sander on.  I only use it for my sander and mitre saw so the bag never fills up.

 

[squall_line]

I was originally going to get the ETS 125 and CT15 as my first sander and extractor combo.  After reading this thread I've decided to get the ETS EC 125 as my first sander.  I had also decided that bluetooth and anti-static hose was important to me and I'm going to  move up to the mini.

What I'm confused about is the amount of guidance to move up to the CT26 and I'm not sure why.  I'm planning to pair the extractor with a separator so I don't think capacity will be an issue.  I don't intend to put a work center on it and we don't really have the same ratings in Canada as they do in the EU.  With that being said am I missing something on why one should go up to the CT26 over the mini or even the midi?

Much appreciated.

Mike I think for me it was just that I was already spending a ridiculous amount of money on dust collection so why not just get the bigger one that I could stack my sander on.  I only use it for my sander and mitre saw so the bag never fills up.

If the desire is for stackability compared to the 15, the MINI-I or MIDI-I are definitely less expensive options than the CT-26.  The newer MINI and MIDI also have a handle set available, and with the integrated Bluetooth make for a nice compact, capable setup for sanding at a significant savings over the CT-26 (since you have to add the BT module separately on the CT-26).

The only reasons I have a CT-26 in addition to my OG MINI and MIDI-I are to stack up a Workcenter (there are workarounds for this with the MINI/MIDI), for my saws, and because I had very little impulse control in 2021 and overbought my needs (I have 3 CTs for crying out loud; and they're all in the garage right now, none are even down in the basement shop area).

I still pull out my MIDI-I first most of the time, and it travels quite nicely.

 

[mino]

With that being said am I missing something on why one should go up to the CT26 over the mini or even the midi?

Much appreciated.

Mini/Midi is easy. The bags are the same (so same cost) but with the Mini their capacity is limited to around 3/5 as it is on the Midi/CT15.

Mini exists for the sole purpose of mobile/installs use where every centimeter of size counts. For shop use it still makes sense when  paired with a CT-VA or or other cyclone and that is about it.

CT26 is the "industrial-industrial" grade thingie. There is and AC version of it, it is a bit better in suction consistency and is a bit better pairing with the CT-VA.

Basically, it is a "better" as in more robust built Midi. If you have a use fot that it is a very good choice. If you do not, then it indeed makes little sense compared to the Midi.

For a hobby user, the CT26 AC is IMO a worthy upgrade if you want to be able to handle a major plaster sanding use case in one vac. The non-AC CT26 is a bit of an overkill.

/A CTM 36 AC hobby+ owner with BT and CT-VA. Only regret the 36 versus 26 choice. With a cyclone in original purchase, the CT36 was not really warranted. Heh./

 

[mstan]

If your argument is just that a HEPA-certified dust extractor isn't as good of a shop vac as a shop vac, then I don't think we have any disagreement. They're tools aimed at different purposes.

My vacs are not HEPA, I am in Europe and HEPA isn't used much here.

Second, I heavily disagree that they're tools aimed at different purposes. The Festool vacs should be able to handle general clean up like any other vac in its class. Because clean up is part of the building process just like DC of a tool is. Ever tore out a ceiling or chiseled all the plaster of a wall? Common tasks when you work on a home.

Other vacs of other brands can do both without problems, so the Festool vacs should also be able to do this.

Like I said about your test, you take one particular vac (an autoclean no less) and use it for one particular situation and then somehow extrapolate that to all Festool vacs. That's not how it works. I am talking about 4 different vacs over a 10 year period, working with them on an almost daily basis in every conceivable situation and they've had to handle almost any type of dust and debris out there. I know a lot better what these vacs can do then those test boys. And I am disappointed. I really like the features and form factor of the Festool vacs, but they just fall behind in suction.

I agree.   

I just bought my first Festool tool - an ETS EC 150/5 and a CT mini w separator - and while I found the mini to be good at dust extraction it was subpar at general shop vac duties.  Since I don't want to have two vacuums I returned the CT mini and separator.  I will use instead my existing Rigid with Hepa main filter and Hepa dust bag, dustopper separator bucket with a splitter and blast gate attached to one of the splitter ports.  I also bought a separate Festool-anti static hose for the smooth anti-static exterior and additional pressure bleed adjustment. Seems to work pretty well with the Festool sander.    I think the Rigid setup with the Festool hose bleeder valve actually has a wider pressure range (even on the low end) than the Festool midi.  Yeah, not as quiet or as small a footprint as the Festool but for $1200 saved I can live with that for now.