Random Orbit Sander

jpmathieu · Post by **jpmathieu** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:16 am

Well its that time of year. I went looking for my trusty porter cable random orbit sander and it seems to have disappeared. Since I can't find it I think its time to bite the bullet and purchase a new one. I started looking online for a replacement, and there are many more brands and styles to choose from since I bought the Porter Cable 15 years ago.

I'm not sure if there is a better sander that my trusty Porter Cable.

I sure I can get some input from everyone on the different brands and styles and what to stay away from.

Help please!

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:30 am

lol- I've had two PC 7335's and should I need another all round sander, I'd buy another one.

I also have a smaller ROS from PC and one from DeWalt, but the 7335 has been and continues to be my work horse.

rshowarth · Post by **rshowarth** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 9:59 am

JP

Just about everyone else on this Board does more work on their boats then I do, but I have the Porter Cable and it has been great.

If you do a Search on this Board I believe you will find a number of posts confirming a number of users recommending the Porter Cable.

Post by **Tim** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 10:36 am

It's still the best tool for the money (around $120 on average).

I don't even bother looking any further whenever I need a replacement: I just buy a 7335 from whichever online source seems to have the best combination of trustworthiness and price.

I have 4 of these, all heavily used/abused, and all of which still basically work (though 3 of them need repairs that I never seem to get around to since it's easier and more efficient to just order a new one). The original one I bought in 1990 is virtually identical to the newest one, bought this year.

Buy another: you can't go wrong and won't find a better overall sanding tool despite the quirky power switches.

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Sat Dec 29, 2007 12:33 pm

when they DO finally die ( one of mine shed a section of armature) I keep the carcass for parts- switches, speed control, etc.

Ronin120 · Post by **Ronin120** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 8:48 am

Another true-life story about the 7335's; about 18 years ago I sold my compressor and gave away my air-powered DA and board file when the Porter Cable DA's first came out. What a revelation! The absolute best, most uncomplaining tool I have ever owned.

This last year it finally started to slow down. I could probably clean it up and put new brushes in it but I'm going to do just like Tim and CharlieJ, but this spring I'm going go out on the internet and get a new one.

Dave

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:44 am

oh man- go for the brushes- costs about 12 bucks and takes about 10 minutes to change 'em out. I've worn out 2 sets in each of mine. The one quit, but the other is still running strong. And we have used the crap out of them in the woodshop.

When we were refinishing furniture, we'd commonly go through a 150 disc roll of "stic ons" every few weeks. And I've used them through the building of 10 boats in the last 6 years.

Great tools

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 9:50 am

Hmm, I think Tim and Charlie must own stock in Porter Cable ;)

Actually, I own one too.

Post by **Tim** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:50 am

They ought to give me (and Charlie too) some free stock after all the recommendations given over the years...

I've had my complaints about the tool, which a dedicated searcher could find in this forum, but still don't think there's a better overall choice.

heartofgold · Post by **heartofgold** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:33 am

I have a PC 7336 (converted with a 5" pad) and it is a real workhorse. I really do not like using any other sander (I also have a PC 333VS-5" Variable speed, a PC 340-1/4 sheet, and Craftsman 1/3 sheet and 1/2 sheet sanders, in addition to 2 belt sanders)

Given the opportunity, I would upgrade to a pneumatic da, but I do not have air in my shop, and in spite of plans to upgrade, I expect a sufficient air system to be 5 years away for me. I prefer the pneumatic because it is lighter and much smaller, but to each their own....

I also own 3 PC routers and I have an old 14v drill and light. Maybe I should also consider a stock request.

bcooke · Post by **bcooke** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 10:41 pm

Since we are talking Porter Cable DA's...

When you order a new one and it comes with the adhesive back pad, where do you buy the hook and loop 5 hole pad?

I ordered the 'standard' hook and loop pad and got a pad only with no way of attaching to the sander. It was just a thin pad with no method of mounting on the sander or attaching to the existing pad. Curiously, after checking ten or twenty sites I am not finding whatI want. I have ordered one before but now I can't find it.

I am lost without my sander...

-Britton

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:55 am

I don't Brooke.

I use and prefer the sticky backed discs. As many as I use, they are cheaper and I so seldom try to reuse a disc, it just isn't worth it to me. I get mine from a tool supply place in a near by town.

You can also order them by the boxed roll from numerous sources. I often buy boxes of 150 discs in a roll

I DO have one smaller ROS that uses the hook and loop, and they are ok, but I still prefer the stick on's

heartofgold · Post by **heartofgold** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:39 pm

I picked up mine from my local woodworking tool shop. When I was at the shipyard, we bought all our replacement pads, 5", 6" h&l and sticky back from them, as well as most of our sanding disks. This is the typical store with everyting from table saws to router bits, lathes to clamps. Somehow, I suspect you may have one of these near you....

