Replies

1. 
   calvin | Jun 26, 2010 08:35am | #1

   I wish I could help you out

   but I've had a Porter Cable for many years that has performed well.  Have used a festool and was very impressed.  The price is pretty impressive as well.  Much better control working around the board.  The PC needs you to hang on-not so much with the Festool.

2. 
   andybuildz | Jun 28, 2010 09:08am | #2

   http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-390K-5-Inch-Profile-Collection/dp/B001B2EGLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1277730380&sr=1-1

    I too stick with the Porter Cable. Their newest version got some rave reviews!

   It's the 390K(above)

     

    

1. 
   Scott | Jun 28, 2010 11:47pm | #3

   Another vote for the PC... but I bought mine about 15 years ago.

   I have no idea if today's machines are the same quality. I've replaced the bearings once and the belt a few times. Other than that...it's a machine that just won't quit. I must have hundreds of hours on that thing.

1. 
   andybuildz | Jun 29, 2010 07:18am | #4

   only bad thing about ROS's is if you drop em' enough times it'll throw the bearings out.

   I've made a few kayak anchors that way..

2. 
   Scott | Nov 21, 2010 12:30am | #8

   Thanks Andy. Amazing.

   I've got an old PC 333 that I've had since the early '90s. It has run for hundreds, if not thousands, of hours doing everything from hardwood finishing to grinding DW mud and bondo globs off of subfloors. A real workhorse.  I replaced brushes and bearings once and the belt a few times. For a $99 tool it has been great value.

   Hard to believe that the same company, after going through a few "re-organizations" is still getting top votes for such a basic product. Good stuff... the next time this tool has an issue I'll pick up another PC. No more rebuilds.

3. 
   Piffin | Jun 30, 2010 07:00pm | #5

   I have gone through several PC and Makita RO sanders. Lik eboth, but the PC seem to lkast longer and do better and need fewer pad replacements. I have not owned a Bosch sander. They are a good tool line, but PC is #1 in sanders for my money as a general rule.

4. 
   Dreamcatcher | Oct 04, 2010 04:49pm | #6

   Do you care what FHB thinks?

   try looking here:

    https://www.finehomebuilding.com/ToolGuide/Product-Finder/Random-orbit-Sanders/65590.aspx?channel=1

5. 
   Wanda200 | Nov 10, 2010 08:00pm | #7

   random orbital sander repair or replace?

   Hi,

   Got a ? concerning PC random orbital sander. I've had it for some time now but when I went to use it the other day I noticed it wasn't working properly. Not sure if I should just chuck it and buy a new V/S sander or try repairing it.

   I could tell by the sound the sander was making that soemthing wasn't right. This is a single speed  sander with no brake pad. I usually let it get up to speed and then begin sanding. It ended up leaving swirl marks on my table top.. something it's never done before. so I'm just wondering if the pad needs replacing or if something else is up. I can usually tell by the sound of the spinning pad that things are either working alright or not.

   I was thinking of buying a new PC but was disappointed with the PC  V/S Random orbital sander. As much as I love my old PC I might just go out and replace it with the DW423K for $90.00  The PC just didn't feel balanced, It felt very awkward in my small hands. I didn't like the top and waist grips. Too big for my tiny hands! That's one feature I really enjoyed on my old PC. The only ting I disliked about the old sander was the dust collection.

   wanda