Phisherman wrote:

I have the PC 333 also. My Black and Decker Professional palm sander
has had heavy use for 15 years and still goes strong. I doubt they
make them as good today, though.


B&D or PC, you mean?

PC, the new, improved version w/ the internal "belt" (actually just
an o-ring) to stop the unloaded spin is a major reversal for heavy
usage--it overheats as it simply adds friction as it goes round 'n round
which is uncomfortable holding the thing around the barrel and shortens
bearing life. I take it off first thing. The later ones (purchased
last couple of years or so) do seem to die quicker than the first one I
got quite some time earlier--I could no longer say when. That said,
they've been going through some real abusive work prepping the barn for
painting and I basically also think of them as throwaway for the
purpose.

I don't think the more expensive are worth the cost differential,
however.