I could not agree more with Jim Thompson on this sander. You can tell that alot of thought went into its design. It is so much more useful than ordinary belt sanders. For one thing the balance is perfect. You don't have to torque your wrist to get it to sand level. Because of the in line design, you can see both sides of the belt when you are sanding. Of course you have to watch it and keep it moving, but it's alot less work with the little Bosch than the others. It's a little slower than the fastest sanders. But what you sacrifice in speed, you gain in control and accuracy. I wouldn't buy one to sand floors, but for finish work you can't beat it. It's light enough to use one handed if you have to. It easily becomes a table top horizontal sander by flipping it over on its flat top.(it's even better with the sanding frame) The dust collection really does work. The front handle comes off for tight spots. Belt changes are a cinch with the lever action release. The variable speed is a lifesaver with soft woods, detail work where you don't want to take too much off or even rough grinding on chisels and plane irons. I have several Belt sanders from different manufacturers and this truly is my all time favorite.

This is an extremely well-designed and well-built sander. I have used many sanders and been disappointed by poor design and bad belt-changing clamping systems. Its variable speed eliminates the need to press harder or softer on the sanding surface, cutting down on the chance of gouging material or cutting divots in the surface. Changing the belts is easy: pull on the side lever and the belts slip on and off. There is an belt alignment adjustor which I set the first time I used it and haven't touched since. The front handle is removable for sanding up to obstructed edges. The dust bag actually works, and the sander can be hooked up to a dust collector. Most importantly, there are two accessories for the sander which make it versatile. The sanding stand turns the sander into an upside-down bench-mounted sander, and the optional fence provides a way to easily and accurately sand endgrain on wood. It's built in Switzerland and it looks and feels like it was made by Swiss watchmakers.

I bought this Bosch at the beginning of a major remodeling project to replace a tired, 30 year old ... sander. I haven't been disappointed.pFor two years I fnished molding, leveled countertops, stripped old paint, sanded out difficult flooring stains and bevelled edges with it, and it's still running like new. It's light enough to use all day, the belts never need adjusting or wander off, and the variable speed feature makes it easy to set it for the job at hand. And the dustcatcher really works. An excellent choice for the pro or handyman.

This is a great sander for a homeshop that is also a great buy for industrial use. Inexpensive and agile. The belt system used on this sander makes the workpiece highly visible. Also it is easy to keep from dipping.PROS** Inexpensive** Lightweight** Very agileCONS** Not the best tracking system** Dust collector blows off (or gets in the way) alot.** Requires alot of blowing out.

While I agree with the other reviewers about the clean styling and ability to turn it upside down, I would have to disagree on the dustless and durability points. After using the sander for about two months the variable speed switch had to be replaced because it would no longer work. Also, Because the opening used to gather the dust is very thin. Therefore, when you work with fibrous materials, it clogs very frequently. I would also like it more if it had a little more weight to it so that with very hard wood you do not have to press down. But, this can obviously work against you with the softer varieties.

I owned a small inline belt sander and found the shape gave me the opportunity to use the machine in many more ways, especially on its side sanding the edges of large pieces of solid wood. When I had to replace the small sander, I knew I wanted a larger version, and the Bosch fit the bill. Amazon sold it at a lower price than I could find locally, and then there was the tax I saved and free delivery!pA week later it was on the door step and it came out of the box and went right to work on some local hardwoods. There is lots of power to turn the 3 inch belt. While I have checked the belt for running off ceter- it almost never runs off. And the graphite patten is flat and stays cool. It has only a few hours on it but I am very happy with it. I have not used the fence, but I will, and I wish I had ordered the clamps to tie it down to a table upside down. pThe only problem I have with the sander is the dust control. I have been using the dust bag and it is small, and dust puffs out of a small indentation near the dust nipple when lifting off or moving down on the wood. I have not tried to trouble-check the problem. pA happy Bosch customer and a happy Ammazon.com customer.

