The Makita 9404 4 x 24-Inch Belt Sander is a corded variable speed belt sander built for fast material removal with better control than a one-speed machine. This is a belt sander designed for stock removal, surface leveling, and flush sanding on wood, metal, painted surfaces, and rusted material. Model Number: 9404. It is a strong fit for woodworkers, carpenters, furniture makers, floor installers, deck builders, and general contractors who need a full-size sander that can keep moving through demanding work.

The big story here is usable power. Makita pairs an 8.8 amp motor with electronic speed control so the tool maintains speed under load instead of bogging down as soon as you lean into the cut. On the job, that means more consistent sanding across wide panels, flooring, doors, trim assemblies, and heavy stock removal passes. The variable speed dial gives you a working range of 690 to 1,440 feet per minute, which is useful when you need to back off for finer control or increase speed to move material faster.

Makita also got the layout right for real work. The auto-tracking belt system keeps the belt aligned without constant adjustment, which saves time and cuts down on the usual belt-walk annoyance common to lower-end belt sanders. The tool is also designed so you can sand flush to a wall using the nose and side of the sander. That matters for flooring work, cabinet installations, closet builds, and other jobs where a standard body shape leaves material you still have to finish by hand.

For a tool in this class, the lower noise output is worth calling out. At 84 dB, the Makita 9404 runs quieter than many heavy-duty belt sanders, which makes a difference over a long day in a shop or on an occupied jobsite. It also includes a dust bag for basic dust collection, helping keep the work area cleaner during sanding. If you are stripping paint, removing rust, or sanding large wood surfaces, any improvement in dust control helps with visibility and cleanup.

Jobsite practicality is solid across the board. The 16.4-foot power cord gives you more room to move around large workpieces or work areas without constantly reaching for an extension cord or repositioning your setup. At 10.3 pounds, it has enough mass to stay planted during aggressive sanding but is still manageable for repeated use. The double-insulated construction is another plus for a corded tool that is expected to live on active jobsites.

The Makita 9404 4 x 24-Inch Belt Sander uses a 4 inch by 24 inch belt size, which is a common format for serious sanding work. That makes it relevant to users who already stock abrasive belts for flooring, panel prep, and general woodworking. It sands wood or metal and can also be used to remove paint and rust, so it is not locked into a single shop-only use case.

Who should buy it? If you are doing cabinetry, woodworking, furniture work, flooring, deck building, or general remodeling and need a corded belt sander that removes material quickly without giving up control, this one makes a lot of sense. If you only do occasional light touch-up sanding, it is probably more machine than you need. But if your work regularly calls for flattening, stripping, leveling, or sanding up to an edge, the 9404 earns its place.

One of the smarter full-size belt sanders out there

The Makita 9404 4 x 24-Inch Belt Sander gives you the aggressive removal you expect from a serious belt sander, but with better control, less noise, and a body design that is genuinely useful in edge work.

• Who it's for: Pros and serious DIY users doing woodworking, flooring, cabinetry, furniture work, and remodel jobs where a small finish sander is not enough.
• Why it stands out: The combination of variable speed, electronic speed control, auto-tracking, and flush-to-wall capability makes it more practical than a lot of belt sanders that are just built to be loud and aggressive.
• Worth knowing: At 10.3 pounds, this is meant for real material removal, not light touch-up work. If you need a sander for big surfaces and edge access, that weight works in your favor.

• Is this a variable speed belt sander? Yes. The Makita 9404 has a variable speed dial with a belt speed range of 690 to 1,440 feet per minute.
• Can it sand flush against a wall? Yes. The design allows flush sanding to a wall with the nose and side of the sander.
• Does it include dust collection? Yes. It comes with a dust bag for onboard dust collection.
• What materials is it designed to sand? Makita states it sands wood or metal and can also be used to remove paint and rust.