Thread: ETS150/3 rocks!!

You will enjoy this fine workhorse.

Are you using it with a dust extractor?

Hi Rob,

Very nice box. I like it.

If the ETS150 makes your woodwork more fun then it has to be a winner. Quick, quality results are also enjoyable. Am a believer in quality tools, (don't have a ETS150 though). Any particular features that make it stand out for you?

P.S. I like your cats, cute.
P.P.S. Where are the photos of the ETS150 in action?

Cheers
Pops

Quote: "ETS 150/3 Rocks!"

I could have told you that, but you didn't ask me.

Originally Posted by Pops

Hi Rob,

Very nice box. I like it.

If the ETS150 makes your woodwork more fun then it has to be a winner. Quick, quality results are also enjoyable. Am a believer in quality tools, (don't have a ETS150 though). Any particular features that make it stand out for you?

P.S. I like your cats, cute.
P.P.S. Where are the photos of the ETS150 in action?

Cheers
Pops

Well as you can see I'm not Rob, but here is what I think makes the ETS150 sander stand out. They have the flattest orbits of any sanders I've ever used. This really makes a difference you can see in the finish. The ETS 150's have some of the finest bearing giving a smooth running sander. Then the dust collection aids the sandpaper cut to its full potential. I have to try this sander to believe how well it works.

And Rob, I remember posting in another forum about how well the ETS150 worked compared to the RO150, but you didn't believe me, are you convinced now?

Hi all,
It's taken me about 6 months or so to take the plunge and get an ETS150/3 ( was a chrissy pres from SWMBO) and I'm eating my words. I initially said that I couldn't see the advantages of a 3mm over a 5mm stroke. I was wrong. I will say in my own defese however, that I felt that if there were to be a difference, I would expect to see it in the higher grits and I believe this to be true.
I've attached some pics to show the advantages of this sander.
The timber is a piece of Brazilian walnut, thicknessed and then sanded using a 180g Brilliant pad, for the sum total of about 30 seconds. I think you can clearly see that all abberations on the surface are gone. Sanding up through the grits just leaves you with a spectacular finish.
I like the lightness and easy use of the sander and the way it just glides over the timber, while doing a thorough job of cleaning away the stuff you don't want. As Brice said, the short stroke and efficient dust extraction really takes care of any nap.
I'm fastidious about finish, as most will already know, and sand regularly with the RO150 (5mm stroke) using 100, 120, 150, 180, 240, 400, 600, 800, 1200, 1500, 2000, 4000 grits.
There's a pic here that shows the pads I used with the ETS. 180, 240, 400, 800, 1200, 1500, 2000, 4000g Obviously there are a few less pads, yet the finish is as probably better than what the Rotex gives and I think I can probably cut more out and get a "serviceable" finish.
I really don't think I've used a better, smoother or easier sander. There is no vibration!
I hope I've eaten enough crow and that I've answered any questions. If not ask away.
Oh! and for anyone using any 150mm sander, I very strongly suggest buying some Platin 2 pads (they're the two at bottom right in the pic.). They come in 500, 1000, 2000, 4000grit equiavalent and just complete a perfect finish.

Regards,

Rob

PS: Happppy New Year

Hi Brice (not Rob) and LGS,

Thanks for those replies and all the detail fellas.

Don't venture into the Festo chat cave much so don't know too much about these sanders. However now I just might visit and have a wander about. Sounds like a terrific sander. No vibration, I like that and faster and smoother. You might just have a convert. My old Bosch might find itself at second fiddle by next Christmas, maybe, if I am good all year.

Seems that the correct pad selection is very important too. Thanks for the tips there LGS, and the photos.

And of course, Happppy New Year all (borrowed your little green smilie LGS, ta).

Cheers
Pops

Rob, I really believed that you and this sander would be a perfect match, glad you finally got your hands on one. I'm looking forward to your future project with this little gem. Enjoy the new year!

i have had the ets for about 4 or so years now, the vacum does make a huge differnce.

i usual do a rough snad with a dewalt sander to remove the bulk of material before using the ets.

would you suggest a rotex for "rough" sanding over say my dewalt.

Hi Gaza,
I haven't used a DeWalt, but I have, up until now, used the Rotex for almost all my sanding, right through from 36g to 4000g and it is a magic tool. I now intend to use the Rotex for sanding through to 400g, then switch to the ETS. That being said, I need more time to play with the ETS. But, I'd back the Rotex against most sanders.

Regards,

Rob

Originally Posted by LGS

Oh! and for anyone using any 150mm sander, I very strongly suggest buying some Platin 2 pads (they're the two at bottom right in the pic.). They come in 500, 1000, 2000, 4000grit equiavalent and just complete a perfect finish.

Rob, what's special/different about the Platin 2?

Hi McArthur,
The Platin pads are not an abrasive like other pads. They are a synthetic material. Using them acts like a very fine grit, such as talc, but without the mess and preparation. Effectively, you are polishing and friction sealing simultaneously. They also give you the ability to go out to 4k grit on a ROS, which is something that is not readily available I believe. They are also washable and can be used several times.

Regards,

Rob