Which sander

[frigator]

Currently I'm using an old worn-out 12-year-old PC sander. I ordered the BOSCH 65VC
6 inch sander. I end up returning it because it was a two-handed sander and I had difficulty controlling it. I mainly sand planed hardwood from a helical head planer.  And I can only afford one sander.

The guy at the wood craft store recommended the 150/5 EQ. I was able to use the sander in the store and it looked and felt great. I am concerned about the hole pattern in the abrasives.  Are there other alternatives to the sandpaper other than fest tool. Do you think this is the right sander for my needs?

 

[jeh]

It's a great sander, but depending on the hardness of the wood you might see swirl marks. Considering the wood is coming straight out of your planer you won't need much sanding. An inline sander that you can use with the grain might be a better solution. I use the RTS 400 and have had great success with it. The only issue is the pad is small. A slightly larger, but different option is the RS2.

If you were to go with an ETS I'd recommend the 150/3. The larger stroke of the 150/5 may be too much for your use.

 

[Davesbuildtips]

I have the ets/5 and feel it is a good sander. The hole pattern....what is the problem?

 

[Kev]

If you're sanding after planing from a helical head .. ETS150/3 or the EC version.

Granat abrasives are your friend - they last if you're using appropriate DC.

 

[frigator]

I just seems like there's too many holes. You got your eight holes and then you got the small holes which I were told to cool the pad.  I can't remember how many holes there are total. More holes the less abrasive. Seems to me six holes is enough..but what do I know, I'm not a sander engineer.

There are sometimes though that I'm going to need a more aggressive sander like refinishing furniture. Sanding off old finishes. dropping down to 80 grit. But 80-90% of the work will be sanding planed hardwoods.

 

[HarveyWildes]

I've got a 150/3 which I love - beats my old DeWalt 5" by any measure of what makes a good sander.

The holes in the sandpaper are your friends - with a good dust extractor, they will keep things virtually dust free while you sand.  I've not heard the cooling explanation before, but the dust collection is excellent!

If you want to try different sandpaper, use Mirka Abranet with an interface pad, but I'm happy with just the Granat.  The ETS EC 150/3 is variable speed so you can control how aggressive it is by varying the speed.  The 150/5 is designed to be more aggressive yet, but I've never used one.

I don't have any trouble controlling the 150/3, and when I'm sanding up the grits to 280-500 or so, I don't have any trouble with swirl marks when I'm done.

If you need something that really sands fast, look at a Rotex.  I do a lot of woodworking, and the Rotex was more than I needed/wanted, but it will hog off whatever you're sanding in no time - I did try one at the local Festool Roadshow.

Note that you pretty much have to use Festool sanders with a dust extractor.  If you already have a dust extractor, make sure you get the right adaptor for a Festool sander when you buy one.

 

[KRKWW]

I also sand wood coming off a planer with a helical cutter head and I also had a Porter Cable 5" random orbit sander. I loved that sander and when it died I opted to replace it with the festool ETS 125. These two are not apples to apples as the festool has only a 2mm stroke and is more suited for me doing finish sanding. I use my Rotex 150 for the bulk of my sanding but that sander is generally a two handed sander but control is not an issue for me.

Then I attended the Festool Road Show near me and tried the new ETS EC 150/3 and I exclaimed, "this is what I was looking for when my Porter Cable sander died!" In your case I would recommend either this one or the 125 depending on your needs.

Let us know what you decide.
Regards,
Kevin

 

[semenza]

Hi,

    The some of the additional holes are blowing air out and the others are sucking air in. Creating a stream of moving air to remove the dust. The out ward moving air also helps keep the pad from being sucked down tight to the surface. The idea is that more dust is actually removed. Which should not only remove more dust but also prolong the abrasive life.

    My own experience is that it works in both ways. At least compared to a 6" PC that I used to hook to a vac.

    I think the ETS150/3 would be ideal for your planed hard wood. It will be ok for the 80 grit. But I find the /5 version better at the 80 grit. If you are going with only one sander and most of your sanding is on the planed wood then I think the /3 would fit the bill.

    You will have to decide for yourself (get your hands on them) whether the regular ETS or the newer EC ETS version is better for one hand use. For one hand use I would go with the regular if you are doing your sanding mostly on a horizontal surface.

Seth

 

[semenza]

A note ---- the ETS125 and the ETS EC 125 are very different sanders. I don't the ETS125 would be good at finish removal at all. But the ETS EC would be OK for it.

Seth

 

[frigator]

I purchased the Rotex Sander probably 12 years ago and ended up returning it or selling it, can't recall..It was great for what I bought it for which was sanding Aaaaa  row boat I built. Was all covered with west system Epoxy and the sander worked well. But It was the only boat I ever built. It never worked for me in woodworking as I've always either had a helical head or a drum sander or both..never really needed the aggressiveness..

Question, with these fesstool Sanders do you do any hand sanding to finish up. With my PC always re-sanded the last grit by hand rather than take a chance of some scratch marks or swirl pattern remaining. Also never use the sander to sand between coats.  Are you able to do away with hand sanding all together with the Sanders?  I have a Fein vac  and fess tool hose as I have the domino 700.  But I don't have that cloth covered hose.

 

[Jerry White]

frigator,

I have the ETS 150/3 and it is my go-to sander.  My applications are similar to yours and I think you would like it for your applications.  The 150/3 is very easy to control.  To address your concern about the increased holes in the Festool sanders; I also had similiar misgivings.  I remember seeing a promotional video similar to the following and in my skepticism, I dismissed it as purely an advertising gimmick:


After owning Festool sanders, I believe that the video is an accurate depiction (actual advantages) of their dust control system.  I could have saved myself some time and money if I had been less skeptical.  [crying]

You should do very well with your Fein vac and Festool hose, provided the Fein has a variable suction control.

 

[Holmz]

The ETS EC is pretty good.
The Mirka is also at many woodcraft stores, and that is what the ETS EQ was based off of.
The Mirka screens as work on the ETS EC as mentioned earlier.

In your shoes you need to decide on /5 or /3. I went with a /5 and it works fine on the fine grits, and goes hard at it with the course grits.

The other notable sander is the Festool RS2e, which is a 1\2 sheet sander.

 

[ear3]

I think if you're looking for a single sander solution, the ets ec 150/5 is it. Its not that the ets 150/3 isn't a great sander, but sanding time will be prolonged at lower grits. The only time I reach for the 3mm first is if I'm working veneered surfaces, or doing very high grit sanding (+400).  I sometimes handsand after using the 5mm, but I rarely find it necessary if I've gone above 150 grit.

 

[frigator]

Thanks so much for all the replies. I'm thinking the 150/5 brushless model is the one I'm probably going to get it. It just felt so light and easy to handle in my hand. But I would like to try that Mirka..I didn't know woodcraft carried them. I didn't see one in the store.

My Fein vac is 11 years old and does not have a variable suction selection. I never noticed the need for it using my old PC sander. Just how important of an option is that. Should I be looking for a new vac also?

 

[Holmz]

The is where is gets preferential/subjective... The Fein will work with the Mirka. The ETS EC maybe not... But the ETS EC is a good sander.
Some do not like the Mirka paddle, and some love it.
There is some uncertainty about the 110v version of the Mirka versus the 230v, so you need the check warranty etc. ( I am in 230v land), and if I was in the US I am unsure what I would get... Probably a 230v DEROS as all my good tools are 230v and that opens up the whole of the EU range... And transformer!

I would suggest bringing the vacuum to the woodcraft and making sure that they have the DEROS in stock and try them both.
Even if the vacuum "sucketh too much", there is a 10$ adapter to open a gate to be able to use the ETS EC... Which is like what you find on a vacuum cleaner near you thumb.

Then again, I like 1/2 sheet sanders.