Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• 1-1/2 hp induction motor is located beneath the sander to protect it from sawdust
• 90V Permanent magnetic motor
• 80 grit abrasive sanding wrap, steel stand, integral dust chute hood
• Includes (5) 80 grit sanding wraps and (4) 120 grit sanding wrapsand

Reviews (10)

Don't understand the problems mentioned
I carefully compared this to the Performax 16-32 at a woodworking show. I had planned on Performax because a friend has the 22-44, but that's an entirely different machine (much beefier) than the 16-32. Side by side I decided on the Delta. Although it is more expensive, it is beefier (I could rack the performax arm).

It was true right out of the box. Set up and alignment is straightforward and well explained by the manual. It is on a 20 amp circuit. However, this is a sander, not a planer. Stalling, tripping, or burning problems are signs of trying to remove too much material. I suppose with 36 grit paper you could remove stock, but even then only 1/64 to 1/32 at a time.

I have noticed no meaningful vibration, the unit is very quiet, even when removing stock (can hardly hear if no stock is in the sander). Belt change is simple (would have prefered 3" belts, but the 2" work fine).

Maybe quality control is really as bad as some of the reviews indicate. Mine was better than expected.

poorly designed
This sander is EXPENSIVE but very weak in it's performance. I am truly disapointed in this sander. It looks good but the drum can't keep up with the in-feed belt if it is set for maximum run. The machine's drum binds against the wood being fed into it if there are knots or if the wood is a hard wood. I paid well over $800.00 for what I was told was a great drum sander. I tried to return it the very next day as I found out that first night how poorly this thing performs. Save your money, but a different brand if you want a machine that sands like it should. Shame on you Delta!

Pretty Satisfied
Trouble tracking the conveyor belt. Learned to live with it.
Other wise ok.

after a year I am loving it
This machine gets used as much as any in my shop. Once I figured out the limitations of the machine (feed rate and depth of cut), I have been enjoying using it. I used to pop the circuit breaker fairly often because I was asking too much of the machine.

This machine has improved my woodworking.

I find this machine to be very useful as an abrasive planer. Put a 36 grit belt on it, and it does a suprisingly good job of flattening. (Follow that with an 80 grit, and then 120 - and you'll be happy)

I found that my opinion of this machine has steadily improved over the year I have owned it, and now I can't imagine not owning it - it is a real time saver.

just what I needed
I would love to have a dual drum sander, such as grizzly's 24" model. I don't really need the extra capacity of the Delta. However after much thought (my wife calls it indecision) I decided on the 31-255. As a part time job we rehab/restore old houses which results in the need to move my entire workshop every couple of years, more often if the house doesn't have a garage or barn, so the 450lb grizzly beast was out.

I've had the delta for two weeks now and I don't know how I survived without it. Assemby took about an hour. The first time I turned on the drum I couldn't believe how quiet it was. There was no wobble or shake to it. As a sander it's great, keep in mind it's not a planer, and expect to make multiple passes.

It's worked great on cabinet doors, old barn boards and cabinet stiles and rails. However, its not so great on larger face frames a r/o sander is quicker and easier. I haven't tried any really big and heavy pieces yet but so farn snipe has not been a problem. I find that my planer and jointer have gotten less use but they are still needed from time to time

One side note -- after buying the delta it came to my attention that Sears sells a 18x36 drum sander that seems similar to the performax 16-32 for $699
available online only : ... Read more

Features

• 1-year warranty
• Variable speed oscillating tool replaces sanders, saws, putty knives, scrapers and other tools
• Oscillates back and forth at an angle of only 3.2 angular degrees at up to 21,000 OPM
• High abrasive performance right into the furthest corners
• Vibration-free operation

Amazon.com Review

Porter-Cable's drywall sander is currently the only one of its kind. While this may have momentarily eliminated competitive pressure, Porter-Cable still put together a high-quality tool. Long enough to sand 10-foot ceilings from the ground, lightweight (8 pounds), and able to suck up the vast majority of the fine, potentially harmful dust with an attachable vacuum, this drywall sander impressed us right away. Drywall contractors all over are excited about this new tool. The 1-1/4-inch vacuum hose is 13 feet long, so a person can cover a lot of ground without having the move the vacuum. Simply put, this sander saves a tremendous amount of time (and countless muscle aches), while employing the same great sanding technology featured on other sanders made by Porter-Cable. It easily sands three times faster than hand-sanding--maybe even four times faster. And the end result is a large, smooth, uniform surface. Porter-Cable's done good with this sander--we predict everyone on the job site will agree. --Michael Shilling ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• 3.5 amp motor for efficient sanding action
• Variable-speed 1,000 to 5,000 rpm to match the application
• Finish sands drywall joints three to four times faster than conventional methods
• Sands with minimal clean up when used with vacuum for dust collection

Reviews (12)

Time Saver
Real time saver for do-it-yourself drywall projects. I have done quite a few drywall projects and I always had problems with the seams, especially on the finish coat on ceilings. The Porter Cable sander works great on the ceiling seams. I used it for the first time on a major renovation on my daughter's 100 year old home and the ceiling seams are virtually invisible. My sanding time was reduced from approximately four hours to less than an hour and the results were excellent. Also, I always applied three coats of mud to accomplish perfect finish work. The Porter Cable sander reduced my mud coats from three to two coats with blemish free results. If you are a do-it-yourself'er, and if you can afford it, this product is definitely worth the investment. Also, the Porter Cable vacuum is a difinite plus.
When you use this product for the first time, it takes a little practice to get good results. Don't force the sander by using pressure, let the sander do the work. After two passes, the surface is usually smooth. You will still have to hand sand the corners, but the power sander turns this task into a joy. Also, there is very little dust to clean up after the sanding job is completed. Gone are the days of dust in my eyes, ears, mouth and nose ( in addition to all over the house ).
On the negative side, the sander is a little hard on the arms when doing ceilings ( especially 9 or 10 foot ceilings ). But this is a small price to pay for the results you get.
As stated earlier, with a little bit of practice, this sander will give you excellent results. It's fast, clean and a real time saver. The only thing that kept it from a five star rating was the arm strain when sanding ceilings.

Excellent start for product design
I have over 15 years experience with drywall, so I'm not new to this. I agonized over spending this much money on a sander for a couple years. Yes, it's been available that long. But, I'm getting older and the back and shoulders don't like hand sanding on ceilings and I have yet to perfect the "sponge" method.

Regardless, I purchased the P-C sander and a box of 150 grit pads. If I didn't like it, I could sell it on "auctions". After one large room, I was pleased. I will agree with some other reviewers that you can make plenty of swirl marks. That's the first thing I did. The second thing I did was to spend 5 minutes playing with it to figure out how NOT to make swirl marks. It really isn't that hard. It is much faster than hand sanding and virtually no dust. My customers love that part!! (I do alot of remodelling jobs). If you do a good job mudding, there should be minimal sanding to do anyway.

This sander will NOT do inside corners. Based on its design, it can't get any closer than about 3/4" to the actual corner. Know up front that you will still need to touch up the inside corners. This sander is primarily for large relatively flat surfaces, and in my opinion it does a good job when used properly.

The other thing that P-C should work on is the weight. I know we all carry around tools that weigh more than 8 pounds. Try holding it over your head for any length of time though. While it is balanced nicely, 8 lbs. is still 8 lbs.

You also don't need to spend "money" on the vacuum either. (Sorry P-C) My QSP shop vac with a Cleanstream/Gore-tex filter($22) works just fine.

The 13' hose means you can put the vacuum in the center of a room and not have to move the vacuum, just walk around and sand.

So, don't look for mine on "auctions". It's staying in my toolbox.

Owned one for 6 years
Everyone HATES sanding drywall, but this tool makes sanding drywall so much much easier. Even with this tool you have to hand sand inside corners but that is all it won't do
If this tool was stolen I would for sure buy a new one

Does the trick
I'm a homeowner with reasonable renovation skills. But drywalling is an art, and without this sander, my two-room rennovation would have been a lot harder. And I suspect the results wouldn't have been as good, especially on the ceiling. I used a fairly fine grit disk becuase the reviews I read suggested the tool could gouge. You have to proceed slowly and keep the unit moving. But it really works well, especially when hooked into the companion vacuum.

