Review - Festool ETS 125 REQ Random Orbital Sander
Personal Experience
I have been using the Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus for over 2 years and it has become the best tool purchase I have ever made. The Festool ETS 125 random orbital sander has made my time sanding project more enjoyable and less dusty. 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.
Pros
Excellent Dust Collection
Minimal Vibrations
Great Finish Results
Cons
Requires Dust Extractor
High Cost of Entry
Small Sanding Disk
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Specifications
ETS 125 REQ-Plus
Disk Size: 5 in.
Weight: 2.4 lbs.
Sanding Stroke: 5/64” (2.0mm)
Power Source: Corded
Voltage: 120
Speed: 6 Variable Speed Settings
Dust Port: 1 1/16” (27mm)
What’s Included
When you buy the Festool ETS 125 REQ Plus you get a few things not typically included with a random orbital sander. The first is a systainer, which is a proprietary container to store the sander and all the parts. If you are consistently traveling to a job site or very particular about organization, the systainer is a vast improvement over the tool bags usually included with other sanders. The Festool ETS 125 also includes a pre-installed soft sanding pad which can be swapped out for other sanding pads depending on the application. Festool also includes a sanding pad protector that clips onto the sander to protect the pad from rubbing and damage when you sand near 90-degree edges or hard to reach places. The ETS 125 also comes with a long-life dust bag for instances where you do not hook up a dust extractor. It is reusable and easily emptied out or vacuumed clean.
Features
The Festool ETS 125 looks a little different than most random orbital sanders but when using the sander, you noticed they focused on balance and ergonomics. The sander is a lot taller than others but what is nice is the sander is very well balanced and you do not have to worry about uneven pressure. The ergonomics of the handle are nice and easy to use, I noticed that when sanding a large project my hand never cramps or gets tired in comparison to a Dewalt random orbital sander. The Festool also has been engineered to reduce vibrations and I can notice a significant difference. Before using the ETS 125 my hands would tingle and feel numb when sanding for any length of time, using the Festool I have never had that happen. The Festool sander also has traditional speed control, yet its completely variable in the sense that its not a stepped setting. The sanding pad for the ETS 125 uses a hook and loop design which is standard and can use any type of sanding disks.
Performance
The performance of the Festool ETS 125 is in my opinion drastically better than your run of the mill random orbital sander for a few reasons. The main issue with random orbital sanders is the marks they leave behind like swirls, pig tails and deep scratches. Festool has addressed numerous causes with the ETS 125 like vibration, dust collection, and balanced design. The ETS 125 is engineered around dust collection which is the main reason you get marks in your workpiece. In my experience, the sanding disk never collects dust or debris when sanding with a dust extractor. The ETS 125 also has been engineered with a vibration stop design that greatly reduces the vibration of the sander and can be felt in the handle and shows in your finished results. Festool also has designed the sander with a very tight sanding stroke of only 2mm or 5/64” which is the amount of movement within the sanding pad. By having a tight sanding stoke the sander is overlapping its previous marks more often leaving an evenly sanded finish. I personally have noticed a significant difference in my finished results, especially when I take my time, I have virtually zero swirls, pigtails, or sanding marks. I attribute that to the dust collection, minimal vibration, ergonomics, and engineering of the ETS 125.
Dust Collection
One of the major selling points of the Festool ETS 125 is the dust collection capability. Especially if you use a Festool dust extractor, which is why I compared all the various models available to help you find the best one. If you are looking to buy your first Festool tool you have probably heard everyone rave about the dust collection or seen every YouTuber using their products. I was hesitant for many years and written them off for being a luxury brand and not worth the money. After a few years of woodworking, I became concerned with the amount of dust and particles I was breathing, and health concerns related to my hobby and decided to purchase the Festool ETS 125 and a CT 36 dust extractor. I was absolutely shocked at the difference coming from a Rigid shop vac and Dewalt ROS sander. Using the Festool ETS 125 and a dust extractor produces nearly zero dust from sanding. The sander effectively captures all the dust and very minimal amounts of dust are left on your workpiece or bench. One thing I have noticed is in comparison to the Dewalt, the Festool’s sanding discs never gets clogged or gummed up with residue. I now swear by the dust collection capabilities of the Festool ETS 125 and will probably never switch back to anything but a Festool sander.
