Thread: Which sander to buy, Metabo Duo or Festool Eccentric 3mm Sander.

Felixe,
my dad has a Festo 150/3. It's a very very very nice sander, takes almost no effort to control. It's absolutely brilliant at finish sanding. However, it is not particularly agressive, especially compared to a Rotex on the "rapid removal" setting. Both sanders are only ever used hooked up to a Festo vac.
Before buying the Rotex I tossed up whether to get both the 150/5 and the 150/3. I'm still uncertain which is the better deal both 150s or the Rotex.

Although I've not used a duo, if you're looking for a dual action sander and don't want to stump up the cash for the Festo, then it looks the go.

ian

Thanks for the reply Ian, I did consider the rotex but it is overkill for me and bloody expensive, I was recommended both the Metabo and the Festool, I hope to get to the tool shop to try both soon. I do plan to hook either sander up to a shop vac (carbatec unit).
I am happy to pay up extra for the festool, it is only $60 if it is worth it.

Hi Felixe

Both sanders are excellent and whichever one you buy will give years of service. I looked carefully at both makes before buying and eventually went for the Festool over the Metabo because it was a much lighter machine for the overhead work I was doing on a project at the time and for outside paint preparation up a ladder. The dust collection system is very effective which means that I can sand indoors with no dust and the 9 hole discs seem to last forever with minimal clogging. I use Festool Rubin discs. In addition, the machine is very well damped and I do not suffer from dead fingers after prolonged use. Check the vibration of both when you try.

I totally agree with Ian re the lack of aggressive action and bought the 150/5 a year later. Both have been 100% reliable and the 150/3 produces a glass like finish with no swirls.

Regards
Pat

PS My trusty mate Simou likes the look of your Avtar. Nice dog!.

The metabo is a good tool, I've had one for ages and several people on this board have them and I have a couple of off line mates who have them and they are great. They also take standard 6 inch 6 hole abrasive disks that are common and easy to obtain.
I don't know about the current festo but the old one used to take a funny hole pattern.
shop arround for the metabo you should get one for under $300 try glenfords and trade tools.

cheers

I also have the metabo duo and am very happy with it. Haven't used the festool, but I have a festool router which is lovely. Only issue is dust control. I don't have a festool vac and festool hose, so had to fiddle around and make a special adapter for the festool to attach to my standard vac hose. With the metabo duo, the hose slips right into the slot, and life is beautiful.

And it's nice to be able to pick up some discs at Bunnings instead of by special order.

Tex

Metabo duo - Trade tools $375 and Glenfords $359 on special.

Thanks Patr
Can you tell me about the finish you get from the 150/5, just how smooth is it?
I am after a sander for finishing and I am wondering if I need both the 150 sanders for home renovation and weekend toolin' around building furniture?
The "glass" finish of the 150/3 sound impressive and it was my choice but I would be going from a belt sander and some hand sanding to a random orbital so I am wondering if I should get the 150/5 or 150/3 or maybe the metabo?

Felixe
No contest. I would go for the 150/5. With with the appropriate discs fitted it will get rid of the rough stuff as well as give a superb finish.

Have a look at some of the other threads regarding Metabo and Festool as questions have been raised over the level of service provided in Oz and the perceived quality of the newer Metabo products including the orbit selector on the Duo.

I have a Metabo sander, hammer drill and jigsaw and have been very impressed with them but they are a few years old and have "Made in Germany" stamped on them. I fear that some of their newer stuff has "Metabo Germany" on it and is made a few kilometers East of the German border.:eek: ( But still priced as if made by Herr Metabo und his merry mensch. )

Regards
Pat

Thanks for the advice, Patr
This should give me plenty of "information" when I go down to C&L tools in the next week or so to play with all the sanders.

I'm a retired manual arts (D&T or T&E depending on your location) teacher and I can recommend either machine. The Festo rotax machine is a better way to go if you can afford the bucks. You can buy a bag attachment for the rotax, at a stupid price though. Abrasives can be bought at trade stores (eg, abrasiflex in WA) to suit the hole patterns, and at a much cheaper price. You would not believe the abuse that the rotax received at the hands of students and still soldiered on. By the way, they were a favourite item to get stolen!

I use a festool when i contract for a mate half the time and my own duo for my own jobs. I prefer the metabo; It's better designed in everything except weight. So much more versatile. (then again, I am a metabo man