The Festool ETS EC 125/3 EQ-Plus Random Orbital Sander is a 5 inch corded finish sander built for high-quality surface prep and final sanding. This is a random orbital sander designed for fine finish sanding on wood, paint, and other surface materials where control matters more than raw material removal. Model Number 576340. If you spend your day sanding doors, face frames, built-ins, panels, or painted surfaces, this is the kind of tool that earns its keep by staying smooth, light, and predictable.

The big story here is the combination of a brushless motor, a fine 3 mm sanding stroke, and a low-profile body. Festool rates the eccentric motion speed at 6,000 to 10,000 RPM, which gives you a useful speed range for dialing in the cut without turning the tool into a surface-damaging machine. That 3 mm stroke is what makes this sander a finish-first tool. It is meant for superfine sanding and refined surface work where you want to level, blend, and prep without leaving a rough scratch pattern behind.

Festool also got the ergonomics right. The compact body and top grip keep your hand close to the work, which improves feel and reduces fatigue during long sanding sessions. At 3.31 lbs, it stays light enough for vertical work, edge sanding, and overhead touchups without feeling awkward. The low-vibration design and active electronic vibration control are not just comfort features. They help you keep the pad flat, stay consistent, and avoid the arm fatigue that shows up when cheaper sanders start buzzing your hand numb.

Dust collection is a real part of the performance on this tool, not an afterthought. The ETS EC 125/3 EQ-Plus uses Festool Jetstream dust extraction and a 27 mm dust port, so dust is pulled through the pad to keep abrasive surfaces clearer while you work. In practical terms, that means less clogging, less airborne dust around finished spaces, and less chance of trapped debris scratching the workpiece. If you already work with a Festool dust extractor, this sander fits right into that workflow and makes more sense the more finish work you do indoors or in occupied spaces.

Another useful jobsite detail is the integrated pad brake with carbide-tipped components. When you lift the sander off the surface or set it down, the pad stops quickly. That helps reduce the chance of accidental marring on a finished surface and makes the tool feel more controlled between passes. Festool also includes a StickFix soft sanding pad, which speeds up abrasive changes and keeps the tool moving instead of wasting time peeling and reattaching discs that do not hold well.

Because this is a corded 120 VAC machine with a 4 m plug-it power cord, it is a good fit for production shops, cabinet installers, trim carpenters, painters, remodelers, and serious woodworkers who value consistent runtime over battery convenience. It is also a strong choice for anyone already invested in the Festool sanding system, since the sander is designed to work as part of a larger setup with matched abrasives, hoses, and extractors.

If your work leans toward final pass sanding, between-coat sanding, painted trim prep, or swirl-sensitive finish work, this tool makes more sense than a more aggressive random orbital sander. It is not trying to be a heavy stock removal machine. It is built for controlled, repeatable finish results, and that is exactly why pros buy it.

Why the Festool ETS EC 125/3 EQ-Plus Random Orbital Sander earns bench space

This is the kind of finish sander you buy when surface quality, dust control, and low fatigue actually affect how fast you get paid.

• Who it's for: Finish carpenters, cabinet shops, painters, remodelers, and woodworkers doing final surface prep or between-coat sanding.
• Why it stands out: The brushless motor, 3 mm stroke, low-profile body, and excellent dust collection make it feel more controlled and more refined than generic 5 inch random orbit sanders.
• Worth knowing: This is a finish-focused machine, not a hog-off-material sander. If your work starts with rough stock removal, use something more aggressive first and let this one handle the clean-up pass.

• Is this a corded or cordless sander? It is a corded random orbital sander powered by 120 VAC and supplied with a 4 m plug-it power cord.
• What kind of sanding is the 3 mm stroke best for? The 3 mm stroke is best for fine and superfine finish sanding where you want a smoother scratch pattern and more control.
• What size sanding disc does it use? It uses a 5 in (125 mm) sanding pad.
• Can it be connected to dust extraction? Yes. It has a 27 mm dust extraction connection and is designed to work within the Festool sanding and dust extraction system.