I got this sander from a major retailer and paid the same price as listed here. Good thing I got the extra warranty.
br /I do a lot of small wood working and only have to use light preasure, so this size was actually about right for my use.
br /The sander lasted just about one hour of use before there were problems. The drive pully behind the sanding disk was slipping out off of the shaft teeth that hold it. I found myself constantly pulling this thing apart to push the pully back in place. After about 3 hours of use the drive pully teeth were stripped out being plastic. Just the belt tension would cause the drive shaft to spin inside the pully.
br /This is a poorly designed sander and I do not recommend it.
br /I took it back and got the larger model 31-695. We will see how this one goes.

Delta SM500 4" x 6" Belt/Disc Sander
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br /I used to own one of these sanders, but sold it. Its major drawback was a serious lack of power. The motor would stop almost instantly if a decent sized piece was pressed even moderately hard on the sanding belt. Very frustrating as it rendered aggressive sanding all but impossible. Perhaps if it had at least 1/2 HP it would be acceptable, but the motor Delta puts on this sander doesn't do it. If you're only going to use the tool for very small pieces of wood, it might work OK, but otherwise, buy something else.

I will keep this short: Unless you are planning on using your benchtop belt sander to sharpen pencils, do not buy this product.

Plugged it in after buying it and this thing is pretty cheap in that its not as solid as other tools I have purchased. I will be taking it back to the store for a refund and shopping for a belt/disc sander after some research.

I am a Wood Scientist and wood collector. I bought this 4" inch version belt sander to sand small hardwood blocks 1/2" x 3" x 6". The motor burned out in practically no time with light use. I then bought the $269 6" version, hoping that the 1hp motor would last longer. It did; about a few months longer. That is not anywhere near the quality I expect for the price charged. This is the last time I plan to buy this brand of tool.

I owned this sander and immediately found out it was not for aggressive stock removal. I used it infrequently and for light duty sanding only and the motor still burned up. I am an owner of many Delta products and have generally been happy with them. But this is one I'd stay away from

An extremely poorly made tool! Do not but it, or anything else that is similarly designed (lots of similar models on the market).
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br /The set screw on the disk bears directly on the mounting shaft which means that it loosens ALL the time. This is not how one should attach anything on a rotating shaft if there is going to be any vibration. I eventually had to loctite the whole thing together; very bad. Also, a 3/8" diameter shaft is too small for mounting a 6" disk.
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br /The PLASTIC pulley gears will wear down as the timing style belt eventually gets all its teeth ripped off. The only thing that saves the flimsy drive assembly is the fact that the motor is so underpowered. In the first 100 or so hours of operation the motor takes the hit, then the belt starts breaking down, followed by the gears.
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br /I know that you get what you pay for, but this is just ridiculous. A few $'s more expense in the parts and this sander would probably have lasted 15 years rather than the less than 3 years it did in my shop.
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br /Not a serious tool. In fact, one of the rare pieces of truly unqualified junk that have made it through my shop door.
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The cheap plastic pulley that is splined to the drive mandrel strips out. I recommend this tool for VERY light use only.

The sander to a very light duty unit. Not enough power and hard to use.
br /I would not buy it again. The first chance I get to replace it can not come to soon. I will say the dust extraction works quite well. There is very little clean up after a large snading project.
br /If you want a cheap underpowered sander, this one is for you.
br /Timothy the Tool Man

Delta SM500 Shopmaster 5.2 Amp 4- by 6-Inch Benchtop Belt/Disc SanderNice, compact, works great for light duty sanding, I make pens and bottle stoppers. Has vaccume attachment for getting the dust before it gets to the shop. I can't see what others are complaining about.