Festool has come out with new “Hybrid” sanders that can be powered by a new battery pack, or AC cord and adapter.
The battery pack looks to be specially made for these sanders, and presumably won’t work with other Festool 18V cordless power tools. The same goes for their AC adapter – it looks to only fit these tools, and presumably won’t fit other Festool cordless tools.
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There are 3 new sanders:
- ETSC 125 random orbit sander
- RTSC 400 orbital sander
- DTSC 400 delta sander
ETSC 125: A one-handed sander for working on shaped and curved parts.
RTSC 400: An ergonomic one-handed orbital sander for working on small and narrow surfaces.
DTSC 400: A one-handed sander for working on small surfaces, edges, and tight corners.
There will be several different kit options:
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- Basic: just the sander, edge protector, dust bag, Systainer, soft sanding bag
- Plus: everything in Basic, plus (2) 3.1Ah ERGO battery packs, and a rapid charger
- Set: everything in Plus, plus an AC adapter and Plug-It cord
Pricing:
| ETSC 125 | RTSC 400 | DTSC 400 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $195 | $260 | $260 |
| Plus | $400 | $465 | $465 |
| Set | $535 | $600 | $600 |
The AC adapter looks to also be available separately.
Marketing materials mention that you get 30 minutes of runtime on cordless battery power. Additional features include a balanced design and rubberized hand grip, “integrated Jetstream dust extraction technology,” a pad brake, and plastic protector guards for protecting work surfaces from accidental damage.
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Promo video:
First Thoughts
For someone that’s agreed with many of your wishes for cordless tools that can also be operated by AC power, I find myself a little let down by the announcement of these new sanders.
A new battery pack that can only work on sanders? That’s a little disappointing, unless these tools will spearhead a new category of Festool Hybrid cordless power tools.
The prices are a bit high, but we’re talking about Festool, so that’s expected.
I own a Festool sander and have 2 other similar styles ones that were provided as test samples. And I can tell you in no uncertain terms that they are excellent, even superior tools. My Festool sander is simply beautiful in how well and comfortably it works.
But part of that equation is the excellent dust control when paired with my Festool dust extractor – another pricey investment, but a worthwhile one to be sure.
How do these cordless sanders work with dust extractors when they’re on cordless power? They don’t seem to – that’s what the dust bags are for.
I’ve seen on-tool dust bags advertised as being “virtually dust-free” before, and have never been terribly impressed. Will these do better? Forgive me if I’m skeptical about the “virtually” part.
Festool deserves a pat on the back for doing something different.
But I nonetheless find myself with little personal interest in these sanders. I do have an interest in cordless sanders, and I do love my Festool sander. But I could probably buy a good pro-brand cordless sander – one that’s powered by a less specialized battery pack – and also a Festool corded sander, and have extra money left over for some quality sanding sheets or accessories.
Perhaps I’m dwelling on the Hybrid aspect too much. I’d probably be less hesitant if they were simply cordless sanders powered by Festool’s current 18V battery pack form factor.
$135 on top of the price of the cordless kit, for a power cord and AC adapter to turn a cordless sander into a corded one? That actually doesn’t seem too bad.
By the way the kits are configured, it looks like maybe the tools are optimized for cordless operation, with the corded accessories being more of a “this is what users have really asked for” type of bonus.
And I guess the new and specialized battery pack form factor was designed with ergonomics and an optimal sanding experience in mind. Maybe? Still – another charger and battery platform to work around? How many people really look forward to that?
The lack of cordless dust extractor activation seems to be a missed opportunity to make these sanders bigger game changers.
What other tools, by Festool or another brand, would you love to see given similar “Hybrid treatment?
Tim
The new dust bags work well enough, I have one for my pro5.
I am very excited for these and the price is not overly bad for a festool product.
Adam spiller
I think, it’s good , how Festool , have managed to make a tool that is 18 volt cordless and ac power, and Dewalt seid it couldn’t be done, hopefully this is the way forward, for cordless tools., I think it’s to expensive, but I like the technology, well done festool.