Nice product for a nasty job
I am a pro drywall finisher. I just bought this machine from Tool Crib, and while I have not learned to use it to it's full potential yet, (only had it two days)I can see that it will do the job. I will say this word of warning; I really DO NOT think that it will replace the final sanding. I apply three coats of setting type compound, not sanding at all till the third coat. Then I use thinned topping compound for a fourth coat, applied with the aid of a strong work light angled toward the wall. When that dries, I use a damp sponge and fine sandpaper. Probably overkill, but my customers love me! This tool is very usefull for that third coat sanding, i.e, smoothing the major flaws. ... Read more

Features

• 3-prong plug to prevent static electricity accumulation
• Variable speed (0-3,000 RPM) with pre-set maximum speed dial; ideal for ultra slow polishing
• Pre-set speed setting dial (from 600-3,000 RPM) for maximum control
• Electronic speed control maintains constant speed under load
• Easily converts from polisher to sander with hook & loop accessories

Product Description

Porter Cable 362VSK 4" x 24" Belt Sander Variable Speed ... Read more

Features

• Powerful 12.0 amp motor provides 20% more power than before
• Motor is located directly over platen for maximum performance and perfect balance
• Variable speed dial is conveniently placed on the handle allowing belt speed adjustment from 1,000 to 1,500 SFPM
• Designed for flush sanding up to vertical surfaces

Reviews (3)

almost good
I've owned this sander for a couple years, but not being a big fan of belt sanders it has spent much of that time wishing I would notice it. Sporadic use made me feel that it was a worthwhile addition to the toolset, but it wasn't really tested until recently. Retired now, I volunteered to install an unfinished red oak floor in my son's family room, and having the time I decided to use the PC 362VSK for the sanding phase. I consider this a serious use of a belt sander. Here are my thoughts so far:

The tool is heavy (as we all know), so its weight (combined with the proper belt grit) provides the necessary "pushing down" force. Belt change is easy. Belt tracking is also easy to set and even if tracking wanders (not often) the easily-accessible knob makes it a non-issue. The balance seems to be good. After doing the entire floor (3 grits) it was still going strong.

Now for the negative, no stars (not even a glimmer) ratings: the dust collection is pathetic. That useless bag sticking up there getting in the way, coupled to the tool with an ineffective ball thingy that's difficult to use (and has no seal) is..well...pathetic. The dust bag will eventually fill, but this is purely coincidental...not to be confused with a dust collection system that actually works. And as far as I can see the port isn't designed to be connected to a separate vacuum...I duct-taped the hose of my Fein vac to the port and that worked well, but c'mon...duct tape?? (BTW if you take this route also tape the power cord to the vac hose making it essentially one unit...much easier to manage).

The other major issue is the sanding shoe...it warps, as another reviewer reported. Mine became convex, so the sander "rolled around" on the platen digging in and not sanding flat. Some time ago I had purchased some carbon impregnated fabric from Woodworker's Supply that was designed to be used on sander platens, so I took the metal shoe off, fitted a piece of this stuff to the cork shoe, and it worked fine. I wouldn't recommend this machine until PC includes the carbon shoe as standard. If you do buy it get the carbon shoe at the same time and send the metal one to PC with some appropriate suggestion as to what they might do with it.

This tool can do the job, but out of the box I don't consider it ready for a serious sanding project. You have to figure out how to deal with dust collection because Porter Cable hasn't, and you have to get rid of the metal shoe. It's probably one of the best 4x24s out there apart from these issues, but if mine ever goes to the boneyard I'll be tempted to try the Bosch.

High quality
I have had this sander now for 10 years,and have put many hours of use on it. Absolutely no problems with reliability,no problems with the platen.This is a heavy sander,so I use it on larger surfaces; the vac bag really works.If you have a lot of surface to sand down, this will do the job.

Great sander that gets the job done.
Finally decided to buy this sander, was waiting for others to review it first.Bought it at Home depot, since I needed it immediately for subfloor preparation.It does everything that is promised and it definitely has enough power.Although I found myself using it on high speed.Getting the belt tracking takes a bit of practice but stays centered otherwise.I used it all weekend sanding OSB underlayment for our subfloor in preperation for laminate flooring.It did everything I had hoped for.It did not remove material as fast as I though it would even with 60 grit belts, but this is in comparison with a floor sander, so no fault of the product.Only reason why I rated 4 is because of the sanding shoe that comes with it.I read some other posts on similar sanders and some people had problems with the sanding shoe warping.Well I had that exact same problem with this unit.So I highly recommend getting the graphite impregnated sanding shoe along with this sander.Once the shoe cups in the center, it is essentially useless since there is no more contact with the surface, other than the edges.This thing does get very hot quickly, which would explain the shoe cupping so fast.Light work would probably not see this cupping so soon, but since I was sanding floors, it was immediate.The dust extraction works good, it actually sucks the dust into the bag very well, as compared to other sanders.It is heavy as you hear from others, but this comes in handy where the weight may do some of the work for you by staying in one place.I paid the same price for the sander as amazon had listed, but I also had to pay tax.But got a 10% off lowes coupon from ebay and used it since HD takes competitors coupons, so was less than amazon.Overall I am happy with the unit. Just to give you an idea of how powerful this thing is, it was able to drag me across the room while on my kneepads and I'm 160 lbs.It was kind of fun, when I was done sanding one area, I would use the sander to drag myself to the next room and continue working without having to stand up. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Porter-Cable's 3-by-21-inch belt sander features an all-metal housingthat gives the tool a solid feel, makes it tough to damage, and lets you sandeffectively without having to press down. This sander also does a great job ofkeeping belts centered, a terrific bonus because there's nothing morefrustrating that having to constantly re-center a belt. According toPorter-Cable, the all-metal housing accounts for the centered placement of the belts.The sander remains rigid, even during heavy use, and the metal helps dissipateheat, keeping the belt relatively cool and in place.

This sander also has a variable-speed dial that lets you match the speed of thebelt with the application, so you can speed up for aggressive removal or dialdown for more precision. We really like the 360-degree adjustable top dustnozzle--a feature you won't find on many belt sanders--because it lets you pivotthe dust bag (or hose if you're hooked up to a dust vac), a huge conveniencewhen sanding in corners or along edges. And, lastly, this is a quietsander, thanks both to Porter-Cable's newly designed gear system, which meshesmore accurately, and to the sander's serpentine drive belt, which makesconsiderably less noise than a more common cog system. For a belt sander, thistool is surprisingly easy on the ears, and that's a very good thing. --JonGroebner ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Powerful sanding action
• Variable-speed dial
• Belt & gear drive
• Designed for flush sanding

Reviews (30)

Terrific, Powerful Sander
After purchasing -- and returning -- the Makita 3X18 belt sander, I bought the Porter-Cable 352VS (eee my review of the Makita). What a difference!

This sander is powerful. I sanded three layers of old paint off a door in about 1/2 hr. The body is constructed of metal, giving it a nice solid feel. When sanding, you can simply glide the sander back and forth, without having to push down at all. Porter-Cable came up with a design that gives you a lot of power, but at the same time control over that power. This is what a belt sander SHOULD be like.

The position of the front handle makes sense -- it is up higher than the front of the machine, so you get a good position relative to the sanding surface. The handle is also designed to give you a lot to grab onto.

The dust bag is designed well. You can swivel it in any direction to get it out of the way while you're sanding, and it holds the dust without spilling until you're ready to empty it out. Also, it does a fair job collecting the dust, but you should never expect any dust-bag system to be perfect.

The meachinism for loading and unloading sander belts is very good. It is easy to place the belt in the sander and then tighten it up securely.

The tracking system really holds the sander belt in place. I placed the belt on the sander, held it upside-down, running the sander until the belt no longer shifted left or right. Then I began sanding, and for the whole time I worked, the belt did not move from center at all. Because the housing is made of metal, even if the belt DID move, it would not damage the sander, as it would on machines with plastic bodies.

All told, this sander is a great combination of power and ease of use.

PS: The 3X21 sander belts that Porter-Cable makes (the purple ones) are excellent.

serviceman
My old belt sander stop working. I went to sears and purchased their 8.8amp belt sander. I used it for about 5 minutes and found it really did not have the power I need. So I took it back to Sears. Then I order the porta cable 352vs from Amazon. As soon as I had taken the sander out of the box I could feel a big difference. I plug the sander in and used it. It has a lot of power. I am very pleased with it. I was really shocked to feel how much more power the porta cable has over the sears craftsman. There is no question about it ,if you need a belt sander go buy the porta cable.

Good Sander, But...
I've had my PC 352vs for about 5 years, and I'd agree with most of the reviews I've read here. Plenty of power, good balance, well-made, but the dust pick-up port constantly gets clogged, and the dust bag and power cord are not positioned as well as they could be.

I've found that I can unclog the pick-up port using a blast of compressed air.

After 5 years, I wore out the drive belt and the platen was also cracking slightly, which is the only repairs I've done. Within 2 weeks of replacing the drive belt, though, I trashed the new belt when I caught the power cord in the sander and jammed the belt to a stop. (Not the sander's fault - mine).

Overall, a good, well-made (and made in USA) sander that should last a long time.

I don't really like this sander much
I have a lot of Porter-Cable tools, my dad has them too. Therefore I thought this would be a good inexpensive sander.
It's heavy which is good, it tracks well which is good, I like variable speed... BUT!
It's not balanced well. Left unto it's own weight it will favor one side over the other and sand unevenly unless you get a feel for which side needs a little more pressure. Use finer paper and take it easy. I started to develope a feel for it but never really enjoyed using it.
I now use a very old Porter-Cable 504 given to me by my dad. It's been a joy to use! $500+ new gulp! Mine's old, has been serviced and will live on.
If I were looking for a belt sander and didn't want the 504 due to preference, price, or going the used route, and I were trying to get something good within reason, I'd try a higher end PC or check another brand. I think DeWalt, or Bosch have settled those balance issues. You can feel it in your hands and hold it gently on a flat surface get an idea as to what may stay flat when the power is on.

