I be a son of a carpenter , mechanic , home rebuilder , and avid hobbyist . I start use power tool when I be 7 or 8 year old . I be now 39 ; you do the math . I have have a older model -lrb- 3270 -rrb- that look identical to the 1274dv for 10 + year and would not trade it for any other . this be the only belt sander I could find with a flat top and side . you can place the sander up side down on a table , lock the trigger and sand small part all day . I also set the sander on its side and clamp it to my table saw 's table for sand 90-degree work . the belt center be not the best I have see but it work okay . the end of the belt release handle get broken year ago but it still work by pull on the remain stub . I recently get the cord stick in the belt area and snap the rubber drive belt -lrb- no other damage -rrb- . good design here as other tool I have overstress break more than a simple drive belt . -lrb- no , I be not a klutz , these thing happen every so often . -rrb- the sander be light enough to handle fairly good with one hand . I be in the process of find out if the variable speed switch and graphite platen will adapt to my older model . Bosch have a web site which be very good except no part be available on line . a listing of authorized part location be give though .