Mike, I have a few random thoughts orbiting my brain:

Regardless of brand, how well does the shape and weight fit in your hand? Does the switch feel positive and not mushy and is it easy to reach with the operating hand? Does the unit allow connection to a shop vac? Do you want variable speed?

I'm on my second basic Makita, it's not variable speed and I've never wished it was sanding slower!

I like my hand on top of the machine and once returned a Bosch that had an offset handle. Just didn't feel right but I had already had a Makita. IMO the collection bag that comes with Makita is useless, the shop vac connection is the way to go. I clamp on a universal reducer with a hose clamp, otherwise it's pulling loose too often.

Epoxy dust will clog a filter pretty quick. There's a tree in my yard with a fair pile of dust at the base.

Hope this has helped. I've had good luck with Milwaukee and Dewalt tools too so not plugging Makita.

Ian

: Looking ahead to the day I get to start sanding. I have a 5”
: random orbital sander but it is pneumatic. I use it on metal
: quite a bit. I wonder if I can use it on the boat? No dust
: collection is the first thing I think of. It can be adjusted for
: speed.

: I just had a quick look at sanders at Home Depot and it looks like
: both the Milwaukee and DeWalt are about $110 bucks. What brands
: do you guys like?

: Mike