B&D Mouse

[Dr. Thrax]

I know the Mouse from Black & Decker can be frowned upon in professional circles but I love it and find it great for finishing projects. What I don't love is the poor quality B&D sanding profiles that don't last long at all. My tip: Buy a roll of hook & loop backed sand paper of the grade/s you use most and cut your own profiles, remembering to punch dust holes for the dust to be extracted properly. I find diy profiles last ten times longer than B&D efforts. So there you have it

 

[Alf]

Tsk. I'd have passed that tip onto my dad - if only his Mouse hadn't gone up in smoke a couple of years ago... :roll: :wink: Good tip though, 'cos I seem to remember those B&D ones cost a packet too.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Alan L]

Thanks for the tip. I have always thought the B&D mouse to be one of the worst tool purchases I have ever made. I'll see if your tip improves the mouse.

 

[Dr. Thrax]

Ha, ha spoke too soon, the Mouse flashed and popped and gave out a wif of nasty niffs and died this morning, RIP B&D Mouse, still under warranty but I think a refund would be more useful :roll:

 

[Pete W]

Must be dead mouse day - mine went the same way (bang, flame, stinky smoke) at approximately 11:20 this morning.

Easily the worst tool I've ever owned, and probably the last B&D tool to stand a chance of winning that particular title. Mine was about four years old, but I doubt it had done more than 30 minutes of honest work in all that time.

 

[Dr. Thrax]

You did well to get four years out of it, mine went after only four months but it has worked hard and, sadly, did a good job in that time but obviously not designed for hard graft. I had the small hand held version, it's bigger brother is horrendous to use, vibrates and eats profiles.

I doubt I'll ever buy another B&D item, shame, as I did like the Mouse

 

[woodshavings]

My B&D mouse has lasted about 3 years, gave good service but very noisy and lots of vibration.
I have now changed it for a Metabo DSE 300. Now that is nice, much quieter, good extraction etc.

 

[Dr. Thrax]

Ah, Metabo, I can but dream atm The annoying thing is I liked the mouse as it fitted comfortably in my hand and did everything I asked of it apart from lasting. There are several models that vary in size and vibration, I could put up with the vibration from the small mouse but the big one was no joy to use imo

 

[sawdustalley]

I got a DeWALT palm sander for my "finishing" work. As you said, professional tools are always that much better than DIY jobs.

When it comes to sanders, I like ones that dont wobble your hand off

 

[Dr. Thrax]

I agree, professional tools do last a lot longer generally but although I did consider a palm sander I was really looking for a 'jack-of-all-trades-sander with lots of options for getting into tight corners, awkward profiles etc and within my budget. The Mouse fitted what I needed and at a price I could afford but it's time to save the pennies and go for something with more guts and a better pedigree I think

 

[trevtheturner]

So, seems to me that 'rats last better than Mouses, then. :shock: :lol: :lol:

T.