Disappointed !!..
I bought this and was expecting a lot from sander of this quality. Well, It is really 8AMP and not 7AMP sander. I am not sure how genuine these reviews are but I had go back to random orbit sander and put this sander back in box on top shelf as I found it useless for finishing work. I would rather spent money on random orbit sander and get quality work done in short time. ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Aggressive sanding action with a swirl-free finish
• Pad control feature to prevent pad spin-up
• Variable speed can be set between 5,000 and 12,000 orbits per minute
• 100% ball-bearing construction

Amazon.com Review

If only we'd had one of these when we built those doll cradles--and sanded all the little curves and crannies by hand! This beauty takes all the work out of jobs like that. No burn marks--ever--because of the oscillating action. Sure, you can chuck a little drum sander into your drill press, but you'll have to deal with that annoying gap between the drum and the table. This sander eliminates that. The large cast-iron table measures 18 inches in diameter and sits atop a 1/4-horsepower single-phase motor. A built-in dust collection fan draws down dust and chips through the table insert and into the dust-collection bag. There's room on board to store all the included accessory sanding drums and sleeves. It's light--just 45 pounds--and can be used as a portable sander or mounted to a stand or workbench through predrilled holes in the base. In addition to the standard 3/4-inch sanding drum and sleeve, the kit includes 1-, 1-1/2-, 2-, and 3-inch rubber spindles, drum plates, abrasive sleeves, and table inserts. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 2-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• Oscillating action prevents burning of workpiece
• Heavy-duty motor assembly for quiet, smooth operation
• Large cast iron table provides stability and support for the workpiece
• Built in dust collection fan and collection bag for a cleaner work environment

Reviews (5)

3 stars
This Delta Sander is very quiet and smooth and the workmanship appears to be good. The table top is flat.

On the negative side, the dust collection is poor. The power is adequate for a home shop.

Not quite the Boss
I have two neg. comments on this peice of equitment. The only place I can find the 3" sleves is at Sears. And the Dust collecting bag leaves a lot to be desired.

Small furniture builder
the delta sa350k Shopmaster boss spindle sander works fine. However; I suggest every buyer read the well defined directions. the guide post was off center. when centering adjust screws so the yoke will slide freely. <<<<<>>>> otherwise a very nice tool.

Quiet, smooth, and powerful.
I looked at this machine for a long time before I bought it. I thought that the motor might be too small and that the unit might be under-powered. When I finally purchased one I was pleasantly surprised. The machine is very quiet and operates incredibly smoothly. There is no hint of vibration and even with a 3 inch spindle and moderate to high sanding pressure, the motor did not show any evidence of stalling. If you have a home of small shop and want a great little oscillating sander, this is the one for you.

Very good spindle sander.
The Delta spindle sander I received had some minor problems. The unit was noisy. Under the 2 year warranty I could have taken it to a service location, but that would have meant a delay. Instead I made the adjustment noted in the directions. This adjustment is supposed to be made after many hours of use. Anyway, it did solve the noise problem.

One of the steel arms (called a link) that raises and lowers the motor assembly was bent. I removed it and straightened it out. It appeared this was a factory defect since it did not happen during shipping. The unit was made in Taiwan. Quality control is poor at the assembly plant I guess. This is the main reason for 4 stars and not 5.

The operation of the sander is very good. There is minimum vibration and noise during use. The dust bag included does a good job collecting most of the dust. It is easy to control the wood on the nice flat machined table.

Make sure you get the free spindle set that is being included. It has an assortment of spindles that are needed. The one included is the narrow spindle and limits the abilities of this sander.

Despite the minor problems that may have been unique to this one sander, I have to recommend it. It performs above average. And the price is right. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

With the Fein MultiMaster the possibilities--and the tool'scapabilities--are seemingly endless. Here's a list of what Fein saysyou can do with the MultiMaster: sanding, scraping, sawing, rasping,cutting, slicing, and grout removal. And that's just for starters. It'sa compact little 2-1/2-pound tool that sits comfortably in your hand,and, because it oscillates instead of orbiting or rotating, it offersliterally no hand fatigue from vibration. It includes a fabulous bunchof accessories that let you take up old flooring; trim new flooringunder a door; remove old grout; sand anything anywhere; saw into allkinds of material with a .5 mm kerf; remove old paint, adhesives,caulking, oil stains, and graffiti; and plunge cut into drywall forrepairs. It comes in a sturdy case with 30 sheets of sandpaper and allthe accessories, including a book full of projects. There's even anoptional dust-collection accessory (sold separately). The barrel gripfeels great in your hand and makes you want to do all those householdchores you've been putting off. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty
• Quiet, vibration-free operation
• Detail sander, saw, and scraper in one
• Unique oscillating action
• Virtually eliminates hand operations

Reviews (34)

fabulous versatile tool
I bought one of these three years ago, and use it constantly. As a fine sander, it is without equal. But my favorite are the saw blades -- unbelievable control and precision. I have used it for everything from fine work on veneer, to opening fiddly holes in sheetrock around electrical outlets. Possibly with the exception of my cordless drill, this is the most useful hand tool in my cabinet full of 20-plus power tools!

Truly Fine!
The Fein Multi-Master is one of those products that belittle the competition with its' prowess and ability to be in a class all by itself. It leads the pack in the detail sanding category. The oscillating action is aggressive enough for efficient material removal but appears to delicately handle the surface of the wood with out creating swirling or gouging marks. The oscillations also give it the uncanny ability, using the unique blades, to saw material with control without creating a lot of dust. As far as the scraper, I haven't had any projects yet to test this feature, but am sure it would be valuable. Once I put this tool in my hand, the feel, power and quality of the Fein Multi-Master sold me right away. I thought back at all the situations I struggled in a project that the Fein could have made much easier and faster. This is truly an investment in a power tool though. It and the extra accessories are not cheap, but what tool is that you expect to last a life time and be able to pass on to your kids. The Fein MSXE-636-2 kit is a great start for a full featured product that I'll be proud of for a long time. The safety, precision and features of the Fein will attract others who also feel that you get what you pay for!

Fein Multi Master Wins 5 Stars Plus *****+++++
I installed French Doors off of the living room, with a landing, and handrails, and trimmed out the new opening. The Fein Multimaster was with me all the way. I started off needing a detail sander, that would get into tight places, that the usual sander with a larger motor, hanging out over the triangular sanding head would not reach. The motor head would get in the way. So a long body sander is what I needed. I went to Home Depot and bought a Ryobi, thinking it would suffice for as often as I needed to do corners. Wrong! No matter what grade of paper I put on it, it dug a hole, made a lot of noise, and refused to sand an even plane. I returned it. In disgust, I popped for the Fein Multimaster Kit. Wow, what a difference. The sanding function was smooth, but not so aggressive as to eat holes in the wood. It starts off with such a light touch, that you can even hold one of their jagged teeth cutting blade attachments against your skin without any harm, but when you apply it against the wood, and exert a little pressure, it slices right through it effortlessly, and evenly. So the more resistance, the greater the cutting or sanding action. It is vibration, rather than a stroke. Gives you a lot more control when working up against the edge of something. Truly a masterful tool.
You have the option of buying the sanding head with the holes in it, and the vacuum attachment, giving you relatively dust free sanding. Great if you are working in a clean environment, and don't want to blanket the room.
The cutting blade that comes with it, that is a half moon shape, does a nice job, but is designed as a freebie to go with the system, and is not as durable as their e-cut blades, which aren't cheap. The e-cut blades also are rectangular so they reach into tighter corners. Makes a perfect job, when removing the wood spacer-shims from the door surround, and cutting fine lines in most any application, where precision is the key.
When instaling the trim of the door opening, I had to make a cut at the base, that would meet flush with the tile, for the floor. The flush cutting blade, with its offset design, made me look like Michelangelo. :-) Well OK it is not the Sistine Chapel, but the mating of the wood to the surface of the tile was perfect. No effort, and easy to control. I laid the tile up against the wood, pencil scribed a line, then removed the tile, and cut the wood with the flush bit, just using the pencil line as my guide. Effortless. The fit was so nice, I had to snug the tile in under the line.

Bosch makes a flush cutter also, and the advantage to that, is that the blades are available locally. The problem is that the Bosch is not also a sander, and scraper etc. Cost almost the same, and is a one use tool.
I noticed that the paper for the Fein has a good backer on it. Saves you from a curling end, which leads to a buggered up backing on the sanding pad. Very exacting, and very well made.
You will notice in the Amazon sales rank, that the Fein outsells the Bosch. I love Bosch equipment, so I am not knocking the tool.
The optional mini e-cut blades kit is smaller than you would imagine. Combined with the precision vibration of the tool, enables you to work on smaller scale fine work as well.
When sanding with the coarser grits, and some pressure, you can remove a good deal of material in short order. By using a finer grit, and a softer push, you can polish the surface to a smooth finish.
I have the Fein RT-1800 Router, which is more of an industrial quality piece of equipment, and this Multi-Master will give me many years of reliable service, the same as the router. Fein makes first class stuff.
This is one of those tools, that you don't use as often as a cordless drill, but when you need to do something that it does, it's done effortlessly, and beautifully. Strong, yet gentle, durable yet light. It's the perfect mix. Definitely a five star piece of equipment, and worth every penny of it's hefty price tag. Buy it, you won't be sorry.

