Thread: Old Festo ET 2E sander

follow this one with interest.

I have had one of these excellent sanders for about 15 years and when I got it for free from my cabinet making bro who was moving to Melb to take up another job, Said Bro had heavily used for many years and gave it to me because the pad was on its last legs. Basically the velcro had worn out and would not hold the sanding sheets. I replaced the pad with a Festo replacement and it lasted for about 7 years before the pad failed, this time the pad foam cracked and it broke in half. I replaced it with an ebay cheapie to see how it went and it lasted up until last year (also about 7 years) same issue pad foam failed. The failure happened not long after nephew borrowed it and as its really getting on in years decided to again replace the damaged pad with a cheapie, and if nephew wants to borrow a sander he can borrow the hand/arm numbing Ozito. If the sander was a little less old in the tooth I would consider a sandpaper man type one.

haha thats exactly what i wanted to hear BobL thats a significant amount of time to own a sander. It surprised me because when a friend asked me what sander to get i originally was going to offer the Festo as i hadnt replaced the pads and didnt have any discs to use it and i essentially picked it up for $50 years earlier from a retired cabinet maker.

But when i plugged both the ryobi and Festo in i was surprised at how smooth the Festo was to hold, the Ryobi vibrated like a multi tool which becomes uncomfortable over large jobs.

So i think its worth me replacing the pads and picking up some new discs for it as i hope to get another few years out of it at least.

Originally Posted by delbs

** Moderators, this probably needs to move to the Festool portion of the forum **

Ive had two electric sanders for years, an old Festo ET2E sander and a new Ryobi i was gifted. I ended up gifting the Ryobi to someone that needed one because i found the Festo even though it was significantly older was superior to use in terms of comfort and vibrations. It just had a shotty sanding pad for the sandpaper to grip to.

I havent used it much but now im in need to be sanding a significant amount of timber im weighing up simply replacing the sanding pad or do i replace it with a newer festool 150mm model

From what the sandpaperman can tell me the hole pattern on the 48hole pads align with my existing 8 hole Festo 150mm pad but they also recommended the replacement pad below

150mm diameter FESTOOL Multi Jetstream Soft Back up Pad

Has anyone done this? upgrading an old sander with new pads and it still works just as good? It seems to me the dust extraction would work better than currently given the increase in holes? i could be saving a fair bit of $ this way instead of replacing the entire sander.

Thanks in advance
Nathan

Nathan, here is mine. Had it about 20 years ...



It is the forerunner of the Festool ETS150 models, and the pads are a direct swap over.



I have another sander, a Mirka Ceros. It is excellent but the Festo holds its own as a finish sander. This is where its weight is actually an advantage - minimal vibration and just let the weight of the machine do the work. I use Abranet pads, which maximises dust extraction.



This is the pad ...



I have another replacement waiting in the wings. I vaguely recall getting this on Banggood ..





Regards from Perth

Derek

This is great to see thanks for all the feedback. It’s approx $200 for the replacement pad and 5 different grits pack of 10 sandpaper from the sandpaperman. Have a restoration job coming up so the 150mm discs will be handy.

I like the rubber adapter for the hose fitting also will adjust mine also

Cheers
Nathan

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Tip - I found using a hose clamp on the rubber vac adapter in that orientation may mark the work - suggest rotating it so it's in between the adapter and teh handle.
Usually marking happens just as i'm finishing up!

I’ve had mine since 1990, it still runs perfectly and has done thousands of hours of work. Just replace the pad and put a drop of sewing machine oil on the eccentric bearing it mounts to.

Originally Posted by BobL

Tip - I found using a hose clamp on the rubber vac adapter in that orientation may mark the work - suggest rotating it so it's in between the adapter and teh handle.
Usually marking happens just as i'm finishing up!

Thanks Bob. I did consider that when I secured the clamp (several years ago). The reason the clip faced the lower side is that this avoids it gashing the hand when the handle is gripped (to use the on switch). Fortunately, the clip has never scratch a workpiece.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Thanks Bob. I did consider that when I secured the clamp (several years ago). The reason the clip faced the lower side is that this avoids it gashing the hand when the handle is gripped (to use the on switch). Fortunately, the clip has never scratch a workpiece.

I must be using a different clamp - I marked several pieces over a few months before switching mine around but haven't damaged any hands in the decade since then.
Anyway hands can self repair - wood can't.

Originally Posted by delbs

This is great to see thanks for all the feedback. It’s approx $200 for the replacement pad and 5 different grits pack of 10 sandpaper from the sandpaperman. Have a restoration job coming up so the 150mm discs will be handy.

I like the rubber adapter for the hose fitting also will adjust mine also

Cheers
Nathan

Nathan, they are $24 from AliExpress: 6 Inch 150mm Back up Sanding Pad M8 Thread Multi Hole for Hook and Loop Sanding Disc Dust Free Grinding Pads Festool Sander Pad|Abrasive Tools| - AliExpress

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by BobL

I must be using a different clamp - I marked several pieces over a few months before switching mine around but haven't damaged any hands in the decade since then.
Anyway hands can self repair - wood can't.

Photo, Bob? I am always happy to find something better.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Nathan, they are $24 from AliExpress: 6 Inch 150mm Back up Sanding Pad M8 Thread Multi Hole for Hook and Loop Sanding Disc Dust Free Grinding Pads Festool Sander Pad|Abrasive Tools| - AliExpress

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks for this Derek, I had already purchased the replacement pad and appropriate sandpaper. Looking forward to bringing this sander back to life again. Will be useful for the table and chair restoration I’m about to begin

Thanks all
Nathan

Well the replacement velcro pad and discs arrived and installed. pretty happy with it for my go to sander.

The speed control is a little off, i set it to high and it lowers the rpm as i remove my hand from setting it, put some pressure back on it and it returns to the correct speed. Many others with this model sander find that over time?

Hopefully i can source a replacement, might reach out to Festool directly.

Cheers,
Nathan

Nathan, it is time for a service.

Regards from Perth

Derek