Festool ETS EC Decision 5mm versus 3mm stroke

[Patrick Kane]

I realize this question is very much in the weeds, but i plan on selling my ETS 150/5 and going with the new ETS EC 150. I want the newer design mostly for the height difference, but being new and upgraded arent bad reasons either. Is there an appreciable finish surface difference between the 150/5 versus the 150/3? I know it technically should be a more refined scratch pattern, but can the human eye discern the difference between a surface sanded to 320 with the 150/5 versus the 150/3? Does the 150/5 sand that much faster than the 150/3? My knee jerk reaction is to just buy the 150/5, but i also have the older generation rotex 150 that i didnt have before getting the original ETS 150/5. Also, unless i am incorrect, the ETS EC is a much more powerful sander than the older ETS. Would love to hear from folks with either and if they regret not going with the other.

[Phillip Mitchell]

Patrick,

I recently went through a similar internal debate when a barely used ETS EC 150/3 and Rotex 125 came up for sale not too far away for a reasonable price. I bought them both with the thought that, if needed for efficiency, I can use the Rotex for the initial grits (sometimes 80, usually 120 and 150) with the larger oscillation stroke, then switch to the ETS 150
for 220 grit and up with the smaller/finer stroke.

I also have an ETS 125 (3mm stroke) that I bought back in 2015 or so and was my only “nice” orbital sander until recently. This basically meant that it pulled sanding duty for tasks that were a bit above it’s weight class and that became annoying and inefficient, hence the search for a deeper bench of sanders.

I just tried this approach on a run of about 300 LF of 5” custom Ash baseboard that came off my planer and needed to go to 220 grit before finishing. I used the Rotex at 120 to start, then went straight to 220 with the finer sander and was really happy with the results and speed/efficiency, and feeling like I hadn’t wasted my money on 2 more slightly more specific sanders in addition to my trusty ETS 125.

All that to say, I say go for the 3mm stroke if you already have the Rotex and like using it in the mix. I have not used a 5mm and 3mm version of the same exact sander back to back or side by side, so maybe someone else can chime in there, but I think your logic is sound with diversifying strokes a bit.

[George Yetka]

I dont know how true it is, but I was under the impression the smaller circles were less aggressive therefore better if you were going for high grit sanding. If you were sanding mostly in the 80-150 range you may be better with the 5 as it will more quickly move through the material.

But I dont know. I have the Rotex and a mirka 5

[Patrick Kane]

I dont know how true it is, but I was under the impression the smaller circles were less aggressive therefore better if you were going for high grit sanding. If you were sanding mostly in the 80-150 range you may be better with the 5 as it will more quickly move through the material.

But I dont know. I have the Rotex and a mirka 5

I read a few threads and one guy made this comment. He said unless you are working with metals, plastics, or something else, then stick to 5mm stroke for wood. This kind of stuck with me, because i absolutely cannot complain about the ETS 150/5. The finish surface is really good from 220 or 320. However, you cant miss what you never had, and i might be ignorant of how much better the finish is from the 150/3. To Philip's point, i do have the sander lineup that i dont need an overly aggressive sander. It is logical for me to pick the 150/3 in that sense.

[Dan Friedrichs]

Patrick, not sure if you're aware of this, but the ETS EC 125 and 150 appear to be identical except for the price and the default size pad that ships with it. You can take an EC125 and put the 150 pad on it and it works perfectly (but it DOESN'T work the other way around - you CAN'T put the 125 pad on a 150 sander). I recently went through the "do I want the 5mm or 3mm?" decision, myself, but ended up getting the 3mm simply because that's the size the EC125 is sold in.

[Jim Becker]

While I'm using the older version, mine is a 150/3 as I also have the Rotex 150 which in ROS mode is the 5mm orbit. I've never regretted having the 105/3 as my primary tool (98% of my sanding) and if I were replacing it with the current like you are, I'd likely stick with the 3mm orbit.

