Porter Cable Drywall Sander

oruscire

Has anyone ever used the Porter Cable Drywall Sander? How well does it work and is it worth the money? I am beginning to see them often, and I am not sure if I should make the investment. It doesn't look like anyone else makes one.

Thanks.

E39S62

I rented it for a large job last week, and was using it on low speed with 150 grit and finer. Any coarser and it would start to leave swirl marks. But even with 150, it sanded pretty quick. As I was using it, it would still give off some dust, especially if I chaged direction too quickly. I adapted by using much longer strokes than with a pole sander. You also can't get to the last 1/2" against the wall

Like I said, it still gave off some dust and seemed especially bad by the end of the job. But I was almost finished, so I motored on thorugh. When I finished, I found out why. I had completely filled the vac bag. I would guess the machine was able to suck up 95% of the dust. Another plus is that I shaved half a day of sanding. WHat should have been an 6-8 hour job turned into 3

I would highly recommend if you do a lot of large jobs. Plus most HOs will be very impressed that you went that far to avoid dust in their house. They will be so impressed when you show them the bag, that the referrals should pay for the machine quickly.

Jerry Purviance

Owned mine for about 6 years now.....I love it...IS a little bit of learning curve to it to not produce swirl marks.... First off if you got a new pad installed do all your screws first to knock a little bite of the pad before you hit your seams and corners...Let it float ..very little pressure needed to remove joint compound ....Always use a Fine dust bag in your vac ....Or you will be putting fines in the air or worse burn up your vac(DON'T ASK ..TRUST ME ON THIS..) Ceilings can make your arms a little tired ..But as long as you got your taping game down there ain't a whole heck of a lot too sand anyway.....can get about 3 jobs or so out of a pad....a slightly used pad works better than a new pad...

Tin Cup

had mine over 7 yrs. great tool that has paid for itself many times over.

you gotta learn how to use it for finish sanding. great for screw/nail holes and feathering edges, but i find i still need the pole sander for seams.


But, the best use i have for it is patching/repairing and repaints. on repaints i always sand the wall quickly to remove the old paint "tits" left from roller nap, poor patches, etc. really helps me make repainted walls look new(er).

i never go anywhere without it. great for sanding patches in occupied homes/showrooms etc to keep the dust down. only times i've ever had trouble with the vac, is hose came loose, uneven surface, running off a corner, filter bag is full, or hepa filter is clogged.

best investment i've made for a tool or equipment.

Tin Cup

Tim0282

I agree with Tin Cup. Once you learn to use it where you don't leave the swirls, you will like it. By that time you will be used to the weight of the wand. Worth the money.

Tin Cup

i have found different types of sanding discs for them though. some yellow discs have hole in the middle and velcro on, i haven't liked those. i still like the original style, i buy them by the box from Grainger, one of the few things they sell that is a decent price.

any other insight into the different types of sanding pads i'd like to hear, or supplier.

oh, you gotta be carefull sanding near receptacles, switches, and other sharp items. the other day i ruined a pad within minutes of putting it on, D'OH.


Tin Cup

oruscire

Thanks for all the great feedback. I am interested to hear the different sanding discs as well.

Thanks.

1wallboardsman

There is finally some variety available, Johnson and Norton make pads and velcro hook & loop discs that are full, and there is also long lasting screen by Johnson. Let the machine do the work without leaning on it and the pads live longer.

jdl

BUTCHERMAN

Four things about swirling. 1) try using a 220 grit pad. I can't get them finer. 2) swirling can also be caused by newer brushes. They just need to be worn down a little. 3) topping with mid weight in stead of light-weight stands up to the sander to where it sands but does'nt swirl. It's like they made mid-weight for the sander. 4) Sometimes if you lower the control knob that helps.

ToddW

I've had the Sander for a couple yrs, but didn't realize how much I appreciated until a joba last month. Got a call to come and bid the drywall in a new church. I go by and the "volunteers" had been busy! Long story short, they did a decent hanging job, but it looked like the nails and seams had been mudded by hand, literally taking handfuls and throwing it on the walls! If I hadn't had the sander I wouldn't even have considered that job, but with a couple hrs of work it was ready to do right! That job paid for the sander! As stated, takes some getting used to but worth it.

Tony M

Have a look at the new Festool Planex LHS 225. Similar to the Porter Cable but more efficient.

http://www.festool.co.uk/artikel/art...ten.cfm?id=406