Customer Reviews
Dust bag problems... 
2006-07-14
Like the other reviewers, I'm having problems with the dust bag falling off the sander. Unlike the other guys, mine seems to stay put for only a minute or two before the vibration combined with the air pressure starts to work it loose.
As a sander, it works great and does it's job. However, the dust bag attachment is poorly engineered and should have a latch or detent to prevent the slippage.
I was going to return it, but I emailed DeWalt and they offered to send me a new dust bag assembly...apparently this has been an ongoing problem and they've switched to a slightly softer plastic which is supposed to grip better. (Side note: You couldn't ask for better customer service!) Unfortunately, it didn't fix the problem. My solution: I drilled a small hole and put in a 1/4" self tapping screw. My warranty may be toast, but at least the bag's holding firm.
I'll be sad to see it go 
2006-04-28
I purchased this sander over five years ago. It performed exceptionally over the years and produces swirl free finishes. I never had a problem with it gouging material and always had a flat surface afterwards. The only two complaints that I have are: the backing of the hook n loop pad has deteriorated and crumbled off its mount ($25.00 replacement cost); and the plastic dust canister split in two though it appears dewalt provides a canvas dust collector now. When this sander (which is still going strong) needs to be replaced I will probably look to its newer version.
Good sander, dust bag is an issue 
2006-02-25
I received this sander about 3 years ago as a promo (when I bought a 12" Dewalt miter saw). Overall I like it A LOT! I use it for the last three grits of sandpaper prior to finishing. No issues with pads coming off etc... (I've heard of it happening with the PC brand). A real workhorse. Yeah, it has no case, but I just keep it in the box it came in...works for me (and has lasted 3+ years now!).
Only gripe: The sanding bag clicks into a plastic fitting, that then SLIDES onto the unit. After a few hours of sanding (i.e. dust starting to clog the fabric, causing more pressure inside the bag), the thing shoots off, blowing fines everywhere. I just deal with it because I really like the sander regardless.
It works well, but ... 2006-01-08
I own many DeWalt tools and love them. This sander works better than my Porter Cable 333 that has become my last choice now but it's not even close to the Bosch 3727DEVS I got recently. When I use this sander it makes my hand numb and tired very quick and I thought it was normal since I had same experience with the PC 333 sander. But after I got the Bosch, "Wow", the balance and level of vibration beat the DeWalt and the PC sanders to the dust, not mention the sanding power of 6" disc instead of 5". I can use my dust collector with all three sanders, so there is not much a problem despite the PC sander has the worst fly away canister that is useless. You get what you paid for, I guess. If you want a nice orbital sander that is easy on the hand, Bosch is the way to go.
Sander is great!... dust bag needs redesign 2005-12-08
This sander originally came with the DeWalt Plate Joiner. I have used this sander for over two years and it is a great ROS for the money (even better if you get it free). Realitively quiet and lightweight for easy pressure control; hook and loop sanding sheets make changing grits simple and fast. I was also surprised at how much dust was sucked up through the eight-hole sanding pad! I had a very good Porter-Cable ROS which gave excellent service for years and years. After using the DeWalt for awhile, I gave the P-C ROS to my son who needed one. Even with the occasional dust bag drop off (see below), I would still keep the DeWalt.
I took away a star from an otherwise great power tool because of the dust bag. Dewalt uses a 'friction fit' of the dust bag's plastic mouth onto the sander's dust port, which allows the bag to occassionally vibrate off onto the floor or work bench. DeWalt really needs to fix this. Although this has happened very infrequently; I found myself checking to see if the bag was working loose, thus taking my attention off the sanding... not good.
My solution was to stick a small piece of card stock between the bag neck and the sander dust port and the bag stayed put all day or until the bag needed to be emptied. Its a quick and easy fix, but my point, DeWalt Product Engineers, is that I shouldn't have to do this to an otherwise superb sander.
All & More 2008-05-05
This is an excellent sander. Versatile. I had got one from a former employee a few years ago. I had no idea these were so effective. It does all I need and more. Be hard pressed to find a better sander for the buck. Especially here. Pleased does not cover it.
Nice device 2008-04-20
This is a little sander for delicate work. Price is comparable to other sanders. Working on an antique? You'll love it.
palm sander does the job 2007-05-19
This is my third random orbital sander. The first two were Porter-Cables. The first one was a right-angled sander, very powerful and effective, but it required a standalone shop vacuum to do any dust-catching. The whole rig came down as very heavy, and very, very noisy. The second was a Porter-Cable palm style ROS. It worked, too, but was rather short-lived, and the dust-catcher arrangement was worse than ineffective. This one is the best of the three. Like all palm style ROS's this one isn't terribly powerful, but it takes off stock pretty rapidly and does a fine job. It is moderately quiet for such things. The shining superlative, however, is how well the dust-catcher arrangement works: it really does! As smaller, palm-styled saunders go, this one is a keeper.
Does a great job 2007-04-25
I've owned this sander for about 4 years and used it quite a bit. The pad finally gave out and had to be replace last year at what I considered a high price of around $21 including shipping. The dust collector falls off all the time, too, but is tolerable. The sander does a really great job, and is a pleasure to use.
a nice little sander 2007-01-15
have used it maybe only 5 or 6 hours, but am well satisfied so far. no problem with the dust collection. if the bag blows off as some have experienced, no big thing - just fasten with a screw. i've wondered how an orbital sander can not leave swirls, as some have claimed, well it DOES LEAVE SWIRLS, and as such is not a finishing sander. thus, four stars rather than five.
