I have had this sander for about 3 months now.. I am a 25 year self employed cabinet and furniture maker.. I have had and or used almost every belt sander known to man.. This is the best 3x24 belt sander I have ever had the pleasure of working with, and it is becoming apparent to me that it may be the best belt sander of any brand I have ever used. Hard to know the whole scoop until I see how long it will hold up. But in my experience Makita's generally do a pretty adequate all around job anyway. So it may just be the sander of sanders.I normally wouldn't choose Makita as my number one choice, but after some serious shopping a few months ago it seemed the only way to go. This little machine has everything that counts and except for my one complaint it is missing nothing. Compare this to any other belt sander to see if the other one you're looking at has got everything is should have... Then buy this one, cause you won't find it. This is an exceptional belt sander with only one flaw in my opinion.. I think the handle grip should have a little more tilt downward toward the back and not be such a flat a grip. It seems to cause my wrist to bend unnecessarily and I find it a bit tiring, noticed more when sanding on a higher table... My wrists aren't the greatest though, so you may not even notice it. But besides that one "flaw"?? It is the best balanced belt sander I have ever used, It is compact in design. It has a low center of gravity. It sands flat with no dimples. It never, and I mean never goes off track. Put the belt on, adjust it once maybe, and don't touch it again until you change belts; amazing. The bag is in the most logical place it can be, on the inside towards you, not hanging up in the air like some models which always irritated me anytime you did anything other than use the sander on materials that you lay flat on a table to sand. If you need to use it side ways, or in awkward positions or even not so awkward positions out on the job or in the shop, that design of bag is really quite stupid to have. There are a few models made by Makita that have that terrible bag location as well as other brands. But not this model 9920.. This is the bag of bags.. This Makita has a sturdy enough bag, that when full, it does not drop below the sanding surface and it never falls off. It doesn't sway in the wind either like the others I just mentioned. It stays firmly in place even when full without ever getting in the way. It is easy to empty as well. What more could you want.??One of the very most important design details in my opinion for any belt sander is the ability of the belt to sand flush right up next to a wall. This one does it best. The motor housing is wisely and logically designed in far enough from the open belt side to let you put that baby right next to something with great precision... Can you tell I like this sander? Yep,, lightweight, yet sturdy. Plenty of power, quiet, It is very quiet for any belt sander. It also comes with a 15' cord. What a great idea huh? Don't need to drag around an extension cord. To bad many other manufacturers don't see the simple genius in that longer cord. The variable speed works superiorly. This is a superior belt sander! $200 bucks,, or more, what a steal.... I am seriously considering buying another one because you know how it is, you find something you love and then they stop making it.. Problem is, it feels like this little baby will last this one man shop for 15 years.. I hope to retire by then and I bet this thing just may get me through my tinkering. I will let you know in 15 years.... Sincerely,, Barry Thank you Lord for the blessings.. Praise Yahaveh through in our Lord Jesus Christ