Festool ROS question

[daniel lane]

I see that there is a new version of the ETS 150/5 (new 571794 versus old 571541). Anyone know the differences? I tried calling Festool USA but they are still on holiday hours and the recording hangs up on you. :(

Edit: I was asking because Garrett Wade is selling the 150/5 for about 1/3 off, and decided they couldn't possibly have changed it enough to warrant paying that much more for a "new" model. So count this as a "never mind"...



Thanks,

daniel

[Sam Murdoch]

For those unknowable Festool issues you need to know about FOG - The Festool Owners Group (Google it)
All Festool questions answered there.

As for the ETS 150/5 I guess I have an old one - didn't know about a new version - anyway - (it is a GREATTTTTTTTT finish sander. I mean the ETS 150/3)

[Van Huskey]

Technically the 571541 is two part numbers ago, it does not have the multi jet stream pad, the next number was 571738 which is the new pad and the 571794 is the newest part number which is the same sander as the 571738 but with the T-loc systainer.

[daniel lane]

Thanks, guys. I went ahead and bought it, I figured I couldn't go wrong for $215. Also, Van, do you have that kind of stuff memorized, or did you write it on the inside of your arm for test time? ;)



daniel

[Van Huskey]

I write it on the inside of my eyelids, if it was on my arm people could see my crib notes, they never put the blinking together with me "cheating".

[daniel lane]

Heh. I once got CA on the inside of my eyelid, so I tend not to think of that as an option for notes anymore. :D

To keep the thread somewhat more topical, who's used Abranet with the 150? I know about the need for the interface pad, is it worth the cost to make that change? (I use Abranet by hand and like it, never used it with the ROS before.)

Finally, I was also looking to get Klingspor paper for the 150, since I don't want boxes of 50 each of the grits I use. Still, I just sipped the Kool-aid, should I put even more money into the Festool paper? Is it really that much better?


daniel

[Sam Murdoch]

Abranet mesh is great - way better than the Festool options, rubin or brilliant 2. And - I have found no better for sanding finishes - paints or varnish types. The stuff just doesn't clog. I am a huge fan of using the Abranet mesh on my ROs including the ETS 150/3

(I was wrong in my first post, I knew better but absentmindedly wrote that I own the 150/5 – not – it the 150/3.)

[Van Huskey]

(I was wrong in my first post, I knew better but absentmindedly wrote that I own the 150/5 – not – it the 150/3.)

I wondered when you referred to it as a great finish sander.

[Sam Murdoch]

I wondered when you referred to it as a great finish sander.


Now I feel bad. I hope that my enthusiastic endorsement didn't persuade you to buy the ETS150/5 Daniel.
You do know that you have 30 days to try out and then return new Festools if they prove to be less than what you wanted?
Sorry - oh for the /and a 3 rather than a / and a 5...:(

[Van Huskey]

Now I feel bad. I hope that my enthusiastic endorsement didn't persuade you to buy the ETS150/5 Daniel.
You do know that you have 30 days to try out and then return new Festools if they prove to be less than what you wanted?
Sorry - oh for the /and a 3 rather than a / and a 5...:(

The sander is GREAAAAT, I would imagine he knew the difference between the 3 & 5. I actually went to the GW site and the /3 is on the same page but sold out, I was thinking about picking up a backup for that price.

[Chris Padilla]

Abranet???

[Ben Hatcher]

Abranet is an abrasive coated mesh similar to the stuff you'd use to sand drywall. It is expensive, doesn't necessarilly remove wood any more quickly than other abrasives, but as stated, does a fantastic job on finishes because it resists colgging so well.

[Mike Heidrick]

Abranet???

Chris, trust us, its amazing. Buy that Abranet sample pack and a pad to fit your sander. Outstanding ROS abrasive. I use it constantly on my 150/3 and maybe on a 150/5 for $215!

[daniel lane]

Just wanted to say that yes, I knew the difference (2mm!).

Just sanded some planks over the weekend with my old Bosch 5" ROS, I'm really looking forward to the 150/5 showing up. Of course, I'll need to figure out dust control for it, I've been duct-taping a 2" hose to the oval offtake on the Bosch and I think that would be a little gauche with the Festool. ;)