I'm looking to buy a sander for general purposes, especially for surface finishing tasks on tables, cabinets, and veneered pieces. I don't have any brand loyalties, and my workstations are set up with 4" dust collection ports. Could anyone help me figure out which sander would be the best fit?
3 Answers
I don’t recommend the Rotex for finishing, especially if you’re working with veneers; it's just too aggressive. The Festool ETS 150/3 is a solid choice for finishing tasks. The '/3' denotes a smaller stroke size, making it less rough than the other options. If you opt for the ETS EC 150/5, it will serve you well with its balance and power. In my experience, the EC 150/3 is versatile enough for a range of jobs, while the Rotex can be overkill if you’re not working with very tough materials.
I’ve been using a Mirka for my sanding needs and I absolutely love it! They really specialize in sanding equipment, so you can't go wrong there. Just make sure to pick up a good dust extractor to go along with it if you choose to go that route.
I wouldn't personally go for the Mirka after hearing too many reports about them breaking after the warranty is up. For heavy sanding, the Rotex is good, but I think it's too aggressive for finishing work. I'd recommend the Bosch GET 150 instead – it's much cheaper and does the job just as well. For general use, either the Festool ETS 125 or 150 would probably be your best bet. If I were you, I’d get the Bosch GET 150 for heavy work and the Festool ETS 125 for finishing, since they're both great options.
That's a good point! The Rotex is definitely heavier and can be uncomfortable for daily use. I’ve got the ETS EC125 and 150 and they're fantastic for most tasks. I’d stick with those for regular surface work!