Well I went ahead and got the sander on Friday. I had considered the rotex 150 and the ets 150. I ended up with the ets because I think it fit my needs the most at this time. Up until now, I had used my portercable variable speed ROS. The PC did a decent effort, but its DC was less that perfect. Even matched with the CT33e vac, I would still get a fair amount of particulate when sanding was done both on the wood and in the air. Well I had my first opportunity to use it last night. I had drawer parts for two large drawers cherry fronts and maple sides and bottoms. I used the abrasive sample pack that came with it. I did 120 to rough sand and 220 final sand. It was amazing to me how this tool performed on four fronts.
First I did the parts for both drawers with a single disk and upon completion there were little signs of clogging on that disk, simply amazing.
Second, the ergonomics of this sander is fantastic. I sanded for a long time (these are two large drawers) and when I finished something was missing, the tingling in my hands from the vibration that I usually experience from sanding with the PC. Thats a very nice change of pace. This tool was great hardly any vibration when running.
Third I also like the fact that when I cut it off it spins down quickly. The PC took a long time. So much that I bought one of those router buddies that you can put it in so you don’t have to wait when you power down. I know this is a small thing but I don’t have a lot of patience.
Finally I love the noise level. When I used the PC, it was muffs and dust mask. I like not having to have muffs and even with the 33 running you could have a conversation without yelling and sand (not that I would need to but nice). Add it all up and its a winner for sure. I know people have mentioned that you need to turn down the suction when sanding but I played with different settings and did not see any change in ability so I’m not sure why that helps. I just need to figure out all the abrasives and save to buy it. Its dang expensive, but looks like a disc will go a long way so it may turn out to be not that bad Time will tell.
If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Replies
I also have the 150/3 sander and agree with your assessment. It is a pleasure to sand without dust and with reduced noise. I do a lot of veneering and this sander is particularly good for that because it is not as aggressive due to the 3 mm orbit versus 5 mm for many other ROS. The surface quality after sanding is exceptional.
I typically run the vac at 50% because it will suck the sander down and reduce or eliminate the random nature. I use the ct22 vac system.
Best regards, Tom.
I put my CT33 at 25,50,75,100% suction settings and did not see any diff, but I've hardly had any exp with it, so it could be just that I did not notice. I finished the rough on the first maple board and ran my finger across and no dust. That was fantastic. I'm getting ready to put the PC on the classifieds section.
Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Edited 5/17/2009 9:55 am by bones
Welcome to the world of the best finishing sander on the market. I have had my 150ETS every since they were imported to the USA. I have had PC's, Rockwell speedblocks, Makitas, Dewalts and Bosch 3727 that my son nicknamed Mr. Wonderful because it was so much better then anything I had used to date. He never reaches for the Bosch and is always using my 150 when he comes over to do his little projects. He tells me if my 150 comes up missing he knows nothing about it and don't come looking for it at his house. I own several Festool products and this is easily my favorite. If you have not tried the Klingspor sandpaper http://www.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-bin/D256FA05/mac/qryitems.mac/itemDisplay?lenSgDsc=46X9K6%20X%209%20HOLE%20HOOK%20AND%20LOOP%20DISKS&qryType=GRPSG&group=DISCS you might want to check some out. I have always used the rubin and the brilliant, but I like the Klingspor stearate a little better. It lasts longer then the brilliant and seems to do a better job. Who knows, sanding is so subjective. I have not tried the heavyweight Klingspor (comparable to the rubin)yet, but I will when I run low. It has been so long since I bought paper( I am one of those case buyers) I am not sure how the prices compare to date.
Thanks for the information on the Klingspor I'll give them a tryGovernment's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
I have the RO 125 and I love it, except for one little detail. I have five Festool power tools and all are wonderful except for that detachable power cord. The cord works reasonably well on all of the tools save the RO 125. I find it necessary to either hold it in place or tape it to the sander in order to keep it connected especially if I'm working vertical vs horizontal. The sander is great as you've attested to, so tell me, do you find the same problem with your 150?
