Maffell UT150E Random Orbital Sander,  Thursday, 13 May 2004 I bought the UT150E as a replacement for my ageing Bosch quarter sheet sander. While the Bosch was ideal for decorating just wasn't up to giving the finish that I was after on wood. I saw it demonstrated at the Stoneleigh show last year and was impressed enough to buy it there and then.

As I understand the UT150E is the same model as the Metabo SXE450 so my comments will probably apply to that as well. The only difference of which I am aware between the two is that the Mafell comes with a cloth bag for dust collection instead of the disposable paper bags used by the Metabo. I should add that I have several Metabo power tools and have been very impressed with their quality.

The UTE150E takes perforated 150mm (6-inch in old money) sanding disks in a range of grits. These are readily available from a variety of sources and attach to the sanding pad with Velcro.

The unit has a slightly rubber coated finish which gives it a good feel and the front handle position can be mounted in on of two alternative locations although I have found no need to move it. There is a dial on the front of the machine that adjusts the speed of rotation. Although I have never found the need to use it at anything below maximum speed it will probably come in handy for a very light sanding for denibbing finishes.

As with any random orbital sander the sanding disk is moved in small circles while it is being rotated. One of the unique features of this model (and its Metabo counterpart) is the size of this circular rotation is adjustable between a course and a fine setting, corresponding to 6mm and 3mm circles respectively.

Engaging a button on the side and twisting the sanding pad through 90 degrees changes the orbit. There is no feedback as to which option is selected so it is necessary to observe the spinning disk. Because of this I have found that I usually end up trying both positions as a comparison and selecting the one that I want.

The UTE150E comes with a cloth dust collection bag that clips into a dust extraction port at the rear of the machine. In use dust is extracted through the ring of holes in the sanding sheet. Judging by the amount of dust collected this is fairly efficient although there is always a certain amount of stray dust that is not collected. The extraction port looks as if it should be the right size for connection to a vacuum cleaner although I have not trued this, when I get a shop-vac I will give it a go.
In use the rubberized coating gives the tool a good feel. The action is smooth and there is not too much vibration transmitted to hands, certainly a lot less than my old 1/3rd sheet sander. It can be used single-handed or with one hand applying extra pressure via the front handle. There is a motor lock button next to the trigger on left hand side that locks the power switch so that it can be used as a palm sander. This switch exhibits the usual problem of buttons in this position in that it assumes that the machine is going to be held in the right hand. Just when will power tool manufactures stop discriminating against the 10% of the population who are left-handed? Overall there is plenty of power, it is impossible to stall the motor and difficult to slow it down as a result of applying pressure. With course grit and a large orbit it can be used for fairly rapid stock removal. With a finer grit and a smaller orbit it gives a brilliantly fine finish.

While not the cheapest Random Orbital Sander available the UT150E is a well built machine that handles well. It is easy and comfortable to use and the variable orbit is a genuinely useful feature that allows it to be used in a wide range of sanding jobs. In short, in the six months that I have owned the UT150E it has taken everything I have thrown at it.