Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

I purchased this sander a few years ago and use it several times a month. I like the great hook and loop (velcro style) method of fastening the paper to the sander. It is a real time saver. The dust collector works good, but I often hook this up to my small shop vac to get even more dust collection. I have had no problems with this tool, can easily find all the sandpaper for it a many stores or online. I buy the Mirka brand in bull to save money. If you need a basic random orbital sander, I really reccomend this one!

The Porter Cable 333VS is a variable speed sander of great versatility. I find it very efficient in preping wood for finishing, but I have also found it to be great for sanding between finish coats. I use a lot of lacquer on my furniture and cabinets. The 333VS, set at low speed, with a fresh sheet of 180 or 220 paper, quickly levels any flaws without gumming up the paper. The secret is low speed and constant movement of the sander. Single speed sanders tend to melt the finish not remove it.

I just used the Porter-Cable sander for a 250-square-foot deck to prepare the surface for staining. The sander is powerful, efficient and easy to use. Unfortunately, the dust-collector attachment is poorly designed and has no screw top to secure it. Thus, the collector is always falling off and allowing noxious dust to spew all over the item you are sanding--not to mention the person using the sander! The only "solution" is to use duct tape or something similar to try to secure the top. That will work for only a few minutes before the inherent machine vibration causes the collector to fall off again. The manufacturer could fix this problem in a New York second by simply adding screw threads to the collector top and container. It's no big deal. Aren't industrial engineers of Porter-Cable bright enough to know this without being told the obvious by an ordinary consumer? --Mike Thompson, Miami, FL

It seems it would be easy to design a nice orbital sander. It's a fairly basic tool. But I've found the Porter Cable to have a couple really annoying flaws. First, the dust filter tends to spin with the pad and paper. As it turns it tends to catch on the cord and drag it into the sand paper. This mostly happens when sanding the edge of a board, but you end up having to hold the cord out of the way with one hand. Not cool... Secondly, the inside of the filter, before it is really full, becomes lined with dust, blocking the air flow. The filter then blows off, causing a mess and a dust cloud. You can plan on this happening about once every half an hour of sanding. Not cool either... Thirdly, (a matter of personal preference) I tend to like the shorter orbitals. They are easier to control, and less taxing on the wrists. Hope this helps.

wore out my first one after 5 years- pad wouldn't hold velcro anymore and the bearings went south almost simulateously.

Thought the product value and quality were good enough to replace with the same model.

If you want dust collection hook it up to a 1000 cfm dust collector like i did. Now that works! Keeps the motor stone cold too.

Heads up, I ordered the 333VSK with some improved features and indeed that's what the box said, but the model inside was the same old 333VS as indicated on the attached metal plate. Way to go Porter-Cable! Good attention to detail.

The only down check for this tool is less than adequate dust collection with the manufacturers design. I ended up hooking it up to a shop vac and that works very well. I am very hard on my tools and probably expect an awful lot more from then than can reasonably be expected. Porter Cable tools are great and I would not hesitate to buy any of their power tools. There are a bunch of less expensive sanders out there but you get what you pay for and Porter cable tools are worth every penny

Variable speed is almost useless and hard to control at slow speed. Just used finer grit sand paper at higher speed. Very comfortable to hold for a long period of time. Sanded 6 doors both sides at one time and hand was only slightly fatigued. The guides for aligning the sand paper in the carrying case where useless if you were putting a used piece of sand paper on. The paper curles up when you peel it of and does not sit flat on the guide. Easier to line up by hand. Very good finish with this sander and I would buy it again if mine broke next week. But most likely without variable speed.