5" Random Orbit Sander Kit, 2.4A, 5" Hook & Loop Sander, 5 Hole Pattern, 3/32" Orbit, 12,000 OPM, Unique Dust Collection Cansiter Allows Better Air Flow For More Efficient Dust Collection, Canister Rotates 360 Degrees For Comfort. Removal Of Canister Or Adapter Will Accomodate Either A 1" Or 2 1/2" ID Connections For Use With Vacuum Attachments, All Ball Bearing, Pad Control Prevents Spin Up, Includes Sander, Disc, Case & Manual.

Frankly, you can’t go wrong with any of the random orbit sanders made by respected toolcrafters these days; it’s really a matter of brand preference, your budget and what fits your hand most comfortably. This one’s among the least expensive from the big toolmakers, but its features are pretty well matched to its competitors. Its motor is a tad more powerful at 2.4 amps than the crowd, but there’s no discernable difference in use. And like the others, it’s loaded with great features, most notably Porter-Cable’s Sandtrap dust filtration system, which actually collected most of the dust we generated. It’s a hard canister, not a fabric bag, swivels 360 degrees around the tool body for maneuvering in tight spots and can be connected to a shop vacuum with an accessory hose. And like most of the others, this sander uses five-hole hook-and-loop abrasives—-they can be pricey, but you can’t beat the convenience. At 80 grit, you’re removing stock at a surprising rate; with 220, you’re getting a truly swirl-free finish. For safety’s sake, the pad won’t rotate at full speed until it contacts the work surface, and as soon as it’s lifted off, the pad brake immediately slows the rotation to 400 rpm. Since this is a palm-grip design, you can switch your grip between a top hold or grasping the main housing. This model doesn’t have a rubber grip on top like some of its competitors, and you do feel a little more vibration as a result. It’s a hardworking, versatile sander and definitely a good buy.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste