I am going to get a festool sander, I currently use air vantage sanders, I really
like them, I have some cheaper electric sanders that I use for odds and ends.

I know very little about the festool configuration of the holes in the paper for dust collection. Do you use proprietary sandpaper from festool or do you buy a sanding pad from a big sandpaper name that has the same hole layout as the festool.

I talked to a salesman who doesn’t know a lot about the sander and the paper, but the two things he kept saying over and over ware, the sander is way easier on your body and secondly the paper they use is a lot better. I was wondering how festool’s paper could be that much better, but maybe they have a secret in their manufacturing.

The salesman must equate quality with cost! You can buy aftermarket discs with the Festool hole pattern.

Rich,
Thanks for the information, I have found that there are about 1/2 a dozen stores that carry festool in my area and generally the salesman don’t know a lot about the whole line of Festool and secondly most of the places have no stock.

I was going to buy the 6 inch ETS sander as I liked the size of it, but after watching YouTube videos and reading on this site, I am now not sure? I was wondering the difference between the 3 &5 for stroke length? Or maybe I should get a Rotex?
I wasn’t keen on the size of the Rotex, but maybe that is a me problem.

Your being fed a load of horse dung if he's telling you the festool will be less operator fatigue than an airvantage/surfprep/ceros. Beware of kool-aid.

Never used a festool sander I was impressed with. Super happy with the mirka sanders.

Very happy with my Ceros and Deos Mirka sanders. Pricey, but it only hurts for a short time.

I have all Festool sanders other than air sanders. The next one will be Mirka. I like the Rotex but now that we have those for a straight sander I like the Mirka better.

Maybe that old saying applies, he saw me coming from a mile away.
I would like to have 1 decent electric sander, I do like Festool’s dust collection , but I have no idea about the Mirka sanders features, I have saw them in the store, but that is all I know.
I am the type that has to research something to the max, by the time I decide a product is usually discontinued. It is sometimes an annoying habit to have.

Impulse purchase a Deros.
You won't be sad.

If I thought there was something better, I'd buy that. Right now I think it's the best sander available.

You said your currently using airvantage? Are you talking there air/dynabrade? They offer the Ceros style sanders (electric with DC). Ask your sales rep to drop one by so you can try it.

The Festool ETS 150 is a nice unit for finish sanding, you can also use the Mirka Abranet paper which has no holes and will fit anything its similar to bug screen concept, the Deros is also a great choice. A little known fact Festool also makes an air sander, sold through 3M used mostly in automotive, but requires a festool vac and some setup to get going. Happy hunting

i also have all of the festool sanders, and recently a Deros and Deos. hands-down, the Deros is my favorite sander. and, i switched from festool paper to cubitron... night and day.

if you are considering the festool 150/3, seriously consider the Deros instead. i have both, and the Deros is far more comfortable to use.

Thanks for all the input,
I looked at the Mirka sanders briefly, I read a lot about these sanders and watched quite a few hours of online info, quite a bit of feed back mentioned the Mirka sanders breaking down,that is worrisome.

Markb,
I took a picture of the sanders I use, maybe I will save $700 and not buy anything new. I was ready to buy the ETS 150/3, but not sure now.

View higher quality, full size image (2673 X 3184)

Choose a Mirka Deros and don't look back! We've had both the discontinued Ceros and the Deros. The Ceros did break down but we've had three Deros in production for several years without a breakdown. Also, use the Mirka Abranet discs. They cost more but last 5 times as long as paper discs.

I'm still running my Ceros. It did break down once, the balancer broke and they replaced it. I also sent it in for the recall, so it's been out twice for me. But I like the Ceros better than the Deros because it's smaller. And it makes a difference in some cases.

They gave me a Deros to use while my Ceros was in repair and I was really glad to get it back. The Deros is bigger and heavier. The cord is lighter weight but since it's always attached to a vacuum it doesn't matter that much.

Scott Gibson,

That is good news that you have 3 and none have been in for repairs, my experience talking to people is you need 3 so when 2 are in for repairs you still have one to use.
Maybe manufacturing is getting things sorted out.
I do like the option to change pad size and the variable speed lever is like most of the air ones we use., so I like that feature as well. You can use their paper on any sander.

Explain to the class how a 5hp sander is saving money.....

Karl,
You have a dedicated 5 hp compressor to run your sander, wow, that is inefficient.

You need to get a big screw compressor with a large storage tank. Feed the whole shop, very efficient and it’s a fixed cost.

Do you have a microwave or do you put your lunch in the window and hope it heats up in time?

Karl,
Sorry I posted before I was finished somehow, what I was saying about the microwave is that some things are a necessity and others are just nice to have.
Some expenses are more important than others.
To me the air sanders are a necessity , I have never figured out the cost of buying and operating them compared to the electric ones. The reason I wanted an electric one was for sanding tasks when on sites.

Are all your sanders on their own dedicated vacuums?

5HP vs 400 watts.

(HP= 746watts per HP [100% efficiency])

This can be especially important if you are on an electrical demand payment system.

Thanks for everyone’s great input, I have decided to get the Mirka Devos 650cv, no one has them in stock in my area so I have to order it.
I have one more question about the hose, do I need to order the hose and do I need an adapter as I was planning on using my festool vacuum., or will the festool hose attach to the sander.
Thanks for any input.

I think the Festool hose will be too big. I think the ID is 1" for the sander. You might be able to get an adapter.

I went out and got the coaxial hose/cord combo. Crazy stupid price for what it is but it really is worth it not having to chase them down or get tangled.

This is where I got mine and as far as I know they have the best price.

MIRKA DEROS MVHA5 18' COAXIAL CABLE HOSE