Because of you I found my bracket ! I actually thought it was in the box for transportation protection when I got it last year. So silly of me. Thanks ! Happy New Year.
I recommend this sander, had mine for nearly two years. It's very similar to the 9403 with the only differences really being that the 9403 has a bit more power, different shaped front knob and the dust extraction outlet is on the top. I actually prefer the m9400 dust bag position, it's more streamlined with the body, which is what makes it usable as a bench sander. I use mine on Oak a lot so the weight of this sander makes it ideal for hardwoods. The only mishap I had was when I sat it on an oak coffee table top to refresh the surface, but as I plugged it into the extension lead it took off like Eddie the Eagle and landed flat racing along until it hit the wall and had started the sand a dish in it, somehow, carrying it I had unknowingly locked the trigger switch on. The height it fell was around 16 or 17 inches but there there was no damage at all, not even a scuff mark. This sander is very much the same quality as it's superior siblings. For want of a better analogy, take a tin of supermarket own brand baked beans, a fair bit cheaper than big brand but usually supplied by the big brands. The beans are the same quality with just a bit of tweaking to the sauce recipe. makita even state that this sander is the same build quality as the rest of their belt sanders and I have found no reason to doubt that, it's just a case of the their market being saturated and having to make a few tweaks for them to hit the next income level down. I bought mine via B&Q for £80 and I see some sellers are now offering these for £140, which I would still pay, outstanding value ! Excellent review, spot on.
That’s good to hear. They certainly are a heavy duty piece of kit. As a bench sander for use on anything. In the conventional format it is more specialist as to how it will be used.
@@PaulLockwood My one is not that good as a bench sander, the tension roller has a flat spot from the manufacture process where the roller has been over ground with a coarse grinder. I'm waiting to hear back from Makita to see if they are all like that. I have used the flat for bench sanding but I would risk damaging the belt if I try sanding on the roller. What condition is your tension roller in?
Thanks mate, that's really helped me make up my mind. I was going to go for the 9404 but I don't really need a pro level tool. I do really need something I can easily bench mount, so that's great. Cheers.
Hi Paul, I have an el cheapo Titan Sander, exactly the same as the makita. Totally agree about how aggressive they can be , especially on the leading edge of the wood. I don't have a bracket to mount them upside down, but I can clamp the handle in my wooden bench vice to give the same access. I noticed a while back that Andy Phillip (fellow woodtuner) has his belt sander turned on its side within a wooden profile. I must admit my belt sander does ghet very little use at the moment. Cheers Alan
I've seen a few people had their belt sander mounted on the side. Great idea if you need that right angled approach. These are so useful in the bench sander position and really have a lot of power.
Got one on the way from screwfix, it was the bracket that sold it. Should be just the thing for my scaff board TV stand. I'll make a back stop for smaller pieces. Will let you know...
Take your time with the sanding, it is powerful and you can end up with some uneven boards. Also have a selection of grits, I bought a range from eBay.
Hi Paul, Thank you for the great review and keeping active in the comments. I bought it and noticed a flat spot on the guide roller. I see you also have it. I read in the comments of screwfix that this flat spot limits the usability in bench mode as the roller cannot be used for sanding when needed as the flat spot supposedly destroys sandpaper in minutes. Can you comment on your experience and if it ever was problem for you? Or is it that you don't have a need for grinding there?
Hi Sebna. I've not had any issues with mine. I only really use it with the bracken on as a bend sander. It's great for sanding down pallet boards to get a nice piece of wood to work with and changing belts is so quick and easy when running through the grits. I've not had to replace any belts so far but it doesn't get a lot of use.
Certainly if you're going to be doing a floor. Not sure if that would invalidate the warranty though. A single socket extension lead may be the better option to start with.
Hi Paul, I am considering one of the Sanders but not sure how good it would be for long but very thin wood, say 5 mm thick? I wonder if the sander would grab the wood too much, due to it having little weight? I’m basically trying to create wood packers. What do you reckon? My concern would be that this beast is just too powerful for such work!?
If you use it as a bench sander then it’s all down to hire much pressure you out of the wood. It’s a real beast of you use it in the normal mode and it’s quite a weight so light sanding becomes a real skill.
