The Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus 125mm (5-Inch) Random Orbital Sander w/ Systainer3 & Edge Sanding Guide is a compact finishing sander built for high-quality surface prep and final sanding. This is a random orbital sander designed for fine finishing, pre-sanding, and controlled work on wood surfaces, painted panels, and trim. Model Number 576070-205316. If you want a one-handed sander that stays easy to control and leaves a refined surface, this kit is aimed squarely at that job.

What makes this one matter is the balance of finish quality and day-to-day usability. Festool gives this sander a tight 5/64 inch, or 2.0 mm, stroke, which is what helps it produce finer sanding results instead of acting like an aggressive stock-removal machine. The 250 watt motor improves material removal rates by up to 25%, so you are not trading away productivity just because you want a better finish. That combination is especially useful when you are moving from prep work into finish sanding and do not want to swap tools any more than necessary.

The size and weight are a big part of the story here. At only 2.4 lbs., the ETS 125 REQ-Plus is built for one-handed use, and that matters on cabinet parts, doors, face frames, and any vertical or overhead work where a larger sander becomes a chore. Festool also calls out improved ergonomics and reduced vibration, along with its Vibration-stop balancing design. In plain terms, that means the tool is easier to keep flat on the work, easier to guide on edges and narrow parts, and less fatiguing during longer sanding sessions.

Festool also did the practical jobsite details right. The sanding pad brake helps stop the pad quickly when you lift off the work or set the tool down, which helps prevent those little scuffs and swirls that can show up right at the end of a good sanding pass. The sealed switch is there for a reason too: dust gets into everything, and keeping it out of the switch helps protect tool life. The included pad protector lets you work near adjacent surfaces without chewing into them, which is a real advantage when sanding up to a finished edge, frame, or corner detail.

Dust collection is another major reason people buy into the Festool system, and this sander is clearly built around that approach. The bayonet-style locking dust port allows connection to dust extraction and can also work with the included chip collection bag. Festool's Jetstream dust extraction design is meant to improve air quality, extend abrasive life, and keep the surface clearer while you sand. That is not just about cleanliness. Better dust removal helps discs stay effective longer and helps you see whether the scratch pattern is where you want it before moving to the next grit.

This kit adds real value beyond the sander itself. You get the ETS/ETSC 125 Edge Sanding Guide, which is useful when you want more controlled edge work and more consistent contact on edge surfaces. The included StickFix soft backing pad supports fast abrasive changes, and the Plug-It power cord lets you switch cords between compatible Festool corded tools instead of dragging a fixed cord around every time. Storage is handled by the included Systainer3 M 187, which keeps the main setup organized for shop or site use.

Who should buy it? Cabinet installers, finish carpenters, woodworkers, remodelers, and serious DIY users who care about surface quality more than brute-force removal. If your work involves furniture parts, trim, painted surfaces, or finish-ready wood, the Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus 125mm (5-Inch) Random Orbital Sander makes a lot of sense. If you mainly need heavy stock removal, you would step up to a more aggressive sander. But for refined sanding, edge control, low fatigue, and strong dust collection, this is exactly the kind of tool that earns its keep.

Festool ETS 125 REQ-Plus 125mm Random Orbital Sander for Finish Guys Who Care About the Last Pass

This is a smart buy if your work lives and dies by surface quality, especially when you need a sander that stays comfortable in one hand and does not beat up the finish right before paint or topcoat.

• Who it's for: Finish carpenters, cabinet installers, woodworkers, and remodelers doing prep and final sanding on trim, panels, doors, and furniture parts.
• Why it stands out: The 2.0 mm stroke, low 2.4 lb weight, pad brake, and strong dust extraction setup make it unusually good for clean finishing work instead of just brute sanding.
• Worth knowing: This is a finish-focused sander, not your heavy stock-removal machine, and the included edge sanding guide has to be stored outside the Systainer.

• Is this a finish sander or a heavy stock-removal sander? It is a random orbital finish sander with a 5/64 inch, or 2.0 mm, stroke intended for fine finishing and pre-sanding.
• Can it be used for vertical or overhead sanding? Yes. Festool specifically positions the 2.4 lb design as a good fit for vertical surfaces and overhead work.
• Does it support dust extraction? Yes. It has a bayonet-style locking dust port for dust extraction and also includes a chip collection bag.
• Does the edge sanding guide store in the included Systainer3? No. The edge sanding guide does not fit in the included Systainer.