good size and shape . Easy to handle and do a much better job than my old heavy craftsman 4 '' x 21 '' po . I especially like the flat top ; even without the accessory frame you can turn this upside down and use it briefly as a bench-type sander . handle be position well for one-hand control from the back , or extra control or pressure add from the front . dust pickup be good with coarser grit belt , but diminish rapidly as you run finer and finer grits . I have the same problem as several other reviewer . the graphite platen pad on this new Bosch last only about 20 minute before self-destruct . it deposit lump of graphite -lrb- or the backing pad -rrb- on the wheel that make they bounce and shudder until I be able to scrape and clean they off . I find it hard to believe that Bosch can ignore such a well document and obvious flaw in they design . this have get to be fix in future version .