@@PaulLockwood Thanks for the quick response and I should’ve mentioned that I would only be using it as a bench sander. Previously i’ve created various packers using a combination of a table saw, planer and then a 1/3 sheet sander, but it’s laborious and need something that’s a bit more agressive. For 2.4m pieces, i’ll have to swap hands at the half-way point and i wonder if i’ll end up with a dip in the wood at that point? With such thin wood, e.g. 5 x 35mm, will i need to use a block of wood to rest on top of the piece to be sanded, so that i don’t end up sanding my fingers!?
Thickness of the wood shouldn’t matter as you can create a do on any thickness. It’s all about how you do it. Light pressure and if the woods is reasonable length then you can feed it through.
Hi Paul, great review. So good I bought one. had not seen one other than online as not in stock near me. Had a look at the Erbauer etc in B&Q and so glad i did not purchase. You should be getting commission from screwfix for selling these!! As for the weight of the M9400 it only feels heavy when not in use if that doesnt sound ridiculous! When in use it just glides around the wood with little effort required. Have only use it so far on a rough piece of sawn Oak which took i quess 5 mins to sort out. SO do i now go for a M9204 or stick with my 30 year old 1/3 sheet bosch!! dont have any mates to "borrow" from :( When would you choose the round random over a 1/3 or 1/2 sheet traditional sander.
Thank you Adrian, glad it was of help. I tend to use this as a bench sander all the time. The weight on the wood when using it in the conventional way soon wears down the wood so a learning curve in using it in that format. I think when you use it in the conventional way the weight doesn't feel so bad when in use as you tend to be using your muscles to control the movement in direction rather than lifting. As to the M9204, if the Bosch does the job you want it to then keep with it. Perhaps the M9204 could be a present for Christmas, after all us men never want anything for birthday or Christmas so it might mean you don't get socks this year for a change, lol
Thank you for the follow up. It's much appreciated 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽
No problem 👍
Because of you I found my bracket ! I actually thought it was in the box for transportation protection when I got it last year. So silly of me. Thanks ! Happy New Year.
I think that's a man thing, not reading instructions, lol.
So pleased with that bracket as that's how I mainly use it now.
@@PaulLockwood it also has a special slight angle to keep it steady ! thanks
I recommend this sander, had mine for nearly two years. It's very similar to the 9403 with the only differences really being that the 9403 has a bit more power, different shaped front knob and the dust extraction outlet is on the top. I actually prefer the m9400 dust bag position, it's more streamlined with the body, which is what makes it usable as a bench sander. I use mine on Oak a lot so the weight of this sander makes it ideal for hardwoods. The only mishap I had was when I sat it on an oak coffee table top to refresh the surface, but as I plugged it into the extension lead it took off like Eddie the Eagle and landed flat racing along until it hit the wall and had started the sand a dish in it, somehow, carrying it I had unknowingly locked the trigger switch on. The height it fell was around 16 or 17 inches but there there was no damage at all, not even a scuff mark. This sander is very much the same quality as it's superior siblings. For want of a better analogy, take a tin of supermarket own brand baked beans, a fair bit cheaper than big brand but usually supplied by the big brands. The beans are the same quality with just a bit of tweaking to the sauce recipe. makita even state that this sander is the same build quality as the rest of their belt sanders and I have found no reason to doubt that, it's just a case of the their market being saturated and having to make a few tweaks for them to hit the next income level down. I bought mine via B&Q for £80 and I see some sellers are now offering these for £140, which I would still pay, outstanding value ! Excellent review, spot on.
That’s good to hear. They certainly are a heavy duty piece of kit. As a bench sander for use on anything. In the conventional format it is more specialist as to how it will be used.
@@PaulLockwood My one is not that good as a bench sander, the tension roller has a flat spot from the manufacture process where the roller has been over ground with a coarse grinder. I'm waiting to hear back from Makita to see if they are all like that. I have used the flat for bench sanding but I would risk damaging the belt if I try sanding on the roller. What condition is your tension roller in?
A very infomative and comprehensive revue Paul Thankyou
Thank you Don
Great video. So good to see an unbiased perspective.
Thank you. It really is great as a bench sander which is what I use it for mostly as it's so quick to get out and change belts.
Thanks mate, that's really helped me make up my mind. I was going to go for the 9404 but I don't really need a pro level tool. I do really need something I can easily bench mount, so that's great. Cheers.
Thank you Richard. It's a good solid piece of kit.
Once again, a very fair and reasonable review. I would buy one of those if I needed it.
Thank you Brendan. It's great as a bench sander.
Have subscribed to your channel, great to see follow up vids.
