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I have always liked working with orbital sanders even though they don't do really rough, tough sanding. I'll often get someone else to do the initial sanding with a belt sander, and then I use my orbital sander to finish the job.
I've had many orbital sanders over the years (the good, old fashioned rectangular shape) and recently invested in a Bosch PSS 250 AE. It cost more than the sanders I have previously owned, but is in the medium-price bracket, and certainly not the most expensive orbital sander of its type on the market. I was swayed by the good name the Bosch brand has had in the power tool market for many years.
This orbital sander is relatively lightweight and so is perfect for times when you find you only have one hand free. It can also be used by both left- and right-handed people. Its modern ergonomic design includes a softgrip handle that is easy and comfortable to hold.
It also does the job quickly because it has a powerful 250 watt motor. One of the best features is its micro filter system which works particularly well, due to the built-in dust extraction element that sucks the sanding dust into a built-in filter box. This integrated dust box is easy to open, and because it is transparent, you can see when it fills up and empty it immediately. All my previous orbital sanders had a bag at the back which was a lot messier.
The sheet clamping system is pretty standard, with a clamp lever that is easy to manoeuvre. Some other models have levers and clamps that are rather difficult to manipulate. Also, this model's sanding plate has a Velcro-type fastening system that you can use instead of the clamps - although you will need the correct sanding sheets. This system makes it particularly quick and easy to change sanding sheets when they wear out. The sanding plate measures 3.6 " x 7 " (or 92 mm x 182 mm) which produces a sanding surface that is close to 26 square inches (167 cm