What makes a good sander good? Most would presumably argue that it is the finish; that is, the absence or at least the diminution of swirly marks left from a sanding disk that sands in a spinning motion. When finish is applied, one hope to see bright, shining wood grain not dull, swirly streaks. So "a good sander minimizes swirls."

I disagree. . .

So what makes a sander good? Dust collection and cord length. And not dust collection as in "how much dust does it pick up?" But dust collection like, does the hose to my vacuum stay connected while sanding? Lately I have been using Porter Cable's new palm sander and Festool's RO 125 Eq dual mode sander. The Porter cable is light and easy to use with one hand. But the interface between the vacuum hose and sander is a pressure fit plastic coupling. Every one knows (look at me with the sweeping generality!) that pressure fittings do not work in the presence of vibration (duh, a sander!)! I was sanding yesterday, and time after time, the hose simply fell off, allowing the sander to blow its exhaust right into my face, thus defeating the point of dust collection. Also, its cord length is like 4 or 5 feet. Way too short to do anything but stand and sand something directly in front of you. Time and time again I was pulling my vacuum closer to allow the sander enough cord to get where I need to sand.

The Festool on the other hand has a super long cord. I almost don't need an extension cord when sanding large cabinets. And its dust collection is as secure as an iron chastity belt: that thing is not coming off no way.

Mind you, both the Porter Cable and the Festool sand decently, Festool more so than the PC. But $350 better? I don't think so. This is not me promoting you to "drink the green cool aid" and go out an buy Festool. I am just saying. . .