I bought this new, over a decade ago?....not sure. I never really took it seriously UNTIL I built these 11ft custom wood gates. I made them real mortise and tenon joints and so I had to buy real barn framing chisels to accomplish this. I built the gates under an overhang, but there was sunlight exposure. The wood was starting to age due to the length of the project....middle of summer. I was about to buy a belt sander, but something told me to try this little guy. Man, this thing is a beast with like 100-150 grit paper! Brought all the wood back to its original look so I could stain. Sanded any problems or blemishes I had. Amazing tool.....never a hiccup. Parts are still available....just replaced the bottom pad. I buy all the paper ready to go @HD....no hassle with cutting etc. Interestingly.....in the center of the dust collector if you take the bag off, you can insert a vacuum hose(the standard smaller shop kind). You might consider this if you're sanding a lot because that bag fills FAST. Maybe the older ones are better. Mine is so old it came in this giant, blow-molded plastic case. I bought this when Ridgid power tools were trying to get a market share against everyone else. I have a big Ridgid drill from that period I've rebuilt as well. Looking at Ridgid tools now in HD, I'm not as impressed.
O have the 2501 mime is trash. The front clip is different from this model. It let's go of the sand paper. Pass on the 2501 sander.this is the only problem I have had with ridgid tools.
This is the least expensive one! You can buy this and the router for $158! (Not each but for both) if you know a cheaper one please let me know!! Thanks 🙏
