Replies

1. 
   mvflaim | Sep 18, 2007 11:38pm | #1

   I had the same problem.. I don't know of any tool mfg making five hole disc sanders anymore. Plus the five hole works horrible on the eight hole models.. I had to use my five hole as hand sanding sheets....

    

1. 
   BobI | Sep 18, 2007 11:56pm | #2

   Yikes. Guess I have a long-term supply of hand-sanding sheets with a nice, soft backing for my tender fingers.Maybe I can sell them on Craig's list.Anybody here want them?

2. 
   [email protected] | Sep 19, 2007 12:21am | #3

   So far as I know only PC currently makes a 5-inch, 5-hole hook and loop sander.  The PC 333, and the 97355.  The 333 has good to great dust collection if you buy the PC 1-inch hose and use it instead of the bag.  The 97355 is a heavier duty tool, and if you buy it, spend the extra to get it in a kit with the dust shroud and hose set up, so that it has improved dust collection capability. 

   Having not ever seen a Festool in action, I won't compare them, but the two PC units do a better job, (when hooked to a shop vac), than anything else I have seen in catching the dust. 

   If you go to something else, let me know.  I might be interested in the discs you have if the price is right. 

   What exactly did you do to kill your sander?  The brushes, bearings and switches are all available for around $10/each. 

   ---

   Edited 9/18/2007 5:23 pm ET by Jigs-n-fixtures

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/18/2007 6:06 pm ET by Jigs-n-fixtures

1. 
   BobI | Sep 19, 2007 01:24am | #5

   Well, I guess I was jumping to the conclusion that PC no longer makes the 333 since it didn't turn up in my first search. Duh.Also jumped to the conclusion that my old 333 cannot be cost-effectively repaired. I will take it apart and see if I can figure out what's wrong. My first guess may still be correct - the symptom is that it has no power - it'll spin up with no load but in contact with the wood it immediately slows down almost to a full stop (but grabs and twists first, when it gets slow enough).Thanks for the response!

1. 
   dgreen | Sep 19, 2007 01:47am | #7

   If I remember right the 333 has a drive belt that wears out. If I get a minute I'll look it up.------------------------------------

   It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore

2. 
   [email protected] | Sep 19, 2007 01:51am | #8

   The 333 is still out there, just hard to find.  The Porter Cable Outlet,

   http://portercable.cpoworkshop.com/sanders/quicksand-_random-orbit_sanders/333k.html?ref=googaw373

   Has them for $65 or $55 if you don't mind a rebuilt one. 

   But, the parts are readily available at reasonable prices.  I just checked and there is a drive belt I found it online for about $8.  Before you oreder just it, check the rest of it out though.  The bearings or brushes may need replaced. 

   I just bought spare brushes, switches, bearings, etc. off a guy on ebay for my sanders, 690 routers, and laminate trimmers.  I got trained early by my Dad to check the brushes, bearings, etc., and lube my power tools every fall.  He had tools that were fifty years old when he finally died. 

   If you let the brushes wear all the way out it may have damaged the commutator, and then it will be a paperweight. 

   If you get an eight hole machine, you could build a punch jig pretty easy, by taking an eight hole disc and using it as a template to build a jig from some plywood, and sharpened metal rods.  I had a buddy that had a five hole sander that took the psa discs.  He could get the psa with no holes in rolls of a thousand for far less than he could the prepunched, so he just started punching the holes through after he mounted them on the disc. 

   Edited 9/18/2007 7:08 pm ET by Jigs-n-fixtures

3. 
   dherzig | Sep 19, 2007 12:24am | #4

   What about using a sharp awl or other sharp object to just punch the hole through while the paper is on the sander?

1. 
   BobI | Sep 19, 2007 01:26am | #6

   Not a terrible idea but if 2/5 holes match up and I make 6 more holes to fill out the 8-hole pattern, there will be 11 holes altogether. Seems like not much paper left? Also seems like a bit of a pain in the butt. But then, I'm lazy...

4. 
   BruceS | Sep 19, 2007 02:13am | #9

   Do a Google for "Mirka" and in the accessories section check out the backing pads for Abradnet.  Those backing pads are many multi holed for the abradnet mesh and it will take a 5 hole disc easily.  I have one on my DeWalt and can use any holed paper I want.

   Broken?  Take off the pad and see if there is an O-ring belt in place from a mini pully to a big one.  It's an inexpensive repair.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/18/2007 7:27 pm ET by BruceS

1. 
   BobI | Sep 19, 2007 06:03am | #10

   Wow. Great advice all around. Thank you all very much for the help. I am now convinced that I have a good chance to fix the sander and if not, find a way to ues the discs on a new sander. Thanks!