Makita bo5030 VS bo5031 | A Head To Head Comparison

Last updated on December 10th, 2022 at 11:12 pm

Makita is a reliable and innovative brand in the woodwork industry. Choosing between the Makita bo5030 and bo5031 can be difficult due to the similarities these tools bring. These two are leading sanding tools in the industry with the same power and comfort that you can hardly distinguish. 

What determines your top pick between the two sanding tools is durability, accuracy, innovation, cost, comfortability, speed variation, power, noise level, and dust removal system. Although there are more similarities than differences, the differences point to your interests. Below is a review based on their pros, cons, similarities, and differences.

Makita bo5030

Makita bo5030 is a fast and smooth random orbit sander. It delivers performance with better grip and control. That makes it ideal for woodworkers and finish carpenters. It features a pad control system for controlled pad speed and a powerful 3 AMP motor for continuous operation. 

It runs on 12,000 OPM, making it fast and smooth for sanding. What makes the bo5030 precise is all ball-bearing construction. Ball bearings are in high-speed, low-load applications, where their reduced friction, noise, and vibration help prevent excess wear and tear (creativemotioncontrolcom). Its construction gives the sanding tool longer life. It is comfortable and easy to use due to its ergonomic design and rubberized palm that fits well. That is how it manages to withstand pressure and becomes easy to control. 

The rubber-sealed switch reduces dust contamination. That helps the sanding tool last longer. Its efficiency depends on the pad dust collection system, which produces a cleaner work environment. Its fabric dust bag has an extra wide mouth for quick disposal. The bo5031 cleaner quick-change five-inch eight-hole hook-and-loop abrasive disc.

Pros

• Fast
• Smooth
• Better grip and easy control
• Powerful
• Ergonomic design 
• Durable

Cons

• A poor dust collection system 
• Weird size of the dust port

Makita bo5031

The Makita bo5031 comes as a package including a Makita BO5031 random orbit, dust bag, and an abrasive disc. Its 300Watt motor produces a speed variance of 4,000 to 12,000 OPM. The electronic speed control allows a smooth finish with a dust-sealed switch that prevents contamination. No dust particles are allowed inside the machine. 

The pad brake increases the performance of the tool. The pad brake helps you raise your sander from the work surface and set it back down without damaging the material (oldhouseonline.com). The speed is so constant that the rate becomes maintained and controlled. The pad dust collection leaves a clean environment during and after the task. The ergonomic design and compact-sized Makita bo5031 is user friendly. It comfortably fits in your hand, making it easy to manoeuvre on multiple surfaces.

The bo5031 has a high-quality build, making it durable. What makes it a professional sander is the Velcro closure. It allows you to change the sandpaper easily. Its housing is ergonomically shaped, and its non-slip surface makes handling secure and easy. The brake ring gives you an emergency stop when something goes wrong. The chances of making mistakes are slim. The double insulation feature protects you and the machine from heating. The noise is 80decibels.

Pros

• Ergonomic design
• Durable
• Smooth performance 
• Constant speed 
• Compact-sized
• Abrasive disc

Cons

• It makes noise
• The dust collection system could have been better

Key Features of the Makita bo5030

Power

It has a powerful 3 AMP motor for continuous operation and 1/8-inch random orbit action. These features make it ideal for sanding multiple wood materials and a smooth finish.

Speed Variation

Makita bo5030 is a high-quality sander with a powerful motor that runs your sanding machine up to 12 000 rpm. An operator will not struggle with heavy material. Speed variation allows you to work with heat-sensitive surfaces.

Comfort

Makita bo5030 orbital sander is user-friendly since its vibration is not much compared to the bo5031 sander. It is well balanced and comfortable to hold due to its ergonomic design of rubberized handle that fits well on your palm.

Grip

The Makita bo5030 has a better grip which makes the whole experience bearable. The chances of fatigue after a long day are low. 

Pad brake

The pad brake stops the motor quickly when the tool is off. In case of emergency, you have control over your sanding machine. 

Key Features of the Makita bo5031

Motor and Speed

Makita bo5031 comes with a 300Watt motor and a speed variance, which makes it ideal for industrial use. The sander motor vibrates due to the speed rate, but that does not affect its efficiency. Since it has a powerful motor, it becomes easy to deal with heavy-duty applications. 

You still have the power to control the power variations. However, that depends on the material you are working on. Avoid using one speed on different materials, as that might damage your delicate surfaces. Its smooth and fast action makes it ideal for carpenters and contractors. 

Safety features

The Makita bo5031 has a brake ring that prevents your adding tool from removing material accidentally. The grinding plate stops working once the brakes are activated. The machine has an ergonomic shape that gives you a non-slip surface. The chances are ow that the sanding tool will slip off your hands. That does not only protect you from hurting yourself but from breaking the sanding machine.

Grip

The rubberized construction allows you to have a soft grip. That way, you have an extended time of use. The handling is secure enough not to let it slip off. 

Dust collection system

The dustproof switch protects you from inhaling dust. The external dust connection allows you to connect a vacuum for dust extraction, keeping dust from the user and the machine. That increases the lifespan of the sander tool. 

Pad brake

The pad brake makes the braking system safe for the user. In an emergency, engage it, and the grinding plates stop instantly. It takes seconds to stop the machine from running. That way, you stay safe and will not damage the surface.

What could be better

Makita bo5030

• The dust collection system could have been better. 

Makita 5031

• Noise reduction.

Similar Features

• They have the same noise level (80 decibels).
• Both have dust bags.
• They are orbital sanders.
• Both sanding tools have adjustable speeds. 

Key Differences

• Makita bo5031 vibrates more than the bo5030.

The verdict

Summing up the above review, the bo5031 and the bo5031 have more similarities than differences. However, it is the differences that separate the two. If you are looking for a sanding tool with a high-power motor for heavy-duty jobs,  the Makita bo5030 might be the perfect tool. It also gives you fast random orbit action, which aggressively removes stock. 

However, its dust port has a weird size that limits the range of vacuums attached to it. The Makita bo5031 makes a lot of noise which might not be ideal for home use, but it does not compromise its durability. If you are looking for a smooth tool, it might be the best sander due to its electronic speed control. The pros and cons of each sanding tool already point to your choice.