This is a detail sander, not a full-size belt sander. The belt is 3/8 inch wide — narrow enough to get into slots, rebates, tight curves and inside corners that a normal 3x21 sander cannot touch. If you are looking to flatten a tabletop, this is the wrong tool.

The sanding arm pivots through 100 degrees, so you can work the belt into hard-to-reach places and sand at an angle no orbital or block will reach. Belt tracking adjusts with a knob.

4.4 amp motor with electronic speed control that holds constant speed under load, variable from 980 to 5,600 ft/min. Maximum sanding length 4-5/16 inches. The whole tool is 16-1/2 inches long and weighs about 3.5 lb, so you can work one-handed and overhead without fighting it.

Works on wood and steel. Cleaning up welds, deburring, stripping paint from ironwork, sanding chair spindles, fitting doors, cleaning glue squeeze-out from an inside corner — anywhere the shape of the workpiece is the problem rather than the area.

Favourite tool of furniture makers, sculptors and door hangers for exactly that reason.

Supplied with the 3/8 inch arm. Makita also makes 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch arm assemblies; those are not included.

Sanding belts are consumable and not included — 3/8 x 21 inch belts are widely available in the grits you need. Please bring your own.