Comments about the PC "low profile" ROS

[Bill White]

Got a bunch of years on the older U.S. made PC 5" ROS, and have been seeing a lot of stuff on the newer model low profile model.
Anybody have some comments about it? Good or bad is what I am lookin' for.
Bill

[Dell Littlefield]

I like the quick shutdown of the new model but my hand gets tired of holding it much quicker than the old model. I bought it 4 years ago and am a hobbiest. The dust collector stays on much better on this one also.

[Mark Engel]

I find it a little more difficult to hold. The top is too larger to comfortably fit my hand around. I end up holding it by the dust collection port on the back.

When hooked up to my shop vac, the dust collection is excellent.

[Bill Huber]

I agree with all the above, I had one for about a week and sold it and went back to my Dewalt. It just did not fit my hand, it sanded just fine but was just to large for me.

[Mike Wilkins]

I had one of the older model PC ROS, but sold it after getting the newer model low profile sander. I agree it is more of a handful to use, as it is physically larger than the old model. Works fine for my larger mitts though. The dust collection is great and the quick shut-down feature is wonderful. I have mine hooked up to the PC vac, which has the auto-start feature. Great combo, but I have to clamp the hose to the sanders' outlet to keep it from sliding off. Minor glitch but still a great sander.

[john bateman]

I have the model 390, and an older Makita ROS. Aside from what the others replied, the PC also seems to leave those pigtail, or squiggle scratch marks to a much greater degree than the Makita does. I use the same Mirka abrasive discs on both machines, and I don't know the reason for this problem.

[Jim Neeley]

Great info, guys!

"I have to clamp the hose to the sanders' outlet to keep it from sliding off."

Perhaps a wrap of friction tape around the tool outlet would give it a grip?

"..the PC also seems to leave those pigtail, or squiggle scratch marks to a much greater degree than the Makita does... I don't know the reason for this problem"

The normal cause for that is the orbit size (and the rate you move the ROS).

Festool, for example only, makes ROS's with 3/32" and 5/32" orbits. The 5 sands quicker but is more likely to leave pigtails.

I have 2 electrics with 3/32" and a pneumatic ROS with 3/16" orbits. The 3/16" sands much faster but leaves pigtails. I generally use it with coarse paper when there's a lot to remove.

I-R makes a pneumatic ROS that's up to 3/8" orbits. It's designed mainly for rough sanding auto body work but could be used for wood although it'd be even more pigtail-prone.

Pigtail-prone: What a term! :-D

Jim

[Jason Roehl]

I've found that if I'm getting sanding pigtails, that there is usually something either stuck to the sandpaper (even removed finish), or trapped between the sandpaper and the surface.