Before I went shopping for a had sander, I assumed there wasn't a great deal of performance difference between the most expensive and least expensive. I realize now I was wrong.pI first bought the Makita sander because a contractor recommended the Makita brand if I wanted to buy a sander that would last me for years. I bought it for that reason, but since then I've noticed a much more important benefit: less vibration.pI had used a Black and Decker sander before and had considered its results more than sufficient. However, after using it for more than an hour, my hand would turn red and start swelling from the intense vibrations the sander produced.pWith this Makita sander, I've used it for periods of 3 hours+ virtually non-stop and have yet to feel the same effect. The cheaper brands may save to $20 on the price, but you'll more than make up the price diffential with the time and comfort you'll save with this sander.

This is an excellent sander. Vibration is low compared to other palm sanders that I've used. And, though not perfect, the dust collection is surprisingly effective. I also like the cam-type clamps compared to the spring-action clamps found on some brands. Typical Makita quality.

I don't usually write negitative reviews, but I really don't like this sander too much. It does the job okay, but it vibrates too much and is too noisy.It also doesn't feel good in my hand. The Porter Cable #330 speed bloc is such a nice sander that I don't understand why anyone would want any thing else. (I'm not just loyal to Porter Cable, I like a lot of things that Makita makes)Also, I didn't find the dust collecton feature worth using. It gets some of the dust, but I didn't feel like it was worth taking the time to poke holes in the sandpaper with the little tool (provided) for no more good than it did. I'm only saying this because I know that Makita can make more refined tools. Thank you

I bought this makita to replace a similar 1/4 sheet sander. I had read an article on tool from some great woodworker and he/she had emphasized that some tools you can get away with just buying the cheapest availible. The palm/orbital sander was the focus of this point. Any orbital sander will do...... I went and bought a HandiWorks and used it for a period of 6 months and it gave out.pNow that I had to replace the sander I read reviews and had trouble deciding between the Dewalt and the Makita. I bought the Makita and was amazed to make the following observations:br1. Your whole arm doesn't have to be numb after a little sanding (with a Makita Sander).br2. This sander is solid and is going to last several yearsbr3. The dust bag is very easy to keep clean because it doesn't seem to collect any dust! Maybe Makita offers a shopvac attachment to this sander.br4. This sander works twice as fast as my previous sander. I seem to use more paper. But I am finding that I won't need a comfy-chair to sit in while I sand for long periods of time. The Makita gets the job done without delay.br5. The carrying case is large enough to carry an additional 7-8million sheets of sanding paper (Maybe not quite that many, but the case is rather huge for a quarter sheet sander).pI love this sander. If it were stolen or destroyed today. I would replace it with the very same model ASAP!

Replaced an aging B D orbital sander with this little gemReplacing an aging Black and Decker orbital sander with this little gem was a great move. The higher rpm ability of the Makita cuts my finish sanding time in half. Due to its lightweight, sanding time is only limited by the durability of the sand paper. Only time I stop is to change the sheet, which takes only a matter of seconds with the pre-cut ¼ paper and clamping system. The agronomical design fits comfortably in the palm of my hand. Only minor draw back is the location of the on-off switch. Sander can inadvertently be turned off during use.

This is sander is adequate for many purposes. It's lightweight, relatively smooth, and easy to set up and use. Replacement media is inexpensive, using 1/4 sheet of standard sandpaper. However, I've retired mine in favor of a Porter-Cable 333PK. This one is a little underpowered for rapid sanding. The dust collection leaves much to be desired. Overall, it's an OK sander, but if you can afford the extra $15-20, I'd go with the P-C.

This finish sander just isn't up to Makita's standards. It works well when new, but lacks durability. Even in a non-professional setting, it just doesn't last. The clamps that hold the paper can work loose and are a major pain to get back in place. The level of vibration will also increase in fairly short order. It does sand well, I just wish it was more solidly built. If you need a solid finish sander, you're better off looking at the Porter-Cable or Dewalt models.

I have two of these, the current model and a 6 year old similar one with a different model number. They work well,and run smooth but have a weak part that either creates viabration and noise or breaks requiring replacement. brThe defective part is the "Foot" which is a flexible plastic connection between the sand paper pad and the case that allows the pad to move around. brIf there is no looseness in the slots where the foot attaches to the case all will be well and you will love this tool. If the foot has a loose fit then this will be a very buzzy tool until the foot breaks! Not to worry its an easy replacement or you can put some electricians tape in the attachment slot to tighten it and remove the viabration on a buzzy one.brWith the exception of this one annoyance , this is a very dependable well performing sander.