While I take pleasure in owning and using quality tools, I am not one to gush or even normally write a review. That said, I LOVE this sander. Here's why:
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br /Well-balanced, low center of gravity. Feels right when held, don't have to make conscious effort to hold true.
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br /Variable speed. Note: Variable, NOT multiple speed. Speed varies infinitely depending on trigger pressure, just like any variable-speed drill. Speed dial on trigger acts as speed limiter, a not-to-exceed setting. Otherwise pull fully for max set speed and back off trigger to slow in those must-be-careful spots, then pull fully again for max speed. Truly intuitive, fluid.
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br /Light weight enough to use without effort, yet heavy enough to do its intended job. Certainly not for massive stock removal day in and day out, but perfect for frequent use my small shop and occasional light construction duty. If you need a brute, buy a brute. If you don't, don't beat yourself up with one. Treat yourself with this Bosch.
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br /A dust collector that works. Very, very little on my mask at the end of a session of sanding. Only a light powder on the surface of the work and a coating on the sander attracted by static. No dust laden air, no immediate sweep-up. Empty the bag, blow off the sander, wipe the sanded piece. Done.
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br /Flat top and fence attachment extend its functionality, providing a small bench top sander.
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br /Quality Swiss-made.
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br /Okay, so I gushed a bit. Great tools are such a pleasure to use and all too rare a treat.

I agree with the other reviewers regarding the flat sides, it gives flexibility for sanding small parts and making adjustments after changing belts. As an added bonus, I was surprised to find that the shop vac hose attachment from Bosch that I purchased for my orbital sander worked with this belt sander. This makes it much quicker to achieve a smooth finish as it really helps to pull the dust off the work surface. I recommend purchasing the hose attachment. Dust bags, regardless of the tool brand just don't work as well. All in all this is a fine product for a reasonable price.

It is always a pleasure to use a well designed product. The 1274DVS is such a product. The belt change is a snap; pull thebrlever back, install the belt, push the lever back. Belt trackingbradjustment is easy and stays put. The front grip comes off andbrallows sanding in tight places. I have developed "tennis elbow" and this sander's light weight helps: 7lbs vs. PC's highly ratedbrweight of 13. When you use a sander vertically or overhead, thatbrmakes a big difference. The speed control is simple to adjust, and is variable by the amount of tension placed on the trigger.brEven if you have it set to max speed, by not pulling the triggerbrall the way, the speed will be less than max. The sander is madebrin Switzerland, and this has to be better than China.brThis sander felt great out of the box, sands flat and I highlybrrecommend it.

I'll be honest, this is my first belt sander, but I love it. I took the recommendation of some of the other reviewers, and I couldn't agree more. The sander is easy to use out of the box, and is a smooth-running, well-designed tool. The variable speed switch is very nice, and adds considerably to the user's control. I haven't yet done any heavy duty sanding, but for finish work the dust collection seems to work well. Five stars for Bosch on this one.

I bought this sander after trying the Dewalt and having it die in about 15min of work. After researching other sanders, I discovered BD owns Porter-Cable and Delta, along with Dewalt. Since every BD tool I have ever purchased failed, I am hesitant to give BD my money.
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br /I chose the Bosch after comparing with its twin, the Ryobi BE321. The sander is well balanced and comfortable in your hands. It took a little getting used the "brick" design, but The egornomics are great. It has the power to get the job done. The dust colletion is average. Afterall, it is a belt sander!
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br /I would recommend this sander to anyone.

This is the only belt sander I know of with an absolutely flat platten (belt support). That plus the light weight and excellent speed control make it a great choice for cabinet faces, shelving and smoothing dutchman patches. While sanding a crown out of a 3/4" particleboard floor, I did find that I had to use a lower speed (probably because so much of the belt is in contact with the surface, for so long), and that this caused the handle to get hot (directly over the variable speed switch), so I would have to rest the sander. On materials that can be sanded at full speed (redwood, pine, metal), heat has not been a problem. Watch out for the cord, though. I got mine one day and bent the aluminium frame. It happens.

I've had this sander for about a year now and am very pleased with it. It has performed excellently from fine sanding for refinishing doors to rough sanding of plywood. The variable speed feature comes in handy, especially for the fine sanding work. Belt changing and tracking is a breeze. Being able to flip it upside down onto its flat top gives it some double-duty use as a tabletop sander. As well, being able to remove the front handle gives better access in tight areas. The dust collection bag is, however, worthless and you should just expect not to use it. Either hook it up to a dust collection system or leave it open and make sure it points away from you. A carrying case wasn't included, but would have been nice. Overall, though, a very nice sander for the price and I would recommended it to anyone.

This is an excellent tool that fits comfortably in your hand. It removes material efficiently and is easy to control. The belt tracking system works better than any other I've used. Since it is light weight (for a belt sander), it won't wear you out like most other units. The inline design allows you to easily get into tight spaces and unlike many sanders, the dust collection system really works. It's made in Switzerland and the resulting quality is obvious.

