Makita BO3710 240V 1/3-inch Sheet Orbital Sander

Managed to sand down a whole newel post and get decades of nasty gloss off various things without the need for chemicals. My mother hates sanding, and she's a convert for this bit of kit. It doesn't cause vibrations in your hands after use, even when using for a couple of hours. It's a lightweight sander, but packs enough punch for the job. The square plate lets you get in those nooks where a mouse sander doesn't quite get in. Highly recommend, and think it's good value for money if you have a few projects on the go that need a sander - just make sure you get the right sized sanding sheets if getting refills, as you need to fold the ends over the plate to lock them in place.

Great little sander, one criticism is the wire is a little short but we have extensions :)

Product arrived on time and well packaged. My previous sander was a Bosch and came with a plastic carry case. This Makita comes in a cardboard box with one piece of hole punched paper, which is bit tight, and a hole punch. The sander operates fine and the alternative clamping of the paper compared to that of my old Bosch is very good. As with modern machines that create dust, this now comes supplied with a dust bag which on visual inspection is looking mediocre. Will know more when I start to use the machine in the coming weeks…months. Check back for an update later…I never fail to do so. The lack of a carry case was of no real concern as I modified the old Bosch branded case and now the Makita fits nicely within it. Just another form of recycling! The plastic hole punch plate supplied may never get used as I would always tend to purchase pre-punched paper. I used the sander on a door, first noticeable things is how much quieter this is to my older sander(s), I can have a short conversation over the noise this machine makes. And the second thing is how little vibration there is which made using it a pleasure. I also note the cable used for this unit is of the TRS type, toughened rubber sheath, which is much better in my opinion than PVC. I am very impressed with this sander. Really liking this unit, purchased 1/3 sander sheets from Toolstation and the combination is making it so easy.

Great sander best one yet.can use 2 different sanding strips.a lot quieter than others.and works more efficiently.

It was worth the money

As a customer who has used the Makita BO3710 240V 1/3-inch Sheet Orbital Sander, I am providing a review outlining the good and bad aspects of this product. The good: 1. Efficient sanding: The orbital sander has a powerful motor and a 1/3-inch sheet size, making it ideal for efficient sanding of various surfaces. It can remove material quickly and evenly, saving time and effort. 2. Smooth finish: The sander's orbital motion ensures a smooth and swirl-free finish, leaving the sanded surface ready for painting, staining, or finishing. It is particularly effective in smoothing wood, metal, or plastic surfaces. 3. Ergonomic design: The sander is designed with user comfort in mind. It features a comfortable grip handle and a lightweight body, reducing fatigue during prolonged use. The compact size allows for better control and maneuverability. 4. Easy sheet changes: The quick-release clamping system makes changing sanding sheets quick and hassle-free. This feature saves time and allows for uninterrupted work. 5. Dust collection: The sander is equipped with a dust collection bag or a dust port for attaching a vacuum. This helps minimize airborne dust particles, keeping the work area cleaner and improving visibility. The bad: 1. Power source limitations: The Makita BO3710 is a corded sander, which means it requires access to a power outlet. This can limit mobility and flexibility, especially in situations where an outlet is not readily available or when working in outdoor or remote areas. 2. Limited speed control: The sander has a single speed setting, which may not offer the level of control needed for certain applications that require varying sanding speeds. 3. Vibration levels: Like many power tools, the sander produces vibrations during operation. Although it is relatively low compared to some other models, extended use may still lead to hand fatigue or discomfort. In summary, the Makita BO3710 240V 1/3-inch Sheet Orbital Sander is a powerful and efficient tool for sanding various surfaces. It provides a smooth finish, offers ergonomic design features for user comfort, and allows for easy sheet changes and dust collection. However, it is limited by its corded power source, single-speed setting, and potential vibration levels. Overall, it is a reliable and effective tool for professional or DIY sanding projects, particularly for those who prioritize power and efficiency.

As described. The make says it all. Get what you pay for.

Purchased primarily for sanding the wood stairs in our house after ripping out carpet. But after this is done, i'm going to do a LOT more with it. There is glue, dirt, gunk & white paint on the wood surface of the steps. Using 40 grit sandpaper purchased in the local DIY store here by the meter. I had the machine running roughly 5-6 hours, the only break was to brush off dust & hoover it out so about a minutes break between steps. I was indecisive between this model, the smaller square plate one (palm sander) or a random orbit. Spoke to a pro carpenter friend of mine who makes boats & knows his job well. He recommended this over the other & i'm so glad i followed his advice. For me this one unit does the task of a random orbit, a detail sander & a regular orbital (which it is). Random orbit, i manually go in circles, i see gunk disappearing quicker than normal straight-ish strokes. Not 100% a random orbit but works well for aggressive removal. Detail sanding...getting into tight corners, i lift the sander up & only point in the tip to the edge, did a decent job for me & took off loads of paint that was only on the edges. Also when lifting the sander up, the traction area is a lot less & you can feel the vibration plate moving fast & well. Once again, not every bit in the corner is off, but 94% or so done. And of course regular sanding for long surfaces, etc (the entire length of each step).. 1/3 so a good bit of surface area, sure helps the job. There is vibration of course, think of roller skates, an hour on them & when u take them off you can still feel the vibrations. Not with this unit here, after 6 hours of going at it my hands were not shaky, which did surprise me a bit actually. The grip is fantastic to hold, if fingers are tired or you need a different posture to hold, you can always move around it. Can use it with one hand or both for leverage. Dust, yes of course, its a fine dust sander & fine dust gets everywhere. I don't have a builders hoover to attach in. So, i just used the dust bag itself, kept a broom brush without the handle nearby & a regular vax pet hoover at hand. All doors closed so as to contain the dust as much as i can. Cloth over nose, mouth & hair. At the end of the 5 hours, yes dust everywhere !! You don't see it so much when working but at the end of the job yes you do :) But, once again the function of this tool is to slowly & carefully strip out layers of paint, wood, gum, etc. To be efficient in that task, it needs to sand out fine particles & fine particles are difficult to contain. So, personally i can't complain about the dust, i feel its a part of the process. Tomorrow i'm at it again, this time with 80 grit. Then a coat of varnish, then maybe a 120 grit light sand & more coats of varnish. Then the kitchen cabinets & then i just want to do more, i'm so enjoying using this tool. For those who would like to know, yes, like most things in today's time, it is in fact made in china. But feels strong & durable. I've also put a bit of body weight & pressure on it at times to really scrape & the motor handles well without failing or giving out. And if all that wasn't just fine, there's a bonus...if you register on the makita site within 30 days of purchase, you get 3 years warranty. I could not be more pleased with it all. Amazon initially showed me 2 weeks delivery time !!! I panicked & tried to cancel the item & order elsewhere, but got a reply that i could not cancel? And the next day it was dispatched & reached me 2 days after. Happy here !!