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Porter-Cable 342 1/4-Sheet Palm Sander


List Price: $89.06
Now Only: $38.43
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Manufacturer: Porter Cable
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Brand: Porter-Cable
Manufacturer: Porter Cable
Model: 342


Features
1/4-sheet size easily gets into tight spots and corners
Top cap design for easy servicing
Operates at 14,000 OPM
Measures 4-1/2 x 6 x 13 inches; weighs 3-3/4 pounds
Included with sander: operating manual and paper punch

Accessories
Delta 31-466 4-Inch x 36-Inch 100 Grit Sanding Belt
Performax 98-1601 Infeed and Outfeed Tables
Delta 31-348 8-Inch 120 Grit Self-Adhesive Sanding Disc (2-pack)

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Editorial Reviews:

The Porter Cable 342 1/4 sheet palm sander delivers the power and durability to meet the demands of the professional shop environment with it's 2.4 Amp motor. The 1/4 sheet sander is best for getting into tight spots and corners. The sander is designed with an accessible top cap which you can remove to quickly clean out and service the sander. This newly designed uit feels more comfortable in your hand and the new rubber top grip makes the unit easier to hold. With the increased importance of controlling dust in your shop this sander comes with the POREX dust canister which exceeds the durability efficiency of cloth dust bags. The sander also has dual dust ports that can accept 1" and 1-1/2" vacuum hoses.


User Comments about the Porter-Cable 342 1/4-Sheet Palm Sander

The 342 was available at one of the local home centers (but not its replacement, model 342K which is about 5 dollars higher) so I purchased it there for about the same price as Amazon but had to pay a few dollars sales tax.The 342 had no reviews on amazon but the 342K had plenty most 5 stars, a few 4 and one 3 star so I am posting this to fill the gap figuring this tool was high quality like its predecessor.These 1/4 sheet Palm Sanders use regular sandpaper cut into 4 squares. If you don't want to use the dust collection, you just don't punch the holes.I used the dust collector with just the bag connected and my shop vacuum. I have to rate this 5 stars. You just need about a square foot of plywood, a few small hinges, a few small screws and washers, and a hack saw blade.This PC comes with a paper punch which allows you to put 8 small holes into the 1/4sheet of sandpaper for the dust collection to operate properly. I can't find anything wrong with it.


I am not saying anything about Craftsman power tools as the one I had may have been 20-25 years old.The warranty is 90 day money back guarantee, one year warranty (free service), and three years limited warranty. I dusted the piece off with a brush and saw just a trace of sawdust flying onto the floor, then rubbed my hands across the sanded piece and my hand did not pick up any noticeable saw dust film as had been the case sanding with just the canister.It is easy to attach the sandpaper sheet to the unit, once you get use to it. My Sears unit would have required me to stop and reposition the sandpaper back straight onto the base a few times as it always slipped out of place after a minute or two. Porter Cable 342 Palm SanderCord: Long (8 Feet)Dust Collection: SuperiorNoise Level: LowWarranty: ImpressiveQuality: HighValue: ExcellentI needed a palm sander as my very old Craftsman, which I inherited, died a quite, muffled death.I normally buy from Amazon, but did not want to postpone my project by waiting the extra time for the free shipping. You punch the holes after you have mounted the sandpaper sheet onto the PC Sander. You will need an adapter unless you have a 1 inch or 1 and 1/2 inch vacuum. I wish my Craftsman had broken down a long time ago. I sanded about 9 square feet of Oak plywood and the 150 grit paper stayed where it belonged.


TV's Ron Hazelton (www.ronhazelton.com) has an excellent video on his website of how to easily make a small jig to cut those 1/4 sheets perfectly every time. With just the "bag" attached (actually a thick plastic canister), it cleaned up quite well - I know this because my Craftsman had no dust collection at all.With the vacuum attached the clean-up was remarkable. It also holds the sandpaper firmly into place.