According to belt-sander manufacturers, the biggest sellers are the 3-in. by 21-in. models, so we decided to take a close look at what’s available. The good news is that we didn’t find any glaring performance problems, which made it difficult to pick clear winners. To rate stock-removal and dust-collection effectiveness, each sander and sample board were weighed before and after a timed run. At the end, the difference between the weight of the board and the machine (plus dust bag) indicated how much sawdust was collected, expressed as a percentage. The Craftsman has a large, easy-to-grasp lever that made for smooth belt tensioning, and the variable-speed control was easy to adjust without releasing the trigger. The small dust bag was effective, but its rigid support arm sometimes got in the way. Dust collection effectiveness was 88%.

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Festool Cleantec CT 26 E HEPA Dust Extractor

The clear winner here is Festool’s CT 48 Dust Extractor. It has amazing capacity relative to its size, and unmatched suction power. It packs in a number of subtle but very helpful design touches, like a clever foot brake and easy hose and cord storage.

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Bosch 12V Trim Router

Trim routers are easier to handle when you cut the cord, and the Bosch’s compact, curvy shape and unique base give it unmatched control.

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Milwaukee M12 23-Gauge Cordless Pin Nailer

This tool is designed for convenience. The battery and pins are easy to load, and the safety lock operates with the same finger you use to pull the trigger. The depth of set is adjustable, there’s a work light, and there’s a hook for hanging the tool on your toolbelt. A gauge lets you keep track of when you’ll need to recharge.

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