Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | Dec 07, 2006 07:58am | #1

   Is this the sander you are talking about?

   http://tinyurl.com/y5vwzy

   It is a random orbital sander, with the same action you get with your Dewalt.

   I don't think you will gain anything (over the Dewalt) by buying the PC. If you do want to consider the PC, respond to this post and I will share my own experience with it.

   Conventional orbital sanders are prone to leaving swirl marks on the sanded surface, and I think you would do well to consider one of the many RANDOM orbital sanders that are now available.

   Many brands in the market; Festool is arguably the best, but a less costly alternative is the Makita, which I can highly recommend:

   http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=product_det&tag=BO5010K

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   billballeza | Dec 08, 2006 12:14am | #2

   Yes.. that's the PC 330 I was referring to. Please let me know your thoughts on it.

   I do have the random orbital sander by DeWalt and it leaves no marks.. and has good dust collection which it doesn't look like the PC 330 has any provision for.

   But for some reason, the bandsaw box author said the PC 330 is THE IDEAL SANDER for finishing and rounding over the curves in the boxes.

   Thanks,

   Bill

   Edit/Add  Also, in the accompanying literature there is no mention of the PC330 being a random orbital sander.. where as they do mention that about their disc sander.

   Edited 12/7/2006 4:45 pm ET by billballeza

1. 
   nikkiwood | Dec 08, 2006 01:44am | #3

   Sorry, I thought your Dewalt was a conventional orbital sander -- same as the PC 330.The easiest way to differentiate, just by looking at them, is the ROS's have a round disc, and the regular orbitals have a pad that is either square or rectangular. The 330 has been around since forever, and those who buy it like the handle -- which you can wrap your hand around, making it easy to manipulate on edges, vertical surfaces, etc. With most of the current crop of orbitals, you grip the top of the sander, like this one:http://tinyurl.com/yb6hxlOr they have a handle, like this one:http://tinyurl.com/yjd37dI stopped buying the 330 years ago because the bearings would wear after about a year or so, which slowed the orbital action, which in turn created more swirl marks. It also required a special tool (or a screwdriver) to pry up the clamps to change the paper. Having the bearings replaced was almost as costly as buying another sander. So I just kept buying them, until now I have maybe 4 sitting there with worn bearings. I even tried replacing the bearings myself, but I am mechanically inept, and I failed.All of those bearing problems were going on maybe 10-15 years ago, and perhaps by now they are using better bearings. When it is working right it is a fine machine. But I just gave up and started buying other brands. ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   billballeza | Dec 08, 2006 02:33am | #4

   Thank you very much for the explanation and link illustrations. I still can't get over how generous Knots posters are with their time and knowledge.

   I think I'll pass on the 330 thanks to what I've learned from you. My De Walt ROS is a bit cumbersome to wield.. hooked up to my shop vac as I use it.. but I get a great finish and I really don't need two plam sanders.

   Thanks again,

    

   Bill

1. 
   nikkiwood | Dec 08, 2006 02:52am | #5

   Glad to help...............********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-