Cant find the favorite Festool sander thread

[Dan Chouinard]

Would love to get a Festool sander for face frames and cabinet doors primarily. Which model most appropriate?
Thanks,
Dan

[Van Huskey]

The ETS 150/3 would be my choice for that application.

[Vijay Kumar]

I would recommend the ETS 150/3. This makes sanding a pleasure. Very smooth operation and you can sand for hours and feel no tingling in your hands. An excellent finish sander. Of course you should use a vacuum Festool or otherwise for best effect.

Vijay

[Vijay Kumar]

The ETS 150/3 would be my choice for that application.

Oops Van I didnt see your post.
Vijay

[Scott T Smith]

I think that you will find - based upon previous threads, that the ETS 150/3 will be the sander of choice by 85% of so of the respondents.

[Van Huskey]

Oops Van I didnt see your post.
Vijay


Never gonna complain with someone who agrees with me. :D

To elaborate for the OP. The Rotex is too hard to handle, relatively, for face frames and the ETS150/5 is probably over agressive for this specific use. The ETS125 will be more work on the doors due to size.

[Dan Chouinard]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Cant argue with 85%. Will seek the ETS 150/3.

[Jay Jolliffe]

Make sure you get the hard pad so you don't round over the edges. The 150 is a 6" sander & for small face frames and frame & panel doors it might be to big. Like Van said.

[Dan Chouinard]

Wish I had a time saver to put face frames and doors thru....

[Van Huskey]

Wish I had a time saver to put face frames and doors thru....


Well there are some solid options that aren't quite the price of a Timesavers. The Jet "Performax" drum sanders are inexpensive and do an excellent job. I think the recent sale on the 22-44 is over but check around had I not wanted the oscillating version I would have been all over it.

[Joe Chritz]

You will obviously still have cross grain scratches to remove. I now use the ES125 sander. I like it a lot.

Before I bought a drum sander I used to take all my doors and face frames up the road to a shop with a wide belt. It was $1 per minute / 10 minute minimum. I could do a kitchen full of doors and face frames for under $20 bucks. Check around there may be a shop nearby that will do it for you similar.

The dual drum works well but it isn't a wide belt by any stretch.

Joe

[Jim Becker]

150/3 is my primary sanding tool for 95% of the work where I use a powered sander.

[Keith Harrell]

Another vote for 150/3. Like the option of different pads.
If you can add the small festool vac it a perfect marriage.

[Dan Chouinard]

Got to use two borrowed Festool sanders today. Rotex 150 did a great job on some flat panel mahogany doors but did leave me slightly tingley. The iron shaped one was awesome. Smooth. Real Smooth.

[cameron bailey]

Well there are some solid options that aren't quite the price of a Timesavers. The Jet "Performax" drum sanders are inexpensive and do an excellent job. I think the recent sale on the 22-44 is over but check around had I not wanted the oscillating version I would have been all over it.

I just bought the jet 22-44 oscillating on ebay from tool zone. no tax. It was $1825 and $69.00 shipping. It has been great so far.. but only 2 weeks old.

[Greg Portland]

Make sure you get the hard pad so you don't round over the edges. The 150 is a 6" sander & for small face frames and frame & panel doors it might be to big.Definitely get a hard pad. However, I found that I preferred the balance of the 6" machine over the 5" and felt that it was -easier- to sand the parts in question (while keeping the sander flat). Having said that, it will definitely be personal preference so be sure to demo both at your local dealer.

Edit: Oh yes, I should also mention that the 150/3 is still capable of hogging off a good bit of wood with the correct sandpaper.