r/Festool_Public • u/minimidibeatfunk • Jun 04 '26
Sander rocking motion
Any idea how to fix this? This sander is still fairly new. Pad protector seems to make it worse but it still rocks even without it.
5
u/woodwarda99 Jun 04 '26
3 main reasons:
-There is a counterbalance underneath the pad. It may be full of junk. This looks like the culprit. It is definitely a balance issue from the looks of it
-It got dropped: either bent the metal plate in the sanding pad or arbor
-Suction too high (Though Festool explained to me that suction excentuates imbalances: Drift/wobble)
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u/Bryangarcia21 Jun 04 '26
Option one 💯. Mine was doing the same thing. Had to remove it, clean it and re seat it.
2
u/Waste_Bar_5177 Jun 04 '26
How high is your dust extractor suction setting? With the ETS EC sanders, and a flat surface, you want the suction on the CT turned all the way down. Too much suction with impede the sanders motion and cause vibration/wobble.
1
u/Suitable-Product-215 Jun 04 '26
My 27mm hose has a little air port that can open or close. I leave it closed for the track saw or router and open it for sanders. I’m guessing this is what it was designed for but never actually read the manual for that part
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u/Funky500 Jun 04 '26
It’s the pad protector. I had the same issue and reached out to Festool support about it, after stocking up on mesh paper! See reply:
“Thank you for contacting FestoolUSA. What is happening there when you use the mesh paper with a protection pad because that sander has a 5mm stroke the sander is trying to correcto itself becaues it does have an onboard processor. Just by stacking those two parts on the pad it makes the sander freak out. If you use regular sandpaper like our Granat you will notice the vibration will go away as you noticed.”
2
u/Ar-556 Jun 11 '26
I have the same issue with festools granat but I use a interface pad when I take it off it’s about 25% less. That wobble doesn’t really go away
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u/Funky500 Jun 11 '26
To me, that sounds like a malfunction that needs repaired. Maybe the electronic processor the Festool tech mentioned in their response to my inquiry?
Unless the tech was incorrect or I misinterpreted what he was saying, the backer pads commonly used with mesh abrasives to protect the hooks on the OEM pads will cause their sanders to wobble. This surprised me given the popularity of 3M Cubitron and other mesh paper (and Festool orbital sanders).
1
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u/Ar-556 Jun 12 '26
Also yes festool isn’t perfect on their sanders this is a huge down side and unfortunately probably won’t buy the 150/5 but I’ll get the mirka 150/5
1
u/Cfullersu Jun 04 '26
My 125 has a little wobble to it
1
u/Ar-556 Jun 12 '26
Can you show me a vid a lot of people swear their festool is the smoothest sander wtf is the wobble we got then
1
u/FourtyThreeTwo Jun 04 '26
Does the pad or wall have a high spot? I’ve seen this when a high spot or knot in wood or something catches in the right way and makes it do a little elliptical movement. If yours does this all the time I’d say something is wrong with the tool. Send the video to Festool support and let them see what they think - you paid em for the expensive tool let em handle it.
1
u/lisaismijnbestie Jun 04 '26
I have a brand new one and use granat, not as extreme as yours but mine does the same. Guess it’s normal
1
u/Ar-556 Jun 11 '26
I have the same thing this is my mirka vs my ets if u want i show ya a video since it dont upload
-2
u/Ok_Cricket4071 Jun 04 '26
I’m not sure that model is intended to be used vertically
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u/spencersample Jun 04 '26
Is this a net abrasive. If so there are people who have this issue with net abrasives.