Festool ROS Preference

[gee-dub]

I know, I know, I hate to open this can of worms.  I have several ROS and a "6.5 HP" Ridgid vac and they do very well.  I keep wondering if I can do better and I am only spending my children's inheritance so . . . who cares!?!

Those of you who have or have used Festool ROS in the 5" (125mm) range . . . what's your favorite as far as dust collection goes?  I know dust collection is Festool's claim to fame and they always win the bake-offs in that category at least.

Obviously finish result is a high priority which is why I have used the Bosch 1295 for so long.

I still love my Bosch but I seem to have to take breaks more and more often to let the ambient scrubbers do their thing despite having a vac hooked up.  I don't really do all that much power sanding and so have not made the leap yet. At my age I feel like my time is more valuable and am looking for a 'giant leap for mankind' in the world of power sanding with minimal dust in the air and the associated breaks to let the atmosphere clear.

Please feel free to share any and all thoughts you may have on the matter including other contenders.

P.s. I have a boatload of 5" and 6" discs but, most were bought in bulk or on sale so "stock on hand" doesn't really factor in.  TIA.

[wtnhighlander]

Wish I had something to offer. My ancient 'Dirt Devil' shop vac seems to leave nothing behind when linked to my Dewalt 5" ROS, but I have no other experience to compare. The most I can confirm is that this combo consumes less 'inheritance'! 

[fcschoenthal]

I had used a DeWalt sander with a Ridgid vac for years before I got the Festool ECS125 sander and the CT26 extractor.

The difference to me was night & day. The DeWalt vibrated so much my hand would go numb and the dust collection was adequate. The Festool sander is much much smoother and has special design features for better collection.

The Festool collector is HEPA certified, but I ran a bag and supposed "HEPA" filter in the Ridgid too. The Festool has the auto on/off, but I had an Ivac on the Ridgid. The Festool is MUCH quieter than the shop vac, even with a "silencer", that they've stopped selling because it never worked well. One big difference is that the Festool suction can be adjusted. I found that I dial down the suction when sanding because it tends to hold the sander to the wood and can be easier to get swirl marks.

I still have a couple of Ridgid vacs and use them for everything except with my other Festool tools.

[Coop]

I bought the Festool 150/5, 6” ros and the CT 26 E, dust extractor in 2018 and have never looked back. Even at my age, if they were to go out and can’t be repaired, I would replace them with the same. And I gave the child inheritance thing a fleeting thought as well and concluded that the kids and grandkids will be just as excited with them as I am now!

[gee-dub]

On 12/1/2025 at 12:25 PM, Coop said:

I bought the Festool 150/5, 6” ros and the CT 26 E, dust extractor in 2018 and have never looked back. Even at my age, if they were to go out and can’t be repaired, I would replace them with the same. And I gave the child inheritance thing a fleeting thought as well and concluded that the kids and grandkids will be just as excited with them as I am now!

Excellent reference.  This is how I often qualify things . . . If it broke I'd buy a new one right away.  

[B1rdhunter]

I have been running the Festool ETS EC 125/3 EQ for a lot of years and the RO 125 FEQ when wood needs to disappear in a hurry. Only complaint is it's sanding/boring.