Capn_Tom · Post by **Capn_Tom** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:20 am

I don't recall seeing a hook and loop pad for the 7335. I would think the speed of roattion might be a bit high for hook and loop. If there is one it will have a threded post in the center that screws into the arbor of the sander.

bcooke · Post by **bcooke** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 11:34 am

I can't remember but my original 7335 may have come with the hook and loop pad. I don't remember switching it over and I don't have another 5" pad laying around and I would if I had switched it out.

One would think they are readily available. In fairness, there isn't a decent woodworkers outlet around me. They have all been pushed out by the Home Depots and Lowes on ever other street corner -neither of which carries anything remotely useful or of a decent quality - okay, slight poetic license there...

I guess I will just have to keep snooping around.

-Britton

Post by **Tim** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 12:25 pm

Why not get a readily-available PSA pad for your sander, and switch to PSA discs?

bcooke · Post by **bcooke** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 1:37 pm

I might but I bought my disks in bulk and I have a few hundred that I would like to use up

Post by **Tim** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 2:31 pm

What you actually have is a model 97335.

Here's a 5 hole, hook & loop replacement pad for your sander.

bcooke · Post by **bcooke** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 9:56 pm

I owe you big time now. Thanks.

-Britton the ever grateful

jpmathieu · Post by **jpmathieu** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:11 am

Thanks for all the input. I decided to order a new Porter Cable online. While I am waiting for that one I received some home depot gift cards which I have promptly used to pick up a 5" Dewalt D26453 RO sander to hold me over, plus its nice to have a spare.

margitchris · Post by **margitchris** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 4:41 pm

I just picked up my nine-month-old PC 7335 sander from the repair shop. They replaced the bearings. Having lost the receipt, I had to pay for the repair ( the sander is waranteed for a year). The sander instructions suggest blowing out the sander with compressed air occasionally. Tim also mentioned that the machines are intolerant of dust. I guess I'll be blowing out the sander a lot more often!

Chris Miller
1971 Seafarer 31 yawl #210
Lloyd, Florida

Andrew Westgate · Post by **Andrew Westgate** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:40 pm

Perhaps a bit redundant but I think it is always nice to share good experiences....

So I finally broke down and bought a PC 7335. I purchased it from Tools for Less. Was $129 but with free ground shipping. Arrived in about 5 days (to NC) but it was over the MLK holiday so I actually expected a longer wait. Great service from these folks!

FYI for you Plastic Classic rehabbers in the Northeast....Tools for Less is out of Portland Me. So wait times for the frosty folks would be minimal.

Also ordered a ton of sandpaper from Mcmaster-Carr. Their shipment got here in two days! They continue to strive to be one of the best companies for internet shopping. Fast, professional, efficient.

Happy sanding/grinding days ahead!

Andrew

Bluenose · Post by **Bluenose** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:26 pm

Wow! What a great recommendation for a tool. I have been looking to add some power tools to my little shed-shop and the one thing I find you can counted on is way too many great and poor reviews. Not one person even mentioned another brand. Go PC.

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:40 pm

Andrew Westgate wrote:
Happy sanding/grinding days ahead!

Andrew

I don't care how good your tool is, sanding and grinding aren't happy.

On a serious note, I'm sure you will find a good sander an improvement what can be a frustrating tedious, but absolutely necessary task in boat repair/renovation.

Capn_Tom · Post by **Capn_Tom** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:07 pm

A piece of advice for new 7335 owners - wear safety glasses. I don't have a great history of dressing like an astronaut by wearing every piece of recommended safety gear but when the adhesive finally wears out on the sanding disks they take off like a rocket. To quote "A Christmas Story" "You'll shoot your eye out kid"

Idon84 · Post by **Idon84** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:33 pm

Had to break down and try one too! Got lots of sanding ahead of me. I've got 2 Dewalt random orbital sanders and I love them. The PC 7335 looks like it would be more comfortable on above the head surfaces than the Dewalts.

Thanks for the tip!

Idon84 · Post by **Idon84** » Tue Mar 10, 2009 7:18 pm

UPDATE:

Whoaaa... How did I ever do anything without the PC7335 before? What a tool! Eats paint like a grinder without any scaring of the gelcoat.

Rachel · Post by **Rachel** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:36 am

Just wait 'til you get a Multi-Master ;)

Idon84 · Post by **Idon84** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 5:26 pm

I KNOW, tell me about it! I just saw a demo version at the chandlery here in Seattle. Droool.

So It Goes · Post by **So It Goes** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:12 pm

I'll chime in on the Multi-Master bandwagon...I've had mine for six years and it gets constant use. AWESOME!

If all my tools worked half as well...

Bob
http://boatbits.blogspot.com/
http://fishingundersail.blogspot.com/

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Random Orbit Sander

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