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Festool ETS vs ETS EC - YouTube

February 28, 2025

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Answering Your Top Questions about Festool ETS Sanders with ...

July 31, 2025

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Festool ETS EC 125/3 EQ-Plus Sander Review | Precision 5-Inch Orbital ...

October 25, 2025

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Tyler Brown Woodworking

tylerbrownwoodworking.com › reviews › festoolets125reqplussander

Complete Review - Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus — Tyler Brown Woodworking

May 5, 2023 - I was very hesitant in buying a Festool product but was tired of the amount of dust my Dewalt RO sander was creating. I gave in and purchased the Festool ETS 125 and a dust extractor and have become a believer. The difference between the Festool ETS 125 and your standard random orbital sander is night and day, which I go into details in the review below.

festoolownersgroup.com › festool discussions › festool tool reviews

First use ETS 125 REQ Plus | Festool Owners Group

July 12, 2025 - I bought the ETS 125 a couple of months ago from the Recon site. I finally used it yesterday. I had no idea it was so good. Smooth, quiet and easy on my old arms and wrists. I liked my old orbital sander, but it will not get much use now. I am trying to decide between the older ETS EC and the ...

The Wood Whisperer

thewoodwhisperer.com › home › videos › mirka deros vs festool ets ec | which sander should you buy?

Mirka Deros VS Festool ETS EC | Which Sander Should You Buy? - The Wood Whisperer

June 19, 2022 - I think they’re both great sanders but I find the est a little under powered and the rotex is excellent but isn’t well balanced. I get fatigued using it for long sanding sessions and I do get the tingling sensation, after long sessions. I’m looking to buy another sander so I’ll be getting the Festool ets sc150 but would accept a free Mirka. ... Very nice review.

reddit.com › r/woodworking › festool ets 125 upgrade question

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?

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

reddit.com › r/woodworking › festool ets ec 150/5

r/woodworking on Reddit: Festool ETS EC 150/5

November 27, 2022 -

I'm in the market for a new sander, and from what I can tell, the Festool ETS sanders are among the best options.

I have seen a bunch of videos, regarding the differences between the 3 and the 5-version of the sander, but I'm still a bit unsure of which sander would be best overall. One of the main points regarding the 5-version, is that it's more aggressive because of the increased stroke range. Would I be able to use the 150/5 version for sanding to high grits (in addition to the more aggressive sanding?)

I work with a mix of sheet goods and hardwood, if that helps.

I just went through the exact same debate and bought the 150/5 a few weeks ago. It's been a significant upgrade from my big box store sander - much more comfortable, no dust, sands more quickly. It definitely is aggressive when you want it to be, and I really appreciate it on large surfaces. One important point: it requires very little suction from a vac/dust extractor. In other words, turn the extractor down or open up an air port in your hose. Too much suction, and you'll feel it pulling onto the wood. I was getting swirls at first until I got my settings right. When it's set correctly, the sander will feel like it's floating on the wood. I was surprised how little suction was required to keep the dust clear. I'm still uncertain about finishes and high grits, but I just haven't tested it much. In the past I used the orbital with 220 between polyurethane coats. I've only tried it once on the Festool and thought it was taking too much off, but I probably need to try a higher grit or lower speed. Consistent with the comments here, everyone I've talked to has been happy with it. Across the Festool line, this one seems to be the jack-of-all-trades.

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FWIW regarding your comment about the 5 being more aggressive, there is a YouTube video out where some guy tests how long it takes to sand through a veneer for each. It took the 3 four minutes, the 5 was two minutes. That convinced me that you just needed to be mindful when working with the 5.

Projectguitar

projectguitar.com › product reviews › tools and consumables

Festool ETS EC 125/3 EQ-Plus Random Orbit Sander - Tools and Consumables - ProjectGuitar.com

March 5, 2021 - Over several years of working week-in week-out with a variety of random orbit sanders - both electrical and pneumatic - the DEROS has the lightness, nimble feel and better connect with the workpiece. It was difficult coming from that weight of experience and reviewing the Festool ETS-EC, and several times I've had to check myself and my biases.

festoolownersgroup.com › festool discussions › festool tools & accessories

Disappointed in ETS EC 125/3 | Festool Owners Group

September 5, 2024 - I just got this sander, was very excited considering the versatility with the larger pad. Unfortunately it has significant amount of wobble. I have read the other threads about the wobble being caused by the use of the protection pad required for Granat Net. And while it is true that the wobble...

