Recommendations for Festool ROS

[Mike Kreinhop]

After using some Festool equipment over the weekend, I've decided to take the plunge into the Fespool and replace some of the Bosch tools I have. I'll still keep the cordless Bosch tools, as they are very handy when working away from my shop. Unfortunately, one of the tools that has given me the most grief is my Bosch GEX 125-A ROS. After nearly two hours of sanding pine planks to be painted, my hands were numb for the rest of the evening. However, the Domino 500 was a joy to use and I now regret not buying one sooner. I would have used Kreg pocket screws for the two small jobs, but my friend didn't want any exposed holes in the wood.

I have narrowed my choice in ROS to the ETS 150/3 and the ETS EC 150/3, but have not had the opportunity to handle either of them yet. I appreciate any recommendations, or reasons not to consider either of them.

I have the CTM 36 E extractor and am impressed with the way it works with the Domino. The hose even fits on the dust port of my Bosch ROS. If Oneida will answer my email, I will likely buy the Ultimate Dust Deputy and move my noisy shop vac to the garage.

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi Mike, I have the ETS125REQ 5" ROS and the DTS400EQ sander.

I use the ROS a lot, really like it, no more numb hands and dust collection is great.

At work we use a Dust Deputy, at home I don't bother, I don't generate much sanding dust by volume............Rod.

[Bruce Page]

I have no experience with the ETS EC but love my ETS 150/3. I used to get numb hands with my PC ROS’s, not anymore. Only downside is the price.

[Carl Beckett]

I purchased the ETS EC 150/5 in January as an upgrade to a Bosch I had for years. I like it (and am using it with the central DC system).

I looked at the /3 vs the /5 and decided on the /5. My thinking (right or wrong) was that I wanted the speed and aggressiveness of the /5 and would go to finer abrasive to achieve the final finish. So far this has been the case - I can put 80 grit sandpaper on it and remove material in a hurry, or I can work down through the fine Granat discs for finishing.

Others may have insight on differences between the /3 and /5, I have only used the /5

[Jim Becker]

I have the ETS 150/3, but that new brushless version is very nice. I really do suggest you try to get some hands-on with both to see which feels best in your hand. Handling comfort, pardon the expression, does matter when you use a tool a lot...and you will use your Festool sander a lot. :)

[George Yetka]

I went with the 125 ets ec, because the 5" paper fits better in my small parts drawers. I dont feel I'm missing out on the extra 1" but I don't do a lot of oversized items or use it every day.

[Matt Day]

Folks, remember he’s asking about the /3 vs /5, not 5” vs 6”. I’m interested too because that’s the main decision to me. 5” v 6” I think has more to do with the size of the projects.

[Mike Kreinhop]

Thanks, everyone. I'll be at the store on Wednesday to try out each of the 150/3's. I'm picking up some other Festool tools at the same time, but couldn't decide on the 150/3.

[Mike Kreinhop]

Folks, remember he’s asking about the /3 vs /5, not 5” vs 6”. I’m interested too because that’s the main decision to me. 5” v 6” I think has more to do with the size of the projects.

Matt, I'm actually interested in the differences between the two 150/3 models. The EC version has a lower profile, while the non-EC version is taller. I've read and watched reviews talking about the benefits and downsides of each, and sometimes the opinions from different sources are conflicting (i.e. "it's tall...I hate it" and "it's tall...I love it"). I suppose I'll decide once I've handled both.

[James Zhu]

ETS EC 150 is definitely better than the old ETS 150.

It has low profile design, brushless motor, carbide pad braking, active electronic vibration control and jetstream dust extraction.

[Matt Day]

Oops! I guess my mind projected my question into yours!

Have you settled on /3 and not /5?

[Tom Bain]

I have the ETS EC 125/3 and also a Rotex 150. The dust collection on both is really great, and the ETS EC is light and stops almost instantly and no numb hands. The one thing that I find challenging is how to deal with the dust extraction hose as it gets in the way and can cause the sander to become unbalanced, especially the ETS EC. I usually drape the hose over my shoulder but others may have better solutions.

[Mike Kreinhop]

Oops! I guess my mind projected my question into yours!

Have you settled on /3 and not /5?

Yes, I've decided on the /3 because I'm also picking up the Rotex 150 for the heavy duty sanding. Depending on the bundles offered, I might also get the Rotex 90.

This will be an expensive month, but I budgeted for it and want to take advantage of the generous dealer discounts (at least for pricing in Germany they appear to be generous).

[Neil Gaskin]

If budget is flexible Ets ec hands down. We have 6 or so of the older model ets 150’s and 3 of the ets ec’s. Nobody uses the old ets 150s hardly any more. The balance, feel, performance is so much better with the ets ec.

[Greg R Bradley]

Yes, I've decided on the /3 because I'm also picking up the Rotex 150 for the heavy duty sanding. Depending on the bundles offered, I might also get the Rotex 90.

This will be an expensive month, but I budgeted for it and want to take advantage of the generous dealer discounts (at least for pricing in Germany they appear to be generous).
Don't look at the spec sheet and think that a Rotax is a partial replacement for a /5 ROS sander just because it matches the /5 pattern on ROS mode. It works for small amounts of ROS work but is basically a beast.

