Good palm grip sander?

Question

I want to get a palm grip sander. It doesn't have to be great but being good would be nice. I looked at home depot and lowes online but I have no idea which brand is better then another so any help would be great.

Answer 1

For most of my career, the Porter Cable 330 Speed Block Sander was considered the only one to use: http://www.7corners.com/catalog/index.ph...

$89

I see that Porter Cable has introduced a less expensive model (probably due to Porter Cable having been taken over by the dreaded Black and Decker who are infamous for churning out cheap tools):

http://www.7corners.com/catalog/index.ph...

$49

One of the benefits with going with a good, reputable American company with history is that their units will be repairable for a long time to come. My Porter Cable Speed Blocks are thirty-some years old now and I can still get parts for them. That will likely not be the case with the Asian companies like Ryobi or Makita and definitely not the case with the poorer Ridgid line.

Answer 2

i like ridgid's products myself but really any one would do. I don't know if ridgid makes one or not, mine is ryobi i'm thinking, and it works great.

Answer 3

I've used three different sanders, a DeWalt, a Mikita, and a Black & Decker.  The Black & Decker was awful.  It's cheap and it sucked.  The Mikita was terrific.  It's not priced badly and it does an amazing job.  The DeWalt is pretty expensive and did the same job as the Mikita.

Answer 4

The Ridgid 1/4 sheet palm sander has one of the best warranties in the business. Ridgid offers a 3 year warranty and a lifetime service agreement.  Its a 3 lb tool, 14000 orbits per minute, no load, and has a vacuum adapter The price, if I remember correctly, is about $49.00

I agree that Dewalt is overpriced, probably Milwaukee too. And unless you're looking to use your sander occasionaly, like 1 or two times a year possibly, then I'd stay away from the Ryobi and Black and Decker, both made for the occasional weekend warrior.

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Answer 5

well i work at lowes tools,  so if your just looking for a occational project once in a while, then a black decker will be fine,