Belt Sanders » Porter Cable

Porter Cable 360VS Belt Sander Review

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:14:33 +0000

If you’re searching around for a heavy duty 3 X 24” belt sander that will face up to an array of challenging tasks, look no further than the Porter Cable 360 variable speed 3 X 24” belt sander. Porter Cable is certainly a name to be trusted when it comes power tools, and the Porter Cable 360 VS is no different.

The Porter Cable 360 VS 3 X 24” belt sander is a powerful machine, running on an impressive 12 amp motor and boasting a variable belt speed ranging from 1000 sfpm all the way up to 1500 sfpm, which is nothing to blink at. Weighing a good 14.5 pounds, the motor is situated over the platen for maximum performance and even balance. Designed for two hands with grips fore and aft, the variable speed dial is located on the front handle, making it easy to adjust speeds in the middle of a job. Also noteworthy is the fingertip belt tracking device for fast and accurate belt adjustments, as well as a conveniently placed quick release belt change lever. An easy to use piece of equipment with professional grade features, the Porter Cable 360 VS 3 X 24” belt sander is a reminder of why Porter Cable continues to be an industry leader.

A brand new Porter Cable 360 VS 3 X 24” belt sander could cost as much as $450, but be sure to shop around because there are bargains to be made. You should be able to get your hands on a new Porter Cable 360 for as little as $260. If you prefer your belt sander well tested, a used 360 VS ought to set you back somewhere in the range of $125 to $175.

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Porter Cable 362 Belt Sander Review

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:13:48 +0000

There are few belt sanders that stand up to the biggest, most challenging of sanding tasks, and the Porter Cable 362 4 X 24” belt sander should definitely be ranked among them. Whether you are looking to sand extra wide spaces or more manageable, smaller surfaces, the Porter Cable 362 could be the piece of equipment for the job.

Charged by a powerful 12 amp motor, the Porter Cable 362 4 X 24” belt sander runs at a belt speed of 1500 sfpm for rapid, serious stock removal. The motor is judiciously placed over the platen for excellent balance and peak performance, and the machine comes designed with a fingertip belt tracking dial for fast and precise belt adjustments. The Porter Cable 362 will also help keep that work space or garage nice and tidy with its large capacity dust collection bag that pivots a full 360 degrees. This belt sander was also designed with the do-it-yourself operator in mind, offering cozy ergonomic handles for true comfort. While it does allow for flush sanding against vertical surfaces, the Porter Cable 362 4 X 24” belt sander does weigh a hefty 15.5 pounds, so it may take its toll on the arms after a while.

A brand new Porter Cable 362 belt sander can cost as much as $450, but the savvy shopper ought to discover bargains for as low as $250. If you would rather purchase a well tested, used Porter Cable 362, figure on spending somewhere in the ballpark of $150 to $200.

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Porter Cable 371K Belt Sander Review

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:12:05 +0000

Are you serious about finding a truly compact belt sander? Well, the Porter-Cable 371K is as compact as belt sanders come. The 2.5 X 14” 317K comes equipped with all the power that most small scale belt sanders guarantee, yet this Porter-Cable sander is significantly lighter.

With a motor humming on 5 amps, this little belt sander runs at 1100 sfpm . For its size, that’s certainly remarkable. However, the Porter-Cable 371K belt sander’s size and weight do force some limitations. Considering it weighs half and one-third of Porter-Cable’s other larger belt sanders, there are features you will have to do without. There is no traditional handle on the 371K, but there is a front end pommel for grip, which can be removed if necessary. Like many mid level and high end belt sanders, its flush side allows for sanding on vertical surfaces, but the 371K may be easier to wield simply due to its weight and size. It has a removable dust port to attach a vacuum, but it does not include a dust bag. All that aside, the Porter-Cable 371 is a fine machine for its size, both powerful and functional.

Unlike the more common 3 X 21” belt sanders, this ultra compact belt sander delivered by Porter-Cable is relatively new to the market. Brand new Porter-Cable 371K belt sanders run for around $100 to $120. If you’d rather go for something used, then you can expect to pay upwards of $50 to $75.

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Porter Cable 352VS Belt Sander Review

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:11:27 +0000

If you are on the hunt for a sturdy and powerful mid-sized belt sander, then be sure to give the Porter-Cable 352VS 3 X 21” belt sander a test drive. A solid, easy to handle tool that would be a terrific addition to your wood shop or garage, the Porter-Cable 352VS is actually much less bulky than it appears and is equipped with a motor that will stand up confidently to most any sanding jobs.

The Porter-Cable 352VS runs on a strong 8 amp motor, and its easy to use variable speed adjustment begins at 850 sfpm and goes all the way up to 1300 sfpm. Also noteworthy is the location of the motor on the machine. Sitting over the platen, the motor offers maximum performance and exceptional balance. The 352VS is a hefty 10.75 pounds, but it is designed for flush sanding up against vertical surfaces. Something seemingly unique to the Porter-Cable 352VS 3 X 21” belt sander is a dust bag that swivels a full 360 degrees, a nice feature to keep your workspace clean.

If you are looking to buy a brand new Porter-Cable 352VS 3 X 21” belt sander, expect to pay upwards of $200, but you should definitely shop around because there are bargains to be made. The sander’s size and strength make it very durable and able to stand the test of time, so if you’d rather buy used, you should be able to find a Porter-Cable 352VS for anywhere from $75 to $150 depending on its mileage.