Porter-Cable 3" x 21" Belt Sander 352VS

Pros: Built like a tank, very robust, very efficient
Cons: Noisy & heavy

After my Craftsman belt sander died, I needed a replacement that would last longer. The difference between the Craftsman sander with it's plastic body and the Porter Cable with it's metal body was very apparent from the minute I powered the 352VS up. ...

Pros: Well made and has power to spare.
Cons: LOUD! Screaming loud is a better description.

I decided to buy the Porter – Cable 352VS because I wanted a smaller belt sander than my old (and heavy!) but reliable Rockwell 362 that uses a 4”x24” belt. The Porter – Cable 352VS has some nice features and some annoying ones too. ...

Pros: Tracks well and sands well
Cons: Loud and dusty

First of all it is loud. They have been making the same sander forever, I have used old ones and new, and they have all been loud. Whoever said it I agree, earplugs should come with the 352s. I have used a lot of different belt sanders over the ...

Pros: Very durable, strong motor, belts always track true.
Cons: Very noisy, dust collector useless, balance off-center.

I have used a Porter-Cable 352VS belt sander for several years. I have owned P.C. tools in the past and always found them to be solid and durable. This sander was no exception.

The motor is very strong, and will handle hours of continuous use...

Pros: Variable speed and great dust bag make this a must for any workshop
Cons: Belt tends to wander unless you use original porter cable replacements

Porter Cable's 3 x 21" sander is must have for any workshop. With it's multi variable speed it makes it usable for a number of different applications. By multi variable, I coined this phrase myself, I mean that it the dial does not have positive stops...

Pros: Can't think of any
Cons: Poor dust collection, Tips easily, Dust bag too big

I purchased this sander today (11-17-06) and it's going back tomorrow. First they took away the 90 degree tube to the dust bag. The dust bag is the size of a football. One cannot see what they are doing. Dust everywhere. Very difficult to use with one hand. Tips easily which gouges the wood.

I have been using power tools for over 30 years. The design on this one is not good. My cheap $30 garage sale sander worked a lot better than this one.