BLACK+DECKER Mouse 120W Detail Sander with Kitbox and 9 Acessories

When the motor on a first generation mouse burnt out after a few years of sanding everything from loose paint on doors and windows to plaster walls it seemed logical to replace it with the second generation model, if only because the more powerful motor should last longer. The new model looks odd with the collection box sticking out the back and you feel it must make the unit cumbersome, but in use you hardly notice it. It doesn't affect the grip at all and it hardly ever gets in the way. It does collect a fair bit of dust or sawdust which is a bonus,and is fairly easy to empty. The old mouse has a dust collection system which was not that effective - who ever hooks up to a dust extraction system or vacuum cleaner? - and although the mouse Mk II's plastic box does a creditable job, the basic nature of sanding means that the whole area will become covered in a fine film of dust. So see the collection box as a bonus rather than a solution. The new model has noticeably more power than the old mouse and with the various grades of sheets supplied you can do everything from shape wood such as rounding corners or edges to obtaining a glass smooth finish. The Piranha mesh sanding sheets incidentally are vastly superior to even the best quality sandpaper sheets and are easy to unclog when, for example, sanding down for repainting, making them last much longer. So far so good. It has managed a redecorating job and some shelf building and is now resting between jobs. It is sold as a detail sander but I find it can be used effectively on most common sanding jobs you are likely to come across around the home making it a useful, quick and easy tool.

Good product, easy to use due to the size. No too heavy.

Product arrived on time and as advertised. For the price this detail sander is ideal for home DIY use. IT can do almost all jobs required at home and does give added power over last model. Dust collection never perfect but It has been effective in light use so far. For infrequent DIY jobs with moderate/heavy detail sanding usage, it fits the bill due to corded power (no need to worry about charging batteries, you are always ready to go). If you do not really need the freedom of the cordless model (i.e. Plus charger and 2 x batteries) save the extra money. Compact case and starter mesh sanding sheets ideal to get going. I've not had long enough to test robustness but it seems well built. Would recommend to others.

I have toyed with buying a B&D Mouse for sometime, but was not sure about committing based on some reviews and the uncertainty of where I could buy the replacement sanding paper and how cost effective it would be (and which types to get as each grade of paper is explained differently on different sites). I am so pleased I went ahead and bought the KA280, I love the iron shaped based plate and the finger attachment (not so sure on the 'sanding disc' base yet, it made my arms ache and hands red and didn't seem to be as effective as I'd hoped). I gave the mouse a good run in over the weekend on some old very silvered garden benches - wow what a change! I did the first bench using the sand paper provided in the kit (although you don't get much - I used the coarsest they provided 80g) and that turned out well, but I needed to get some more paper to do my second bench (whilst I had ordered some online it didn't arrive in time) so I nipped to homebase and got a mixed pack of 20 iron shaped types (code: X31029). This time I used the most abbrasive paper (40g) and that made the job even faster - although I will need to move up to a less abbrasive sort to improve the finish in places). I managed to use the iron shape place to also rock around the angled seat and back slats very effectively, but then need to finish a few awkward places with the finger attachment, But amazed how well it all went, and how addictive it gets once you have started - sad! It seems a bit harder to buy just the finger and profile paper on its own, but I did managed to get a number in a mixed pack of 35 (code: X37115). I must say the sand paper lasts a lot longer than expected I did the first bench using 2 irons shaped pieces and one disc piece and a finger, but the second bench where I used the coarser paper I only used the one iron shaped piece and a finger piece (although that disintegrated faster than the first, so will need to finish off with another piece). Well worth buying and I was also quite impressed by the dust extraction (even though I was working in the garden), it certainly picked up a lot in the little canister and I wasn't in clouds of dust whilst I was doing it either.

Very useful tool for woodwork and any other a tivity that requires sanding. Easy access to corners.

Good power and ergonomically designed, but I went through three of the supplied pads on one table top. In fairness, it was a pretty weathered outdoor table that someone had left out in the rain for extended periods. But they do claim that they are "innovative mesh sanding sheets provid[ing] four times the life of standard sand paper" so I was expecting a little more. Given that you can get 50-80 standard sheets for the price of 3 of the mesh variety, I think I'm certainly going to at least try that route. The device itself seems great. It is very small, but that is useful for many tasks, particularly furniture. The filter grabs a lot of dust, though I'd still work outside if you can. If not, a dust mask would be beneficial, even with the filter. Feel sturdy in the hand, as does the hard plastic case. Recommended, but maybe consider investing in some spare pads if you want to do any serious sanding. And maybe consider the sand paper variety, as they are dramatically cheaper. I'll update when I have more of an idea over value for money.