Learn one of the boat bulders secrets
I first saw this Fein sander in a tool store in Portland, Maine. They were flying off the shelves to boat builders and owners for their wood boats. I had wanted a sander to get into corners and for fine finish work and after feeling the power and very little vibration, I was impressed. At the time though I thought the price was extremely high. Not only for the tool, but also for the sand paper and other accessories.

To make a long story short, I coughed up the money and bought the Fein sander and have never looked back. I rarely use my other sanders because this one can be used for almost any application. I have pulled up a old linolium floor with the floor tool (very easy) and done a lot of sanding. Nothing cuts wood better than this sander and the speed controls and comfortable position in your hand make it a winner. You also have no after effects of vibration when using this sander for long periods of time.

Is it worth the money? Yes, every penny.
Are there any negatives? Accessories including sand paper are expensive and hard to find in local stores. Most purchases for these items are made over the web. Even Amazon has reduced the amount of sand paper options they sell.

Best tip? Make sure you order a hook and loop sanding head and sand paper. It is a much easier system if you sand a lot.

Don't be cheap, buy the best. This Fein is very fine.

I paid all that money for this?!?
I have wanted a Fein Multi-Master for years. I read a review of it in Fine
Homebuilding a couple years ago, and the reviewer raved about it. He said
the first thing he did with it was to take it out in the back yard and cut tree
roots with it. I thought, wow, a fine detail sander/flush cutter that is so
tought it can cut tree roots too?! I had to have one. But, it's expensive, so
it had to wait.

Finally, I figured I'd waited long enough, and I was about to start a big flooring

job where I knew I'd be doing a lot of flush cutting of door jams and trim. So
I bought it. And now I'm wondering how this thing got such an amazing
reputation.

First, I'll say that I haven't tried out it's sanding capability. It's quite possible
that when I do, I'll be able to salvage some of pre-ownership excitement about
the Multi-Master. So I'm just going to comment on it's cutting ability: it sucks.
Specifically, the blade that comes with this kit is a flimsy piece of steel with tiny
little cutting teeth -- probably ideal for cutting parts for your balsa wood airplane
kits, but suboptimal for anything having to do with house construction. Add to that
the fact that unless you really crank down on the bolt that holds the blade in the
tool, the blade slips and doesn't cut at all, resulting in an almost
completely useless tool. But wait, there's more: the bolt that holds the blade is
an allen bolt, and the accompanying wrench is difficult to squarely and fully engage
in the bolt, resulting in easily stripped out bolt heads. Great, right? But wait,
there's even more, and this is what prompted me to write this review this morning:
Today, I was going to try out my recently purchased "E cut" blade (what the heck
is the "E" for?), so I gamely tried to install it on the Multi-Master. Being careful to
fully engage the wrench so as not to strip the bolt, I tightened that thing down,
knowing that if I didn't get it tight enough, the blad would slip and not work at
all. But as I put the final bit of torque on the dumb thing, the washer that goes
between the bolt and the blade SPLIT IN HALF! It was all I could do to not throw
the whole thing in the trash at that point. I really hope this thing sands better than
it "cuts". Cos the thing don't cut it. Save your money. By a decent flush cutting
hand saw and forget you ever heard about this thing. I wish I had.

Addendum (29 June, 2004): I put the "E" cut blade on the other day with the
bolt and washer meant for the sander pads, and I have to admit, it cuts pretty
darn well. Much better than the blade that comes with this kit. I'm raising
my rating from 1 to 2 stars. Maybe as I use this thing more, I'll keep raising
the rating... ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Well-executed design combined with solid, reliable performance make this Bosch belt sander a tool with noticeable performance advantages. The Bosch features a magnesium-and-plastic housing that's lightweight yet durable. The tool is nicely balanced, comfortable, and easy to operate--important features in a tool that's often used for long periods of time for removing large amounts of stock. The Bosch comes with a cast-aluminum platen--so there's none of the warping that affects stamped-steel platens--and it sands perfectly flat right out of the box. Like many of the sanders in this class, the motor on the 1274 is aligned with the belt edge to allow flush sanding into corners. The tool's only drawback is that visibility is limited when sanding into tight corners, but that's a small minus when weighed against all the pluses. The belt-changing system works well--we didn't suffer any spring pinches--and the tracking adjustment tracks the new belt quickly and keeps it in place. There's a variable-speed dial built right into the trigger switch, which makes adjusting the belt speed fast and convenient. Wood magazine tested 10 3-by-21-inch sanders and liked the 1274DVS best. We agree that it's a great tool. --Mark McDonald ... Read more

Features

• Compact in-line design - For better balance
• 6.6 Amps, 550-1,100 SFPM power - For professional applications
• Variable speed - For fine finishing of fast stock removal
• Graphite platen pad - For cool running and uniform sanding
• Removable front handle - For close work

Reviews (22)

Just a little off the top
I'll be honest, this is my first belt sander, but I love it. I took the recommendation of some of the other reviewers, and I couldn't agree more. The sander is easy to use out of the box, and is a smooth-running, well-designed tool. The variable speed switch is very nice, and adds considerably to the user's control. I haven't yet done any heavy duty sanding, but for finish work the dust collection seems to work well. Five stars for Bosch on this one.

Solid Inline Belt Sander
I owned a small inline belt sander and found the shape gave me the opportunity to use the machine in many more ways, especially on its side sanding the edges of large pieces of solid wood. When I had to replace the small sander, I knew I wanted a larger version, and the Bosch fit the bill. Amazon sold it at a lower price than I could find locally, and then there was the tax I saved and free delivery!

A week later it was on the door step and it came out of the box and went right to work on some local hardwoods. There is lots of power to turn the 3 inch belt. While I have checked the belt for running off ceter- it almost never runs off. And the graphite patten is flat and stays cool. It has only a few hours on it but I am very happy with it. I have not used the fence, but I will, and I wish I had ordered the clamps to tie it down to a table upside down.

The only problem I have with the sander is the dust control. I have been using the dust bag and it is small, and dust puffs out of a small indentation near the dust nipple when lifting off or moving down on the wood. I have not tried to trouble-check the problem.

A happy Bosch customer and a happy Ammazon.com customer.

Awesome!! Nothings Better
This is an extremely well-designed and well-built sander. No complaints here only praise, praise, praise!

Thank you Bosch--you sure make my life a lot better!!

Effective machine
Works on the deck great with 36 Grit paper. However, the dustless feature seems to have been ommitted in the one I received. Borrowed a Porter Cable with a more effective collection system and in retrospect thought the more expensive Bosch would have been a better investment. Otherwise easy machine, good value.

Maybe I got a lemon?
I have recently purchased numerous Bosch tools from Amazon/Tool Crib and I have been a life-long Bosch fan. However, I have to say that this is the very first time I have been let down by one of their products. I guess I just got a rare "lemon".
Immediately on using it, I had problems with the "Lock-On Button". Either it would not keep the machine running, or when it did engage I could then not stop it! It works sporadically, but usually not until I have tried to disengage or engage it several times. Then, after just 15 minutes use sanding some deck timbers, a loud clatter developed. Sounds like a bearing problem? This did not seem to unduly affect performance, and since I purchased the unit for this specific job, I carried on for a while. Then, the rear belt wheel started to slip or disengage, like a slipping clutch. The work I was doing was not unduly difficult and for a period of time, the work was going like a dream, much as I am used to with Bosch tools.
So finally, I just gave up-extremely disappointed that I could not finish the job at hand.
I have returned it and I will get the 1276DVS instead. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

How many more projects could you complete in a year if you cut your sanding time by 75 percent? Put down that random orbital and check this out. This open-ended drum sander allows you to quickly sand materials up to 32 inches wide with just two passes through the machine. The 16-32 Plus has a 14 amp, 1-1/2-horsepower, continuous-duty motor, which means it will work harder for longer. The drum operates at 1,700 rpm while the feed adjusts infinitely between 0 and 10 feet per minute. More importantly, Performax invented a special spring clip to hold the end of the sandpaper roll, which makes for quick and easy paper changes, which is much more convenient than the changes of competing systems. And, while it's great for sanding larger boards, this Performax machine can also handle pieces as small as 2-1/4 inches long.

