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Porter-Cable 7336 6-Inch Variable Speed Random Orbit Sander Only | List Price: $256.48
Discount Price: $149.00
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Brand: Porter-Cable
Binding: Tools & Hardware
Features: - 6-inch variable speed random orbit sander
- 3.7 amp motor; 2,500 to 6,000 rpm; right-angled gearing system
- Rugged, durable plastic housing
- Includes sander, abrasive sheet, side handle, manual
- 14 by 6-1/2 by 6 inches; 5.8 pounds; 1-year warranty
Follow-up Review 4 Years Later: Still My Best Power Tool [Posted on 2005-10-30]
Since I wrote my original review for this sander in 2001 (take a look), I have upgraded my table saw, bought 3 vibratory sanders and 3 circular saws. No, 4. I have killed and buried 3 cordless drills. (I have TWO Milwaukees now; highly recommended.) Bought a power mortiser, a portable planer and a drill-press.
This is STILL my best power tool. I STILL don't lend it out.
Biggest project I did in that period was a new kitchen with custom cherry cabinets. This sander did EVERY cabinet, door, and drawer in the kitchen. I went through 4 big boxes of sanding disks in several grits down to 220. I was a sanding fool.
Besides the kitchen, I've built several sets of speakers, a couple of tables, a big garden shed, three workbenches, an "heirloom" cherry sewing kit, a dollhouse, and innumerable cabinets for tube amplifiers. This weekend, I am stripping paint from our old wooden garage doors with 60 grit disks. I guess I've used it quite a bit, since every piece of wood I've bought in the last 9+ years has met my Porter Cable sander.
Now that I think about it, I am on my FOURTH foam sanding disk for this sander, or about one every 2-1/2 years.
Today, I only use TWO power sanders: This one and the FEIN triangle sander. If the work is small, or there are interior corners, I use the FEIN, otherwise I use the Porter Cable. I haven't used a belt sander since I've owned this tool, as I find them tempermental, expensive to keep in paper, and difficult to control compared to the P-C.
I have not had any problems with the switches as described by other reviewers, but ironically I HAVE had those exact problems with the FEIN. I strongly suspect that sanders in general are subject to "fouling" of the electrical switches from all the fine dust. Perhaps I've been lucky with the Porter Cable, or maybe my work position (hand over the switch most of the time) shields it, or maybe very frequent use keeps it healthy. Dunno.
As in 2001 I STRONGLY recommend the 6 inch version of this tool, particularly for sanding large panels; it's much easier to avoid rocking off the edge, and it wobbles much less than the 5 inch version.
At the same time, you have to be careful with veneered pieces to use fine grits and low speeds, because the 6" version makes VERY fast work of most jobs, even with fine grit papers, and you don't want to sand through your nice veneers. Easy does it.
OTOH, put some 60 or 80 grit on there and you can chew-through most anything, fast and flat.
Best illustration of this sander is glued-up solid-wood panels (like table tops); do your rough sanding (150 grit or rougher) ACROSS the grain rapidly, both sides, to true the surface. Use a nice long straight edge (like a machinist's 36" straight edge) to find the high spots. Then finish with the grain using fine papers. Works fast, works great.
Five Stars in 2001 + Five Stars in 2005 = 10 Stars.
I fully expect we'll get to 15 stars in 2009. See you then.
Right now, gotta go sand some more.
Awesome polisher for car! [Posted on 2006-03-22]
I purcheased this polisher because of meguiars.com & meguiarsonline.com After you purchase there products this polisher will provide swirl free results to your vehicle. This machine will NOT hurt, burn, fade your finish at all!!!
Porter-Cable 7336 [Posted on 2007-03-09]
This is a very nice unit. Works great. Would have given it 5 stars but I am afraid that the bearings may burn out relatively quickly. I've had problems with them in the past so I tried a more expensive Bosch unit. What a piece of junk. It burnt out in 2 months of light use (wet-sanding). Repaired under warranty and burnt out again 9 months later with MAYBE once a week use. I'll stick with the Porter-Cable from now on.
No need for 5" random orbital with this one [Posted on 2007-05-07]
Excellent sander. I use it for flattening pannels and sanding kitchen doors. It easily goes from very aggressive sanding to slow/fine sanding. Takes a bit of practice to get a good sanding technique and for holding the machine. Probably won't use the 5" dewalt again. It is just so much slower (even with the PC on fine grit at low RPMS).
Porter-Cable 7336 Sander [Posted on 2007-10-10]
Porter-Cable 7336 6-Inch Variable Speed Random Orbit Sander Only
After borrowing this same sander on different occasions from two of my friends, I decided I needed to buy my own. Just as I expected, it works great! It is easy to handle, easy to change discs, and if you need it in a tight spot, the handle comes off in seconds.
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