The Makita BO5030 random orbit sander is a fairly straightforward and easy to use sander with basic features and it performs very well for people who own and use it. Let’s take a closer look at this one.
Sanding Power & Motor
This sander is powered by a 3 amp motor that runs at a max speed of 12,000 OPM. There is no variable speed settings for this sander and the single speed is all that is available. The motor noise isn’t very loud and it doesn’t get overly hot during use, which is great. This sander can be used for longer periods of time on bigger projects without issue.
This sander has plenty of power and the random orbit action makes quick work of refinishing jobs and it is easy to get an even, smooth finish. Even with putting minimal pressure on this sander during use it will sand very quickly with a good sanding disc installed.
Handheld Design
This sander is designed well for grip and it can be held either on the vertical shaft or the top grip. Both work well, depending on your preference. The sander is pretty light at 2.9 lbs and most will find it easy to maneuver with one hand.
The sander vibrates during use, since it is a random orbit sander after all. But it’s not a fatiguing type of vibration and people find they can use this longer without feeling too worn out from the tool vibrations.
Sanding Pad
This sander has a 5 inch hook and loop pad that will hold any 5 inch hook and loop pad with 8 dust collection holes. This is a pretty standard pad size for orbit sanders and it’s easy to find sanding discs and replacement parts.
The sanding pad works well on this sander and produces a flat, smooth finish. The hook and loop facing works well unless it gets dirty (full of sawdust) and can be cleaned to get it back to working order. Some people find that the hook and loop surface can wear out over time depending on use and abuse. When it wears out, replacement parts are available.
Dust Collection
This sander will produce a good amount of dust unless it’s hooked up to a vacuum system. There is an included dust bag, but people find it to be less than sufficient when they rely solely on the dust bag. Some people also have issues keeping the dust bag attached during use, saying it can fall off easily.
If you need good dust control, it’s best to use to use a vacuum system. Makita makes a hose, model number 192108-A, that allows you to connect the dust port to a vacuum hose port, which works for connecting to shop vacs or other dust collection systems.
Build Quality
This sander is built to last, and it is a typical combination of metal and plastic parts. People find that this sander holds up well over time, with mostly the sanding pad being the part that needs frequent replacement. There aren’t really any plastic parts that people have consistent issues with breaking, so that is good. If you get a good quality unit out of the box it should hold up well over time. If you end up with a lemon out of the box, Makita has a good warranty to cover defective workmanship.
Included Accessories
This sander is available in a couple versions. There is a sander-only option, model number BO5030. There is also an option that includes a hard carrying case, model number BO5030K, which we recommend.
People who own the hard carrying case find it to be more protective of the hook and loop pad, which can prolong the life of the hooks on the pad. Something to think about if you are trying to decide between the two options.
- Sander
- Carrying Case
- Dust Bag Nozzle
- Dust Bag
Other Available Accessories
Bosch offers some of the parts in the kits as individual accessories, you may typically only need these if you need replacement parts.
Makita 192108-A Vacuum Hose
Makita 743081-8 Backing Pad
Setup & Assembly
This is a pretty easy tool to setup and get running out of the box. There’s not much to assemble or calibrate. As usual, it’s good to read through the manual to make sure you understand the setup and maintenance recommendations, but you will be up and running with this sander very quickly.
Warranty
Makita offers a 1 year warranty on defective parts or workmanship. This is good enough to help you out if you have quality control issues in that first year of use.
Pros
- Not overly loud
- Smooth sanding with random orbit action
- Good grip and handling
- Doesn’t overheat
Cons
- No variable speed
- Dust collection isn’t that great with the dust bag
- Hook and loop pads require maintenance/replacement over time
Technical Specifications
3 A
12,000 OPM
5 in x 6 in x 6 in
2.9 lbs
Yes
6 Ft
The Verdict
The Makita BO5030 is a good random orbit sander that just works. It’s a single speed unit that can make quick work of refinishing and other types of sanding jobs. Dust collection is pretty poor unless using a vacuum system. Hook and loop pads make sanding disc changes easy but may require maintenance or replacement more often when the hook and loop surface wears out. Overall, it’s hard to go wrong with this sander if you need a lightweight workhorse for your shop.
