Which Sanders???

[Programmergeek]

Since all my tools are almost all Festools now accept my sanders I am thinking it is time to maybe switch over.  The question I have is which sanders to buy?

I have a large Portacable 6" which seems like the RO150 will be a good replacement.

I also have a Bosh 6" similar to the ets150's and a little 1/4 sheet DeWalt I use for finishing small pieces.

I am a home hobbyist but want the best.  I do some construction that the RO150 can handle but also make furniture.  So besides the RO150 what else should I get?  I assume I should get a ETS150 but should I get the / 3 or /5 or both is there a big difference?  Should I also get a RS2? 

 

[Daviddubya]

Of course the answer to your query is that it depends on your needs.  But...  I have three Festool sanders in my home shop.  I get the most use from the ETS150/3.  Next in use is the DS400 and least is the Rotex, RO150.

A few random thoughts.  Buy one size of sanders so you can interchange the sandpaper.  It looks like that is what you have in mind with 6" sanders.  I prefer the 6" sanders because they make the job of sanding faster than 5".  The RO150 is a two-hand sander for me.  The stroke on the RO150 in ROS mode is 5mm, the same as the ETS150/5.  I see no reason to own both a RO150 and a ETS150/5.

If I were in your shoes, I'd start with the ETS150/3.  If you see a need for the two mode RO150, get it after you have had some time to work with the ETS150/3.  You might find that the ETS150/3 does everything you need done.  Add whatever smaller sander floats your boat - I like the triangular detail sander for its versatility in edge sanding as well as getting into tight spots.

 

[Tim Sproul]

You may want them all, in the end.

I have the RO150, 150/3, RS2, ETS125 and the DS and RS 400.  I do use them all. I use the RS2 the most.  It is great for things like frame and panel constructions.  The RO150 is next for most frequent use followed by the 150/3.  The ETS125 comes out for smaller work...but I have to say it isn't nearly as smooth as the 3 bigger sanders I have.  Perhaps the 125 is just too lightweight (literally light weight) to be 'Festool' smooth, although the DS and RS feel Festool smooth and they're just as small or smaller than the ETS125.

If you're set on the RO150 first, I'd think about the RS2 as a second.  It depends on the furniture you like to build.  The RS2, despite having a larger surface area, is not particularly speedy.  About the same amount of time as the 150/3.  Perhaps due to the better dust collection on the Festool disc sanders.  The size of the RS2 also makes it more difficult for sanding smaller surfaces without 'erasing' crisp edges.

Tim

 

[Programmergeek]

Looks like a RO150, 150/3, RS2, DS400 should give ne just about all I need.  I have a fine for the really small stuff.  Any other input?

 

[Hotwheels]

For another thought, I started with the RO 125 because I did not like the feel of the previous generation RO150. I have been happy with the Ro 125. Then I bought the ETS 150 even though the paper size is different, I wanted a smoother sander. It has lived up to its reputation and I could not be happier. There are times when I still pull out the RO 125, primarily when I have to take off a lot of wood, but for any extended sanding I go back to the ETS 150. I am going to buy the RS 2 next because I need something to get into corners and for other purposes. I thought about the RS/Ds 400 but, the RS2 has a reputation for being smooth and that is somthing I apprecaite for extended sanding. If I were buying today, I would substitute the newer RO 150 for my 125, I would still buy the WTS 150 for extended sanding, and then the RS2.

Good luck with your choices.