Parallel alignment of the drum is a simple turn of a precisionthumbscrew on the side of the machine, while competing machines requiretwo wrenches. Making this adjustment quickly and accurately iscritical. When sanding larger boards in two passes, it's best to setthe drum slightly off parallel so you end up with a small hump in themiddle, which the user can quickly fix with a random orbit sander,rather than ending up with a valley, which ruins the piece. ThisPerformax also features a ceramic tracking guide to reduce the numberof adjustments needed during sanding. Worried about snipe? You canadjust the foot-pounds of pressure and/or the contact to the roller.Try that with other drum sanders. Because the machine is of such burlyconstruction and the parallel adjustment of the arm is so simple, thedrum arm doesn't suffer from flexing problems. Use this tool instead ofa planer, or park them side-by-side in your shop. This tool is a dreamfor small commercial shops or anyone who just hates sanding. --NancyGleason ... Read more

Features

• Sands stock as wide as 32 inches on the 16-inch drum in two passes--with results within 1/100-inch uniform thickness
• 1-1/2 horsepower, single-phase, direct-drive motor delivers 1700 rpm
• The 5-by-16-inch extruded aluminum drum is self-cooling
• Variable feed rate adjusts from 0 to 10 feet per minute for surface, dimension, and finish sanding

Reviews (21)

Good for the price but has some shortcomings
I have been using a 16-32 for about a year in my home shop and am mostly satisfied with it. I bought the unit used and without a manual. The manufacturer sent one free of charge upon request.

Long lengths are hard to run evenly so you need to rough cut to length before sanding. It is fine for a non-production or low volume shop. Plan on taking your time, you can't push it.

The worst problem is lack of feedback. Some drum sanders have amp-meters to indicate motor load. This machine does not. Some kind of auto feed curtailment upon overload would be nice.

If you have a typical 5 hp dust collector running close by you can't hear the sander motor. The only feedback is to watch the motor shaft and with some kinds of lighting that is difficult due to strobe. Once, as a result I stalled it badly and thought I had zapped the motor but it thermal-reset eventually. I was most upset when I thought I had to hand-power-sand my project or wait for a replacement motor.

Guess I like it.

Precision Sanding at its Best
I've been "looking" at this drum sander for the past few years, and finally bought it about 2 months ago, and the only thing I regret is that I did not buy it sooner! I can't remember how to prep lumber without this machine.

The machine is very heavy, about 150 pounds shipping weight. The UPS man was kind enough to help me by unloading it into my garage shop. Set up took about 90 minutes, the instuction book was very detailed and the pictures were very helpful. The stand is very strong and steady, the casters are large enough to really move around on the concrete floor. The hardest part about the setup is the leveling of the drum to the conveyor belt. I had to do it twice before it was exact. The first time I did not use good judgment, I used a wooden board to help align the drum. In testing the first piece out, it was off quite a bit. I then followed the instuctions, and used a metal level on edge, and the results were well within the .010 inch tolererance as stated in the manual.

That all said and done, and after setting up the dust collection system to the 4" overhead port, I was ready to start sanding. I do a lot of resawing for the scroll saw, and this drum sander should be a staple for resawing. Each 1/4 turn of the control handle moves the drum 1/64", making it very easy to control the depth of "cut". You control the speed of the belt from about a rate of 1 foot/minute to 100 feet per minute. So depending on the type of sandpaper grade and hardness of wood, you control the speed and depth of cut.

The nice feature of the unit is it only takes about 2 minutes to change the sandpaper from the drum to another grade and you are back in business again. So it is very quick and easy to change paper as you prep the lumber. The first few passes in 80 grit (depending on how well the resawing operation went), then switch to 120 and finally a pass at 180. The only warning on the sanding process, make sure the grain is going with the sander, this is NOT a vibrating hand sander. With the measurement indicator on the side of the sander, you can consistently sand to the same thickness, time after time, board after board.

I am very happy and pleased with the Performax 16-32 Drum Sander. I am now doing a lot more resawing (saving money), not just when I have to because of lumber availability. No issues, No problems. Just a nice sanding operation and quick change sandpaper.

My dream machine is finally mine
Like so many wood workers I have been salivating over a 16-32 for years. I have had mine for around 6 months, built several large arts/crafts tables in record time. I almost never use my planer anymore.

First the machine arrived perfect, assembled easily and I experimented with various belt tensions on the conveyor. I suggest that you loosen the belt some and then tighten up until you can run 80grit on a 4" board at 1/16" without the belt slipping.

On te bottom of the conveyor assembly you will find 2 ceramic belt guides. REMOVE them. Humidity will cause dust to collect here and eventually rip the belt edge. It happened to me and Performex sent me a replacement FREE.

Next only plug this unit into a 20amp receptical/breaker. Most of your motor trip problems will disappear. NO extension cords.

Use a dial indicator to get the boom perfectly level from end to end. Do the work with the conveyor belt removed. When doing oversize material you need to adjust the boom end up a bit. WARNING the adjust is different for each grit (80, 120, 220) level. I wrote down the settings to save time in the future.

Take A lot of time to get the outfeed tables set correctly and always use extended rollers for long material. Or you will have snipe issues.

You can not have to much dust suction :-). Do not buy the tool if you can not provide 1000 CFM... or you eat sand paper.
I use 3 big shop vac's all working together rigged to a single 4" flex pipe. No laughing they were garage sell cheap. $25 each

Take it very slow for the final pass. Several thin passes are always better. Wear ear plugs.

Enjoy. I would buy this unit over a fancy cabinet saw every time.

No Problem at all
Prior to buying this sander I took the time to read the reviews of both the Performax and the Delta drum sanders. I was quite concerned with the feed back of some of those getting the Performax but after looking at the good and bad points of both units I ordered the Performax. Contrary to some of those who complained of set up problems I found it very simple and very quick to set up correctly. Allow me to add that I am a Journeyman Millwright by trade which I am sure helped to speed up the process but I feel that if attention is taken you would still be able to set this machine up without much problem. I did notice that after assembling the table the holes did not allow the mounting bolts to pass through as described. A large drill bit allowed the holes to be opened and the machine was mounted as instructed. There was no dent in the drum as was noted in other reports nor was there a problem with tracking. I have not stalled out the motor even though I have cranked down during the sanding operation. All in all I am very satisfied with the purchase and would highly recommend it to anyone considering this purchase. I purchased this sander for use in my personal shop. I build reproduction 19th century furniture, mostly 1860's.

The machine is ok, QA, documentation & packaging are ???
I received my unit in two heavy boxes. Opening the first box to put things together, I tried to follow the instructions in the manual, but I noticed quickly that there are discrepancies between the machine and the instructions and from that point on, it was common sense and experience to rely on. With the stand setup, I proceeded to open the second box and there I noticed that the main sander unit was banged up and the cap on the motor fan was damaged and one of the screws was sheared. So, what do you do? 1)call tech-support and try to go through the hassle of shipping everything back and wait for several weeks for another unit that could be in even a worse shape (reading other reviews, it looks like a common theme), or 2)fix the problem and move on. So, with that problem taken care of, the sander went on the stand and sanding began. Hmm..., something is not right!? The sander is removing more material on the inside of the drum than the outside. Watching the video that came with it (this is another pain. I have not used my VCR for years; give me a CD with the video, please!) I remembered that they talked about the adjustment of the drum. So, some fine measurement tools and a few passes and half hour later, it was within the range on both sides of the drum. From that point on, I was a happy sander and I ran some stock through it and they all came out nice and even. So, from that aspect, I am happy with the purchase and the product.
What disappoints me is that there has not gone enough thinking into the packaging of the unit and it does not have enough shock absorbent material around it in the box, so it can easily get banged up and damaged. The manual is not updated and does not match with their manufacturing processes or the stuff in the box. I found loose parts and parts that were assembled "wrongly", which is giving me the indication that there was no "Quality Control" in place to catch these, which is very concerning. Lastly, a unit with such a hefty price should come fully adjusted from the factory and the customer does not need to spend time to set every thing up. The thickness difference in my case was around 5/16" and I do NOT call this negligible! It was not a big deal though, since I have all the necessary tools and stuff to do it, but it is the principal. ... Read more

Features

• 1-year warranty
• Drum sander powered by 5 HP motor
• Heavy steel cabinet provides years of vibration free sanding
• Dual steel drums with hard Durometer Rubber coating assures a flat, mar free finish
• 1/4HP Feed motor is coupled to a 2 speed forward/reverse gearbox

Amazon.com Review

The Bosch 1276DVS offers solid, reliable performance plus a few nifty extras, making it an easy-to-use sander that's serious about removing material. Bosch designers listened to customer feedback and developed a front handle that adjusts. Deep detents mean the handle snaps securely into place, giving it a burly feel and stability in any of the six positions. That, combined with nice balance and weight, minimizes user fatigue. Like many of the sanders in this class, the motor is aligned with the belt edge to make flush sanding possible; however, as with other Bosch belt sanders, visibility is somewhat limited once the sander gets into corners.