[Patrick Kane]

Patrick, not sure if you're aware of this, but the ETS EC 125 and 150 appear to be identical except for the price and the default size pad that ships with it. You can take an EC125 and put the 150 pad on it and it works perfectly (but it DOESN'T work the other way around - you CAN'T put the 125 pad on a 150 sander). I recently went through the "do I want the 5mm or 3mm?" decision, myself, but ended up getting the 3mm simply because that's the size the EC125 is sold in.

Yes, good point, i can get the 125/3, buy the 150 pad, and save like $50 overall. They dont sell a 125/5, which is a little strange. I have a variety of hard and soft pads for the ETS 150 that will work with the ETS EC, but never a bad thing to have more pads or save a little money by going with the 125.

[Jim Dwight]

I have no Festool sanders so far but I do almost all my sanding with my Bosch 1250 DEVS. It has a 5mm stoke, I believe, and also what Festool calls their Rotex mode. I sand to 220 grit and do not see scratches in finished projects. My goal in sanding is to do it as quickly as possible and that dictates 5mm stroke, not 3mm. On the other hand, if you like to sand and want more time doing it, 3mm would be best. Maybe somebody can see a difference in the results but I cannot.

I'd like to have a sander with the motor over top of the pad (instead of the right angle grinder shape of my Bosch) and might have to buy a Festool to get the 5mm stroke I want. The non symetrical mass of my Bosch makes it sand more heavily on the side of the pad where the motor is. I often use it one handed which contributes to the effect if I am not careful.

[Jim Becker]

Jim, I think you're understanding why I often say that Rotex (and by extension, your Bosch dual mode sander) are "two handed" tools. They excel at heavy work when you can get a good grip, but are not balanced well for general sanding, especially when one hand needs to be on the material and one hand needs to be totally controlling the tool.

[David Zaret]

While I'm using the older version, mine is a 150/3 as I also have the Rotex 150 which in ROS mode is the 5mm orbit. I've never regretted having the 105/3 as my primary tool (98% of my sanding) and if I were replacing it with the current like you are, I'd likely stick with the 3mm orbit.

i'm with jim on this. i have an older 150/3, a newer 150/5 ETS, and a 6" mirka deros with the smaller stroke. i use the 5mm ETC only for the heavier grits (which is rare), and the finer orbitals for everything else, bumping up in grits. i'd stick with the 150/3.

-- dz

[Zachary Caldwell]

I own the Rotex 150 and the ETS ec 150/5. From what I have been told from a festool trainer at one time a few years back was they recommended the 3 stroke if you were already sanding with the rotex series because they had a 5 stroke. However, my store was out of the ets ec 150/3, so I went ahead and got the 5 stroke. I have absolutely zero regrets and have sanded quite a few projects so far and just love the combination. I use the rotex from 60-100g and then from there the ets ec. Love both sanders.

[Jared Sankovich]

150/5. It works well on everything from 60g to 320g. I bought a pro5 for finish sanding and never use it because the ec150/5 works better everywhere.

[Patrick Kane]

I am as confused as I was when i started, ha! Thankfully, i dont think there is a bad choice. I think im going to go see if i can use both with 220-320 grit and see if i can discern a difference.


While i have the rotex 150, it is an animal to use--as others have mentioned. Therefore, unless i really need to level a surface, i dont break out the rotex. Its partially why i started out leaning towards another 150/5.

[johnny means]

I use both. The 3mm definitely provides more refined finish at any given grit. It definitely is slower. We reserve them for the final grit and sanding in between coats of finish. If I could only have one it would be the 3mm. Sure it's slower, but the 5mm is less capable, finish wise.

[Jim Becker]

If I could only have one it would be the 3mm. Sure it's slower, but the 5mm is less capable, finish wise.
My feeling is the same as Johnny here...the end result being more important than the speed to get there when only one tool is available.

