Porter-Cable 333VSK 2.4 Amp 5-Inch Variable Speed Random Orbit Sander with Dust Canister

by Porter-Cable

Product Description

Amazon.com

Do everything with this sander, from rapid stock removal all the way up to clean, swirl-free finishing. Hook and loop-backed sanding discs attach in a second, and we especially like the option of using five- or eight-hole paper so you can choose your favorite brand. There are six speeds to choose from, beginning at 5,000 orbits per minute and topping out at 12,000, and they can be adjusted while the sander is running. We like the safety of the pad brake, which limits pad rotation to 400 rpm when the tool is lifted from the work surface. The dust canister is plastic, rather than a bag, so wear and tear won't have much effect on it. It doesn't really collect too much dust, but if you hook up a shop vacuum to the port, the dust is whisked away. The canister rotates 360 degrees around the body of the sander, a nice convenience for tight spaces. We think it's comfortable to hold both by the head of the tool and around the main housing, whichever suits you. It runs smoothly, is relatively quiet and lives up to Porter-Cable's promise that it won't leave those nasty swirl marks.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste

From the Manufacturer

Porter-Cable 333VSK 2.4 Amp 5-Inch Variable Speed Random Orbit Sander with Dust Canister

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 5.9 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000256RVY
• Item model number: 333VSK
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,989 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent sander, January 10, 2005

By 

FredMech (Smithfield,Va.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Porter-Cable 333VSK 2.4 Amp 5-Inch Variable Speed Random Orbit Sander with Dust Canister (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have one of the first models of this sander;I have had mine now about 4 years--sands great,no problems with reliability.The dust collector is a joke,so now I just hook up a shop vac to it for clean sanding.I don't care for the on/off rocker switch,which is a little tricky to operate with gloves on.Would I buy this sander again? Yes!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Sander for the Money, March 20, 2005

By 

J. Paul Paris "Pauliep" (Bakersfield, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Porter-Cable 333VSK 2.4 Amp 5-Inch Variable Speed Random Orbit Sander with Dust Canister (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have used my 2 333's for over 4 years. I have never had a major problem with them and have found that they are the most used sanders in my shop.

The top palm grip is comfortable, which is important to me as I have smaller sized hands than my fellow woodworkers. The variable speed adjustment knob is located in an out of the way place, ensuring that you don't accidentally increase the speed while working on your project.

The hook and loop setup is very nice. I have yet to have any problems with any of the hook and loop sandpaper I have used on the two that I own. None of the paper has ever slid off.

I have had a slight problem with one of the dust collectors. On one of my machines, the collector keeps popping off unless it is secured with masking tape. Aside from that, the unit collects and pushes dust away properly. I would still suggest using a mask, however.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good combo of stock removal without too much swirl, August 26, 2005

By 

Frans Vandeven (VT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Porter-Cable 333VSK 2.4 Amp 5-Inch Variable Speed Random Orbit Sander with Dust Canister (Tools & Home Improvement)

I used this sander for the last four months for finish trim and sanding out planer marks for trim that was scribed to a sagged out post and beam home.

This sander does a great job of quickly removing stock without leaving swirls. Only when I used 80 grit paper on select Pine did the stain leave swirl marks that required more sanding. Also, when I borrowed an older DeWalt model, I ended up doing a LOT of hand sanding - what a drag - to take the swirls out.

The dust collection is OK, not great but not bad. If it has to be great, you need to attach a vacuum. The Bosch 3x21 belt sander creates less dust.

As far as durability, it still works, depite heavy use. However, the dust collector "tube" seems to vibrate loose off and on and is annoying. Also, the housing of the base seems to vibrate on the body but this should be easily fixed by removing some material at the joints where the screws are. Also, just recently a plug from a covered screw was sucked into the dust collection holes and made the belt jump from its track. Now the swirls are pretty significant.

The variable speed is pretty much a wast eof money. I will buy the single speed model next, since I use mine only in top speed and if the abrasion is too much, I change to a finer grit.

Hope this helps out,

Frans.