Customer Reviews

Porter-Cable 121 6 Amp Hand Held Oscillating Spindle Sander

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

I do a lot of work with curves on 3/4" birch plywood that I later edge-band. I have a stationary spindle sander that I used to use to clean up the edges left by the jigsaw. I received my Porter Cable 121 midstream on cleaning up some of these curved pieces, so I opened it like a kid at Christmas and plugged it up to finish the job. Here's what I found:

First of all, the tool is quieter than I thought it would be. It's balanced well and easy to handle, and the variable speed makes it easy to get the results you want.

Secondly, it's 1" dust port does an excellent job when connected to a shop vac. There's a little dust on the floor, but less so than with my stationary spindle sander (which is connected to a central dust collection system).

But Finally, the edges that I get with this unit are less "wavy" than with the stationary unit. It's hard to control a big piece of ply while trying to get precise edges on a stationary sander, but with the PC, I just clamp the ply to the benchtop and get precisely the edge job I'm looking for. When the banding goes on later, you can definitely tell a difference in the way it adheres to the ply that's been edged with the Porter Cable unit.

In the last couple of years, several manufacturers have introduced hand-held tools that have taken over many of the jobs previously done on my stationary tools. Rail-guided saws and routers are some examples I can cite (without giving name brands). This Porter Cable Oscillating Spindle Sander is yet another tool that will change the work flow in your shop, and will yield better results on large pieces (countertops, etc.) than any stationary unit could provide.

I highly recommend this tool!

I have had the sander just a short while but, in my limited use of it, I am most impressed. It is a rather large tool but handles with ease. I find it to be quiet, unlike many sanding tools. It works well for curved surfaces but I was especially impressed with the way it finishes off straight edges, using the edge guide. The sandpaper is a bit spendy but I think they will actually last for quite a while. All in all, a good product so far.

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.

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.

I bought this about 8 months ago from amazon.com and so far I really enjoy the product. I expected nothing less from Porter Cable. The 121 is very well built and feels very sturdy. It is heavy which to me shows good quality. I have a table top spindle sander and I couldn't see being without a portable one now. Good buy and a great tool.

Delta 31-781 Sanding Spindle Set for 31-780 B.O.S.S. Spindle Sander
This sander comes with one 2" diameter spindle. If you need other sizes you must buy them (follow link above) . This spindle set is for the Delta BOSS but it fits the PC sander as well .The set includes some some table inserts and a couple of plastic parts holders. $65 is too much for the 5 sections of rubber tube (spindles) that should be included with the machine.
The machine is great for sanding large irregular sheets of plywood in preparation for edge tape. You can maintain a square edge (90 deg.to the face )
Get 50 or 80 grit for plywood edges,150 and 120 grit are too slow.
The dust pick is built into the base. It captures maybe 70% of the dust generated when connected to a dust collector or vacuum. The 1" vacuum hose is not included either.

I DO ALOT OF IN HOUSE REMODLE AND I CAN'T TAKE SOME OF JOB'S INTO THE SHOP TO REWORK AND THEY HAVE TO BE DONE ON SITE,THIS TOOL HAS ALLOWED ME TO DO A LOT MORE ON SITE-SAVING ME TIME AND MONEY.

The is a well built sander. The portability makes it easy to use on large pieces. The one thing that I would recommend is to have a handle. This sander is somewhat bulky and a handle would make it more ergonomic. If a handle were to be added, I would rate it five stars.

This was my first time using this sander and I must say I was very happy with its performance. The sander was easy to control and had pleanty of power. If you have edge sanding to do, and you can't bring the project to the sander because of it's size, this sander is the ticket. I couldn't have finished my project with out it.