The belt-changing system works well--we didn't suffer any spring pinches--and the belt tracking adjustment tracks the new belt quickly and keeps it in place. The 1276 gets its "dustless" name from the adjustable shoot that accommodates nonwoven belts up to 8 mm thick. Belt sanders are all about removing stock in a hurry, and the larger the area of sandpaper in contact with material, the faster material is removed. To achieve a perfect finish, it's important that the sander sand flat. The platen on the 1276 is the cork-and-steel type, not as efficient as cast aluminum, but a good, solid performance setup. Plus, the 1276 offers an optional graphite platen--a great high-performance extra. There are a few other accessories available and we liked the sanding stand, which holds the tool in an inverted position for fine finish applications, and the machined-aluminum sanding frame that keeps the sander up off material, reducing pressure on the belt and making smooth finishes easier. By offering these accessories, Bosch makes this already fine tool versatile to boot. --Mark McDonald ... Read more

Features

• Exclusive adjustable belt tensioning allows use of non-woven belts up to 8mm thick
• 10.5 Amps, 1,150-1,550 SFPM power for professional applications
• Rugged design specifically built for production sanding jobs
• Magnesium transmission housing reduces overall tool weight
• Adjustable front handle folds away for close work

Reviews (14)

best in it's class
My Bosch 4" DVS belt sander is smooth, powerful and has a low center of gravity for easy handling. It is adjustable for grip and speed and does a good job on anything I've used it for. It's a little heavy for overhead or in-place work but my 3x21 Bosch fills in that gap. This is THE belt sander for the professional woodworker.

Another GREAT product from Bosch!
This is my favorite tool! I have abused this sander for the past 3 years and it keeps on humm'in. It is so smooth, powerful, lightweight, and easy to handle.

If your a professional woodworker like me or woodworking is your hobby this is the ONLY belt sander to have. It's the quietest belt sander I've ever used.

I always recomend Bosch tools when some one wants to purchase a very powerful and high quality professional power tool. Bosch tools have never let me down. Keep up the good work Bosch!!

A Monster in Your Hands
If you are planning to own one, be sure to check your physical strength. You'll need strong arms and a good rest to handle this baby, in fact, it's a monster. It weighs a ton, and has power that can hurt your arms for the rest of the day. What I like about this machine is it's power with variable speeds, the ease of the belt change and adjusting. Also the adjustable left-front handle makes it more comfortable. The weight of the machine keeps stabilizing the operation, but the down side is you can't really use it for over your head job. If I need to do that, I would grab a lighter one. One real draw back of the design is the dust bag location. It is placed on the wrong side! and it might get in your way if you are doing a critical sanding. My conclusion, It'a a nice, powerful horse at a reasonable price. It would be even nicer if the carrying case is provided. Thank You Bosch.

The Best!
Cant say enough good things about this sander--I LOVE it.

Bosch tools have never let me down. Keep up the good work Bosch!!

Worked great for a bit!
I bought this unit to replace a Black and Decker Sand Cat that had destroyed the front belt roller bearing. The unit has tremendous power. The bad part is that it will not sand flush to a wall. Then after using it about 4 times, it just plain quit. I'm lucky enough to have the service center within 5 miles of my house and the power switch was replaced under warranty. Otherwise the sander will take on anything and the belt rollers have decent bearings. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

JET's stated goal for this tool was to design the best spindlesander on the market, and point by point the company has succeededthrough better innovation rather than cost cutting. First, thisbenchtop model is double the weight of others on the market and has a1/2-horsepower motor versus the 1/4-horsepower motors found elsewhere.This means larger pieces won't bog down and the machine will runsmoother. Two excellent design improvements are the relocated andsealed on/off switch (to prevent dust infiltration) and shelves whereyou can insert and store your five complete spindles. All JET motorsare totally enclosed and fan-cooled to prevent overheating and dustinfiltration. This translates to longer motor life and less risk of afire hazard than open motor housing--very important in such a dustyoperation. This sander also has a sealed grease box around theoscillation mechanism for dust protection and longer life. Theprecision-ground table tilts to 45 degrees and accepts a modifiedinsert for angles. Other inserts have air holes to improve dustcollection through the 2-inch dust port. While JET shop tools are oftensold as price leaders, this one leads with quality instead, and whilethe price may be higher than other spindle sanders, you get more tool.Sometimes bells and whistles really are worth the money. --NancyGleason ... Read more

Features

• Non-skid rubber feet prevents the unit from slipping
• Table that tilts to 45 degrees for sanding angled materials
• 1/2-horsepower motor accommodate even the heaviest sanding project
• 1-inch spindle delivers scratch-free finish
• Oscillating action prolongs the sleeve life

Reviews (17)

Good Sander For The Money
I just received my Jet benchtop sander along with my Jet 16 1/2 drill press last week from Tool Crib. Overall, I think Jet's 1/2 hp sander is pretty good. Set-up was easy and the overall fit and finish was good.

My table top seemed to be mounted on a little crooked. There's no way to adjust for that I guess. I didn't have a problem getting the table square with the spidle though...the most important thing of all. I wish the table was a little bigger, too.

Overall, it's a nice package if you don't want to spend twice as much and don't wan't the heavier floor model. I was going to but the $X BOSS spindle sander, but it's only 1/4 HP and can bog down pretty quickly. The Jet is definitely worth the extra $X.

Great Sander!
I got my sander about 3 weeks ago, and I've used it a lot. It's very heavy and doesn't move around like I had feared. It does an excellent job. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was that it required complete disassembly and had to have the table shimmed on one side so that the spindle would be square to the table in the x plane of the table. You can adjust the angle and the zero stop from front to back, but there's no adjustment from side-to-side. You might think this is not important, but if you're sanding a tall piece (like a bandsawn box, for instance), you'll find that you're sanding more at the bottom than at the top, or vice versa. Once I took the thing apart and put the paper shims under the left side, it was dead on, and has remained so.

The other "adjustment" I had to make was to beat the cast top flat with a soft mallet. It was bowed in the middle. It didn't take a lot of "whacks" to straighten it out, and now it's flat, but again, this is one reason I didn't give this sander 5 stars. Not many people would ever check a sander meant to sand curves for flatness of the top, but when sanding tall pieces, it's important.

Once shimmed and properly beaten with a mallet, this is a fine tool! ;-)

It's not clearly stated anywhere, but the motor is an induction motor, and is very quiet. I was afraid I'd end up with a universal motor (e.g., a router motor) and have a noisy machine, but such is not the case.

If you're sanding small, flat pieces, the adjustment I spoke of will not be an issue with you.

Overall, I really like this machine. It's powerful, heavy, and quiet. I'm glad I opted to buy this machine rather than spend ...additional [money] on its big brother, the floor model.

I compared this sander to the Delta Boss, a comparable model from Bridgewood, and Ridgid. I liked this one as well as any.

Off Center
I received this sander and all went well until I put a spindel on it. It was touching on the right side,as some other reviews reported. A quick call to Jet and they told me there were some of the castings bent in shipping and upon checking what they told me to I found on the right side it was out of shape. They are shipping me both sides of the bracket that holds the table on. It look more to me like a casting problem than a bent in shipping one. I give it a three stars for this reason. If the castings solve the problem I think it will be a very reliable product. I have squared it front to back and tried a small spindel. Very quiet and seems to have plenty of power. I would have rated it higher had it not been for the bent casting. Maybe higher later,after seeing how Jet service performs.
6/03/2004 After sending the first model back,I have received a second one that was square right from the box. I still give a 4 star because of being off square on the first one. However I have to compliment the service from Amazon on getting a second one here in good time,and very good service on the return!

Who knows?
This might be a great sander, but it's hard to tell. I read all of the reviews, did my due diligence and decided on this sander despite it's relatively high price. The reason I can't tell has to do with a product defect. When I removed the sander from the box and installed the largest spindle, I noticed that the spindle wasn't centered in the table insert. It was just touching the edge on one side. When I turned the sander on, it rubbed against the insert, ruining the sanding sleeve. There is no way to adjust the table and center the spindle- other than completely removing the table and attempting to bend the support legs. I tried to shim the table, but it threw the spindle out of square with the table. I guess I could return it to Amazon- their reputation is good, but why should I have to do that for a "high-end" product. Repacking the sander, hauling it off to UPS, and waiting for the replacement is too much to think about. For $50 more I could have purchased the new Grizzly 1hp floor model with built in disc sander. My only other experience with Grizzly (A 6" jointer) was positive. I remember also another reviewer here mentioning a table problem.
Caveat Emptor- Let the buyer beware!!