Warranty & Support
When you purchase a Festool product, and in this case the ETS 125 you also get a few guarantees from the company and an exceptionally good warranty. Their tools come with a one-month money back guarantee with the ability to exchange the tool or return it entirely. You also have a three-year comprehensive warranty that includes wear and tear which is rare in power tools. Festool also guarantees that once your tool is out of the warranty period, they will have parts available to fix your tool for 10 years. If the parts are not available, they will provide you with a new tool free of charge. So, when you think about buying a Festool product you also need to consider that you are guaranteed to have a working tool for 3 years and the ability to fix it for at least 10 years or longer. To me the initial investment was a stretch but knowing that I invested in something that will last makes the purchase much easier to make.
Value & Quality
The value proposition for the Festool ETF 125 does not lie in its price point compared to its competitors, it is in the functionality and efficiency of the sander. If you value high quality finishes, longevity, ease of use, and dust collection the ETS 125 is by far the best value. I admit the ETS 125 is one of the most expensive random orbital sanders without proprietary added functionality like the Rotex sanders. Yet, the Festool ETS 125 is by far the most capable and efficient sander on the market in my opinion. The sander is at a price point where it is obtainable for a hobby woodworker and gets you access to the engineering and dust collection Festool is notorious for. The degree to which the ETS 125 eliminates vibrations, airborne dust and its unique ergonomic design justify its price in comparison to competitors. This sander is backed by a significant warranty and astounding support which guarantees the sander to be functioning for an extended period of time justifying the higher cost. In my opinion, the 3-year warranty which also covers wear and tear of the Festool ETS 125 speaks to the confidence that Festool has in the quality of their sander and in my experience the Festool has held up to its reputation.
Accessories
Most sanders do not have any accessories that are available, but the Festool ETS 125 has a few unique items that I have personally used. The first is the edge sanding guide that allows you to sand perfect 90-degree edges without the risk of rounding over the corners. I purchased this to help when I built my kitchen table and needed to sand 90-degree edges and a chamfered 45-degree edge. The edge guide can easily be set to specific angles and offers two settings to either lock the angle or allow some movement if your setting is slightly off. Another accessory is an interface sander backing pad which allows you to sand uneven surfaces while keeping the profile the same. This pad is good to use for live edges or rounded edges or corners. The Festool ETS 125 also has the ability to change the sanding backing pad to varying levels of hardness for the application, specifically between soft and super soft. One major accessory or complimentary tool you may want to purchase is a dust extractor. Festool offers assorted sizes and models of dust extractors with similar functionalities. I personally have a CT36 which has completely eliminated dust when paired with the ETS 125.
Most Asked Questions
Can you use generic sanding disks?
Yes, you can use any regular five-inch sanding disk, yet it is better to use disks with the proper holes to take advantage of the dust collection.
No you need to have a dust extractor?
The ETS 125 comes with a dust bag to use the sander without a dust extractor but to take full advantage of the engineering I would recommend using a dust extractor.
Should You Buy It……
Yes if……
If you are looking for one of the best random orbital sanders for dust collection and quality with industry leading support and warranty. The Festool is by far the best random orbital sander for dust collection and will make a significant difference.
No if……
If you are just starting out woodworking or on a budget you can easily get by with a much cheaper alternative like a Dewalt, Bosch, Makita. I recommend waiting until you have built out your workshop and then start looking to upgrade your tools. I would however stay away from the ridiculously cheap entry level sanders.
or
If you are looking for a more heavy-duty sander to take an aggressive approach to sanding, I would recommend the Rotex line of sanders by Festool. The ETS 125 is more of an entry level finishing sander rather than a workhorse.
Alternatives
The Festool ETS 125 is somewhat in a class of its own. In comparison you have other run of the mill random orbital sanders that are a fraction of the price and then you have higher end sanders like the Mirka or Rotex sanders. In my opinion, the ETS 125 does not really have a true alternative or direct competitor. But if you are just starting out woodworking, I recommend picking up one of the mid-range random orbital sanders from your favorite tool manufacturer they are all similar in functionality. On the other spectrum if you are looking for something with more functionality, I would recommend looking at the Rotex line of sanders by Festool. The Rotex sanders have an added feature to quickly take off a lot of material which is proprietary to Festool. Also, on the higher end of sanders in the market is the Mirka sander with similar functionality and dust collection features.
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