In this edition of EHT's new Spotlight column, we're testing Skil's latest multi-finishing sander, the Octo. Over the last couple of months, I've used the Octo to build a new bookshelf and refinish a set of kitchen cabinets. These projects gave me an excellent opportunity to try out the features that make the Octo so unique—its ability to be configured with eight different sanding profiles.

With its eight versatile attachments, this compact palm sander adapts to virtually any sanding application. It's a great gadget for do-it-yourselfers who appreciate the convenience of having a single tool for many projects. When sanding hard-to-reach inside corners, the Octo's delta extension provides the sander an additional 4 inches of reach. For tight, unique places on furniture, the finger extension allows the user to sand in areas less than 2 inches wide. The slot attachment smoothes grooves and narrow profiles, and both the inside and outside-corner attachments help clean up the edges of any given workpiece.

Most of the attachments mount to a three-position delta pad that maximizes the use of sanding abrasives when sanding corners, and also allows the user to adjust the attachment for a comfortable, ergonomic working position.

One of the more unique attachments is the “Flexible” sander, which uses a pliable strip of canvas that naturally conforms to whatever profile it rides over. When fitted with sandpaper, this is a great attachment for sanding curved profiles or round shapes like dowels and chair legs. This flexible sanding device is the first of its kind that I've seen.

As far as ease of use, things couldn't get much simpler, especially for a multi-use tool. Switching the attachments is easy with the tool-free mounting mechanism. The Octo is equipped with a dust canister that helps keep the work area clean. It also has a nice, long cord so you can maneuver the tool with minimal snags.

My only complaint was with the adhesive used on the standard delta attachment. The “hook” surface of the hook-and-loop system came unglued and I had to stick it back together with some Gorilla Glue. This was a minor complaint, though. The sander was in perfect working order as soon as the glue dried, and I haven't had a problem since.

Skil's Octo comes with all eight attachments, a canvas carrying bag and a 32-piece set of sanding abrasives, including 60-, 80- and 120-grit. Skil also sells a sandpaper kit of assorted grits and shapes deigned specifically for the sander's various attachments.

With all these features and a suggested retail price of only about $40, the Octo makes a great buy for the do-it-yourselfer.