It's a Sweetheart Deal
This sander kicks. I got the first one, and for some reason, the motor was off center, so it was much closer to the edge of one of the rings. It must have been an assembly problem. It's brand new, so rather than fuss with it, I called Amazon, and they promptly sent a replacement. That is why I deal with Amazon. On to the new sander.
This is a heavy, approx 80 pound, cast iron top, benchtop sander. The cast iron top is rock solid, smooth, straight, and even all the way across it's ground polished surface. I'm a critical nut, use a dial caliper to measure things, use the Incra table saw fence, which is accurate to within .002" inch. So when I talk about this Jet sander, keep that in mind.
Right out of the box, I used the Bosch digital protractor (another highly recommended item) which measures angles in tenths of a degree. (Equal to 3600 dots in a circle), and the spindle was accurate to within 7/10ths of one degree at the most extreme angle, and within 1 or 2/10ths of a degree at the others. So you could say right out of the box it was not off by even one degree. The best you can expect to get for measuring an upright metal shaft, with an expandable thick rubber tube, designed to squash out to hold a circular sleeve of sandpaper. For all intents and purposes, that it dead on. :-)
This does not pertain to the built in rule, you use to set the top to 90 degree, 45 degrees, or whatever tilting angle you may choose. After you perfectly set the top with any 90 degree square, it is advisable to loosen the setting screw, and fine adjust the pointer. See mention of this farther into the review.
It would be a lot easier to simply say, this Jet Benchtop Oscillating Spindle Sander is perfectly dead on, but then again, perfect is a relative term. I hope your having as much fun reading this review, as I am writing it. :=)
So what about the rest of the machine. I wouldn't bother buying anything more powerful. The 1/2HP induction motor found in the base, is a direct drive, with more than enough power to sand rock wood. I mated it on top of a Sears, very inexpensive, two shelf, red, metal, roll around cart. Lots of room for the sander, at a nice height. Also plenty of room, or extras, like the 3" optional drum and insert ring, the wrenches, and whatever amount of sanding tubes, you may need storage for. The lower shelf has even more storage. At the risk of sounding vain, the creme white Jet, with black and red accents, looks great on the matching red color stand. With the roll around wheels, it makes a lot of use for a little bit of dollars. It is Sears least expensive.
Back to the sander. You will want to take out a square, and set the table top to exactly 90 degrees to the spindle, then loosen the holding screw to the pointer, and precisely point it to the 90 degree mark on the built in rule. In doing so, and moving it to the 45 degree mark on the rule, by tilting the table, it was a dead on 45 when measuring. So the rule is accurate, once set.
The nitty gritty is that this sander is quiet, smooth, plenty of power for sanding edges, even on stacked hardwoods. It has multiple spindle sizes included. The little ones are not meant to lean on, (they go that fine) so if you are trying to remove stock quickly, choose the larger shaft sizes. I do recommend getting the optional 3" spindle, and insert ring, to maximize the smoothness and evenness of sanding larger surfaces.
I look at this as a lifetime tool. No need to buy a much more expensive floor standing model.
One note on cleaning the top. The manufacturer advises you to clean the cosmolene off of the top with kerosene, and a paper towel. Cast iron rusts just by looking at it, so they protect it for shipping. Anything like a solvent with totally eliminate any surface protection at all. In that condition, even the humidity in the air with start microscopic rusting. Not only does Jet advise you to clean it off with kerosene (which is an oil based product), they then advise you to wax the top.
If I had to be critical of the unit, I would say the one disadvantage of a benchtop unit, is that you have to limit the table top size, to prevent tipping over when using larger stock. The Jet JBOS-5 has sufficient top surface to meet my needs, but ever since I installed a large side, and outfeed table on the table saw, I am sensitive to the advantages of larger outfeed tables. One could be built and added onto the benchtop model, and give you more surface than the floor models.
All in all, with this kind of solid construction and performance, and price, this is the sweetheart deal. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Features

• 1-1/2hp motor
• 4" Dust Port
• 6"x80" belt
• Quick Change Belt System

Reviews (1)

Not available until October
I just called Powermatic. This unit will not be available until the end of October, 2004. ... Read more

Features

• Includes two-year limited warranty on parts and accessories
• Powerful 1-1/2 HP induction-type ball bearing motor
• Guarded on-off toggle switch
• Cam-lock belt tensioning lever for automatic belt tensioning
• Star-wheel, eccentric belt tracking control for easy accurate belt alignment

Reviews (1)

I like it but still too early to give 5 stars
I purchased this sander about two months ago from Tool Crib to replace a Sears's stationary sander that is 20 years old. Compared to my old sander this is one heck of a machine. Very heavy and solid. Much more powerful than the Sears sander it replaced.

Pros:
Price: The least expensive sander in its category.

Heavy Duty! This is a beefy machine compared to the Craftsman. Appears to be a quality, industrial grade tool. Be sure to run a dedicated 30A circuit for this sander. I ran a new 30A, 120-volt circuit, but ran my shop vac and sander on the same circuit and tripped the breaker several times in less than 10 minutes.

Powerful! You cannot stop the sanding belt no matter how much pressure you put on your work piece. Aggressive sanding with the belt that shipped with the sander.

The 12" disk sander works very well. The tables seem flat and generously large compared to my old machine. The stand, even though having 4 legs instead of a cabinet is sturdy and stable.

Cons:
Not too much of a problem, but worth mentioning: the sanding surface is several inches shorter than the Sears sander (same belt size 6 x 48 inches) because the front roller on the Delta has a much larger diameter than my old Sears model.

There is a small tag riveted to the top of the unit, just proud of, and parallel to the sanding belt on the right side. As you move your work piece side to side while sanding, the tag won't let you move a wide board off the right side of the belt. Again, not too big a problem, just grind off the rivets attaching the metal tag and remove it. Delta should re-evaluate placing the tag there in the first place.

The tracking of the belt that shipped with my sander does move from side to side while in use, and I can't seem to stop the movement by adjusting the tracking. It's possible the sanding belt is defective, I'm going to try a new sanding belt to see if that helps. Even though the sanding belt tracks side to side, it does not come off, and I am able to use the machine. If this is normal tracking for this machine I'll be disappointed, I'd think the belt should track pretty much perfectly straight. But, like I said, it's still too early to say for sure.

The Dust collection port is sized for a 4-inch dust collection hose. I use a Porter Cable shop vacuum with a 2 1/2-inch hose. Delta does not offer an adapter that allows easy use of a 2 1/2-inch hose. At Delta Customer Support I was advised to have an adapter fabricated at a sheet metal shop. That is a dumb remedy on the part of Delta. However, the dust collection hood that was a part of my Dewalt 734 thickness planer came with a plastic adapter that works perfect. It slips over and attaches to the Delta 4" dust port, and a standard 2 1/2" vac hose slips inside the adapter. No hose clamps are needed. The adapters are available from the Dewalt web site, listed as a replacement part for the DW734 for $3 each. Delta should get smart and ship their product with a similar adapter.

Conclusion: Again, I have not used this machine long enough to know everything about it, nor have I used any other sander in this catagory other than my old Sears model to compare it to. I do have a few other quality machines for comparison, old Delta Unisaw, Powermatic 8" jointer, etc., and I think the Delta sander is close to being in that class. Over all, I like the sander, and would purchase it again if I had it to do over. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Porter-Cable, the original inventor of the modern pencil sharpener, hasbeen making smart tools since 1906. The company's most recent breakthrough is aportable oscillation spindle sander, a tool unlike anything else on the market.Traditionally, of course, spindle sanders have been bench tools. Now, withPorter Cable's portable model, instead of carrying the workpiece to the tool,you take the tool to the work. It's perfect when laboring on large projects,such as sheet material, cabinet pieces, countertops, and stairtreads--situations where, in the past, a woodworker might have tried to get by with somerisky belt sander magic only to end up ruining a piece and losing time. It's agreat tool, in particular, for cleaning up after jig saw cuts. Because thespindle is perpendicular to the base, you get a 90-degree finish no matter whatangle your jig saw bit might have strayed.

Porter-Cable's sander is smooth and quiet, too, and it's easy to operate: simplyguide the sander along an edge much the way you would use a router. As with alloscillating spindle sanders, the combination of rotating and oscillating actiondelivers a smooth, burn-free surface.

This is a sizable tool, but the smooth action and the molded body make itcomfortable to hold and easy to maneuver. You can adjust the speed of the orbitsand the rate of oscillation, letting the sanding action easily adapt to avariety of applications. There's also an adjustable edge guide with two fencesthat work like infeed and outfeed tables on a jointer, so you can determineexactly how much material you want removed. This sander also mounts toPorter-Cable's router table, giving you the option of inverting it and using it as abenchtop sander. There's also an integrated dust port for dust collection. Thetool comes with a standard 2-inch drum, but can take 1/2-, 3/4-, 1-, and1-1/2-inch drums as well.

Will this spindle sander change the world? Well, maybe not, but it will makeyour life a lot easier if you're a kitchen fabricator, remodeler, carpenter, orserious home shop hobbyist. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• One Year Warranty/30 Day Performance Certification
• Oscillating action sands edges aggressively without burning
• Variable speed 2,400 to 3,600 rpm and 38 to 60 oscillations per minute
• Excellent for edge sanding large materials with straight or curved edges
• Can be adapted for use with 698 Router Table--adapter sold separately

Reviews (7)

A home improvement enthusiast from Porto Alegre, Brazil
I fully agree with the home improvement enthusiast from Phoenix, Arizona. By the way, great review (see it).

the wonders of this sander
I really dont want to gush on this product but for the price
it is it will quickly pay for itself. I have used it numerous times on wood, solid surface, and laminate. It is pound for pound an excellent buy.