This is an extremely well-designed and well-built sander. Changing the belts could not be easier. The speed control is simple to adjust, and is variable by the amount of tension placed on the trigger. pThis sander felt great out of the box, sands flat and is smooth-running. I do heavy duty sanding, and this is the tool for the job. If I could I would give more than Five stars for Bosch tools. I highly recommend it.

Great sander. Bosch obviously put a lot of thought into the design. However, I was bummed no case came with it, and none appears available. Without a case the dust collection bag gets banged up or caught on other tools. I'm in the process of trying to find another brand of case to fit this unit in. Come on Bosch, use a little comon sense and include a case.

I worked for years using an inexpensive belt sander with no dust collection system to speak of , at the time none had these .
br / I wanted something a bit larger and tested several newer models out .
br / I found myself with a ryobi in similar design as the bosch .
br / It was fine and I truely enjoyed the balance .
br / Then I had an issue with the speed control getting hot and soon it quit and off the find another brand . This time it was makita and a rather large 3 x 24 inch belt with one speed .
br / Yes it was powerful and heavy , most of the time I felt I would surely destroy anything and everything it came in contact with , one moments hesistation or lack of concentration and you found yourself with a deep grove because it tipped . Unbalanced side set motor , some people like these , I do not . I am all for learning to control and use a tool but I do not stand for a tool with a built in project distruct mechanism . Porter cable has an old time still in production inline giant that works very well , my father had one , just don't plug it in when on it's feet trigger lock on , facing a double pane glass picture window . There is no stopping it and yes it does perform a nice mid air drive very slightly slowed by the forced penetration of shattered glass .
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br / I leave this Makita sander for the jobs that need alot of fast stock removal , perhapes if I were refinishing a ship deck this would be the tool of choice . I was informed by the tool dealer in town this was the best sander around and it has been around for a good long time .
br / I want a belt sander to smooth edges and a small to large surfaces with confidence that's all , nothing that wants to drag me across the work suface at the flip of a switch .
br / This is where the bosch comes in , light and balanced , quiet and smooth , you are now in control not the tool .
br / Yes as someone else said the dust bag is not the one pictured on the box , out of curiousity I phoned bosch and it was politily expressed they had issues with static electical discharges that some people using the sanders did not understand , some people must have forgot simple science concepts and thought they were being electrically shocked with a high voltage .
br / Never the less the bosch did send me one of the original bags along with it's fittings and I must say the new square bag is better .
br / You can empty it very simply by putting a shop vac nozzle to the plastic bag port and suck the contents out and even if you want to do the job right shake the bag and all comes clean . No need to play with the plastic closure clip .
br / This sander does what it is designed for very very well indeed .
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br / Light continues work with easily controlled stock removable for the finishing of a fine wood project that possess flat sides , not for what some find it for , clearing away years of warp and splinter on some rough fashioned sun deck that can comfortably seat 120 guests .
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br / For this type of industrial endevor get the big ones , that's what their function is in life .
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br /If you are looking for a belt sander for fine furnature work or do other work requiring precision and control and have always stayed clear do to the fear of belt sanders then the bosch IS without question the one , for you !
br / In closing , this belt sander does last and hold up very well , I have had not one single problem with mine , it has done alot of time saving work with me .
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It seems that every class of tool has one brand or model that really works just right. Others try to upstage it with different gimmicks, but the obvious best choice keeps coming through. You see it on jobsite after jobsite. P/C routers, Skil wormdrives, Senco finish nailers, Bosch jigsaws...
br /In the 3x21 sander category there is no better tool. Simple, balanced, sturdy and inexpensive for the long-haul.
br /Square shape and small body mean that one-handed operation (large hand) is practical, allowing for use in ways to which other models don't adapt well.
br /This is my second one in (I don't remember, 15?) years, but a long time anyway. Someone decided they needed my first one more than I did and helped themselves; it'll probably last them forever if they were smart enough to keep it. So I got the latest iteration which is just still the best. I think I paid about the same the first time too.

I just borrowed this sander from my father inlaw to strip a bedroom set. I agree with the other reviewers. This is a great sander for the price. It is made in Switzerland and lives up to Swiss quality. It is well balanced and easy to use. It may not be a Rolex but it is a fine piece of equipment.

