Porter-Cable 343K 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander Kit - Hook & Loop Pad
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List Price: Our Price: $75.79 You Save: $33.51 (31%) Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Porter-Cable 343K 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander Kit - Hook & Loop Pad
Customer Review: Disappointed
Summary: 2 Stars
This sander sanded fine but there were two important things about this tool that disappointed me. First, I have two Shop Vacs and this sander would not attach to either of them. Second, the ability of the sander to collect dust was marginal at best. The boat yard where I was working had to ask me to quit using this sander because it was allowing too much dust to escape. I had higher expectations from Porter Cable.Customer Review: Dust Pickup needs Help
Summary: 4 Stars
This unit does a very good job of sanding, but its dust pickup lacks. It just does a very minimal job on collecting the dust. Wear a good respirator and/or hookup to a vac. Since writing this review I have purchased a bag and adapter assembly from a 5" Dewalt Orbital sander (model Dewalt). The cloth bag has less restriction then the hard plastic porous filter and it fits tighter to the adapter. I then applied a small amount of silicone to the adapter and slipped it onto the Porter-Cable housing. It still can be removed if you have to really take it off. This setup greatly improves the dust to a minimum.Customer Review: EXTREMELY Disappointed!
Summary: 1 Stars
I don't usually review items after I purchase them... especially when its been over a year. But today I became so frustrated with this sander that I just had to share.
Previously, I owned a DeWalt random orbit sander which was my first. It was awesome. Maybe not quite as powerful as some people would like, but it handled like a dream. I built my entire kitchen with it and I couldn't have achieved the results I did without it. Funny thing is, I really didn't do much research when I bought it. It was affordable and in stock at my local home center, so I wen with it.
Well, when the DeWalt finally died, I thought this time I would do my homework and get something even better. I mean, if I liked my old one so much without even researching it before hand, then this time I would get something even better! So I ended up with the Porter-Cable. What a mistake! One word...CONTROL. This thing drifts all over the place when you're trying to work with it. It isn't balanced well, or something and just feels terribly uncomfortable to use. I thought maybe it was my sanding discs, but after trying a couple different brands, I realized that this is just how it is.
So, for the past year I've just been using it anyway (basically avoiding it whenever possible) because I didn't like the idea of throwing money down the drain. And then today something else has started happening. The sawdust collector just falls off! When I'm sanding, it just come loose and FALLS OFF! Sawdust everywhere and when I put it back on, it is so loose that it won't stay in place unless I keep checking on it. I have no idea why it is loose unless the plastic is just fatigued or something, but now I've had it.
As far as all of the positive reviews are concerned, in scimming through them, it seems that this is the first or only brand sander that many of the reviewers have owned. Maybe thats why the gave it such high marks... nothing to compare it to. But I urge you to look for a different sander. The DeWalt handled like a dream and was much nicer to use than this one. Of course, the only reason I know this is because I've used it.
Customer Review: Excellent buy.
Summary: 5 Stars
This sander is surprisingly good for the price.
It is comfortable to use, it removes wood pretty fast and has an excellent scratch pattern.
The case is handy but would benefit from more storage for sand paper.
I found the dust collection just ok with the canister it does its work but you have to empty it very often which is annoying. This is not an issue however if you hook the sander to your shop vac.
Customer Review: Excellent orbital sander for the price
Summary: 5 Stars
My wife and I had a few refinishing projects around the house, and were looking for a random orbital sander. This Porter Cable model had the most power for the lowest cost, so we had planned to buy it locally. No such luck! We went to 3 separate hardware stores, and this model was stocked but sold-out in each one. We used that as a testament to its popularity, and ordered it through Amazon.
We have only used it with the included dust collector, but have been very pleased with it. As with any sanding, there's going to be some particles that get loose, but the cleanup after sanding with this guy is minimal. I sanded the trim around a staircase, over my head, and was prepared to have tons of dust in my hair -- only to find just a few fine particles that shook right out. You need to make sure the plastic canister is locked in tightly, and since it's not a bag you can't tell how full it is without removing it, but the solid plastic does ensure that no fine dust escapes the canister.
The power cable is also sufficiently long, unlike some power tools, and the ergonomics of the sander are comfortable. It'll still shake your hands and arms and you'll want to take occasional breaks, but that's normal for orbital sanders.
The case is sturdy but I would prefer if it was smaller. There's adequate space for cord, sander, sandpaper, and manual, but a lot of dead space as well.