Tool for efficient deck sanding

I dont have either the Festool or Makita, but, Festool makes some really good stuff. Had I not already had a RO sander, I would go with the Festool. "Buy the best and cry once". Especially if you go with their dust collection system. It is pretty trick.

On paper, I would say you dont *have* to use their brand of paper. The 3M green stuff is good, if it fits/attaches, use it even if you have to punch holes in it. On quantities, use lots of paper. Change the paper frequently, There is nothing worse than sanding with worn out paper. It is hard to guage how much as it will depend on how much you are sanding off and how hard you press.

By the paper by the roll, and dont hesitate to change it frequently.

 

"I'm trying to decide which 6" random orbital I want to buy. I think I'm going to get the Festool ETS 150/3 EQ at $275, or maybe the Makita BO6030 at $189. I like the idea of having a good dust collection system - I figured I'll hook a small shop vac I have to the sander. "

Bite the bullet and get the Festool. If you can afford it also get the Festool dust collector. It's a great match. The paper is proprietary, at least I haven't been able to find a generic that matches, but it is easily available and on the web too.

 

Thanks, Kaptin. I just read an article on the Festool 150/3 (actually a comparison to the 5" Model 125), written by a woodworker -

http://www.festoolusa.com/Web_files/RO_125_Review.pdf?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

it discusses that they are dual action - "rotex" for agressive sanding and "eccentric" for fine sanding. Do you use both modes? The author speaks very highly of the dust collection ability of the Festool sanders - I'm sold.

I want good dust collection, but the Festool dust collector is a bit pricey at $300. The article discusses that the paper has a center hole that blows air out - this is the big difference that makes them better with dust. My boat is outside, so I don't need HEPA filtering. I just want to get the dust away from the work. Can I use a shop vac? Do you have a Festool dust extractor? Thanks for all the help.

 

One other question I have is about the pads - what all pads do you suggest?

 

After reading some Festool info, I realized they make two "150" 6 inch sanders - the ETS 150/3 EQ Sander ($275), and the RO 150 FEQ Rotex Sander ($475). The more expensive one has dual action - rotary and random orbital. I would think I just need the random orbital - any rotary I'll do with my 7" grinder - true?

 

Holy crap! I just discovered a third Festool 150 sander....my head is starting to hurt... I may quit and go back to my sanding block....

The third one is a ETS 150/5 EQ Sander - it is random orbital but with a longer stroke - 3/16" or 5 mm. The 150/3 has a 1/8" or 3 mm stroke.

Kaptin, do you recommend the 150/3?

 

Jer,

It's really a triple action since it goes from random orbit to 'epicycloid' orbit (geared DA) to rotary. It's a 'do everythng' sander. Most tools that try to do several tasks are just mediocre at several tasks, but the RO 150 is great at all the tasks it can perform.

Jimbo

 

Jimbo is right. I use both settings, they both do as advertised. If you are jumping in go all the way. Get the 6" you'll be glade you did. I used a small shop vac for a while. Burned it out. Now I'm saving for the Festool.

 

dammit!! you know i hate it when someone says he's right!! hahahaha

 

I say your right, too (most of the time)

 

Ohhh.... so you say go for the RO at $475.... this is starting to eat into my gas and bait money.... do you use it in rotary - in place of a 7" angle grinder? Does it pick up the dust as well in rotary? Just trying to justify in my head the extra $200 over the plain jane $275 orbital.....

 

it will whisper softly in your ear about how good of a guy you are to care for your boat sooooo much that you spent the extra $200

 

No I use my grinder as a grinder.
Dust pick up is good at both settings
Jim will come wisper in your ear

 

I kinda miss mine sometimes. I bought it at the '01 IBEX down in Ft Lauderdale on the last day of the show new in the box for $280, which is a steal, I know. I used it a couple of times but mostly it just sat. Keep in mind I own like 9 or 10 air sanders, all of them top line industrial tools from Dynabrade, Hutchins, etc. I just don't have much need for a good electric sander. I bought it cause it was so pretty. It was an impulse buy.

So one day I'm looking on ebay and saw one USED sell for like $305! So I said to myself "Before that thing sits around too long around here and gets oversprayed (then nobody will want it) I better put it up on ebay." I cleaned it up, still had the box and paperwork and all. It went for $325, but it did look like new, after all.

Jimbo

 

I think I was the one who bought it.