Tools & Materials
Makita - Makita BO6030 6-in. Random Orbit Sander
The Makita BO6030 is a fine-sanding mode 6-in. random orbit sander.
Nov 01, 2008
The percentage of dust collected over the course of the three 5-minute tests fell from 79% to 50% using the onboard dust canister, for an average of 65%. When we repeated the tests, the percentage fell from 87% to 44%, for an average of 60%. We hoped a vacuum would give better results, but a hose made this sander nearly uncontrollable; it was sucked to the wood even with the vacuum at minimum power. For a fine-mode machine, this sander removes an impressive amount of wood, but it is troubling that so little of the dust can be collected.
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While this sander is among the least expensive models in the test, its performance ranks among the best. The stock removal was excellent, and dust collection was solid when used with a vacuum. It handles really smoothly, too, and has a tall body that fit my hand nicely whether I was holding it from above or around the waist.
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Festool Cleantec CT 26 E HEPA Dust Extractor
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