Powerful!!!! Quite and almost vibration free.I'm a professionalcarpenter and I use this sander in my shop.Excellent choice for large surface sanding.Tip, order the cloth dust bag or use with a dust collection system.

I purchased this sander after extensive research. I felt that the Fein 6", while excellent in all performance characteristics, was not worth the cost unless you are in a production situation. I looked at the 6" Porter Cable w/dust collection in a side-by-side comparison. The Metabo was significantly smoother, had a larger dust collection port, and really moved air into that port even without a vacuum hooked up. Now, after using it on six interior oak doors, I am thoroughly impressed. Though a little more expensive than the immediate competition, I know this is one of those tools where I will "complain about the price once", and enjoy using it for a long time after. Only "dings" are Metabo needs to include a case and some essential dust collection accessories.

I have 3 orbitals in my pro shop. This one is by far the best. Make sure you get the cloth bag if you can't connect to your dust collector. Very impressive power and performance. The dust bag even works well - unlike my Makita and Bosch. Vibration is minimal also. A GREAT sander. I do believe the new Rigid 6" is made by Metabo, so you may be able to save a few bucks.

Received my new SXE 450 today and had to try it out. I was amazed with how fast it cut the scratches out of a piece of walnut using 100 grit paper. Switched to the fine finish orbit and without changing paper, it really smoothed out the wood. I will be using this for a long time. I have a AEG model which I thought was really good however it doesn't hold a candle to this baby.

I bought the Ridgid version approximately 1 year ago when I learned it was made by Metabo. It has worked flawlessly on a great number of projects. I normally connect it to my shop vac. The dust collection works great. An excellent purchase.

I HAVE BEEN USING THIS SANDER FOR THREE MONTHS NOW, AND I CAN WITH A DOUBT SAY IT IS ONE THE BEST ORBITAL SANDERS I'VE USED THUS FAR. NOT ONLY CAN IT CUT QUICK - BUT WITH A SIMPLE PUSH OF A BUTTON YOU CAN ADJUST THE ORBIT TO 1/8th INSTEAD OF 1/4 ROTATION. THIS 1/8 SETING WILL GIVE IT A S W I R L F R E E FINISH THAT A LOT OF OTHER ORBITAL SANDERS CAN'T EVEN DREAM OF!SO NOW YOU HAVE THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS ALL PACKED INTO WELL DESIGNED SANDER. PRAISE TO THE GERMANS FOR THIS OUTSTANDING WOODWORKING MACHINE.NO, I'M NOT GERMAN! ITALIAN.

This is a machine that runs very smooth and quiet and does an exceptional job at removing wood. I have it connected to a vacuum system and it is truly dust free. It has been replaced by a newer model that isn't nearly as good. This machine is substantial and should last many years.

I just bought this tool after carefully studying the best 6" random orbit sanders out there. There were two winners, the Bosch 1250DEVs and the SXE450. The main difference between these two were the price ($100 more for the Bosch) and also my experience with both brands. Bosch is ok, but Metabo are top of the line tools made to last longer than anything else on the market. I have already used it is several projects and just can't wait to use it in turbo mode to remove stock with 60 grit (it does it at a very decent rate to be a random orbit sander) and to finish wood all the way to 240 grit - I tell you, use this tool and you will fall in love with it for a loooooong time.

I too am a professional carpenter and woodworker, and look closely at a tool before I buy it. The Metabo is well designed, comfortable to use, and was recommended by my trusty, local repair shop. That said, my sander is now in that repair shop, after very little use. The problem is with the dual sanding control. This sander is capable of sanding in either a finer and gentler mode, or in a faster but rougher mode. Switching from one to the other is simple. You just depress a button on the side of the tool and revolve the disc in reverse direction until it "clicks". Then you're ready to go. Unless the little button sticks in the depressed position, which will lock up the tool rendering it useless. That is what happened to me, after very few hours and with careful use. Maybe this is just a fluke, but I'll be more reluctant to buy other Metabo tools.

I've never used the Metabo, but you might want to consider the Ridgid R2610 6 Inch Sander. It's made by Metabo and has all the same features as the SXE450. In fact, the Ridgid comes with a dust collection adapter that will allow a 2 1/4" hose connection. Also, the price is right at $119.00. I give this product 3 stars due to its price compared to the Ridgid.