DEWALT Rotary Sander, Variable Speed, Dust Shroud, 5-Inch (DWE6401DS)

This DEWALT sander is a real workhorse. It's got plenty of power to tackle tough jobs, and the variable speed control is a lifesaver. I especially appreciate the dust shroud – it keeps things much cleaner than other sanders I've used. The 5-inch pad size is perfect for most projects. Overall, a solid tool that's built to last.

This sander is a REAL workhorse. I'm using it to prep my old tongue-and-groove wooden porch floor for re-painting. It has done everything I have expected, and it has performed with consistency. I've never used 40-grit sandpaper before, but it is appropriate for this job; and the DeWalt has handled it without a problem. The variable-speed feature is easy to use. This is my first hook-and-loop sanding tool. I am now a believer. I never thought I'd use the left-hand / right-hand attachment option for the stabilizing handle, but I've run into a couple of situations where this feature has been very useful. Switching from one set-up to the other is quick and easy. For indoor use, I attach my shop vacuum = Very efficient dust removal.

I cannot believe i wasted years with orbital disc sanders. This is a rotary sander which aggressively sands any surface. It is a take down sander and can be used for fine finishing with slow speed and fine grit sand paper. Mostly I would say its a first coat rough sander to get the job done in a 1/4 of the time with a orbital sander. Sad I didn't get this years ago!!! But better late than never! Buy this sander if you are into serious work, you will be well pleased.

Wish I would have pulled the trigger on this purchase years ago. I finally got fed up with belt sanders. Tired of having to watch if the belt is drifting. Tired of replacing perfectly good belts, other than the glue strip/tape came loose. Tired in general, because a belt sander is tiring. I knew that I would be removing a lot of surface wood, and was trying to think outside the box (grinders/mods, polishers, multitools...). After looking at the options, just couldn't pass up this versatile inexpensive tool from a reliable manufacturer. A cordless version wasn't available when I made my purchase, which is good. Something like this when sanding with coarse grit will use a bit of power. With 40 grit, it is way easier to control than a belt sander. Haven't used fine grit yet, but with the adjustable speed dial (If you're wondering, the speed dial is round and built into the trigger - very convenient), the speed can go much lower and much faster than I'll ever need. If you need to go slower than this, then you might as well use a hand pad. If you need to go faster, then you might want to use a grinder. This tool fell into a sweet spot between price and functionality. Hindsight being 20-20, I feel very satisfied with this purchase. Also, looks like it would be easy to convert to 7" discs, if the need arises. The 5" discs cost about $1/each, which is much less expensive than crappy belts. The range of capability appears huge within this $80 tool. No more belt sanding for me, plus I'll be able to do a lot of fine work with it too. Prior to this purchase, I dreaded sanding. Now, I'm almost looking forward it. Even better, I'm not avoiding sanding. If you're reading this review - go buy it - you'll like it. I'm not affiliated with Dewalt. I've just been so impressed with some the Dewalt tool time saving ergonomics, that I use Dewalt as my standard. For cordless, I pretty much only use Dewalt (So that I don't have to buy more batteries). My first Dewalt tool was a marked down returned portable table saw, quite a few years ago; best tool purchase ever, by far. This Dewalt sander has potential to become my second favorite tool purchase, and for a lot less money.

Best Orbital hand sander I've ever had. Product arrived in factory box packaging intact. Very easy to use; and works great on sanding/smoothing river rocks which I use for my Rock Art Engraving. It also works very well on my Deck boards. Best thing is the Hook & Loop discs stay on this Sander's pad much better than other hand-sanders I've had and I've had several over the years. Reduced hand strain also with the adjustable side handle is a very nice feature. Highly Recommended! Marc B. Big Bear, Southern California

