My Makita finish sander (B04550) makes a HORRIBLE, grinding noise when I'm using it. The sound is as if the regular sander noise is greatly amplified. It is so loud I need to wear ear plugs. It works fine otherwise. What can I do to fix it?

Sandee, July 2006

Same problem and yes, I too, opened it up for a look. There are a couple of plastic "towers" to which the rubber sanding pad attaches. Though fexible enough to transfer the vibration to the pad, they don't, apparently, last forever. Mine shook themselves off the base to which they were attached and the pad actually fell off after sounding like the train wreck it was. I don't know if just those plastic pieces can be purchased seperately, but mine obviously needs a new set.

WH Creek, December 2007

the loud noise is the coil that runs the machine if it smells as if it is burning when it is running then the coil is burning out and you need to get it changed for a new one / but might be cheaper to just buy new one than get it repaired

zac, August 2007

Mine made the same noise and I removed the four bottom screws to find that the oscallating ring which is plastic and part of the bottom base had broken off. Only way to repair it is to replace bottom pad part that holds the foam pad and paper... need to replace all parts.

Bob, April 2007