Customer Reviews

Makita BO6030 2.7 Amp 6-Inch Random Orbit Variable Speed Sander with Cloth Dust Bag

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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I have the Bosch 3727 6" sander and this Makita is as good as that is..it also offers an extra hole for dust collection that is placed in the center of the disc to pick up anything that collects there..I love the Bosch because of the extremely low vibration along with a nice swirl free finish and this Makita delivers the same plus it comes with two sets of six dust collection holes for a total of twelve in the pad with the option of using sanding discs with the dust collection holes either on the extreme outside rim or a little more towards the center which is what the Bosch has. I think the holes which are located way out on the rim are for makita sanding discs and the disc that comes with the sander has those holes and works better than my standard discs which I see on all the other sanders out there..short of buying the Festool this and the Bosch are both next in line and cost less too..

I bought the Makita BO6030 6-inch RO sander to augment my Porter-Cable 5-inch RO sander, mostly for table tops and isolated floor-refinishing purposes. That being said, I have also found it useful for veneered plywood cabinet panels, making short work of what the smaller P-C sander is capable of. Prior to choosing this 2.7 amp model, I debated between it and the newer 6.6 amp version (Makita BO6040); and basically, it all boiled down to relative amperage and vacuum-attached dust collection. Ultimately, my decision to buy the older BO6030 was based on a study of the respective motor designs in question (referring to the owner's manual schematics, as given on Makita's website). This revealed that the 2.7 amp model has a single-stage motor, with the center of gravity being located over the sanding pad, where it should be, whereas the newer, 6.6 amp model contains a two-stage motor, meaning that in the latter case, more than twice as much electrical expenditure is required to achieve the same output effect, combined with a possible loss of balance relative to the wood surface! (And probably the same holds true for the new generation of "higher-amp" 6-inch RO sanders by other brands like Bosch.) As to the 2.7 amp sander's vacuum dust-collection capacity, I have found that removing the dust bag and replacing it with a 5' Makita vacuum hose (their no. 192278-0) connected to a universal adapter and a Ridgid shop vacuum and hose leaves little or no dust behind and the entire set-up matches perfectly. My only complaint has to do with the lack of compatible sanding sheets. Six-hole Mirka sanding sheets seem to work fine, provided that one cut a nickel-sized central hole in each sheet with a utility knife; otherwise, one has to contend with an overly-strong suction effect during operation that also slows down the motor. But noting that we woodworkers like to cut things, this does not seem to be a big deal. Overall, this sander is also less prone to leaving "pigtails" than the smaller P-C version is; so I will probably be turning to the Makita BO6030 model as my primary hand-held sander from here on. Buy it while you still can, as it would appear to be on the way of being phased-out (this being evinced from discontinued accessory items, etc.).

This is a well-priced, dependable sander. It's not dust-free, but the dust bag reduces the dust substantially and is very easy to get on and off to empty. There's nothing fancy about this tool, but it does a good job and hasn't let me down. My only complaint is that can be difficult to find the sanding discs.

Solid performance. My standard issue for years. Even though it has dust holes for its own sanding disks, I use Mirka as they are readily available. I don't know whether the dust holes are better if you use the makita sand disk brand or others, I usually connect the sander to my vacuum and go with it. Otherwise, use ppe.

If you're wondering whether you need a special attachment for the sander's dust port, I just rig one up with a 1" vacuum hose or equivalent, use gorilla/duct tape as the handle has a nice area where you can really stabilize the hose to the port and the 1" hose is easy to move around with a small hose attachment, use a hose that is limber and flexible. Then, the small dia hose is attached to a 2" hose coming from my ridgid shop vacuum. The ridgid line has plenty of attachments and reducers and are readily available, rig it if necessary with trusty tape. In the field you will do what you need to do and if I don't have to suck dust, even better.

PPE: earplugs and dust mask.

This sander replaces a 20-year-old 1/2 sheet Craftsman sander. I am pleased with it. It is easy to handle. Does not make swirl marks. Does not do inside corners of drawers or chest.The dust collection is adequate but not great. I would recommend it for reliablity.