First belt sander I've owned,seems to work great, easy to change belt and adjust for straight running. Picks up dust very well. I've filled the dust bag several times already. Is easy to control, well balanced and either aggressively removes wood or provides a very smooth finish depending on belt coarseness. Keep it moving so you don't dig a hole.Tom

I have recently purchased numerous Bosch tools from Amazon/Tool Crib and I have been a life-long Bosch fan. However, I have to say that this is the very first time I have been let down by one of their products. I guess I just got a rare "lemon".brImmediately on using it, I had problems with the "Lock-On Button". Either it would not keep the machine running, or when it did engage I could then not stop it! It works sporadically, but usually not until I have tried to disengage or engage it several times. Then, after just 15 minutes use sanding some deck timbers, a loud clatter developed. Sounds like a bearing problem? This did not seem to unduly affect performance, and since I purchased the unit for this specific job, I carried on for a while. Then, the rear belt wheel started to slip or disengage, like a slipping clutch. The work I was doing was not unduly difficult and for a period of time, the work was going like a dream, much as I am used to with Bosch tools.brSo finally, I just gave up-extremely disappointed that I could not finish the job at hand.brI have returned it and I will get the 1276DVS instead.

Except for the dust collection bag, this is a great belt sander.
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br /It is light and managable yet still has more than enough power. The ergonomics are good (the hand grip area could be a bit bigger--those of you with bear paws for hands, beware).
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br /The dust collection bag isn't so good though. The bag collects just as much dust as my Porter Cable. But emptying the bag is a real hassle. There is no zipper. Instead there is a cheap plastic clip. Mine cracked after just a few changes. (UPDATE: This bag sucks. I retrofitted a Porte Cable bag.)
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br /Also, a sanding frame is available for this machine.

I've had some problems with my unit. First, though, the good side...
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br / I've been using this since July, 2006, which has given me enough experience with the machine to write a credible review. The unit is powerful, without being unmanageable. It's light enough to be able to use on vertical surfaces and runs relatively cool and quietly...although I found that a set of noise canceling headphones helps tremendously to reduce the racket. It also was designed with a nice flat top, so the sander can be turned upside down and used to (carefully!) hand sand small parts and sharpen some tools.
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br /Now, the not so good stuff...
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br / The tracking control on my unit has to be adjusted all the way over to one side to prevent the belt from working it's way off the two pulleys. Even at that point, where the knob can't turn any more, the belt runs at a ~5 degree angle to the chassis.
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br / The graphite wear pad does indeed wear. Quickly. I go through one for every five or six belts. This may be normal or due to the mistracking...I'd be in a better position to evaluate if I had one that tracked correctly for comparison.
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br /I've had problems with sanding dust plugging the insides of the sander; once to the point that I had to completely dissemble it to clean it out. The optional Bosch exhaust hose (VAC001) that connects the sander to a Shop-Vac is made out of very thin ridged plastic and doesn't pass enough air through it to keep the Shop-Vac's motor from revving up and whining. Active exhaust certainly helps clear the sanding dust, but, without sufficient cooling air, I'm concerned about the impact on my Shop-Vac's motor life.
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br /All in all, I'm rating this sander as three stars. I'd be happier if the local Bosch repair shop told me that the tracking was abnormal, but they said that it was ok...
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Very well designed and manufactured machine. Balance is near perfect, and use with one hand is comfortable and always in control. Compared to a similar designed sander, made by AEG, this sander is much more comfortable and better balanced. If you are a serious woodworker, this belt sander will spoil you. Once you use this sander, you will not want to use a sander with a different design again.

Firstly, let me say I got this sander from amazon for about 40 bucks less than the sale price offered at local stores; plus free shipping. Such a Deal!
br / This thing works great. Square shape makes it easy to get up alongside walls. Variable speed dial and lock button allows you to run the thing and put your hands anywhere on the sander. Lots of speed and power. Easy on the hands. The dust bag attachment seems to work well, but is anything really dust proof? I also put this thing upside down in a vise (with a towel around the vise jaws) and use it as a stationary sander. And for those who care, it's not made in Taiwan or China by underpaid foreign workers, but in Switzerland. Hopefully by well-paid immigrant workers.
br / I'm not a contractor, so I haven'nt torture tested this thing, but if you're a homeowner who wants to have the kids fight over your tools when you're gone, or simply wants to have an impressive estate sale, you can't beat this sander. It's way better to buy this baby and have it for life, rather than buy 50 buck sanders from the hardware store every few years.

My first project with this tool was ~64 sq.ft. of peeling deck planks. I broke or shredded 3 belts in the process and the handle got very hot. By the end the graphite pad had worn badly and also left a number of black marks on my decking. My old Dewalt 430 had none of these problems on the same type of decking.
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br /Also the sander doesn't seem wide enough. A new belt sticks out about 1/8" over the side and tracking adjustments don't help. Maybe this is why belts fail so fast. If I had bought this at Lowes I would already have taken it back.
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br /On the positive side it is light and compact and the dust collection works well. It's just not up to the abuse I need to be able to give a sander.

