A handheld pole sander for for performing different surface machining treatments including but not limited to sanding, polishing, grinding or rubbing a work surface comprising:
an elongate body (102) having two ends; a sanding head (100) attached via a pivot mechanism (110) to a first end of the elongate body (102); an electric motor (114) mounted on the sander, the electric motor (114) being electrically controlled by control electronics (144) which provides electronic control signals to activate the motor (114); control electronics (144) mounted on the sander wherein the sanding head (100) comprises: a hood (112); an output spindle (118) which projects from the hood (112); wherein the electric motor (114), when activated, rotatingly drives the output spindle (118); wherein at least part of the elongate body (102) is made from heat conductive material; characterised in that the control electronics (144) is mounted on the elongate body adjacent the part of the elongate body made from heat conductive material. The heat conductive part of the elongate body (102) can be made at least in part from aluminium tubing, the control electronics (144) being mounted adjacent the aluminium tubing.