Let me start by saying that I'm into woodworking and wood painting, so I know about sanding machines. I use them very often. I have a Black and Decker Mouse Grinder that I think is modeled after this one, but there is one very important difference. The hand sander from Skil is uncomfortable to hold because it is large in the grip area. The Black and Decker is smaller in the grip area and is much more comfortable in the hand. Black and Decker also has a second option to hold it further back, more like a pen rather than a palm. The other major downside to the Skil grinder is that the sandpaper is slightly larger than that of the Black and Decker. So, as far as I can tell, you're limited to the interchangeable Skil attachments, otherwise the velcro would hang down the sides leaving little swirls. Your projects, which is never good. I really wish Skil would go for a one size fits all like Black and Decker. I buy regular ones for my Black and Decker because I prefer sandpaper with no holes. Holes stick to the edges of the plywood, breaking the pieces. Black and Decker and Skil gas stations tend to be a bit more expensive too, so that's another downside. For comparison, I've included images of Skil, Black, and Deck side by side. With everything I've listed above I still think it's a good grinder, but I prefer my Black and Decker. I give it 3 stars because it's awkward to hold when working on parts, it doesn't have an alternate grip, and the sanding pads are larger so you can't use regular ones.