as a life long woodworker , I have own many belt sander and all I can say about this BIG baby be you have better keep it move . the material removal be fantastic and it do the work because of it perfect balance and pretty heavy weight . the weight be not that much of a factor because all you have to do be stear it . the dust collection system work better than any sander I have ever have , that bag be fill very quickly with fine dust . it be important to be mindful when sand because like I say staying in one place to long can quickly leave a indentation . I read all the reveiw on this one and the smaller one and have to say it be a very hard choice but as one reveiw say `` what do you want a variable speed for we be here with this sander to get the material off as fast as possible and that mean run she full out , of coarse with decient sand quality '' well THIS MACHINE do that-no reget on the weight matter or ANY THING ELSE . I be sure the lighter one be a good machine and if I be go to do alot of wall or overhead sanding , the weight matter would be a much bigger factor . buy the way , what they say about the noise level of this machine be true . it be unbelievably quite for the punch it pack . I do not hesitate to give this machine a well deserve 5 with all the experiance I have have with other sander .