The dust bag on my sander is not the same as the one depicted in the image on the site. The one that came in the box is cheesier in design, and lacks the bracket/strut shown.
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br /Also, the suggested accessories are limited to sandpaper rolls. No dust collection attachments, no upgrade for the bag.
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br /The sander itself is powerful, easy to use, and does the job I wanted it to do.

I bought the 1274DVS with the idea of sanding some oak floors for refinishing. So while I've dropped that approach as too time consuming I DID push the daylights out of the sander.
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br /It has worked extremely well in terms of its primary purpose - that of removing stock. However, there are several design issues that could be improved upon.
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br /1 The dust bag is both in the way AND ineffective. It also requires a screwdriver to remove (unless you want it falling off all the time). So if you get one find a flexible hose that will attach to the dust outlet and a shop vac. That is not as easy as it sounds.
br /2 The power cord - which is stiffened to protect it - exits directly to the rear thus reducing how far one could move the sander back in close quarters. Not an issue if you are sanding something on sawhorses.
br /3 The front handle should flip up (like its larger sibling). Its comfortable enough to use but I finally just took it off.
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br /The sanding has been pushed for long periods and I have had no belt issues - with tracking etc. I did toss all my older belts as they seemed to want to come apart due to the heat generated. Handling the sander is easy with a good grip and even with the front handle off.
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br /There is a lot of noise and dust so wear protection - mask or respirator, hearing protection and leather gloves.
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br /Hope this helps!

This sander replaced an old Craftsman sander that died. The Bosch is lighter and easier to use in tight spots such as rafter cutouts on beams. There is enough power to lean on it without stalling when sanding tough knots on big beams. Hard to go wrong with a Bosch tool.

I bought this sander to replace an older model with a non-centered motor.
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br /This tool is well balanced and having the motor over the belt makes it much easier to use and eliminates my tendancy to tip the machine and cut into the wood. It is a heavy tool and the weight works in it's favor. The belts are easily removed and installed with the single locking lever.
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br /The alignment is easy to adjust and the tool is relatively quiet. I have used it with the dust bag as well as with a vacuum hose. Dust removal is pretty good with the bag but of course the hose is 100%.
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br /The design make it easy to sand right up to a vertical wall and that has come in handy.
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br /I think this is an excellent tool for finishing large surfaces like tabletops and getting top notch results.

Sanded lots of beams with this and works like a champ. Quiet and smooth running. Recommend!

Belt sanders can be dangerous because they remove wood quickly. They need a light touch or you'll leave an undulating surface, not a flat one. But if you're careful they're a lot easier to use than a hand plane and a lot faster than an orbital sander. I'm a hobbyist who got a C in woodworking in junior high, and even that was a gift, because I can't get a flat surface with a hand plane or saw a straight line with a hand saw. So power tools are my salvation. I bought the Bosch belt sander to bring the rails and stiles of several raised panel drawer fronts into perfect plane more quickly than could be done with an orbital sander. I read a few magazine reviews and was interested in the DeWalt 443, but that model gets mediocre reviews on Amazon.
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br /I wanted a 3 x 21" sander because a 4" wide sander is heavy and seemed like overkill, and I was interested in one that had a lever to make it easy to change the belt, reasonable dust collection, and an accessory frame available to help with keeping larger surfaces like tabletops flat. (That last criterion eliminated the Makita 9930.) The Bosch also comes with flat, graphite-impregnated platen, which the magazine reviews said was better (flatter) than the steel plattens most sanders come with. (You can buy a graphite replacement platen for other sanders.)
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br /The Bosch is a bit under 8 lbs and the motor is mounted in line with the belt rather than crosswise, so the spacing between handles is greater than for the DeWalt, Makita and others. That's not a problem. The Bosch is comfortable to hold and easy to control, even for a short person like me. The magazine reviews say that it removes wood a bit less rapidly than other sanders in the same class, and that's probably a good thing unless it's being used in commercial production. There's an easy to use tracking adjustment to keep the belt lined up and the front handle is removable in case you need to get into a tight space, although you'd have to be careful controlling the sander. The variable speed trigger works well and there's a small dial accessible in the hand grip to limit the speed, as well as a button to make it run continuously. That allows you to mount the sander upside down on a bench and use is as a stationary tool.
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br /The Bosch sander feels solidly made. The lever to release the belt is plastic, but it looks like it's fiber-reinforced nylon so it seems unlike to break unless it's abused pretty badly. The relatively light weight makes the sander easy to control, and the cord is quite long. The manual is clear and helpful. The sander's dust collection bag works well and you can remove it to connect a vacuum hose for even better dust removal.
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br /The accessory sanding frame is solid and well designed but expensive - 50% of the cost of the sander -- and you have to figure out that the sander has to be inserted onto the two front pins before the you push the back of the sander onto the frames' clip, because the instructions that come with the frame are unclear. (You buy the frame separately from the sander.)
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br /Two cautions. First, try the sander on scrap before you use it on a project - it removes wood much, much faster than an orbital sander and it's easy to leave a trough, even in hardwood. Use a light touch and keep moving it around to avoid that. Second, buy premium quality cloth-backed belts. You can get them at Sears, by mail order and at specialty store. The Bosch comes with a good cloth-backed 80 grit belt to get you started.
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Product seems to work fine, however I would like the item to be exactly like the picture. The one that was sent to me had a cheap looking bag attached which did not look like the picture. It did not have the black support or even Bosch written on it anywhere. (Say cheap generic bag if that is what you are going to include with the product)

