Customer Reviews

DEWALT DW421K 5-Inch Heavy Duty Random Orbit Palm Sander

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This sander is smooth and durable. The dust collection system works better than most palm sanders I've use. The hook and pile on the pad seems to hold up longer than other sanders. Has a dust protected switch so you don't go through swiches often. This sander can go all day--great, well designed sander.

For the money the DW 421 can not be beat. I got tired of emptying the dust bag and with it hooked up to mp shop-vac I can sand any place. This works much better than the dust bag. I have had no problems with the power, performance, or sanding disk. The hook and loop is great but all hooks need to be clean out with a vac occasionally. In 3 years it has sanded a lot of dry wall and wood using all grits.

I have used mine for sanding table tops and similar applications. the bag did fall off. I used some lock-tite thread adhesive, the bag does not fall off now. The bag also has a twist locking mechanism which works fine, so I never need to seperate the lock-tite bond unless I need to open the sander up for repair. That is perhaps the difference between 4.5 stars and 5 stars. Still I think it is better than a 4 star sander.

This sander really does work fine, it does the job it is designed to do. I do have a couple of complaints though. Firstly the dust bag is basically useless. Mine has broken twice and when it is in place it is largely ineffective. ( Actually though, I fail to see how a ssnder's dust bag can work without a vacuum, but anyway) and the other gripe is the power switch. Mine is in a dust protective booted cover, that I usually fail to properly toggle, so when I start to sand, it will turn off - or the worse case it turns back on when I am setting it down. I can say however, that this unit has held up through the years that I have owned it, dropped it, loaned it . . . So I have no question as to its durability. I cannot base it on any comparisons with other RO sanders, but I can say I have got my moneys worth over and over.

While looking around in the tool department at the local Sears Store here in Fairbanks, Alaska, I noticed this sander on the shelf. I had heard how great Random Orbital Sanders were from various people, and since it was my birthday, I snatched it up and took it home. To date, I have used this sander for about everything! Initially, I used it to sand kitchen cabinets that I built from scratch and faced with Hard Maple. Then, after finding it did a better overall job than a belt sander, I sanded two cedar patio decks (ten by twelve ft, and 8-x 12 ft). I then used it to refinish the capping board (2"X 6" on my eaves) that had been badly weathered. I have used this sander without mercy for hours on end; I have dropped it from height approaching twenty feet, and have soundly thrashed it on too many projects to name. In short, it still operates like the day I took it out of it's box...four years ago. The grit of sandpaper you install determines this sander's versatility! A great buy for the money!

Handy Dan

The sander is a fine product, with the exception of the "controlled finish system". This system uses a plastic ring which wears out rather quickly. When I bought the sander another ring was supplied, which I've misplaced. I am now stuck with a sander that works improperly, shoots shards of this plastic ring out, and I cannot seem to get a new ring for it. Lifespan was 1 month of heavy use. My boss has a porter-cable and it doesn't have this system. It seems to work well without and has had a year of daily use.

I love this sander. From the time I took it out of the box to do a home renovation project to the time I took it off and cleaned it four hours later I have been pleased. Ladies if you want a powerful sander that has a good grip to it, this is the one for you. I had no trouble holding on to it. The only problem I had was the dust collection bag kept slipping at intervals, other than that I'm looking forward to and inventing projects for my sander.

What won't this little machine do? How about cook breakfast. As far as sanding I've done it all from finishing drywall, smoothing out old plaster walls, brought an old rusty flea market file cabinet back to life & even shined up the family grocery getter with a wool bonnet! Nice sealed switch, handy case & super convenient vacuum hook-up hiding in the dust bag. Buy it! If you have problems with this sander your probably not ready for power tools yet , get a rubber sanding block!

I have had this sander for the last year. It has been a true godsend as it is used almost every day for two to three hours. The dust collection piece is great until you get up to the 220 grit which seems to somehow escape the collector. My only gripe is the palm area will heat up after about an hour or so enough to make it somewhat uncomfortable. However, it does the job right everytime.

A great value for the money. I have used this sander on several home projects and it is a joy to use. This sander is well balanced so you won't become fatigued while using it. Additionally, it has always provided a smooth finish. The dust collection bag works well, but if possible, use the vacuum attachment so dust doesn't go everywhere when emptying the bag.