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The versatile ETS 125 has our finest sanding stroke at 5/64" (2.0 mm), and is the ideal one-handed machine for maximum surface quality when finishing or pre-sanding. Compact in size and weighing only 2.4 lbs., the ETS 125 is perfect for sanding vertical surfaces and for doing overhead work.

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r/woodworking on Reddit: Festool ETS 125 upgrade question

October 29, 2023 -

Is the ETS 125 enough of an upgrade from a normal hundred dollar sander? Or not? Is there enough value to justify the extra hundred dollars? Or would it not be worth it, and instead save a bit more for a higher model?

Top answer

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Firstly, Festool sanders are designed to be used with a dust extractor. It doesn't need to be a Festool dust extractor (you can buy a coupler for connecting other brands) but you need one. That's gonna be a few hundred minimum on its own. Second, yes. Festool sanders are worth it if you're willing to pay. There are two major differences: Electronic motor control. Festool uses the same kind of digital power control systems you'll see in many high-end routers for its other tools. This ensures the motor maintains consistent output, and self-corrects for dynamic loading (which would otherwise change the effective output power of the motor). This produces more even, consistent results. The active dust removal. This produces a virtually loading-free sanding experience. Not only does it make sanding sheets last much longer than they otherwise wood, it provides a more consistent, even finish. If you're looking at buying a Festool sander, there are three different types. The ETS is the palm finish sander. It's meant to be easy one-handed operation for small area and spot finishing. The DTS is the precision version of the ETS, and is like a "mouse sander". It's otherwise the same product. The ROTEX is the one-and-a-half-handed sander. It can be used one-handed (although it requires above-average upper body strength and proper ergonomics to do so effectively), but it has a layout for two-handed usage similar to a power buffer. The ROTEX's default mode is basically the same as the ETS, but it has a gear-driven mode which is designed to really tear through material. I used it to put a 1/2" roundover on a squared piece of maple in about 10 seconds with a 100-grit pad. It is ideal for cleaning up slabs that just came out of a flattening mill. If you're looking for an upgrade, the ROTEX is the Cadillac of sanders. It has the same functionality as the ETS, but with the gear drive function for large surface cleanup. If you just want to shave time off your sanding, the ETS is still a very good choice for that and its performance will be easily seen within the first half hour of using it. Just remember that you need a dust collector with it, so you're looking at a ~$600 cumulative buy-in to get a Festool sander to begin with. It's worth what it costs, but only you can decide if that expenditure is worthwhile to your production demands.

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https://www.festoolrecon.com Save a hundred dollars at least buying factory remanufactured. This is straight from festool, just a side hustle of flipping rebuilt tools

Discussions

Festool ETS 125 REQ vs ETS EC 125/3 EQ

There is a significant difference between the two. The ETS 125 REQ is a finish sander. It has a stroke length of 2mm. Stroke length is the eccentricity difference of the platten's orbit, with a larger stroke length being a more aggressive sand. Its weight and profile are reflective of its lower power, and it's designed for doing detail work on small surfaces, as well as vertical and overhead surfaces. The ETS EC 125 is a mid-step sander. It has a stroke length of 3mm. Its profile and power are intended for general mid-step sanding needs - stuff like flushing seams during assembly or cleaning up plugs. The ergonomics of it are intended for needing to move it around, but still needing some degree of fine motion control. For contrast, the 125/150 ROTEX sanders have a stroke of 5mm, and are intended for aggressive sanding / slab surfacing. If you want a 5" sander and you don't specifically want it for finish work, then you're going to want the ETS EC 125. Trying to use the REQ for mid-step work is going to be a pain. More on reddit.com

r/woodworking

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July 16, 2024

Makita B05041K vs Festool ETS 125 REQ? - Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum

Hi there, I was wondering if people more experienced than I can help me decided. I'm relatively new to woodworking and have really fell in love with the process. So far I'm in the process of building a walnut coffee table (walnut base as well) and will be starting a desk and an entryway table ... More on forum.canadianwoodworking.com

forum.canadianwoodworking.com

July 19, 2022

Festool ETS 125 what's it good for?

Get the ets ec 150/5 instead. More surface area and its orbit is enough to roughly sand and does well doing the finish sanding aspect. I never go higher than 150/180 grit so you’re probably in the same boat More on reddit.com

r/BeginnerWoodWorking

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July 3, 2025

Festool ETS 125 EQ leaving swirl marks.

I noticed this as well with mine, but when I turned the dust extractor down to the minimum (mine is a little bigger than the midi, don't remember which one though) it started to perform as advertised.

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