Sander tracks reasonably well (not great - yet far better than the old Craftsman that was thrown out), is able to handle rough grits easily (unlike the AEG I gave up on). Does what I ask it to do (rough sanding) BUT will clog quickly (something that seems to be prevalent in other reviews I have read). The primary reason for writing this review is to advise that it is easy to clean the clog with an air compressor gun (not like another reviewer who disassembled his machine to remove the clog with small screwdrivers). As another reviewer noted the dust bag is less than adequate (I run it directly into the shop-vac - which leaves a clean surface and little dust in the air). For the price a decent machine that still could use some improvements in the problem areas, but not one of Bosch's best products.

Got mine today but the dust bag is not the more expensive one available at local retailers or pictured on the box or in the manual. The box came with the factory seal but I am perplexed why a very cheap bag that doesn't carry the Bosch name made of flimsy fabric was in the box. It does match the amazon picture but not anything from the Bosch website or the box. It is not of the same quality as the dust bag on my Bosch random orbit sander.

Having now owned this sander for several months I am not as happy as I had been. You have to be EXTREMELY careful when using this with a sanding pad. If you catch the pad (even lightly) you ruin the sander's ability to track. I've sent it in for repairs once already and have to do so again. The sander is not nearly as durable as I had hoped and I am very careful with my tools. I recently bought a Makita which I find to be a much better sander.
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br /I have been generally happy with the purchase of this belt sander. I've found the variable speed to be a nice feature and power is not lacking. The base plate is not cast aluminum but the graphite platten plate appears to work fine at reducing heat buildup so I'm not too worried about warping.
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br /The cloth bag is not as shown in the photos, viewing the parts diagram for this sander on the Bosch web page explains the change. The dust collection works well provided the duct remains clean (mine packed full within a few minutes of sanding pine at 50-grit) I had to completely take apart the sander to clean out the duct but it appears to work well now.

I purchased this Bosch belt sander to sand base boards and other trim. The wood is all yellow Pine so far. I like the smooth running of the belt and the sander doesn't seem to work hard. I will be sanding Oak trim in the future and that might work the sander, if it doesn't work as well on Oak I'll be posting another opinion. My only complaint is the power trigger is located such that when you pick up the tool your finger depresses the trigger and so starts the sander. Of course I've learned to allow for this and now I don't pick it up as I would other power tools.
br /Oh... I own other Bosch power tools, router, power hand saw, and found them to be well made too. Oh I purchased the the fence and stand for the sander, well worth the money. I look forward to using this sander for years to come.
br /Larry

Sands as expected: fast and easy to control. Dust collection works ok. Needed to blow the system out with compressed air to clear a blockage, once in 2 hours of sanding. I order the Bosch SA1051 Sanding Frame to go along with this purchase. Unfortunately the seller of the frame, MaxTool, not only did not have item in stock (even though they clearly specified they did have) they were not able to get one within a two week period after my order. I canceled this order.

I bought this sander from Amazon several months ago, and I've sure given it a good workout since I've had it. It tracks very well, and is powerful enough for even the toughest jobs. Changing the belt is far easier than most models....a big plus. This is the first Bosch tool I've owner, and it has made me a believer in the brand. The tool is exceptionally well constructed, and built to last. I couldn't be more pleased with the purchase.