[Mark e Kessler]

I have the 150/3 and never found it that slow but i have never tried the 150/5 so I can’t compare in any case if it is your only one then i would go with the 150/3 unless you were doing some type of production sanding at 120g or lower and didn’t require the finer orbit. I have never felt the need to go to the 150/5.

however now that I type this i wonder if the 150/5 is the better choice if you final sand by hand which i do, I usually orbit to 180 or 220 then quickly hit it by hand the same grit to git rid of the squirrel marks, it only takes a few extra minutes (or a lot!) and i find the sheen is more even…

[Julie Moriarty]

I have both the 150/3 & 150/5 and use them in tandem. The 150/5 handles grits from 120 on down. Any grits over 120 gets the 150/3. It's worked well over the years.

[Dan Gaylin]

I have the 125 and the 150 Rotex. While I like the Rotex for heavy stock removal, in ROS mode I really prefer the 125. It is smaller, lighter, easier to control, and produces less vibration and hand fatigue. It’s just a joy to use. I got the Rotex after I already had the 125. If I had to part with one of them it would be the Rotex.

[Jon McElwain]

The biggest difference I have seen between a 3mm stroke and 5mm stroke has been on dense hardwoods. I did a bench with hard maple a few years ago with a 150/5 and I could never totally get the sanding scratches out. I started over a couple of times and it got better, but the bigger swirls still showed up. Probably user error, but I went through the grits and used a light hand. The finish was one that amplifies the sanding scratches too. I have had much better success with the 150/3 and have not had the issue with seeing scratches in dense wood. Sort of wish they would make a 150 with a 2mm stroke like the taller ETS 125/2...

[Patrick Kane]

Ive decided to go with the 3mm stroke, but now i have to find the dang sander!! I foolishly didnt realize Festool was out of stock across the country.

[Joe Jensen]

I'll chime in. I first got a Rotex 150 and quickly added an ETS 150/3. This combo was suggested by Bob Marino and I was really happy. I only use the Rotex on coarse grits, maybe up to 150. IMHO it's two handed only and awkward and heavy but since getting it I've never used a belt sander. I decided when the ETC EC150 came out to evaluate 3mm or 5mm orbit and in testing the Rotex against the ETS150/3 I felt I needed to go to higher grits with the Rotex to get rid of visual scratches so went with the ETS EC150/3 for this reason when I upgraded.

Last input, I find I am able to get flatter surfaces with the 150 sanders than I can with the 125. Sold the 125 I had.

[Randy Heinemann]

I would say that the surface from my ETS125 (which I think is a 3mm stroke) is marginally better than the resulting surface from my ETS150/5. Marginally is the key word. If you're getting a new 150 and don't already have a 125, I'd go for the 3mm. It will, in the end, give a slightly better surface for finishing at any one grit. Sometime I use my ETS150/5 for coarser sanding and then the ETS125 for the last grit or two.

[Randy Heinemann]

Actually I checked and the ETS125 has a 2mm stroke which is why it's a great finish sander. However, I still don't really notice my difference between the ETS125 and ETS150/5. I do sometimes sand with one finer grit sanding with the 150 but that usually yields the same as the 125.

[Frank McGuire]

I have no Festool sanders so far but I do almost all my sanding with my Bosch 1250 DEVS. It has a 5mm stoke, I believe, and also what Festool calls their Rotex mode. I sand to 220 grit and do not see scratches in finished projects. My goal in sanding is to do it as quickly as possible and that dictates 5mm stroke, not 3mm. On the other hand, if you like to sand and want more time doing it, 3mm would be best. Maybe somebody can see a difference in the results but I cannot.