Stuart
There’s going to be a big difference between an AC adapter for a cordless sander, and an AC adapter for a circular saw, grinder, or other typically higher-powered tool.
Also take notice of the price.
You can get a Dewalt variable speed random orbital sander for $79 at Amazon.
To get the Festool adapter and power cord costs $135 over the price of the cordless kit.
Let’s say Dewalt came out with a cordless sander with special new battery interface and AC adapter. That would increase the cost of the cordless tool, and they would have a hard time pricing an adapter low enough to sell. And then, customers would be unhappy that the adapter wouldn’t work with their heavier duty Dewalt cordless tools.
There are too many obstacles and reasons why we won’t see Dewalt or other brands come out with AC adapter.
I haven’t checked in on what Los Gatos is doing at the moment, but they came out with a power brick that works with certain brands’ tools.
https://toolguyd.com/los-gatos-power-cordless-tools-ac-adapter/
Update: Their website seems to have been taken down.
jtr165
I have to agree. I can’t really see where the market would be for construction focused companies to make something like this.
I see the ‘internet’ lines in the sand between those that think Festool are worth it, with the best innovation…and those saying they’re ridiculous…For me, Festool makes some of the very best specific tools, but just as often try to apply that premium to simple tools and it’s over the top. Their insistence on proprietary ‘stuff’ is annoying as well.
All I mean is that if this was pretty much any other company, it would be laughed at. A $200 sander that doesn’t include a battery, doesn’t include a connection to support existing batteries, and doesn’t include an ‘adapter’ to fit an extension cord…is…pretentious to an alarming degree, imo. I’m sure it’s great, but that great?
we’ll soon see youtube videos of ‘DIY’ furniture finishing where it’s super easy ‘with this $500 sander’…to get perfect results.
Stuart
The Basic kits seem to be a “bare tool” option for someone that might have a different sander in cordless kit format, and/or with the AC adapter package.
Nathan
Did dewalt say it couldn’t be done or it wasn’t cost effective to do?
I like the idea in principle. I don’t even look at festool devices though – mostly because I don’t have the need for anything they make at the costs of what they make due to my use cases.
It could well be they are looking at making a few other cordless devices using this system.
Adam spiller
Dewalt said, it could only be done with the miter saw, because it has two 60 volt , flexvolt battery’s, which is 110 volts,, but couldn’t be done with a circular saw, that is one 60 volt flexvolt, here in the England they call it 54 volt, and festool have done it,
Corey
Just that it wouldn’t be prudent. Transformers have been a thing for a long time, but I can see the implication between slapping a giant external transformer in the place of two giant batteries and then trying to engineer a big ass step down xfrmr complete with a cord from some side that will perfectly fit on any of the other single pack flexvolt tools. The 120max isn’t really a hand tool either, so again, giant corded adapter- no problem. Grinder, recip, circ-why pay twice the cost of an ac unit for cordless, then cry foul that we aren’t given the option to slap a big ergonomic destroying xfrmr and cord on it. I applaud festools application here, but I don’t see this as any damage to DeWalt’s stance on flexvolt thus far.
Austin
I was a little skeptical about these but then got to use them at connect and wow are they nice. I plan to pick up one or two when I am able to.
Greg
“And I can you in no uncertain terms that they are excellent”
Might want to fix that
Stuart
Thanks!
I don’t know what happened there. *FIXED*
Jeremy Brown
The easy solution would be to do it like mirka did with the Ceros Sanders. Separate transformer and a long DC power cord with the end being a plug that fits the battery slot on the cordless tools. I’d buy one for my Milwaukee tools in a heartbeat.
I suspect the main this won’t happen is the large impact it would have on battery sales, and an end to cheap bare tools.
Tom
As someone who finally cracked and bought a CT Midi this week to work with my Pro5, all I can say is ugh…..