I like the cam clamps for holding the paper. Uses a standard 1/4 sheet of paper. It is noisy, and some of the other sanders appear to have features like the quick drop in orbits when you lift it that this one lacks, but I have only light sanding jobs and this sander works fine for that.Also with the fine grit, 220 paper, it left no visible sandpaper marks on my piece of oak, and mahagoney that I was finishing. With 100 grit paper it smoothed the fiberglass and roughed up the gelcoat very easily. So for the amount of sanding I do, its a good deal.

This is an easy to hold, low vibration, less dust sander. I use this sander for a variety of tasks. I find it easy to load with paper. Since I am a woman with smaller hands I find this sander is more ergonomic and less stressful to hold. The top hand hold is smaller and I experience less hand fatigue. In working in tight spots this sander works well, especially in corners. The bag for dust collection is okay, but it could be larger with a tighter weave so less dust escapes. Overall I have used many sanders and I would recommend this one over the others that I have used for similar sanding needs.

I bought this sander two years ago. This Makita sander does a good job with final sanding chores, as long as you are outdoors or don't care about noise and dust. The sander is loud, has poor dust collection, and comes with no vacuum port. The plastic interior frame on the dust bag broke causing the bag to occasionally fall off. For the money spent, this sander has been a disappointment.

I got this sander to have the addition of a dust collection system that my made in france BD had a dust collection system but I went for the $12 less same model without it , huge mistake .
br / I did look at and plug in a porter cable and dewalt that were close to the same price range with much the same features and I will admit the dewalt was pretty quite .
br / This is not how I would describe the makita with any stretch of the imagination .
br / The sole reason I chose the makita was it was the ONLY one that sported a flat base , the others where all bowed down in the center and I did not want to sand same cups shapes into the surface of any wood project I had in process .
br / i got mine before they added the case and I used it for the very first time after it sat in the box for two years .
br / This has to be the loudest sander ever produced , I you want to draw everyones attention and have a small crowd of onlooker develope they will surely do so and have no trouble locating the source of the sounds produced .
br / It also vibrates much more than the older BD which was very quiet and smooth .
br / Horrible thing really , the addition of a speed control may be the only thing that saves this sander form being banned to life stored in the box set of the back of a shelf , you could not retain a friendship if you loaned it out or gave it away .
br / I use the old BB and follow it's movement with a vacuum hose to pick up most dust , at least you can hold onto it with one hand .
br / I have a makita random orbital with speed control and it is a great tool but there are times where you need something to get into corners but retain your hearing at the same time .
br / This is not a sander you would want to use to sand inside of a open ended wood box , here what you have is a vitual organic noise amplifier just to add to the roar of this makita .

We used this to expectacular and hard tool in a medium industry in Dominican republic and also can say that this is: HARD, SOFT AND OF CONTINUOUS USE. And mainly of good price ... Nilson

I bought this sander about 4 years ago to do some drywall sanding and I was very pleased with the job it did. The sander fit comfortable in my hand, the dust collection worked well, and the paper locked down clumsily but fairly easily.
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br /Over the years I have used it for many jobs and have come to the conclusion that it is a nice sander for fine sanding. If you are sanding to 120 grit or higher this sander works well.
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br /Recently I was sanding some rough cut 3/4 ply using 60 grit and I found this sander to be lacking. This sander lacks the power if you need substantial removal. But, then again I do not believe that was the purpose of this tool so I can't really fault it for that.
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br /I have noticed quite a bit of vibration on heavier jobs. When sanding the 3/4 ply mu hand was tingling for hours. On smaller, or lighter, jobs like the drywall the vibration seemed okay. The noise did seem excessive also on some of the larger projects.
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br /All in all, if you are looking for a light duty sander, this is a nice one to have.

Review said low noise, low vibes....maybe they did not pack the padded gloves and ear muffs in the case. It is horrible. besides down time to load is a joke unless in the last 2 years makita come up with a better solution to the spring tabs. I shutter every time I need to sand an inside corner to something. I do not like it, never have liked it, and never will like it. If you need one go to a store or trade show and buy one that is quieter with less vibration. TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT. I do not use it unless I absolutely have no choice. As for dust collection anything is better than nothing. My suggestion to avoiding the dust....don't use it.