Black & Decker 20V MAX MOUSE sander

A compact sanding partner for tight spots

Tight corners are where sanding projects slow to a crawl, and that’s exactly where this cordless mouse sander shines. I put it to work on cabinet doors, stair spindles, a window sash, and a coffee table refinish. The headline features are its size, its one-handed control, and the interchangeable “detail finger” that reaches into profiles a larger sander can’t touch. It’s a tool I reached for repeatedly when a random orbit sander was too big, a sanding block was too slow, and I didn’t want a cord in my way.

Ergonomics and control

At 2.3 lb bare, the tool is easy to maneuver and balanced well enough that I never fought the nose diving. With a 2.0Ah 20V MAX battery installed, it still felt nimble and stayed comfortable during extended touch-up work. The grip shape encourages a choked-up, pencil-like hold that makes edging along moldings or easing sharp corners feel precise rather than precarious.

The triangular pad puts the point exactly where you want it, and the short profile helps keep your wrist low to the work. The switch is simple and positive, and I appreciated that I could feather the tool around detailed profiles with one hand while the other hand steadied the workpiece. For anyone accustomed to corded “mouse” sanders, this feels familiar—just without a tether to the wall.

Power and sanding performance

This model runs a brushed motor at a single speed up to 12,000 RPM. In practice, that’s enough speed to clear finish quickly with 80–120 grit and leave a uniform scratch pattern when stepping up to 180–220. It’s not a stock-removal monster, and it shouldn’t be—this is a detail sander made for finesse. Where it excels is in corners, against inside edges, on small panels, and around trim where control matters more than brute force.

On pine face frames and poplar window casing, I got fast cleanup without chatter. On hardwood (oak and maple), the sander maintained a steady cut as long as I let the paper do the work. Pressing down hard doesn’t improve results—back off and let the pad float, and you’ll get better finish quality and longer paper life. For flattening larger tabletops or hogging off paint from wide flat fields, a 5-inch random orbit sander is still the right tool. I used the mouse as a closer: refine edges, nib down defects, and get into places the round pad couldn’t reach.

Vibration is present, as with most compact detail sanders, but not excessive. After an hour of on-and-off use on cabinet doors, my hands weren’t buzzing, though I did take short breaks—good practice with any palm sander.

Dust collection

The onboard dust collection reduces the mess, but it’s not a shop vac. The small canister captures a useful portion of the debris, especially with higher grits and on dry wood. Fine dust still escapes around the edges, and sanding paint or softwood will coat the area if you’re not cautious. Emptying the canister is quick, and the filter cleans up with a light tap. I wore a dust mask regardless, and I recommend doing your fine-finishing steps with good ventilation or supplementary extraction. If you work in a small shop or indoors, that’s the realistic expectation with any compact sander of this type.

Detail finger and pad system

The interchangeable detail finger is the standout attachment. Swapping it on is straightforward and gives you a narrow, extended point that reaches into louver slats, door panels, stair baluster fillets, and other recessed spots. It saved me from hand-sanding inside a window sash’s corners and along the inside edge of shaker panel rails. Hook-and-loop paper changes are quick, and the pads hold well even through multiple grit changes.

Consumables are easy to find: standard triangular hook-and-loop sheets work, and I kept a stack in 80, 120, 180, and 220 grits. As with any small pad sander, the pad itself is a wear item—avoid overheating it by not bearing down and by changing paper before it’s glazed smooth.

Battery, runtime, and platform fit

This tool is sold bare—no battery or charger—so it makes the most sense if you’re already in the Black & Decker 20V MAX system. I ran it primarily on a 2.0Ah pack for the best balance and switched to a 4.0Ah when working a longer session on cabinet faces. Runtime depends on grit and pressure, but I comfortably completed small projects (a set of drawer fronts, edge easing on trim, spot repairs) on a single 2.0Ah charge. For a full afternoon of sanding doors or furniture, keep a second battery charging or step up in capacity.

Being a brushed motor, you’ll occasionally catch a whiff of that “carbon brush” smell under heavy loads—normal for this class of tool. The 2-year limited warranty provides some peace of mind, but as with any cordless sander, treat the pad and dust canister latches with care and make sure the battery seats with an audible click to avoid intermittent power.

What it does best—and what it doesn’t

Use it for:
- Corners, edges, and tight inside profiles
- Prep work on trim, cabinets, window sashes, and rail-and-stile doors
- Light finish sanding up through 220 grit
- Quick touch-ups where dragging out a corded sander is overkill

Skip it for:
- Flattening wide tabletops or doors
- Heavy paint or varnish removal over large areas
- All-day production sanding

For larger, flat surfaces, a random orbit sander is faster, leaves a round scratch pattern that’s easier to blend, and offers better dust collection options. Think of the mouse as the scalpel to the RO sander’s utility knife.

Practical tips from use

• Let the paper cut. If the tool seems to slow, swap to a fresh sheet rather than pressing harder.
• Step through grits. Jumping from coarse to fine will leave stray scratches you’ll chase later.
• Keep the canister clear. A clogged filter reduces collection and can warm up the tool.
• Choose your battery for the job. 2.0Ah for balance; 4.0Ah for runtime.
• Use the finger attachment early. It prevents rounding over corners you want to keep crisp.

Pros

• Compact, one-handed control in tight spaces
• Cordless convenience on the 20V MAX platform
• Useful detail finger for hard-to-reach areas
• Hook-and-loop pad makes grit changes fast
• Manageable vibration and weight

Cons

• Single speed limits finesse on very delicate work
• Onboard dust collection is modest
• Sold as tool-only; battery/charger add to cost
• Pad and latches feel light-duty compared to pro-grade tools

Recommendation

I recommend this mouse sander for DIYers, hobby woodworkers, and remodelers who need a capable detail sander that fits where larger sanders can’t. It’s easy to handle, genuinely useful with the finger attachment, and the cordless freedom keeps your workflow fluid, especially on scattered touch-up tasks around a room or jobsite. If you already own Black & Decker 20V MAX batteries, it’s an easy add. If you’re starting from scratch and your projects skew toward large, flat work or daily heavy use, consider budgeting for a random orbit sander first and view this as a complementary tool. For what it’s designed to do—precise sanding in tight spots—the mouse earns its place on the shelf.