But isn’t one of the main selling points for Festool dust collection? So why would I want to run a sander without a vacuum attached?
And Stuart, it would be great to get a post on your MFT table. I don’t think you ever wound up doing a full review.
Stuart
These sanders *can* be used with a dust hose – they have that new interface style that requires a different dust collector nozzle. I believe the Pro5 comes with one.
But if used cordless, the vac would have to be in Manual mode, as opposed to Auto.
I’ve been happy with the MFT, but there are things I don’t like about it. I’d still recommend it, though, b/c its functionality isn’t easily replicated in any other product.
Right now it’s folded up with no place to put it until I can spend a few days cleaning up. I won’t have those few days for a few more weeks. After that comes a massive catch-up period, with the MFT being one of the very many things on my to-do list.
I’d be happy to try to answer any specific questions you might have.
One thing about the MFT is that there are certain Festool and other 3rd party accessories that make it even better.
I won’t break down and buy the leg stabilizers though, even though it really needs it. Eventually I might build a workbench for the MFT table to be secured to, as its legs are sturdy enough for my liking. I’d be a lot happier, and it would see more varied use, if its legs were sturdier.
Tom
I’d been eyeing Festool products for a few years. Mainly since I saw a few amazing projects on the garagejournal. I took the bait on the Pro5 and now have a dust extractor. I see a track saw in my future.
I’ve been building a lot of cabinets over the last year. I mainly use my dewalt circular jaw and the Kreg RipCut. Both have served me very well. But I have been working in my basement and the dust is driving me crazy. I’ve entirely given up on MDF. Part of me worries about breathing all of that stuff, although this is just a hobby for me so my exposure is limited. Like you, I have young kids. So if I am spending time on a hobby, I want to make sure that my time counts. Saving a half hour here and there is important.
My questions for you really are about repeatable cuts. The Kreg Rip Cut is great. If I am a 1/16 of an inch off on my casework, I don’t worry about it because the next piece is going to be exactly the same. To make repeatable cuts with a tracksaw, it seems like I would need to spend another couple of hundred on parallel guides. Does the MFT table really help me? One hesitation that I have about it is the size. It just seems small.
If you were me, would you buy a tracksaw and build a custom bench, like a Paulk workbench, or spend the money on the MFT? Can you mix and match other brands? The Makita tracksaw seems great and would save me a couple of hundred. But am I going to run into issues later with compatibility?
Stuart
If you set up work stops, such as with “parf dogs,” the MFT and its accessories are very repeatable. You can achieve high repeatability with just the track saw, but the MFT makes it quicker and easier with less chance of error.
Festool’s tools and accessories all have individual value, and greater value when paired together as part of a system.
My track saw and dust extractor came first, and then I believe a sander came before the MFT. I also have a router test sample that works with everything.
I’ve seen some setups that incorporated more than one MFT table, but that seems a little unnecessary to me.
I’ve read about some parts that are available separately, but it can end up costing more than cannibalizing a complete MFT table for the same parts.
The http://festoolownersgroup.com has some good MFT setup examples, and Google images might show a few others.
I have a few more workshop projects on my to-do list, and they’re generally to build custom tables or cabinets that have features or specs I cannot find in commercial products.
I tried different guides before going with a track saw, with less than ideal results, but the vastly superior dust collection was a more important consideration.
Sorry, it’s been a while since I checked on cross-brand track and tracksaw compatibility.
One reason I would still buy Festool today, even with more track saw options on the market, is because accessories and consumable parts are easier to find.
I did a LOT of research before buying my MFT, and don’t regret my decision.
If in your shoes, I’d try to find a local Festool dealer. Festool offers a 30-day money back guarantee, minus freight fees, but an MFT can be a hassle to ship.
If threads on the FOG forum aren’t quite helpful, you could always post your question there. There are very helpful folks, and I’m sure there are some who have MFTs and Paulk style workbenches or assembly tables.