The Bosch belt sander is the best money I have spent in a long time. It runs smoothly, but powerfully. The controls are easy to use and the belt tracks true. It removes material much better than the other sanders that I have. I recommend it very highly.

This will become one of my favorites. It's well designed, comfortable and easy to use, very powerful, and feels like it will last. If you plan on using this on glue-ups, invest a little more and get the sanding frame. And most surprisingly, the dust bag really works!

The basic design of this tool is genius. It can be held in one hand, set upside down on a table to use as a sanding belt. I've been using this model since the mid 80's for finish construction and cabinet making. This is my third one. I don't think that I could ever go back to the other style of belt sander.Bosch 1274DVS 6.6 Amp 3-Inch by 21-Inch Variable Speed In-Line Belt Sander with Cloth Dust Bag

I have an old Tudor-style house with lots of oak paneling and trim. My other sanders are 5" and 6" Bosch random orbit units, and 1/4 and 1/2 sheet Porter Cable finishing sanders. The Bosch 1274DVS belt sander fits in perfectly when I need more aggressive sanding action on the wood paneling and oak doors. I've even found it light enough to use on vertical surfaces and even overhead trim for short periods. It's very effective removing the old finish and quickly exposing the raw oak for refinishing. I use the 1274DVS first and then follow-up with the random orbit or finishing sanders for perfect wood preparation.
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br /Although others don't care for the bag dust collection (and neither do I), my method for controlling dust is to remove the bag completely and attach the sander to my shop vacuum using the Bosch hose. I probably capture 90% or more of the dust.
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br /I've had no trouble with this sander since I bought it from Amazon 18 months ago. Then again, as a homeowner, I try not to abuse my tools so I've been fortunate with the overall reliability from my Bosch, DeWalt, and Porter Cable tools.
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br /I would buy the Bosch 1274DVS again in a heartbeat. By the way, I just ordered the Bosch 1276DVS belt sander (4x24) from Amazon to give me even higher productivity refinishing pine paneling in my den.

Great sander. Lightweight, great if you have to one hand something or if you have to sand vertically or overhead. The tracking adjuster works like a champ. Changing belts is super fast and easy. Only complaint is the dust-bag... it seems kind of cheesy compared to how well built the rest of the sander is, but I bought a sander, not a dust collector. Made in Switzerland.

This tool lasted only 5 hours before breaking.
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br /The current project is 250 sf of hardwoord flooring in my own house, with another 350 sf to follow. The wood is milled Austrialian brushbox, which has above average hardness but probably softer than oak. I decided renting and using a commercial floor sander was too risky, and that a hand held could get the job done. My 15 year old BlackDecker (3x21, 3.4Amp, hot, noisey, no dust removal, no switch lock) would bog down with 120 grit at a slow rate of coverage and require frequent vacuuming. So I upgraded to the Bosch 1274DVS (3x21, 6.6Amp, quieter, 1-1/4 dust port), gambling that the size and power could spin 80 grit at a reasonable rate of coverage.
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br /The other rave reviews about the ergonomics are true. Getting a dust port was fantastic in that, when hooked up to a medium size shop vac, almost no dust was put into the air or left on the floor during sanding. The machine remains cool under continuous duty and the switch lock allows your hands and fingers to relax. I still need headphones with both the sander and the shop vac going. As for muscle, I can report that Bosch's 6.6Amps are good enough for DYI'ers to make two passes (250sf, 80 120 grit) in about 6 hours.
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br /Unfortunately, the tool did not last that long. About 3 hours in, I had a power cord accident, something that never occurred in 15 yrs with the BD. The cord was swept into the slot behind the rear roller. The motor is screaming, the cord is flying around, the machine is twisting out of my grip. It took about 8 seconds to get control of the machine and figure out how to unlock the power switch. During this time I am wondering whether I will get this thing shut off before I get electrocuted as it gnaws through the cord. Unfortunately I was killed. No, just kidding. Cord extraction required some strong tugging and a large screw driver to pry away pressure from the roller. The tough rubber cord survived and is in acceptable condition. I then did what anyone would do (with the exception of a Bosch engineer), wonder why they could not make the slot just a little smaller or the cord just a little thicker. Much later I found the user manual warning "The cord can be dragged into belt housing and become entangled with the pulleys." Nice.
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br /So the machine went back into service, only with a thump-thump-thump. After two more hours, I noticed the power drive was starting to slip unacceptably. I took the tool apart, looking for some kind of clutch mechanism in the gear train. Found a lot of German high precision and material quality, but no clutch. While reassembling the machine, I found the trouble. The rubber drive belt was missing teeth and starting to wear through. Bingo. During the power cord accident, the cord jambed the drive roller but the upper drive gear continued to spin, taking out teeth in the drive belt.
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br /I calculate the cost per hour of buying this tool and consider blasting Bosch with a zero-star rating. Instead I decide to include their service repair organization into the total picture. Logging online, I find that in this metro area (Silicon Valley) they have several affilated drop off shops and one factory service/sales center. I stop by the factory center, buy a $7 belt out of local stock, and install it myself. After one day of down time the machine is now back on the job and works fine. So Bosch is back up to four stars, but only because their service organization and inventory saved their butts.

