I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could purchase the identical sander as the one I purchase 25 years earlier because I burned it up from much use. I was going to switch to another brand, and ended up sticking to this one because of how slick the paper holder works. It doesn't have those wire springs that can be painful on tired fingers. It uses a "key" to open a spring held brace that secures the sandpaper on either end. My old one never loosened under 25 years of use. I also save money by purchasing the larger single sheet paper and cutting them into quarters. I also never replaced the pads because they were so durable. I used to snag and rip the paper on splinters but the pad wore very little. This sander is not as light as most on the market, but I feel that it aids in sanding because it adds the pressure you need to do the job. The motor doesn't bog down very much with heavier pressure. The weight of the sander also helps to keep the sander in place and not jump around on the object. The cord is very heavy and the overall sander looks and feels very commercial. The grip is great even for my small hands. This review is written by a woman.