Just scored a Makita belt sander for $89 at Harbor Freight - too good to be true?

Hey guys, was browsing the clearance section at my local Harbor Freight and spotted a Makita 9403 belt sander marked down to $89. Normally retails for like $150+! It's the floor model but seems to run fine when I tested it. Box is a bit beat up but all parts are there. Should I grab it or is there something fishy about these floor models? Need something for stripping old paint off some furniture I'm restoring.

Greg, that's a steal if it's legit. Makita makes solid gear - I've had their 9404 on my truck for years doing roof deck prep. Check the brushes and belt tracking before you buy. Harbor Freight floor models can be hit or miss - sometimes they're demo'd to death by weekend warriors. But at that price, even if it needs $20 in parts you're still ahead. Just don't expect warranty support on a clearance item.

For furniture restoration? Overkill man! That's a 4" belt sander - you'll chew through wood if you're not careful. Better for flattening drywall seams or stripping floors. But price is insane... my drywall guy picked one up last year for $120 used and thought he won the lottery. If the motor sounds smooth (no bearing whine) and the platen isn't warped, BUY IT. Even if you resell it on Marketplace for $100 you make beer money.

Thanks guys! Steve - good point about it being aggressive. I do have some old pine floors to refinish after the furniture project so maybe it'll pull double duty. Chris - brushes looked decent, belt tracked straight when I thumbed it. Manager said it was just last year's display model. Gonna go back and grab it tomorrow morning. Will report back if it's a lemon or a legend!

Pro tip: grab some 80-grit and 120-grit belts while you're there - HF's abrasive selection is actually decent for the price. And Greg, remember to keep it moving on wood unless you want to sand right through to the subfloor! Let us know how it handles that pine.