while it be pretty light , this model just have too many design issue to be worth the premium lifestyle brand price . for starter , the dust bag be awful and the sander would be better off without it . there be absolutely nothing on either the dust port or the bag itself that be capable of create a seal , so you invariably end up with a steady stream of dust shooting right into you face no matter how much you tighten that little screw . odds be good that port 's go to clog up on you in a big hurry , too . next up be the tension release lever -- it be plastic . not that ultra sturdy kind of plastic they make milk crate and flight case out of that last forever , but the cheap kind that go brittle as it outgas . in this price range , I expect to get a tool that be go to last several year , but this be one part that be very obviously go to break much sooner than that . frankly , it feel like it be go to snap off every time you use it . then there be the little graphite pad they put over the platen . this wear down very , very quickly and you be go to have to special order replacement . what be worse be that 3 '' belt do not quite cover the entire thing , so after about 10 minute worth of usage you 'll have wear a groove into it that leave you with a 1\/8 '' strip on the side sit flush with the belt itself . can you say ugly black streak everywhere ? I know that you could . lastly , the handle bug I . there be no good way to pick this thing up -lrb- or set it down -rrb- without accidentally bump the trigger . I have no doubt that this would have eventually result in something very bad happen have I decide to keep it . if it be maybe half the current price , I would consider it a viable contender as I do like the weight , the flat platen , and the flat top , but I be go to have to go with the Makita on this one . if plastic and `` good enough '' performance be you cup of tea , Ryobi 's even cheaper .