It's weight and balance make it as easy to control as a pad sander but with much more power. I totally agree with the other very positive reviews of this sander.
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This is one fine tool for the job of sanding our boat! I don't think I would have found a better deal anywhere else for as good quality and $ as I did here at Amazon, not to mention the fantastik 2-day delivery! Thanks again, Amazon!

First, I'm biased. I own several Bosch tools and I like them. This belt sander is no exception. It's well balanced, easy to handle, small enough to get in some pretty tight spaces, and the variable speed is a definite plus. The first thing I used it for was to take some old rough paint off about 400 feet of fascia. Not exactly fun even with this tool but at least my arms didn't feel like they were going to fall off when I was done (like the last time I did this with my ancient Craftsman). At the lowest speed (to minimize clogging) with 40 grit belts it took about 3-4 hours and I spent as much time moving my home-made scaffolding as actually sanding.

I gave the Ryobi fours stars but I don't have any serious complaints about it. It's just that I reserve five stars for tools that blow me completely away, of which there may have been two.

This is a lightweight sander which makes it, I think, a better all-around belt sander from a usability standpoint. Heavier sanders tend to work better for things like removing high spots in floors but are unwieldy to use on vertical or overhead surfaces. It's also a bit safer to use on a ladder.

One nice feature of the Ryobi is the low profile dust bag which tucks in flat against the side of the sander. This lets you get closer into a corner. On the other hand, the bag is pretty small so you need to empty it more frequently.

The tracking adjustment seems to be a bit sloppy and I find myself having to recenter the belt more often than I did with my old Rockwell/Porter Cable.

The balance and ergonomics of the handle and trigger are excellent.

My main gripe is that it didn't come with a case. I would have given it a half star deduction just for that if I could. A case is something you just assume you'll get with portable power tools costing over a hundred bucks. I maybe use a belt sander once a month. The rest of the time it sits on a shelf getting buried under saw dust.

This is an extremely well-designed and well-built sander. No complaints here only praise, praise, praise!pThank you Bosch--you sure make my life a lot better!!

I had the Skil version of this sander (made by Bosch).It worked great for a few years. Dust collection bag out of the way. Fits in tight places. But then the plastic lever to change the belts became weak and eventually flapped around. Finally I could not change the belts. So I took it apart and tightened it. Then it got loose again. So I sent it to Bosch service for repairs. Asked Bosch to put on a new lever, straighten the tracking, and put new bearings in it while it was there. Cost over $50 to repair. When it came back the lever worked again but still flopped around. It tracked lousy , and the bearing were not changed. -- No better than my own tightening. So I tossed the sander on the junk pile and bought a Porter Cable.
br /Porter Cable dust bag is in the way all the time, so I do miss this sander sometimes. I liked the fact it worked on a table flipped over. Maybe the belt change lever is better now??

Light, almost too light; and relatively quiet. Not as agressive as I would like, even with 60 grit. Dust collection bag still obtrusive and tends to spew extra fine dust into ones face if the unit is held at a ninety degree angle. The angular design makes for a secure fit upside down in a bench vise so one can hand feed smaller pieces for shaping. I rarely use a belt sanders and then only to hog off amounts to then use the RO sander.
br / Bottom line: I love Bosh anything so if I had the money I would have spent extra to get a heavier duty machine by Bosch.

This is a great belt sander, just be careful it is very aggressive, you need to use a very light touch. The dust collection, as in most woodworking products, is just OK

I bought a 1274DVS a few years ago. As I have found with other Bosch tools they are hit or miss. You might get lucky.You might get a lemon.
br /My sander is worthless. I got about 2-3 hours use out of it. The paper won't stay on no matter how much time I or anyone else devotes to trying to solve the problem. I replaced it with a Dewalt. I keep the bosch on a pile of junk in my shop to remind me of the problems I have had with Bosch tools.