Porter-Cable 7800 4.7 Amp Drywall Sander with 13-Foot Hose

by Porter-Cable

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Porter-Cable's drywall sander is currently the only one of its kind. While this may have momentarily eliminated competitive pressure, Porter-Cable still put together a high-quality tool. Long enough to sand 10-foot ceilings from the ground, lightweight (8 pounds), and able to suck up the vast majority of the fine, potentially harmful dust with an attachable vacuum, this drywall sander impressed us right away. Drywall contractors all over are excited about this new tool. The 1-1/4-inch vacuum hose is 13 feet long, so a person can cover a lot of ground without having the move the vacuum. Simply put, this sander saves a tremendous amount of time (and countless muscle aches), while employing the same great sanding technology featured on other sanders made by Porter-Cable. It easily sands three times faster than hand-sanding--maybe even four times faster. And the end result is a large, smooth, uniform surface. Porter-Cable's done good with this sander--we predict everyone on the job site will agree. --Michael Shilling

Amazon.com Product Description

Porter Cable's Drywall Sander is an innovative sanding tool that provides 4.7 Amps of sanding power in a lightweight, 8.5-pound body. This variable speed sander provides a range of 1400 to 2000 RPM and features a long, 13-foot static-dissipating vacuum hose to remove potentially harmful dust. This durable sander also features hook-and-loop straps for easy handling or attachment to an external vacuum.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 64 x 11.8 x 11.5 inches ; 8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 17.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00002267Z
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 7800
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,891 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #1 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Sanders > Disc Sanders

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent start for product design, April 13, 2001

By 

Daniel J Dravis (Eau Claire, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Porter-Cable 7800 4.7 Amp Drywall Sander with 13-Foot Hose (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have over 15 years experience with drywall, so I'm not new to this. I agonized over spending this much money on a sander for a couple years. Yes, it's been available that long. But, I'm getting older and the back and shoulders don't like hand sanding on ceilings and I have yet to perfect the "sponge" method.

Regardless, I purchased the P-C sander and a box of 150 grit pads. If I didn't like it, I could sell it on "auctions". After one large room, I was pleased. I will agree with some other reviewers that you can make plenty of swirl marks. That's the first thing I did. The second thing I did was to spend 5 minutes playing with it to figure out how NOT to make swirl marks. It really isn't that hard. It is much faster than hand sanding and virtually no dust. My customers love that part!! (I do alot of remodelling jobs). If you do a good job mudding, there should be minimal sanding to do anyway.

This sander will NOT do inside corners. Based on its design, it can't get any closer than about 3/4" to the actual corner. Know up front that you will still need to touch up the inside corners. This sander is primarily for large relatively flat surfaces, and in my opinion it does a good job when used properly.

The other thing that P-C should work on is the weight. I know we all carry around tools that weigh more than 8 pounds. Try holding it over your head for any length of time though. While it is balanced nicely, 8 lbs. is still 8 lbs.

You also don't need to spend "money" on the vacuum either. (Sorry P-C) My QSP shop vac with a Cleanstream/Gore-tex filter($22) works just fine.

The 13' hose means you can put the vacuum in the center of a room and not have to move the vacuum, just walk around and sand.

So, don't look for mine on "auctions". It's staying in my toolbox.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PC 7800 is a winner!, August 16, 2004

By 

R. Cook "Jack of all trades" (Canyon City, Co) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Porter-Cable 7800 4.7 Amp Drywall Sander with 13-Foot Hose (Tools & Home Improvement)

I am 60 years old and building our third and last home. We have just finished tapeing and bedding a kitchen and two baths and have found the sanding to be almost effortless with the PC 7800. We liked the hoop and hook 150 and 220 discs because they are so easy to change without tools. Get plenty of the 220 discs - they do not affect the paper as you are feathering in the taped joints and nail or screw bedding. We connected it to our 20 gallon shop vac and the suction almost holds the tool to the walls and ceiling. A smooth orbital motion takes care of any sanding, and then a touchup with a sanding block in the corners (1/2 inch out) finishes a room very quickly. What a pleasure to buy a tool and have it work as advertised. Thanks Porter Cable - and the other reviewers that convinced us to make the purchase!

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The next best thing to someone else doing it for you, July 27, 2005

By 

L. Angelo "unlsvc" (Hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Porter-Cable 7800 4.7 Amp Drywall Sander with 13-Foot Hose (Tools & Home Improvement)

I read a lot of reviews before buying the PC drywall sander. Needless to say, this is the best drywall tool purchase I've ever made, and the bursitis in my arms and shoulders think so, too. Being a remodeler and also doing repairs for several property managers, this makes for quick,easy, and clean work. I just attach it to my 8-gal. shop-vac equipped with a drywall dust bag, and a cleanstream filter as a secondary backup, there's almost no dust at all. It took some getting used to, but once I got the hang of it, it leaves very little swirl marks. Like some of the other reviewers said, don't push it and let the machine do the work. Since I haven't hung more than 40 4x12's in any one job, I've been using No-Coat to tape the inside corners and while it costs a bit more, it saves time because I can stay away from the corners, for the most part. What little hand sanding I do after the final coat, I use a hand or pole sander that attaches to a vac; found them at the local Grabber dealer. All in all, this is one tool that is worth every penny.