Festool Fans, which sander should I pick up?

[Steve Milito]

I have a Rotex Ro150 FEQ and an ETS 125 EQ. I bought the Rotex first. It really can remove material in rotex mode, but it can be a bear to control. Certainly a two hand machine, and not really very good inside cabinets. It's also heavy and fatiguing when doing finish sanding, especially on vertical services or inside cabinets.

I then bought the 125 EQ to compliment the rotex. The down side is that I need two sizes of paper but that's not really that big of an issue. Maybe in retrospect the 150/3 would have been a better choice, but I'm not sure. I really do like the 125 for finish sanding. It's light, and very easy to control as a palm sander.

Sanders and routers are like potato chips . . .

[Randall Houghton]

Hi Jeff
I asked the same question 11years ago when I started using Festool equipment and the staff recommended the Rotex 150. Eleven years later it's still going strong. I do this for a living and the Rotex is one of my most frequently used tools. I use a CT22 as a shop vac and have found it to be a good combination. If I were you I would look for a package deal for a CT 22and a Rotex 150. Bob Marino would be a good place to start as he is a user as well as a sales rep. Hope this helps.
Regards
Randy

[Greg Portland]

Get the 150/3. I have the 150/3 and the Rotex and greatly prefer the 150/3 for general sanding and finishing. Don't let the "3" fool you, the sander can take off some serious wood with the appropriate grit. I got the 150/3 because it gave me a better finish faster (smaller swirl marks, etc.). I use the Rotex for polishing and heavy duty sanding (grits below 80). I find the 150 class (6") of sanders to be more stable than the 125 class (5"). Be sure to demo it yourself because YMMV...

Important note: You should NOT push down on the Festool sanders when using them... just let the weight of the machine do the work. Also, a vacuum (Fein and Festool make good ones) is required to make any sander work optimally.

[Dan Clark]

I have looked at the Bosch units (online) and am not 100% opposed to them. I have a jigsaw they make and its fantastic. However, I've read that it gives off more vibration (fatigue causing) and noise than the Festool's, do you agree?

Thank you everyone for your inputs, I know my question wasn't the most "fair" by limiting to one sander, but I find it turns up the contrast on making a selection. Thanks again.

Jeff,

Think longer term. If you're thinking of one general purpose sander now and a finishing sander later, then the RO150 followed by the ETS150/3 is a good approach. OTOH, if you're pretty sure that you will only want one general purpose sander AND do more rough sanding, then the RO150 is the one. On the third hand, if you want only one sander and it's a finishing sander, then ETS150/5 may be the better option.

Of course, when you want a very flexible detail sander, then take a look at this new one: http://www.festool.co.uk/Products/Pr...spx?pid=571681. Here's the another page that includes a video: http://www.festool.de/Produkte/Tour/...RotexRO90.aspx. Pretty decent tool porn, I think.

Dan.

[Vijay Kumar]

Jeff,

Think longer term. If you're thinking of one general purpose sander now and a finishing sander later, then the RO150 followed by the ETS150/3 is a good approach. OTOH, if you're pretty sure that you will only want one general purpose sander AND do more rough sanding, then the RO150 is the one. On the third hand, if you want only one sander and it's a finishing sander, then ETS150/5 may be the better option.

Of course, when you want a very flexible detail sander, then take a look at this new one: http://www.festool.co.uk/Products/Pr...spx?pid=571681. Here's the another page that includes a video: http://www.festool.de/Produkte/Tour/...RotexRO90.aspx. Pretty decent tool porn, I think.

Dan.

I agree with the above. Just one thing though the Ro90 is not likely to be available in the US for another 6 months at least considering it is just being introduced in Europe. There always seems to be a 6 month to a year lag for introduction here.

Vijay

[Dan Clark]

Vijay,

You're probably right, but I hope you're wrong. I need a detail sander. I hope I can wait.

Dan.

[Bob Marino]

Vijay,

You're probably right, but I hope you're wrong. I need a detail sander. I hope I can wait.

Dan.

Hey Dan,

I think Vijay is right, I'd be surprised (but delighted) to see it his year. As to your earlier post regarding choosing between the Rotex 150 and ETS 150/5, I agree with you 100%.

Bob

[Dan Clark]

Bob,

It gets worse. The batteries on my C12 are getting old. I need to replace the batteries or the drill fairly soon. My target is the new C15. But I have to act within the next few months. I depend on it too much to be without it even for a week.

Regards,

Dan.