Oh ok... I get it now. I bought this in addition to my belt sander, Makita random orbital sander, and my palm sander. This is a great addition and now does about 60% of all my sanding duties in my shop. When you first use it, don't panic. this thing is a little different. my initial reaction to this was... "WTH, this is just a drill with a spinning pad at the end." So I was trying to go slow speed with it using the trigger. The tool got hot quick. So this is not the way this tool is intended to be used. So I got a good grip and went full speed on the trigger and set it down on my end grain cutting board that I was making. Wow, once the tool gets in it's rhythm it really sings. It does have a slight orbital notion to it. This tool is designed to go at full speed all the time. What the tool does is not dependent on trigger adjustment (speed). It is completely dependent on the grit. If you have this tool you should buy a big pack of 80, 120, & 220 paper (this is 8 hole). The 80 will skin a grizzly bear! quick to even out your work piece. 120 will smooth things out. and 220 puts on a high polish. 220 got my end grain cutting board just like glass in about 30 seconds. It was incredible. Does the same thing as my random orbital sander (which takes the same paper),.. but it does it much more quickly and efficiently. I will still use my Makita random orbital sander for more detailed and slow areas. It is a great tool. but missing a star for not including a dust bag.

Works great

Love this sander - far better for big jobs than is an orbital.

This machine is much, much better than a random orbital sander at removing old paint and varnish. It is almost as good as a belt sander. I was able to use it instead of a (Makita) belt sander for most of the work I was doing. It can be attached to a De Walt ShopVac-like dust extractor so it generated very little dust. It is powerful. You need to hold it with two hands otherwise it will start precessing (wobbling). I believe it is basically a good drill with a good sandpaper disc platen added so you can keep the sandpaper flush with the object being sanded. If you lean on it, it will remove more material but it can overheat. You really do need to hold it firmly with two hands.

Antes de comprarla tenía mis dudas de cómo fuincona y para qué trabajos se tenía que utilizar, pero por desafortuna, solamente encontré 2 videos sobre la maquina y no resolvieron mis dudas, así que dejaré mi experiencia. Es una muy buena herramienta, pero para lo que está hecha, yo la he usado solo para madera, pero para lijar como tal no, funciona para desbastar de forma muy fuerte la madera, tipo cortezas, dar cantos a maderas fuertes, pero para lijar no, quita mucha madera y los lijadoros no son parejos, tampoco puedes usar para lijar toda la lija, solamente los extremos de la lija, justo por la potencia. Entonces, si, es una excelente herramienta para los trabajos para los que está hecha la herramienta, en resumen, es como un taladro adecuado para ponerle una lija, pero con mas control que un taladro, pero básicamente es eso.

Una lijadora que ayuda bastante para remover casi cualquier cosa, solo es entender su movimiento y no forzarla (como a ninguna herramienta) solo es controlarla sin forzarla y sola hace el trabajo, no es una lijadora para terminado es más para desbaste o remover material con la lija adecuada, para terminados hay otro tipo de lijadoras así que combinando está con otro tipo de lijadoras es un equipo perfecto, buen precio, buen diseño, lijera (y si la sabes entender pues trabaja casi sola. Recomendada.

This tool worked great to quickly remove old finishes on wooden decks and a shed to be restored. It is less aggressive than an angle grinder with a sanding disc and get better control and finish. Some reviewers complain about the vacuum attachment not working well etc but I am well aware of the limitations that attachment would provide realistically. I use this tool outside and don’t require it. This tool works.

First, if you are looking for an orbital finishing sander, this is not one. This sander is a rotary sander used for aggressive stock removal. It might be able to do a fair job with fine paper, but I did not try. Secondly, the 1" 1/2 vacuum adapter showed in the picture is not included. And at last, it use 5 holes h&l paper and not 8 holes as advertised. But this being said, with this tool I was able to do more work in 3 hrs, than I did in two full afternoons with my two orbital ones (Dewalt HD & Festool) when sanding my ceiling beams. After reading some reviews, I was worried about the dust collection, but it picked-up a good 90% of the dust, if not more. The tool is powerful enough, but much lighter and easier to balance than a small angle grinder type. And it cost less than just a dust shroud for my 4"1/2 Makita grinder. I was so desperate that I almost bought a Festool RAS115 or ROTEX, who cost 4 to 6 time more. I am glad I did not. Now this sander is used as a perfect edge sander for floors and stairs.