Jim
I'm curious as to why you don't send it back for repair?Chris
Is it your cord, or is something wrong with the connector inside the sander?Greg
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No problem with the cord for me. I will share with you a common problem other users have reported and its not the tool. When you place the cord in the end of the tool and twist, you will get some resistance and think you have twisted it all the way when in fact you have not. It will go an adittional quarter inch and you will feel it click or pop into place. I have seen this posted about numerous times over on the FOG. Some times you feel if you twist harder you may break it. Its very common. Give it a try. If indeed you have an issue contact them, they have a fantastic warantee and will fix no issues. Let me know how it goes.Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
It worked. Thank you, thank you. It really took a hard twist, I had to try it more than once. After I got it to turn the extra click it was rock solid. It's an easy fix but I was unaware. Thanks again for the info. This is a great web site. I learn things all the time.Jim
No problem. Check out the Festool owners group. Everything you'd want to know about festool. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
OK, I gotta ask...Where have all the Festool haters gone?Kinda dull here without them. ;-)Cheers,Peter
Better life through Zoodles and poutine...
Mr D,
That feztool! Danged Goimans with their excellent engineerin' and ergynomics, why cain't they jes keep their dang green and black thangs over there in Yurp so we home-grown boys cin sell our dross (I mean high quality cheap tools made in Ind....I mean here) in reelgood colors such as yeller or dusky red?
Jes why cin't the govmnt put up them trade barriers to keep the ferners from settin' this good (I mean bad) example of proper machines that do the woik and last for ages? I need to sell a high pile o' my combined sanders and vibrators (only $99.99 + tax and repairs) down at Wartmart! And I need to sell another pile after the 15 day warranty has expired!! And then another pile. And then (ad infinitum).
Mr Rip, accountant, Krappetool Inc.
"Where have all the Festool haters gone? Kinda dull here without them. ;-)"True -- but those "wars" were mainly about the Festool circular saw vs. the much cheaper EZ version of the same basic system.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I also have the ETS 150/3. I bought it after reading the review on random orbit sanders in Fine WoodWorking. I had looked at the rotex as well Per the review in FW, the ETS 150/3 removes almost 60% of the wood that the rotex does and and there aren't many times that I need something that aggressive. Also the ETS 150/3 is a one handed tool and costs about half of the rotex. I am very happy with it and my wife loves it because of the dust collection.I only have two Festool's, the ETS 150/3 and the Domino plus the dust extractor but they are great tools and I plan on buying more as I go along. They seem worth the extra money to me.I remember seeing Festools show up on the DIY shows on TV and thought it was crazy to spend that much more for a Festool. I figured that they gave them away just to get them to use them. But I was wrong. Domer.
If you ever consider buying the Rotex, I would say save your money.I bought one, since I like the idea of a dual mode sander -- which could be used in one mode as a finish sander, and in the other, aggressive, almost like a belt sander. In my experience, it does not do either very well.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
There is probably a use for the Rotex. I bought it first then got the ETS 150/3. I wish I'd have just gotten the ETS 150/3. It's by far the best small finish sander I have ever owned.Greg
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I bought the Rotex for table tops, and it is okay --- but a belt sander followed by a regular RO sander works jsut as well.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I also recently purchased the of1400 router and its amazing as well. Never seen dust colection so well integrated. The fact its in mm is a pain, but I'm actually getting used the metric side of life. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Bones,
Ditto Tom77. I've had a Festool ROS 150 3mm for some years now and only had to replace one pad after a great deal of use. I've also used it with the CT22 for preparing plastered walls after hole repair and prior to hanging wallpaper. It really does get 99.9% of that dust, which is a great thang when the ladywife comes a-looking with a fingertip run over the furniture.
Incidentally, a hard pad is much better than the softer one that comes with the sander, if you are normally sanding flat/straight stuff; much less chance of rounded edges and it will not squish into small hollows. A soft pad is good for curves, of course.
The fact that they do these different pads is another Festool plus I suppose, compared to most manufacturers' RO sanders where there is generally only one pad type available.
Lataxe
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