Hopefully gives an idea over a little time rathe than out of the box.
Hi Paul, I have an el cheapo Titan Sander, exactly the same as the makita. Totally agree about how aggressive they can be , especially on the leading edge of the wood. I don't have a bracket to mount them upside down, but I can clamp the handle in my wooden bench vice to give the same access. I noticed a while back that Andy Phillip (fellow woodtuner) has his belt sander turned on its side within a wooden profile. I must admit my belt sander does ghet very little use at the moment. Cheers Alan
I've seen a few people had their belt sander mounted on the side. Great idea if you need that right angled approach. These are so useful in the bench sander position and really have a lot of power.
Got one on the way from screwfix, it was the bracket that sold it. Should be just the thing for my scaff board TV stand. I'll make a back stop for smaller pieces. Will let you know...
Take your time with the sanding, it is powerful and you can end up with some uneven boards. Also have a selection of grits, I bought a range from eBay.
@@PaulLockwood ahead of you. I have a Screwfix and a Toolstation v close by...
Hi Paul,
Thank you for the great review and keeping active in the comments.
I bought it and noticed a flat spot on the guide roller. I see you also have it. I read in the comments of screwfix that this flat spot limits the usability in bench mode as the roller cannot be used for sanding when needed as the flat spot supposedly destroys sandpaper in minutes. Can you comment on your experience and if it ever was problem for you? Or is it that you don't have a need for grinding there?
Hi Sebna. I've not had any issues with mine. I only really use it with the bracken on as a bend sander. It's great for sanding down pallet boards to get a nice piece of wood to work with and changing belts is so quick and easy when running through the grits. I've not had to replace any belts so far but it doesn't get a lot of use.
Could you use this on floorboards around the edges where the drum sander can’t reach?
Hi Chris, not sure how close to the edges you would get,
Great machine. Standard practice, cut off the plug 🔌 & add an extra three meters of decent flex.
Certainly if you're going to be doing a floor. Not sure if that would invalidate the warranty though. A single socket extension lead may be the better option to start with.
Hi Paul, I am considering one of the Sanders but not sure how good it would be for long but very thin wood, say 5 mm thick? I wonder if the sander would grab the wood too much, due to it having little weight? I’m basically trying to create wood packers. What do you reckon? My concern would be that this beast is just too powerful for such work!?
If you use it as a bench sander then it’s all down to hire much pressure you out of the wood. It’s a real beast of you use it in the normal mode and it’s quite a weight so light sanding becomes a real skill.
@@PaulLockwood Thanks for the quick response and I should’ve mentioned that I would only be using it as a bench sander.
Previously i’ve created various packers using a combination of a table saw, planer and then a 1/3 sheet sander, but it’s laborious and need something that’s a bit more agressive.
For 2.4m pieces, i’ll have to swap hands at the half-way point and i wonder if i’ll end up with a dip in the wood at that point? With such thin wood, e.g. 5 x 35mm, will i need to use a block of wood to rest on top of the piece to be sanded, so that i don’t end up sanding my fingers!?
Thickness of the wood shouldn’t matter as you can create a do on any thickness. It’s all about how you do it. Light pressure and if the woods is reasonable length then you can feed it through.
@@PaulLockwood Appreciate your thoughts! Best regards
Hi Paul, great review. So good I bought one. had not seen one other than online as not in stock near me. Had a look at the Erbauer etc in B&Q and so glad i did not purchase.
You should be getting commission from screwfix for selling these!!
As for the weight of the M9400 it only feels heavy when not in use if that doesnt sound ridiculous! When in use it just glides around the wood with little effort required. Have only use it so far on a rough piece of sawn Oak which took i quess 5 mins to sort out. SO do i now go for a M9204 or stick with my 30 year old 1/3 sheet bosch!! dont have any mates to "borrow" from :( When would you choose the round random over a 1/3 or 1/2 sheet traditional sander.
Thank you Adrian, glad it was of help. I tend to use this as a bench sander all the time. The weight on the wood when using it in the conventional way soon wears down the wood so a learning curve in using it in that format. I think when you use it in the conventional way the weight doesn't feel so bad when in use as you tend to be using your muscles to control the movement in direction rather than lifting.
As to the M9204, if the Bosch does the job you want it to then keep with it. Perhaps the M9204 could be a present for Christmas, after all us men never want anything for birthday or Christmas so it might mean you don't get socks this year for a change, lol