Thread: Are all ROS's really the same

Originally Posted by Arron

Do they sand faster, with less effort or anything like that?

If I pay for Festo or something like that will I get one of those wonderful light bulb moments when I realise what I've been missing all along?

Cheers
Arron

Hi Aaron,
First, I don't know if they sand faster, but some do have different stroke distance, ranging from 5mm down to 2mm. This affects the quality of the finish. The shorter the stroke, the finer the finish with a given sanding disk.

As for Festo, I have an RO150 orbital/Random Orbital which has a 5mm stroke, an ETS 150/3 which has a 3m stroke and a DTS450 which is a little delta sander with a 2mm stroke.
As far as I'm concerned, the ETS150/3 is probably the best finishing sander available widely that there is. You will have a lighbulb moment! And your sanding hand will thank you too as vibration is almost non existent.

Regards,

Rob

And when you try the Mirka CEROS, you'll wonder what all the fuss about Festool is for. It's half the size, half the weight and you have to pretty much stand on it to make it slow down. Used a Festool ETS 150/5 at work for 4 years, then I saw the Mirka at a trade show and was totally blown away.

Forgive me for possibly repeating myself, but these Festo sanders cost serious money and I want to make sure It'll be money well spent. I understand the point about stroke width, but my question remains: in exactly what way is a top-of-the-line 3mm sander (say Festo, or the outrageously expensive Mirkas) better then a cheaper 3mm sander? I understand they are better, I dont seriously think that people routinely pay all that extra money without a good reason, but what exactly is the way they are better ?

I should also point out that I only ever use an ROS when attached to a powerful shop vac, so not really interested in in-built dust extraction.

Ps. I know there are lots of reviews that I could Google up, but I value this site for the fair-dinkum non-book, non-sales, non-i used it once so now I'm an expert advice I get here.

And thanks Rob for getting the ball rolling - still researching the models you mentioned, and I get the point about vibration.

Cheers
Arron

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

And when you try the Mirka CEROS, you'll wonder what all the fuss about Festool is for. It's half the size, half the weight and you have to pretty much stand on it to make it slow down. Used a Festool ETS 150/5 at work for 4 years, then I saw the Mirka at a trade show and was totally blown away.

Thanks for the response. Your post and my previous one crossed over. I take it from this that one way they are better is that they dont slow down under load. Never thought about that, but it makes sense now.
Cheers
Arron

I have a 150mm festool I bought back in 1993. have replaced the pad twice at about $75 a hit. For the first 5 years it had medium heavy use and the last 15 light use though intense when it is used.

I have never used anything near as good but am keen to try one of these other ones mentioned here

Originally Posted by Arron

I should also point out that I only ever use an ROS when attached to a powerful shop vac, so not really interested in in-built dust extraction.

The Vacuum cleaner is only one half of the dust extraction equation. Most cheap power tools seriously hobble dust extraction so it does not matter how powerful your VC is if the tool is the weak link in the chain. Unfortunately there is no way to know the degree of choking a tool generates without testing.

One think I notice about cheap power tools (and I have plenty of them) is they usually vibrate a lot more than a quality tool. It's really a quality control issue problem - some people strike it lucky and get a good one. I have an Ozitor ROS - after using it for a few minutes my hands start to go tingle and a few more minutes and my hands go numb and my arms start to tingle etc. In contrast I can use my festool ROS all day without any of these vibe problems.

I've found that the cheaper ROS's have cheaper hook panels, so after a while they start spitting out the sanding disk - luckily my neighbour keeps the windows closed on the side of his house nearest where I sand

There seems to be a distinct difference between Bosch 'blue' and 'green' sanders for instance. I may be looking for a replacement for one of my ROS's at the next WWW show.

Metabo make a ROS with selectable orbit pattern, 3mm or 5mm. For the price I reckon it is about the best value out there. Low vibration, plenty of power, great finish and with the larger orbit size and course paper it will quickly remove material. Also, selectable orbit size means two tools in one essentially.

Having said that I do have a number of ROS machines and they all have their place in the workshop. Little DEWALT 125 2mm orbit, Metabo 150mm dual orbit, FESTOOL RO90, FESTOOL RO150mm.

The big advantage of the FESTOOL machines is the direct drive, very handy.

There, that should confuse you further!!! LOL

Nah, not really. Have a look at the METABO machine, good value for the functionality.

Cheers

I'd have to agree with the last post - I use a Festool ETS150/3, but if you are after maximum bang for your buck the Metabo is definitely the go. Probably 90-95% the performance of the Festool, plus the switchable orbits, for a lot less $$$.

Festool or Metabo, you'll never buy a cheap sander again after you've tried them (I had a Hitachi ROS before Festool, so I know where you're coming from !)

Originally Posted by Arron

The only ROS that I own is an Ozito cheapie.

If I pay for Festo or something like that will I get one of those wonderful light bulb moments when I realise what I've been missing all along?

Cheers
Arron

Good Morning Arron.

Basically, yes.

I have a Festool 150/3 with dust extraction. It works a treat.

The better RO sanders have a "more random" action, their dust collection sucks dust away real quick, so they do work a little faster and a little smoother than the cheapies. And they keep on working, and are reparable. The really big difference is that they are simply much nicer to use - far less vibrastion, less raucous sound, virtually no visible dust in room.

Just go down to your local Festool agent and ask for a demo - they are geared up to do this and do it routinely - they know that once trialled, you will be adicted. Sort of like your local dealer giving free narcotic samples!

I haven't tried the Mirka CEROS, have seen brilliant reviews, but would rate the Metabo as great value for money after the Festool.

After you have tried both the Festool and Metabo one has to make a decisin - " do I prefer Mercedes to Toyota to Kia?"




Fair Winds

Graeme

Confirm the above

I've bought the $99 ROS (909 brand) when I was doing one of the tables..
Stupid thing died on me (the bearing was crushed to nothing)
So decided to spend a bit more $$ and got Metabo one
Huge difference
1) Metabo doesn't hinder when applying more preasure
2) Dust collection is tops!!! I've connected vacuum to it and it worked like a charm as a comparison to 909 where same vacuum did nothing
3) Change of speed and orbit !!! (909 can do only speed)

Overall 909 purchase was a mistake but metabo is a winner... several projects completed and it is good as new..

No hesitation,

If there is one power-tool you use for hours rather then minutes it is your sander, you get what you pay for. I professionally use a fetool rotex 150mm, probably the most expensive power-tool I own but paid for it self the quickest. Just have a try at one of the test centres.

Have a look at the Bosch GEX 150 Turbo.
I have one and I am very happy with it. Does a great job. Selectable fine or coarse sanding, very good dust collection.
Half the price of some of the Festools but great performance. (I sound like a Bosch salesman )
Worth a look anyway.

Originally Posted by Arron

Thanks for the response. Your post and my previous one crossed over. I take it from this that one way they are better is that they dont slow down under load. Never thought about that, but it makes sense now.
Cheers
Arron

Yes, the electronics will sense high loads and increase the power to compensate. The other main advantage is size, it's the same size and weight as an air sander so it feels like an extension of your hand rather than a power tool.