Hi,
Sorry if this has already been discussed - I"m looking at the ETS EC 125/3. It would be my first Festool product. I currently have a DeWalt DW421 ROS. One of the issues is the tendency of the thing to gouge the workpiece if I make contact when the sander is running and I don't do so mating perfectly. So to avoid this, I turn off the sander, and turn it back on when set in place, and then sand away. This is maddeningly time consuming and if I don't do it, surely enough, I'll end up seeing a subtle gouge once I apply finish.
I realize the Festool has a pad brake, but is there any feature about it that would lessen the risk of gouging like I'm describing?
Also, I see the Festool 9 hole pattern. My DeWalt has an 8 hole pattern. It looks like there are a bunch of holes on the bottom of the Festool pad, and the conventional 8 hole might line up with the inner ring of 8 holes in the pad, plus I can punch a hole for the center which I have heard is important - this is until I use up my existing stock of discs. Am I right on this, or do I need to spring for Festool 9 hole pattern discs right from the get go if I want adequate dust collection?
Thanks