I bought my first one of these sanders about 9 years ago.  I use it all the time.  It does an excellent job, is solidly built, and above all it doesn't make my hand and arm tired.  I have a small wood working business on the side and I'm in the garage working usually every other weekend. I eventually wore my first sander out; I think it was the bearings that started to go.  I contemplated changing them out but for $89.00 it's almost disposable at that point.  I did however hang on to it just in case I wanted to have it rebuilt as a back up. My second one is still going strong.  The reason I went with the Porter cable in the first place is because I'm still using the 1/2 pad sander my father purchased in 1952.  For the most part you can't beat a Porter Cable.