[Dan Friedrichs]

Yes, I've decided on the /3 because I'm also picking up the Rotex 150 for the heavy duty sanding. Depending on the bundles offered, I might also get the Rotex 90.
.

Was about to ask if you'd considered getting a Rotex. If you've enjoyed the Domino, you will enjoy the Rotex, too. :)

[Clint Baxter]

I ended up with the Rotax 150, the ETS EC 150/5 and the ETS 150/3. Rarely use the RO 150, but will sometimes set each with a different grit and just switch sanders as I progress through my sanding. That said, I prefer the ETS EC of the lot. If I’m grabbing just a single sander, it gets the nod. The brake is something one misses when you get used to having it.

I do, however, think the ETS has the best hose arrangement. It seems to glide over the work better than the other two when the hose is attached.

[Randy Heinemann]

I own the ETS150/5, the ETS125, and the Rotex 125. Of these three I like the ETS150/5 best and I think it does just about as good a job as the ETS125 on finish sanding. I do use it sometimes for rougher sanding with coarser grits and it works great. Of all my sanders I like the Rotex the least because I find it harder to operate even in its less aggressive mode. The ETS150/5 (or 3 would be the same except for the rotation pattern) is a very smooth sander. I don't know about the EC version but I suppose, if you are a professional contractor it might be a better choice for longer term heavy use. For me, the older ETS150 version works just fine and I doubt I'll ever wear it out; maybe never need new brushes.

[Jim Becker]

Don't look at the spec sheet and think that a Rotax is a partial replacement for a /5 ROS sander just because it matches the /5 pattern on ROS mode. It works for small amounts of ROS work but is basically a beast.
I agree with this in that the Rotex is really a "two hand" tool and not comfortable for general sanding (at least for me) where its specific benefits are not needed. That said, I've never felt the need for a /5 orbit and do 98% of my sanding with the 150/3. I only pull out the Rotex when I actually need the rotary function.

[Tim Bueler]

I have both the ETS EC 150/5 and 150/3. Thought about getting a Rotax 150 but I wanted a one-handed sander. The 150/5 will remove copious amounts of wood with courser grits and still fine sand with finer grits though I do my final sanding with the 150/3. If I had to have just one it would be the ETS EC 150/5. It's low and stable, the vac hose can be used as an extra handle when more control is needed and variable speed helps when using non-woven pads and/or "trickier" sanding situations. I also have a hard pad on the 150/5 and a soft pad on the 150/3. It's interesting how much difference just that makes.

For me, these sanders are head and shoulders above the PC and Bosch sanders that they replaced in every meaningful way.

[Derek Cohen]

Thought about getting a Rotax 150 but I wanted a one-handed sander.

What about the Mirka Deros? I have the older Ceros. I doubt there is a Festool sander to compare with either.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Orlyn Gaddis]

I purchased an ETS EC 150/5 last year and was initially overwhelmed by the smooth, efficient operation of the sander. It is far superior to the PC and Makita sanders I've used in the past. It actually makes sanding a chore that I can look forward to instead of dreading. The smooth operation makes it easy to use for long periods of sanding unlike the other sanders that I've used that vibrate you to numbness. It's not cheap though at around $500 so you do need the additional assurance that it will last a long time. And that's where I found a big problem. Within a few hours of initial use my sander started shutting off randomly (no pun intended). The problem became more frequent until I could no longer use the sander as it would shut off after only a few minutes of use. I looked this problem up on the Festool Owners forum and it seems to be a well documented issue. I sent it back to Festool for repair and in less than 2 weeks I had the machine back with electronic modules replaced. I used the machine for a few minutes after receiving it back and it seemed to be working fine. The next day I sanded for about an hour and had the machine randomly shut down a couple of times. With additional use the failure continued to repeat. I'll use it as before until the shutdowns are so frequent that I can no longer efficiently sand with it, then it will be going back to Festool again for repair. This is not what I had in mind from a $500 machine that is marketed for the professional user in terms of durability. It is curious that there aren't more reports of this apparently common problem on the forum. I want to be able to give the sander an unqualified positive endorsement but am very disappointed with the electronic failures. Until the 3 year warranty expires the repairs are free but the sander is obviously not available to the owner when away for repair. I can't bring myself to buy a second $500 sander as a backup. After the warranty is expired the repairs will be on my dime. One discouraging note is the conversation I had with the repairman before sending the sander in for repair. I mentioned that I had read of others similar problems with this sander on the Festool Owners Group forum and wondered if Festool had addressed the issue. The repairman dismissed this as internet misinformation. Denial won't solve the problem.

[Ben Zara]

I have the ETS EC 150/5 and it works really well. Can't even tell a sander has gone over the board. Bottom line is that it's remarkably effective and pretty quiet as well.

[Mike Kreinhop]

I appreciate all of the comments and suggestions. After spending a good part of today in the store, I bought the ETS EC 150/3. I compared it to the ETS 150/3 and liked the feel and balance of the EC version. This is the same store where I bought my Minimax SC2 Classic, so they gave me a generous discount for my Festool purchases. Today, I also bought the ROTEX 90 and ROTEX 150, plus plenty of sanding discs for each tool. Between the bundling of free accessories and the discounts, I am very pleased with the purchases.

[Bruce Page]

Congrats. I likely would have gone with the EC had it been available when I bought my ETS 150/3