http://www.amazon.com/Porter-343K-5-...3646180&sr=1-7

I started using my new PC 343K and it doesn't seem to be aggressive. When
the description says it does 12,000 orbits/minute I guess it does those tiny
12,000 random vibrations per minute and not really turning the pad at 12,000
rpm.

On the other hand, my air driven random orbit sander which I had for couple
of decades, is extremely aggressive in both random and rotation action. The
air driven one is more like a real disk sander with orbital action while the
PC is more like a pad vibrator with some disk rotation. So am I correct or
either I'm not using the PC correctly or its defective?

** Frank ** wrote:
http://www.amazon.com/Porter-343K-5-...3646180&sr=1-7

I started using my new PC 343K and it doesn't seem to be aggressive. When
the description says it does 12,000 orbits/minute I guess it does those tiny
12,000 random vibrations per minute and not really turning the pad at 12,000
rpm.

On the other hand, my air driven random orbit sander which I had for couple
of decades, is extremely aggressive in both random and rotation action. The
air driven one is more like a real disk sander with orbital action while the
PC is more like a pad vibrator with some disk rotation. So am I correct or
either I'm not using the PC correctly or its defective?


Nope, that's just how it works. I think the slow turning of the pad is
what makes the orbits "random".

"** Frank **" wrote:

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-343K-5-...3646180&sr=1-7

I started using my new PC 343K and it doesn't seem to be aggressive. When
the description says it does 12,000 orbits/minute I guess it does those tiny
12,000 random vibrations per minute and not really turning the pad at 12,000
rpm.

On the other hand, my air driven random orbit sander which I had for couple
of decades, is extremely aggressive in both random and rotation action. The
air driven one is more like a real disk sander with orbital action while the
PC is more like a pad vibrator with some disk rotation. So am I correct or
either I'm not using the PC correctly or its defective?


I don't have the pneumatic tool point of reference, but I had the same
reaction when finally buying a ROS. I had heard so much about how good
it was at removing stock. Found that it was true, but I needed to
change the way I thought about it. It was not more aggressive than my
vibrating pad sander--it was smoother. With that frame of reference,
you can get to more aggressive by a different route; the ROS with
60-grit will remove material much faster and provide a similar finish
to the vibrating sander using 120-grit.

(And, no, I haven't tested these two grits for comparability of
finish--just using them to illustrate the concept.)
--
Alex -- Replace "nospam" with "mail" to reply by email. Checked infrequently.

On Thu, 5 Jul 2007 08:04:42 -0700, "** Frank **"
wrote:

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-343K-5-...3646180&sr=1-7

I started using my new PC 343K and it doesn't seem to be aggressive. When
the description says it does 12,000 orbits/minute I guess it does those tiny
12,000 random vibrations per minute and not really turning the pad at 12,000
rpm.

On the other hand, my air driven random orbit sander which I had for couple
of decades, is extremely aggressive in both random and rotation action. The
air driven one is more like a real disk sander with orbital action while the
PC is more like a pad vibrator with some disk rotation. So am I correct or
either I'm not using the PC correctly or its defective?


I'd expect an air-driven tool to be much more aggressive and lighter
than a unit with an electrical motor. A ROS is closer to a finishing
sander. If you want an aggressive electric sander, consider a belt
sander.

"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 5 Jul 2007 08:04:42 -0700, "** Frank **"
wrote:

http://www.amazon.com/Porter-343K-5-...3646180&sr=1-7

I started using my new PC 343K and it doesn't seem to be aggressive. When
the description says it does 12,000 orbits/minute I guess it does those
tiny
12,000 random vibrations per minute and not really turning the pad at
12,000
rpm.

On the other hand, my air driven random orbit sander which I had for
couple
of decades, is extremely aggressive in both random and rotation action.
The
air driven one is more like a real disk sander with orbital action while
the
PC is more like a pad vibrator with some disk rotation. So am I correct
or
either I'm not using the PC correctly or its defective?


I'd expect an air-driven tool to be much more aggressive and lighter
than a unit with an electrical motor. A ROS is closer to a finishing
sander. If you want an aggressive electric sander, consider a belt
sander.

I have couple of belt sanders, both Craftsman. One purchased from the late
70s is a PIA as the belt wonders all over the place. I also inherited a
commercial/professional Craftsman belt sander - looks real good but need
parts.