I'd like to have a sander with the motor over top of the pad (instead of the right angle grinder shape of my Bosch(reviewed (https://www.craftyhangouts.com/best-sander-for-furniture/#product2)) and might have to buy a Festool to get the 5mm stroke I want. The non symetrical mass of my Bosch makes it sand more heavily on the side of the pad where the motor is. I often use it one handed which contributes to the effect if I am not careful.
Hi and sorry for the question, what are the most useful sanders from Bosch(except your model)? 1250 DEVS is for $400 atm, bites a lot

[Dave Sabo]

Hi and sorry for the question, what are the most useful sanders from Bosch(except your model)? 1250 DEVS is for $400 atm, bites a lot

useful for doing what ?

Smoothing out rough hewn beams?
Prepping tabletops for a new top coat ?
Sanding in the corners of stair treads.
Flattening a drywall patch ?

The 1250devs has been discontinued for some time now. The price you saw is the “ I really gotta have it “ price ; as the orig. selling price was sub $300. It’s been replaced by the GET75 & 65. They are $300.

The ROS65VC is also a good Bosch sander. It is being phased out by the GEX33 &34.

Those are the Bosch gems along with a long since discontinued belt sander. The other models are meh; and while less expensive than rivals , don’t deliver the same quality and performance. Not the value of the above mentioned models.

If you’re looking for a quality 5” palm sander , get the Festool ets125 for 200 bucks and get to sanding. Sell the carry case and you’re in the 125-150 range.

[Patrick Kane]

Now that someone resurfaced my thread, i will provide an update. I purchased an ETS EC 150/3 in July. I kept my 150/5 ETS for a couple weeks to directly compare the two. The low profile and brake on the EC are both fantastic features. I appreciate the upturned dust port too. Now for the disappointing bit. The 150/3 is CONSIDERABLY slower at material removal. The EC is supposed to draw more watts, so i thought the added power would offset the shorter stroke. It does not. It does provide a noticeable better surface finish at a given grit, but its something the ETS 150/5 would do at the next grit up. For example, 150 grit from the 150/3 is visually equal to 180 grit from the 150/5. I currently use the Rotex 150 more often for the lower grits and level a panel/glue up. You do not want to sand with the 150/3 at 80 or 100 grit, you will be old and gray before the job is done. On my larger table tops and island tops of the last 6 months, i rotexed them with 80, 100, 120, 150 and then water popped the grain followed by 120, 150, 180 with the EC. I started using Rubio in this period of time, which is why i didnt take the grits higher. My one issue with the Rotex/150/3 combo is the rotex leaves some pretty heavy swirl marks. If anyone has used a rotex in rotex mode, it pigtails the heck out of the surface. The 150/5 tackled those pigtails easily. The 150/3 needs to backtrack a grit to catch up. In the end, its an expensive and nice sander, but I would be a sad woodworker if that were my only horse in the stable. Comparatively, the ETS150 is a bit of a bargain now. Other than its height, it is a great sander and like $200 less than the EC.

[Jim Becker]

A 3mm orbit isn't going to be as aggressive as a 5mm orbit... ;)

[Paul J Kelly]

Patrick,

A few months ago I switched. I sold my older 150/5 and 150/3 and replaced them with the newer ETS EC 150/3 and 150/5. Festool holds value so well, that I sold them for more than I paid!

Anyway, the newer sanders are better IMHO. The brake is amazing, the lower center of gravity makes it easier to keep even pressure on the surface and it is lighter so less fatigue.

I, like some said, use the 150/5 on lower grits to remove drum sander scratches and then move to the 150/3. I can see the scratch pattern difference and I cannot fully remove them consistently with using the 150/5 ONLY.

Serf prep sanders (and the copies -Ekasand - and others) are a new thing to the mix for me. They are very useful on details and panels. I am really liking the 3x4 version.

PK
PKwoodworking

[Patrick Kane]

A 3mm orbit isn't going to be as aggressive as a 5mm orbit... ;)

Correct, and my point is the 5mm stroke can make up for its less refined stroke by stepping up to a higher grit. In other words, I can’t find a reason to ever purchase a 3mm stroke sander.