A good sander, but sq H&L paper is hard to find

I've had this model for 3 plus years although I don't use it all that much. On the plus side: nice size, great finish, have had no problems with it. Dust collection is adequate if not 100%. On the minus side: Square (4.5"x4") hook and loop sand paper is becoming nearly impossible to find. For this reason alone, I recommend against buying this particular model. If it weren't for that, I'm sure I'd buy it again.

[Sunday, October 13, 2002]

Durable Sander

I am very pleased with this sanders performance, It produces extremely smooth finishes, but it is designed as a finishing sander, so either a random orbit or belt sander should be used first to sand off the rough spots before this precision tool comes in to play. As the usual in Makita's products; excellent build qaulity. I compared this sander to the DeWalt. The Makita has 14,000 orbits per minute compared to DeWalts 13,500 orbits per minute. Makitas motor= 1.6 amps; DeWalts motor= 2.0 amps. The Makita is just a bit louder than the DeWalt, but both sanders have very comparable vibration characteristics. it just came down to the feel and Makita won, but not by much.

[Tuesday, January 01, 2002]

Quarter Sheet Sander with a purpose

After my fathers 40 year old finish sander died, I went on a quest to replace it. The Makita fills the bill nicely and more. I had the equivilent Porter Cable for a day, but returned it. A critical point is the material of the foot pad. The Makita uses a firm felt (which my dead 40 year old one had). The felt lasts forever, gives a firm FLAT surface to sand with and keeps a square corner to get into inside corner surfaces. The Porter Cable used a nylon surfaced soft foam pad which bent around edges causing rounding of edges that I wanted hard and square. Also the PC pad was easily torn, in my one day of use, it already had a rip.

The Makita's dust collection is okay, nothing grand, but better than nothing. A bit noiser than the PC, but vibrates less (I had a numb hand after 10 minutes with the PC). Good comfort, good power, seems well built.

Paper mounting is excellent Much better than the others. Easy and quick to attach and remove, and holds very tight.

With better dust collection, I'd give it 5 stars.

[Wednesday, April 18, 2001]