Porter-Cable 333K 2.4 Amp 5-Inch Random Orbit Hook and Loop Sander

by Porter-Cable

Product Description

Amazon.com

Frankly, you can’t go wrong with any of the random orbit sanders made by respected toolcrafters these days; it’s really a matter of brand preference, your budget and what fits your hand most comfortably. This one’s among the least expensive from the big toolmakers, but its features are pretty well matched to its competitors. Its motor is a tad more powerful at 2.4 amps than the crowd, but there’s no discernable difference in use. And like the others, it’s loaded with great features, most notably Porter-Cable’s Sandtrap dust filtration system, which actually collected most of the dust we generated. It’s a hard canister, not a fabric bag, swivels 360 degrees around the tool body for maneuvering in tight spots and can be connected to a shop vacuum with an accessory hose. And like most of the others, this sander uses five-hole hook-and-loop abrasives—-they can be pricey, but you can’t beat the convenience. At 80 grit, you’re removing stock at a surprising rate; with 220, you’re getting a truly swirl-free finish. For safety’s sake, the pad won’t rotate at full speed until it contacts the work surface, and as soon as it’s lifted off, the pad brake immediately slows the rotation to 400 rpm. Since this is a palm-grip design, you can switch your grip between a top hold or grasping the main housing. This model doesn’t have a rubber grip on top like some of its competitors, and you do feel a little more vibration as a result. It’s a hardworking, versatile sander and definitely a good buy.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

From the Manufacturer

Porter-Cable 333K 2.4 Amp 5-Inch Random Orbit Hook and Loop Sander

See all Product Description

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 5.8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000256RVO
• Item model number: 333K
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,515 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #52 in Home Improvement > Air Tools > Sanders & Grinders > Sanders

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerfull with reliability problems., March 9, 2005

By 

Handy Man (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Porter-Cable 333K 2.4 Amp 5-Inch Random Orbit Hook and Loop Sander (Tools & Home Improvement)

I purchased this sander at Lowes at cheaper price than here (I had to pay sales tax so it was not much cheaper).

Sander worked fine and it was powerful, not as much vibration as Porter Cable palm sander. Hook and loop sandpaper although expensive is nice to use. I don't think I would like stick-on discs.

Now, the bad part (one would expect that part, isn't it?). Unfortunately, I ignored one of previous reviewers stating problematic pad. My sander was returned to Lowe's after nine days of heavy duty usage because belt that drives pad broke and sanding pad went bad too. New pad costs thirteen or fourteen dollars at HD. Dewalt pad is one dolar more expensive and is better made.

I purchased another Porter Cable random orbital sander because I invested quite a lot of money in Porter cable sandpaper discs (5 hole). Most of competitors use 8 hole sand paper so I could not buy Dewalt or Bosch because I had pile of 5 hole Porter Cable sandpaper discs. I would recommend Norton universal sandpaper discs sold at HD, which can be used on 5 and 8 hole random-orbit sanders. If you don't like PC sander you can return it and buy competitor's sander without worring about purchasing again sandpaper.

I don't think that dust was an issue because I hooked up my Ridgid shop vac to this sander. I could vacuum my hardwood floor with this sander when connected to shop vac. I had to use ear muffles to deal with noise though.

Dewalt and Bosch have metal backing plate in their sander pad but not Porter Cable, which uses plastic. This plastic wore out in place where pad is screwed to sender (3 torx screws).

I would love to find out if Dewalt pad would fit Porter Cable sander. I own 3 different PC sanders and this one is a real disappointment as far as reliability is concerned.

I would love to see Porter Cable stand behind their product and redesign their pad so it would not break so quickly. I think that pad recall should be done by Porter Cable.

EDIT: My second sander still works. Pad is fine too. Maybe washers I put in the pad made it last longer. Overall, I am pleased with this unit. I changed rating to 4. All my PC sanders are working fine till now.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Sander seized up after 4 hours use, May 6, 2005

By 

Delwin J. Holeman "djh" (Athens, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Porter-Cable 333K 2.4 Amp 5-Inch Random Orbit Hook and Loop Sander (Tools & Home Improvement)

I bought the sander about a year ago but hadn't used it much until recently. The motor is evidently seized up and I'm not sure if I have any time left on the warranty. I bought four boxes of sandpaper for this sander, but will not buy another Porter Cable tool. I only hope my PC biscuit jointer and nail guns don't suffer the fate of this poorly built tool.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Performance - Poor Reliability, September 28, 2005

By 

Chip "Extreme multi-talented multitasker" (St. Helena Island, SC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Porter-Cable 333K 2.4 Amp 5-Inch Random Orbit Hook and Loop Sander (Tools & Home Improvement)

If you read the Intermediate Woodworkers review, that's my story also. I agree with everything he said. I would add that this Porter Cable sander uses a rubber band as part of the random orbiting action. Also there is a gasket which is applied with basically a double sided tape. Once it comes loose it loses its adhesion. If you buy this sander you should expect to have to replace the pad, gasket and rubber band at one time or another. All and all, a poorly and cheaply designed sander. That being said - when the sander is working it does a very nice job.