Why so expensive? Because it is a precise instrument. It turns very quickly and the chuck and components have to be micro-machined to avoid wobbling. It's made in the USA. It's super light. Not only is it good for sanding, but it can be used for cutting, buffing, sanding, etc. if you have the right attachment. You can use any 1/8th bit so you can use any dremel bits (which are rated for 60,000rpm+) which I do it's twice the speed of a dremel so not all bits can be sure it is much more powerfulβ¦