Great idea. However, refinements are needed.
This sander works well and is a strong tool. However, a few changes need to be made before it deserves a five star rating. First, the straight edge fence provided with this expensive product is trash. Porter Cable probable spent two or three cents on this important accessary (and it shows). Secondly, this tool needs a case. Porter Cable does not make a case to fit this sander. Thirdly, you must purchase an adapter plate to attach the sander to the P.C. router table (poor design). Otherwise, the sander is another strong and reliable tool from Porter Cable.

Great tool and great design !
It's amazing that no one else thought of the portable spindle sander idea before this. I find myself turning to this tool more and more. I've used it to clean and straighten plywood edges using the included straight edge - it does a terrific job. I've also used it to trim fit an already hung Mahogany door. Yes, I could have used a planer, but this tool made easy work of sanding down the high spots. I'll be doing some curved work soon and I'm not dreading the post jigsaw cleanup - this will make easy work of that as well. I'm giving this four stars because the spindle set was not included with my purchase - this should be made part of the package.

Great Idea from a great company!
Now I can get the edges of those angled jigsaw curve cuts straight! This tool is great! I can sand the edges of a table top or cabinet top and get it perfectly 90 degrees to the top surface. I also fabricated a couple of brackets and mounted it to my workbench so that I can use it like a regular benchtop spindle sander. I also like the fence that comes with it. It keeps those edges arrow-straight. Quality is great and typical of Porter Cable. It's not cheap, but comparable to the bench top models and will do the same thing. ... Read more

Features

• Direct dust collection through pad
• Fastest OPM of any random orbit sander on market
• 380 watt 7500 RPM
• 8-hole hook & loop
• Reduces sanding time by 30%

Reviews (3)

This is Amazing!
If you do woodworking, you know that sanding is the most dreadful part of any project. Sanding is usually a dirty, dusty, and unhealthy job. When my last random-orbit sander got worn out, I replaced it with the 6" Fein MSF636-1. I also bought the Fein Turbo II dust collector to go with it. I am so impressed, I just had to sing its praises...

I have been through several random-orbit sanders -- DeWalt, two from Bosch, Makita, Porter+Cable, and others. Always, when I'm done sanding, my hair and face, and all surfaces in the shop, are covered in dust. For days afterwards, I have to vacuum up the dust. The dust flies around, the dust is all over my work clothes, the dust makes its way from my shop into the house. It is dirty and it is unhealthy -- it is very dangerous to breathe fine dust particles.

When I bought this sander, I figured that "dust free" meant less dust. I thought it would just be an improvement over my other sanders. Not so! With this sander, dust free really means dust free. With the Fein sander, attached to the Fein Turbo II dust collector, there is absolutely no dust in the air at all! I have a bright shop light right over my sanding table, and after I am done sanding I cannot see anything floating around in there. Definitely close to 100% dust collection.

The Fein sander is an aggressive machine, and at first you might be surprised at how much material it removes in a short time. There is an adjustment period when switching to this machine from other ROS, but it is a nice thing to adjust to. Also, I should say that this is a heavy machine, definitely heavier than other ROS I've used. But it does a beautiful job. I've used it on grits from 40 up to 400, and it is easy to control and very well balanced.

One definite minus is that Fein includes no instructions. I know that a sander is a pretty simple machine, but there are a couple of items in the box that didn't make sense to me right away, and it's nice to have instructions to make you feel confident you're doing things correctly.

The bottom line is, I no longer dread sanding. I actually look forward to the sanding phase of my wood projects now.

Awsome sander, but...
I just got this sander, and have been able to use it on some red oak. By far this is the best ROS I have ever used - and I have many hours logged with ROS. This sander can be very aggressive, but it is very easy to control, and gives very precise action. I put most of my 220 lbs. on it and it didn't chock for a second. There was almost no vibration, and my hands did not tingle after a few hours of use. Also, I have never seen better dust extraction. PERIOD!

Now to why it did not get 5 stars from me.

1) No case. At this price you think you would get a case.
2) Poor doccumentation. Mine came with two manuals. Both were safety oriented, and not use or operation oriented.
3) The dust collection outlet is propietary. It is an odd shaped rectange, forcing you to use a hard to find Fein adapter, or make one yourself.
4) Cost.

However, because of the preformance of this unit, I mostly have been able to overlook these problems. I am thinking of buying their 8" model next.

Best addition to my shop this year
This sander, combined with its vac , collects every spec of dust. The vac hose takes a little getting used to. I finish sanded 200 entry doors in half the amount of time that it took with my PorterCable random sander. Flat sanding only with this tool. ... Read more

Features

• 275 pounds
• 1 3/4 HP Motor
• Digital Readout
• 4" dust port
• Self Cooling Drum

Amazon.com Review

If you're looking for a reliable random-orbit sander capable of fast, evenmaterial removal without bogging down, this sander is a great choice. Porter-Cable'selectronic, variable-speed, 3.7 amp motor provides 2,500 to 6,000 orbits per minute. Theright-angled gearing system allows it to maintain consistent speeds even when you'repressing it down into the work. For a sander capable of fast material removal, thisproduct offers relatively little vibration, and the large barrel grip allows users to hold andoperate the tool without excessive hand fatigue. While this sander uses hook-and-looppaper--making it easy and reliable to change paper--an adhesive-paper pad is alsoavailable. This variable-speed model can work with either eight- or five-hole paper,comes equipped for dust collection, and can attach to standard 1-1/2- or 2-1/2-inchvacuum hoses. The full kit includes the 6-inch sander, hook-and-loop pad, adust-collection hood, a dust-collection hose, a hose adapter, 12-grit hook-and-loop sandpaper,and a heavy-duty plastic carrying case. --Brian Trinen ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Aggressive sanding action
• Electronic variable-speed dial
• Random, swirl-free action
• 100% ball-bearing construction

Reviews (22)

reliable and good performer
I use this sander primarily to strip paint of the bottom of my sailboat and it works great. Vacuum dust collection is required by the marina and this works fine as well. However, there will still be dust in the air and the combination of sander and vacuum is noisy so a good dust mask and ear plugs should be used. I have been using the sander for 3 years and it has not given me any problems. I use mostly 60 and 80 grit disks which make the tool moderately aggressive at removing paint, but not enough to mar the surface. I also keep the variable speed setting at the highest level, so I have not found this feature very useful. The only drawbacks are that it is a little heavy for overhead use and the cord/vacuum hose makes it a little cumbersome to maneuver. If you are going to own just one sander, then this is the one to get. It is more aggressive than the pad type sander so that it can be used for moderate paint removal, but can also be used for delicate finish work as well.

Great Sander
I recently purchased the PC 97366 6" Variable Speed Sander Kit with Dust Collection Hood. I read a review at Amazon indicating the dust collection was inadequate. In my experience the dust collection, while not perfect, is very good. I sanded the parts to make a cherry bookcase with my Ryobi RS-115 just before ordering the 97366. Even though the RS-115 has built in dust collection, as usual, I had dust all over the shop. I just finished sanding an identical bookcase with the 97366. There is very little dust in my shop from this job. The dust hood is definitely worthwhile. I suspect the variation in dust collection with the 97366 is due to the shop vacuum attached to it. If you have a good shop vacuum with a clean filter, you should collect almost all the dust. I did note, however, that I get better dust collection with sanding pads that have the holes, rather than those without holes. Porter Cable says you can use pads without holes, and you can. But, I don't think dust collection is as good.

While it certainly is not as aggressive as my large Porter Cable belt sander, it is very fast. I did not find control to be a problem although it is a little more difficult to use than the RS-115. It is bigger, heavier, and supplies much more torque.

To change pads you invert the sander and peel off the old pad. This would be much easier if the manufacturer would put a flat base on the top so the sander would remain steady when inverted. (Are you reading this Porter Cable?) But, then, that also goes for any sander I have ever used or seen.

great
i now seldom use my belt sander.

Very Satisfied !
It's another of the collection of tools we use to make our renovation projects easier. Picked it because of our mostly good experience with Porter Cable. It does awesome work. And, the dust collection system, which is absolutely essential for our work, just about does away with dust completely. That's a great plus for indoor projects such as refinishing wall paneling, hardwood, etc., where you can't have dust going all over the house and you'd really rather not have to tape up plastic everywhere.

Unlike other writers, we've found the dust collection system to be great when hooked to our portable vacuums. We also like the hook and loop and have had zero problems with it, despite this sander's power. It's a big improvement over our five inch sanders for larger projects. That one inch difference is unbelievable. We're going to buy more of them.

Best tool for car detailing
This is the exact same package as Griots Garage sells for $50 more. All you need is a couple of foam polishing pads from Meguiars or any auto detailing site and you are ready to polish your car to perfection. Just check out this link for complete directions on how to use one of these things and you will be polishing like a pro in a day! There is NO COMPARISON to the job this tool will do and hand work. Not even close.

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/detailing/forum.php?postid=1430487&page=1 ... Read more