[Jim Tobias]

If only one.... the 150-3. But, it is all about how you need to use it. They make 3 different models (RO150, 150-3, ETS125) for a reason, they all have their areas of expertise.

Jim

[Brian Kincaid]

My opinion is the 150-5 since it is a little more aggressive. I have one and I do not have a problem with swirl marks (red oak mostly). I usually start and finish with 150 grit. If you want more aggressive get a belt sander (Bosch, probably other good ones available). I will admit I prefer the finish of a hand plane but there are many situations where you need a good sander (panels, frustrating grain).

I really like my CT-33 but I got a separator for it so the extra capacity I paid for is now not required. The CT-22 is the same vac with a smaller dust bag so it might be the way to go. I doubt you will find anyone with anything bad to say about the F-vacs other than the price of the unit and accessories.

-Brian

[Dan Clark]

If only one.... the 150-3. But, it is all about how you need to use it. They make 3 different models (RO150, 150-3, ETS125) for a reason, they all have their areas of expertise.

Jim

Jim,

You're right. Each Festool sander has a purpose, however...

Festool makes 11 electrical sanders and 3 air sanders that they import into the US. They have more in Europe. The RO90 is a new sander that will replace the DX93 sometime late this year or early next.

Regards,

Dan.

[Mr. Jeff Smith]

Lots of good stuff to think about guys, thank you all very much for your inputs.
Sounds like the general consensus is to go with the Rotex first and then add the 150/3 for finer sanding in the future. I did head to Woodcraft yesterday and check them out in person and got to trial a 150/5, very nice.

Couple more questions for owners if you'll continue to indulge me:

1. I intend to get the vacuum as well, however if you are ever in a situation where you don't have the vacuum with you, does performance of the general sanding deteriorate significantly? I appreciate that the sanding pads will decrease in life, just curious as to the quality of sanding when in non-vacuum mode.

2. Loudness. I've heard the 150/5, very quiet in my opinion (especially compared to my old ROS). How does the Rotex compare in terms of loudness to the 150/3/5? (I was unable to find a dB rating on Festool's site.) I always try to wear hearing protection regardless, but would anyone say that hearing protection is a must with the Rotex? (I did not feel that hearing protection was required for the 150/5 as an example).

Thanks!

[Frank Martin]

I have never run my sanders without a vacuum, but I would think the sanding performance should not be much worse if you can tolerate the dust.

Rotex is certainly louder than 150 and vibrates more as well. As others pointed out, it is really a two handed sander....

Lots of good stuff to think about guys, thank you all very much for your inputs.
Sounds like the general consensus is to go with the Rotex first and then add the 150/3 for finer sanding in the future. I did head to Woodcraft yesterday and check them out in person and got to trial a 150/5, very nice.

Couple more questions for owners if you'll continue to indulge me:

1. I intend to get the vacuum as well, however if you are ever in a situation where you don't have the vacuum with you, does performance of the general sanding deteriorate significantly? I appreciate that the sanding pads will decrease in life, just curious as to the quality of sanding when in non-vacuum mode.

2. Loudness. I've heard the 150/5, very quiet in my opinion (especially compared to my old ROS). How does the Rotex compare in terms of loudness to the 150/3/5? (I was unable to find a dB rating on Festool's site.) I always try to wear hearing protection regardless, but would anyone say that hearing protection is a must with the Rotex? (I did not feel that hearing protection was required for the 150/5 as an example).

Thanks!

[Greg Portland]

1) Performance & paper life both decrease. This is the case with -any- sander, not just the Festool.
2) Rotex is louder and has more vibration.

Seriously, the 150/3 is a more comfortable machine to use over long periods of sanding and capable of a finer result (@ a given grit). It also has better balance for 1 handed use. If I had to do it all over again I would get a 150/3 and a cheap rotary buffer for polishing (instead of the Rotex and then the 150/3). If I needed to strip a floor or boat of paint/finish then the RAS 115 would be ideal. The Rotex can do all of these tasks fairly well, not just as well (quickly) as the dedicated machines.

[Van Huskey]

If you decide on going the Rotex route do yourself a favor and look at the Makita 6040 not only do I think its a better sander but FWW does as well. It is easier to handle (although all of the dual modes are a bear) and does a much better job in agressive mode, the only short coming is the DC is not quite what the Festool is but my impression is that it just takes so much stock it appears worse. The ETS is indeed top of the heap with the Bosch close but not quite as good overall.