Abstract: Sanding apparatus comprises a housing for a motor driving a drive spindle. A sanding disk platen is mounted on one end of the drive spindle through a freely rotatable bearing disposed eccentrically with respect to the drive spindle. A sanding disk is disposed on a front surface of the platen. A resiliently biased brake is mounted in the housing and is adapted to bear against a low friction annular surface of the platen in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the drive spindle. The drive spindle is arranged to rotate at between 10,000 and 15,000 rpm. Under no load, the brake permits rotation of the platen about its own axis up to about 750 rpm.