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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.
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