Festool ETSC 2 18V cordless sander

Review and photo: Damion Fauser

This is not just another sander. Its heritage from the range of corded ETS-EC random orbital sanders is abundantly clear with the brushless EC-TEC motor, low-profile ergonomic grip, vibration-dampening technology for fatigue reduction and electric-braking.

With this new tool however, we have the addition of two features. Being cordless will be an immediate draw to some users, and I suspect it would be those working at height, in confined spaces or on remote job sites with limited access to mains power. The second key feature is the ring LED light for illuminating the work surface.

My initial thought, as a woodworker operating from a fixed workshop, was – why bother with cordless if I’m going to be tethered to a vacuum hose anyway? However, included with the tool is a long-life filter bag that securely clips onto the extraction port. Whilst nowhere near as effective as the draw of a powered vacuum system, I was nonetheless impressed by the effectiveness of the filter bag, to the point that I conceded there is a place for this technology. Personally though, I would always run this sander with a shop vacuum for the increased dust collection performance.

I’ve had access to this tool for a couple months now and I and my students have used it extensively on a range of projects. I ran the tool on both 4.0 and 5.2Ah batteries at full speed, using P120 to 240 grits on a range of timbers. Battery life varied as expected, however the shortest full-length runtime was a little under 40 minutes. This was an important performance milestone for me, as it means you could run this tool full-time on only two batteries, as the first battery will charge fully prior to the second one running flat.

This tool feels and is heavier than the corded version. This is to be expected with extra mass of the battery, however some may notice some fatigue over longer sessions. The battery at the low-rear of the tool gives a somewhat out of balance feel, and concentration is required to keep the disc flat when sanding wide-area panels.

The lighting is extremely effective, illuminating a 180° band around the face of the tool. It is well-targeted, clear and bright on flat surfaces, regardless of the brightness level selected. Where I would normally switch my corded sander off and shine a torch on the surface, with this tool this isn’t required.

For those already invested in the Festool 18 volt battery system, this is a great value way to add a quality sander to the toolbox. This is another high-quality offering from a premium manufacturer.

Review tool supplied by Tooltechnic Systems Australia and available from Festool resellers.

Damion Fauser is a Brisbane designer maker who teaches woodwork classes from his workshop. See www.damionfauser.com