3M Xtract Electric Random Orbital Sander, Ergonomic and Lightweight ROS, 88758, 5 in, Central Vacuum, 3/16 in Orbit, 110V, 350W Motor, Metal Fabrication, Woodworking, Black

I upgraded from the Bosch 5" ROS to this one, and it was the best investment I've made in a long time. Very low vibration, very fast sanding, quiet, and excellent control.Note that this sander is designed to be operated with a vacuum or dust extractor. It will overheat if you do not have the airflow from a vacuum system helping to cool it.As far as dust port attachments go, I've managed two ways: 1) Both of the Dust Right hose kits (the flex one and the other blue one) have fittings that connect nicely to the port on this. 2) The connection for the Bosch dust extractor hose won't mate directly with the fitting on the tool, but if you purchase the 3M Filter Bag Adapter (3M part number 20453), it will allow other fittings to slide over it. I find option 2) works better for my dust collection set-up and will likely be the best solution for a few others.I spent some time on the phone with a couple of different 3M product specialists, and they were quick to point out that this sander is designed to run best with the net sanding discs. If you aren't already set up with these, plan on buying some 3M cubitron net sanding discs (the best), Mirka net sanding discs, or some other variety of net sanding discs to go with it. Avoid using sanding discs that obstruct airflow over the dust collection ports on the pad. The net sanding discs allow this tool to accomplish two very important objectives: 1) better dust collection and 2) cooling air flow to keep the motor from overheating.Finally, buy an interface pad set. The Mirka interface pads work best. If you don't, you will be replacing the included 3M "Clean Sanding" hook & loop backer pad that comes with the tool more often than you'd like. The Mirka interface pad kit (Mirka part number 9955) is the most affordable option I found, and it fits the hole pattern on the 3M "Clean Sanding" backer pads perfectly.Gripes:1) 3M should just include the dust port bag attachment in the box. This part makes life much easier when fitting dust hoses to the tool.2) The documentation isn't clear enough concerning the importance of using net sanding discs and a vacuum system for tool longevity. The consumer is left to discover this on their own.3) 3M should include interface pads in the kit (at least one) and update documentation to warn that when using net discs, the hooks on the backer pad will wear and fail more quickly leading to premature backer pad replacement.Summary:Great tool, would buy again, and I do recommend this to friends and colleagues. 3M could have done better with a more comprehensive package with respect to accessories and literature. Do not run this tool without a vacuum attached to it - this will cause premature tool failure due to lack of cooling air.

I have been in the market for a top of the line sander for a long time. I think that search has ended. I enjoy woodworking as a hobby and have gone through 3 under $100 sanders in the last 1 1/2 years. After a bunch of research and ruling out of sanders that cost upwards of $700, I finally landed on this one. The difference is incredible. Paired with a dust extractor, there is literally zero fine dust in the air of my small shop while sanding. The ergonomics are also greatly improved from my past sanders. No more pain in my wrist after moving through the grits. It also seems incredibly well balanced and produces little to no vibration. I went with the 3/16” orbit and it just cruises through saw marks & router swirls making easy work of it. Would recommend this product to anyone looking to make sanding more enjoyable

Great sander, but it only worked for 2 months. Rather than replacing it 3M wants me to return it for evaluation and repair. Not worth the price.

Purchase and let sit for about 3 weeks till I could get thr proper adapter for the vac hose.Used it for 2 small jobs (small wood serving boards)... went to start a 3rd job and it threw electric arc's while in my hand, pushed out a bunch if smoke and was instantly dead.This was after I had the sander for 1 month and 11 days exactly. (But used it for the first time only 3 weeks prior)Amazon would not let me exchange it because it was after 1 month.... offered me a refund which I didn't want because I purchased it while on sale. (To repurchase, I would now be paying a higher amount).I contacted 3m directly and they were very helpful. I filled out a form that they emailed to me, and then received a prepaid UPS label to ship it at no expense to be either repaired or replaced.Was a quick process to start the warranty claim.It is being shipped tomorrow so I will update this review once I receive it back.Loved it while it worked.. but think I got a bad unit from factory.... because there is no reason after 3 weeks it should have done this.Update:Received the sander back from 3M... was a quick turn around (I think the time they had the sander was less than 2 days from arrival to departure)Sander runs great and hope to have no more issues with it.Warranty work is guaranteed for 1 year according to the paperwork that was sent back with it.From what I read online (true or not, I do not know), the internal circuitry on this had an 2 versions... the 1st version had overheating/melting issues and due to the high number of warranty claims, 3M redesigned it.The 2nd version of circuitry repaired all of these issues.Guessing I had the original version and now they replaced it with the second version.Still love this sander... and do reccomend it.Just keep in mind that if you have issues, 3M will stand behind their product.3 stars due to premature failure5 stars for operation/performance5 stars for 3M standing behind their product and making the warranty process easy.Total... giving 4 stars (because I can't do half stars or I would give 4.5 as an average)