Makita BO4900V 2.9 Amp Variable Speed 1/2 Sheet Sander with Paper Dust Bag Review

I have used the Makita Model 9046 1/2 sheet sander for 4 years.It is almost identical to this model.

I had the opportunity to do a hands on evaluation of 1/2 sheet sanders. I liked the ruggedness Porter-Cable, the economy of the Milwaukee, and the feel of the Bosch, but the Makita is in a class of it's own.

At first it seemed a little heavy, but after I got use to it and let it work, it did a fantastic job. This 1/2 sheet sander oscillates much more than the others and does the job in half the time. It leaves the surface dead flat and is very kind to veneer.

It has vacuum pich-up holes in the paper/sander like a random orbital sander. If you hook it up to a vac the dust is minimal ( This may require a little tape around the outlet to fit your hose). The punch plate does not come with the sander. So unless you can find the special pre-punched paper, you need to order the plate from a Makita rep or make one.

I do not recommend starting with 80 grit paper.This sander can be very aggressive, so start with the finest grit that will do job.

Added January 2009
The bad news is that I recently ran out of the pre-punched Makita sandpaper and my local shop stop carrying it.Sometimes when I'm working on a small project, it's really nice to have the pre-punch hook & loop paper for fast/easy grit changes.The good news is that I did some investigating and discovered that the Festool ½ sheet hook & loop is interchangeable with the Makita.Of course the Festool paper is no bargain but it works great on my Makita sander and the dust control is awesome.

Eight years of intermittent use and it still runs great.

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Product Description:
The MakitaB04900V finishing sander features an integrated through-the-pad dust collection system that keeps your work environment clean. This sander easily hooks up to a vacuum hose for superior dust collection. A large trigger switch means smooth and easy operation. Ergonomically designed contoured grips make this tool easy to hold from any angle with less operator fatigue. Ideal for cabinet workers, boat builders or furniture makers. Speed (RPM): 4,000 - 10,000, Amps: 2.9, Variable Speed: Yes, OPM: 4,000 - 10,000, Sanding Surface (in.x in.): 4 1/2 x 9, Dust Bag Included: Yes

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