Black & Decker has come out with a couple of new sanders, with design emphasis on ergonomics, convenience, and compact size.
There are four new models – a mouse sander, a 1/4-sheet sander, and two 5″ random orbit sanders. They’re all priced in the ~$30-45 range.
Mouse Sander BDEMS600
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Like the Mouse sanders that came before it, the new BDEMS600 is designed for detail work. Its unique sanding pad can fit into corners and all sorts of tight spaces. And for those areas too tight for the sanding pad, that’s where the narrow finger attachment comes into play.
Motor specs: 1.5 amps of power, 1400 orbits/minute.
The sander features a 3-position hand grip and an improved dust collection canister that offers “micro-filtration.”
Here’s a cutesy demo video:
http://youtu.be/z0iOrYJnrsI
Buy Now(via Amazon)
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1/4 Sheet Orbital Sander BDEQS300
A 1/4 sheet sander doesn’t really need much explaining, or so I thought.
This new model features a 2.0A and 1600 OPM motor, high performance dust collection, and paddle switch.
So… where’s the paddle switch? It took me a few minutes to figure out that the paddle switch is built into the top of the tool!
You’re supposed to press down on the tool – which you do anyways when using it – to turn it on. Then, a slide switch can be used to lock the tool in the on position. Neat!
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Random Orbit Sander w/ Paddle Switch BEDRO600
The new random orbit sander operates in the same way as the 1/4 sheet sander. Hold down to turn it on, slide the rear switch to lock it on.
It features a slightly more powerful and slower motor – 2.4A and 1400 OPM.
Both sanders – and the next one – feature a similar dust collection canister. Black & Decker says that it provides high performance dust collection, which I have learned is easier said than done. Well, at least it looks the part.
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Random Orbit Sander BDERO100
For those that don’t care for Black & Decker’s paddle switch design, this version of the 5″ random orbit sander features a traditional dust-sealed on-off switch. Under the hood, it features the same 2.4A and 1400 PM motor as the other random orbit sander, and a similar dust canister.
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First Thoughts
You probably already know this, but I’m not really a Black & Decker tool kind of guy. Although, there have been some strong exceptions, such as with their Gyro screwdriver and LED Snakelight.
I find myself somewhat intrigued by the new offerings. They look every bit as ergonomic and compact as Black & Decker claims. Plus, I’m digging the new color scheme and branding. I was hesitant at first, but it does make the tools look more serious.
It’s hard to judge sanders without testing them out. Even if their dust collection performance is stellar, there are still going to be questions about how much they vibrate, how uniform their sanding performance is, how durable they are, how controllable, and how comfortable.
The press-down paddle switch design on the 1/4 sheet sander, and one of the random orbit models, sounds a little strange without context, but makes perfect sense once you visualize how the sanders are designed to be held during use.
The prices look to be quite decent too. Most DIYers will probably be most interested in the new Mouse sander, which is priced at just $33. This is on-par with the ~$35 previous version. Compared to the older model, the newer Mouse definitely looks phenomenally more comfortable to hold and use,
ChrisK1970
Well, I had a B&D Mouse sander and sheet sander for years. The sheet sander still works but it is just messy. I loved my mouse sander but it went the way of the cuckoo. I am a Festool user and nothing compares. I will say the only tool outside of corded lawn tools from B&D I have is the 20v Autosense drill. I bought it cause the concept sounded cool. I love that darn thing. It is an awesome, well thought out drill. It ain’t replacing my T15 or C15 but it is a great little drill perfect for hanging Sheetrock and shooting pocket screws and is more powerful than you might think. So….maybe they have stepped up the game?
fred
It seems clear that over more than just a few years Black & Decker has put the B&D brand name on their more affordable homeowner tools. They also have apparently cross licensed with other OEMs like Dorcy International’s Bond Manufacturing subsidiary to produce some garden tools with the B&D name. There is probably no going back to having the B&D logo put on high end professional tools line they once made (I’m thinking about my Super Sawcat and my monster B&D 1/2 inch drill that uses pipe auxiliary handles). Be that as it may, there is still room for B&D to produce tools for the consumer market that has a much lower-end need and expectation. Stanley B&D can then position its other brands (Porter Cable, Dewalt etc.) to meet the needs for the more upscale user. Recently seeing that Dewalt is poised to introduce a line of powered garden tools – I guess that they (Stanley-B&D) are doing just that for this market segment – where B&D hedge trimmers, weed wackers, and leaf blowers seem aimed at the homeowner – not professional market.
Toolfreak
The tools look good, and the test of time will tell whether or not they are worth buying.
That said, I think the use of the plus sign for the logo is dumb.
It’s Black AND Decker, not Black PLUS Decker.