1/3-sheet sanders are becoming scarce, but this one is clearly the best of the lot. I had a Black Decker before, but it finally died after over 15 years of service. I don't know if this Makita will last that long. But, while it lasts, it is so much quieter and more efficient at sanding that I could never go back to a BD. The dust collecting bag works well and the unit doesn't leave your hand vibrating after you use it (the BD's do).

Pros: +5
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br /This one suprised me by being far smoother and quieter than I expected. (Last Cr*sman required a padded glove to use.) Quality construction with a cast aluminum base padded with foam, a thick cord with a strain relief sleeve on it. Easy to use with one hand, with a front knob for the second. Recessed locking switch was large enough to use without difficulty.
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br /Comes with a sandpaper punch so that the dust collection system will work, though I haven't used it enough to grade yet. 8 free *1/3* sheets of sandpaper.
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br /Cons: -1
br /Possibly me, but you have to develope a technique in order to lift off without some swirl.

I haven't used this very much yet, but I like the way it fits your hand and it does sand very well. I don't like the dust bag because it seems to get in the way and really doesn't keep the dust down that much. Of course, I have never seen a sander who's dust bag attachment works very well. Over all I think it's a good sander.

This is my second 1/3 sheet Makita sander. My first is still running but the pad wore out and a replacement pad cost $40 so I decided to buy this new one. My biggest disappointment was how easy it is to accidentally hit the button and turn it off while working, yet it can also be difficult to get it to pop in and stay on. Both of these problems would have been avoided with a switch instead of a button. The levers for attaching the paper are also very heavy duty and require a lot of pressure to open. Otherwise it seems to work very much like my first one than ran for many years, over thousands of feet of wood.

We love Makita tools and were impressed by the great price through Amazon.
br /The sander is fantastic and especially like the attached dust bag. Definitely would by Makita again.