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FESTOOL Edge Sander ETSC 125 – My Honest Review After Real Use! | Woodworking - YouTube

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"FESTOOL Edge Sander ETSC 125 – My Honest Review After Real Use! | Woodworking"🛠️ FESTOOL ETSC 125 Edge Sander – Is It Worth the Hype?In this in-depth revie...

Published June 16, 2025

PaintTalk

painttalk.com › home › forums › tools, equipment & safety › tools, supplies and equipment

ETS 125 or ETS EC 125 | Professional Painting Contractors Forum

I use th festools for refinishing interior doors and trim and front entry ways. The hook and loop pads are 46.00 a pop and they wear out fast on siding. ... A forum community dedicated to professional painters. Come join the discussion about the industry, safety, finishing, tools, machinery, projects, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!

reddit.com › r/beginnerwoodworking › festool ets 125 what's it good for?

r/BeginnerWoodWorking on Reddit: Festool ETS 125 what's it good for?

July 3, 2025 -

I was thinking of splurging on a high end sander and was eyeing this Festool sander thinking it was not THAT expensive. But then I began to suspect it's a lighter duty finish sander and not an all purpose ROS. Is that the case?

Festool ETS 125 REQ Orbital Sander (574993) - Rockler https://share.google/HOFOnYiNJlYarIWTZ

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

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Festools brand is specialty sanders. The whole point of their brand is to sell multiple sanders not really and all purpose. One for rough finish, one for fine finish, square, circle, delta. ETS125 is a good all around finish sander. But your price observation is correct. It’s not much better than any average ROS. Festool shines in the high end $400+ sander world that companies like dewalt can’t compete with.

festoolownersgroup.com › festool discussions › festool tool reviews

Is the ETS 125 EQ a Beast? | Festool Owners Group

August 11, 2025 - This is not the gentle 2mm stroke of the REQ. This thing feels like its tearing it up. I don't know if it's just my imagination, but I felt like it was going at it pretty hard. And seemingly harder than my ETS 125 REQ. That said, for an old sander, it still works great.

reddit.com › r/woodworking › festool ets 125 req vs ets ec 125/3 eq

r/woodworking on Reddit: Festool ETS 125 REQ vs ETS EC 125/3 EQ

July 16, 2024 -

I already have a Festool ETS EC 150/5 but looking to get a smaller sander as well. Since the 90-degree attachment only works on the 125, I was thinking of grabbing a 5" Festool sander.

Anyone have strong recommendations to go with the ETS EC 125 over the ETS 125 REQ? Since it would be a secondary sander, just thinking it might be good to save the $225 and put it towards other things.

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.

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The EC easily over the REQ. I have the ets ec 150/5, and it sands as fine as sanders with smaller strokes, just faster, so you have to be watchful of how much you spend in one area. You can 3d print a right angle attachment for the EC sanders.

Shop Tool Reviews

shoptoolreviews.com › home › festool ets ec 150 brushless sanders

Festool ETS EC 150 Brushless Sanders - Shop Tool Reviews

May 14, 2015 - The new Festool ETS EC 150/3 and ETS EC 150/5 orbital sanders really fit well in your hand. Being nice and compact, they’re about the closest thing I’ve yet sen to pneumatic sanders in an electric system.

Sawmill Creek

sawmillcreek.org › forums › woodworking topics › general woodworking and power tools

Festool ETS EC Decision 5mm versus 3mm stroke | Sawmill Creek Woodworking Community

June 8, 2021 - I have had much better success with the 150/3 and have not had the issue with seeing scratches in dense wood. Sort of wish they would make a 150 with a 2mm stroke like the taller ETS 125/2... ... Ive decided to go with the 3mm stroke, but now i have to find the dang sander!! I foolishly didnt realize Festool was out of stock across the country.

Canadian Woodworking

canadianwoodworking.com › home › festool › festool ets 125 req-plus random orbital sander

Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus random orbital sander - Canadian Woodworking

August 18, 2024 - The sander itself is easy to grip and comfortable in the hand. While working on a variety of pieces, including an end grain cutting board I found the ETS 125 an all-around great sander.

FineWoodworking

finewoodworking.com › home › forum › festool ets 150/3 sander review

Festool ETS 150/3 Sander review - FineWoodworking

May 17, 2009 - I had looked at the rotex as well Per the review in FW, the ETS 150/3 removes almost 60% of the wood that the rotex does and and there aren't many times that I need something that aggressive. Also the ETS 150/3 is a one handed tool and costs about half of the rotex.