Makita BO4566 Review

Not every sanding job calls for an aggressive random orbital machine. When you are working on fine woodworking projects, smoothing between coats of varnish, or sanding right up to the corners of a door frame, a finishing sander with a flat, rectangular pad gives you the control and precision that round orbital sanders cannot match. Sheet sanders — sometimes called finishing sanders or orbital palm sanders — use a simple back-and-forth vibrating motion rather than a spinning disc. This produces a finer, more uniform scratch pattern and lets you work into corners and along edges where a round pad would leave unsanded crescents. They run faster than random orbitals — typically 14,000 orbits per minute — and are quieter and less aggressive, making them the tool of choice for cabinet makers, furniture restorers, and painters who need a glass-smooth surface without the risk of cutting too deep. A good corded sheet sander is lightweight, low-vibration, and takes standard sandpaper sheets that cost pennies each — an essential complement to any woodworking toolkit.

Sheet sanders are the traditional workhorses of fine finishing. Unlike random orbital sanders that combine rotation with oscillation, a sheet sander uses a pure orbital vibration — the pad moves in tiny circles or ellipses without spinning. The result is a finer finish with less risk of leaving visible scratch marks, but at the cost of slower material removal. The key specifications are the motor power (200 watts is typical for a 1/3-sheet format), the orbit rate (usually 12,000 to 14,000 orbits per minute), the pad size (100 by 164 millimetres for standard 1/3-sheet sanders), and the paper clamping mechanism. A good sheet sander should weigh around 1.2 kilograms — light enough for one-handed vertical use — and have effective vibration damping. Makita's BO4566 is a classic example of the category: a straightforward, corded 200-watt sheet sander that has been a staple in workshops for years, earning a 4.4 out of 5 stars rating from nearly 900 reviews.

This review takes a close look at the Makita BO4566: its 14,000 OPM single-speed performance, the 100 by 164 millimetre pad format, ergonomics and vibration control at just 1.2 kilograms, the paper clamping system, and how it handles typical finishing tasks from between-coat sanding to fine wood preparation. If you are building out a sanding toolkit and wondering whether a dedicated sheet sander earns its keep alongside a random orbital, this review will help you decide.

The Makita BO4566 is a 200-watt corded finishing sander in the 1/3-sheet format, built around a simple, reliable orbital mechanism that vibrates the pad at 14,000 orbits per minute. The pad measures 100 by 164 millimetres — the standard size for a 1/3-sheet sander, meaning you can cut a standard 280 by 230 millimetre sandpaper sheet into three equal pieces and clamp each one into the tool. This makes consumables both cheap and easy to find: any hardware store stocks sandpaper sheets in a full range of grits, and you can cut your own or buy pre-cut 1/3-sheet packs. The motor is corded electric running on standard 230-volt mains power, giving you unlimited runtime without batteries to manage — ideal for long finishing sessions where consistency matters more than portability.

The BO4566 keeps things refreshingly simple. The rectangular body has a flat top with a palm rest that puts your hand directly over the pad for even pressure distribution — essential for a tool designed to produce a uniform finish without digging in. Weighing just 1.2 kilograms, it is one of the lightest sanders in Makita's lineup, making it comfortable for extended vertical and overhead use. The paper clamping system uses spring-loaded metal clips at the front and rear of the pad — a proven design that holds the paper tight without the complexity of hook-and-loop systems. While hook-and-loop is faster for pad changes, the clamp system ensures the paper absolutely cannot shift or peel during use, which matters when you are chasing a flawless final surface. The on-off switch is a simple rocker on the top of the body, positioned for thumb access.

In daily use, the single-speed 14,000 OPM design is both a limitation and a strength. There is no dial to fiddle with, no settings to second-guess — just turn it on and sand. The high orbit rate means even with fine 320 or 400-grit paper, the sander moves fast enough to produce a smooth surface quickly without gouging. For between-coat sanding on paint or varnish, the light weight and flat pad make it easy to kiss the surface with just enough pressure to de-nib without cutting through to the layer below. The rectangular shape reaches right into corners and along edges — think the inside corner of a cabinet carcass or the edge of a door panel — where a round random orbital pad would leave an unsanded arc. The vibration level is well-controlled for a tool of this type, though the 14,000 OPM rate naturally produces more of a buzz than slower random orbitals.

Dust management is functional rather than sophisticated. The sander has a built-in dust channel that directs particles towards the rear, where a dust bag can be attached. The included collection bag captures a portion of the dust, but for indoor use — especially when sanding between coats of finish in a living space — connecting the dust port to a shop vacuum produces far better results. The pad itself has a series of holes that allow dust to pass through, and the matching hole pattern in the sandpaper is important for effective extraction. Pre-punched 1/3-sheet sandpaper with the correct hole pattern is readily available from multiple brands including Makita's own abrasive range.

The BO4566 measures approximately 100 by 164 millimetres in pad size with a body that fits comfortably in one hand, and it weighs a manageable 1.2 kilograms. Makita manufactures the tool in Japan and backs it with their standard warranty. Customer feedback is solid at 4.4 out of 5 stars from nearly 900 reviews, and it ranks number 49 in the Sheet Sanders category — a respectable position in a category dominated by budget options. For woodworkers and finishers who appreciate the simplicity, reliability, and fine-surface quality that only a dedicated sheet sander can provide, the BO4566 represents excellent value from a brand known for tools that last.

The Makita BO4566 1/3-sheet finishing sander is ideal for woodworkers, furniture restorers, and painters who need a lightweight, precise finishing tool for between-coat sanding, fine surface preparation, and working into corners and edges where random orbital sanders cannot reach.