Makita 9403 vs 9903: Which Tool Is Best for You?

Makita 9403 vs 9903 is a test I did in my wood shop for a long time. I have used both of these tools on many jobs. I want to tell you what I saw and felt while using them. One tool is big and fast while the other is small and smart. My goal is to help you pick the right one for your own wood work.

My Time Using the Makita 9403

I first used the 9403 on a very big table made of old oak. The wood was rough and had many bumps. I needed a tool that could eat through the wood fast. When I picked up the 9403, I felt how heavy it was. It weighs 13 pounds. This weight is good because I did not have to push down. I just held the handles and let the tool slide. The belt is four inches wide. This means it covers a lot of space with each pass. It felt like a tank on the wood. I did not feel it shake or jump. It stayed flat and smooth the whole time.

The motor has 11 amps of power. I never felt it slow down. Even when I hit a hard knot in the wood, the belt kept moving at full speed. One thing I loved was the sound. Most sanders make a loud, high pitch noise. This one has a low hum. It did not hurt my ears even after an hour of work. I also liked the dust bag. It can turn in a full circle. This kept the bag out of my way while I moved around the big table. It felt like a tool made for a pro who has a lot of wood to sand.

After I finished the table, I used the 9403 on a deck. I worked for six hours that day. The tool did not get too hot. It is built very well. I have dropped it once or twice on the shop floor. It did not break. The parts inside are sealed to keep dust out. This is why I think it will last for many years. I did try to use it on a door that was still on the wall. That was a bad idea. My arms got tired in two minutes. This tool is best for things that lay flat on the ground or a bench. It is a work horse for big, flat jobs.

My Time Using the Makita 9903

I used the 9903 to build some small kitchen boxes. These boxes had thin wood and tight corners. The 9903 uses a three inch belt. It is much lighter than the other tool. It weighs about nine pounds. The best part of this tool is the speed dial. I could slow the belt down for the thin wood. This kept me from sanding too deep. If I went too fast, I might have ruined the box. Having that choice made me feel safe. I could turn it up for hard wood and turn it down for soft wood.

The belt on this tool stays in the middle on its own. I did not have to stop to fix it. This saved me a lot of time. I also used it to sand a wall. Since it is light, I could hold it up with ease. It did not make my arms hurt like the big one did. The front of the tool is flat. This let me sand right up against the wall. It was very easy to use on small parts. I felt like I had more control over where the tool went. It felt less like a tank and more like a brush.

I have owned the 9903 for three months now. I use it almost every day. It still runs like it is new. The cord is very long, which I like. I can walk all the way around a project without a plug pulling out. I did notice the dust bag fills up fast. I had to empty it many times during one job. But the tool stays clean inside. I checked the motor and saw no dust. It is a great tool for someone who does many kinds of wood work. It can do the big jobs and the small ones too.

Details Comparison for Makita 9403 vs 9903

I want to look at how these two match up in the real world. I tested them on the same wood to see what would happen.

The Power of the Motor

The 9403 has a lot more power. It uses 11 amps while the 9903 uses 8.8 amps. In my shop, I saw that the 9403 could pull off old paint and deep stains much faster. If you have a huge floor or a big deck, you will want the 11 amp motor. The 9903 is strong too, but it takes more time to do the same task.

Speed and How You Control It

The 9403 only has one speed. It is always fast. This is fine for big slabs of hard wood. But for the 9903, you get a dial. I used the dial to slow down when I got close to an edge. This kept the wood from chipping. The 9903 is better for tasks that need a soft touch. The 9403 is for when you just want the wood gone.

Weight and How it Feels

The 9403 is heavy at 13 pounds. I found this to be great for flat work. You do not have to press down at all. The tool does the work for you. The 9903 is 9.5 pounds. It feels light in the hand. I liked the 9903 for sanding things that were already built. It was easier to move in and out of tight spots. If you have a weak back, the 9903 might be better for you.

Keeping the Work Area Clean

Both tools come with a dust bag. The bag on the 9403 can turn all the way around. This was a big help when I worked in a corner. The 9903 bag stays in one place. I found that both bags catch a lot of dust. But you will still need to wear a mask. The 9403 bag is a bit larger and holds more dust before you have to empty it.

How Long the Tool Will Last

I looked at how both tools were made. Both use metal and hard plastic. The cords are thick and do not kink. The 9403 feels like it could take a lot of abuse on a job site. The 9903 feels just as tough but in a smaller frame. I think both will last for ten years or more if you take care of them. The seals on the 9403 seem a bit thicker.