2 bad Porter Cable 333VSK's

[Tomznoddy]

I'm wondering if any one has run into a similar situation with this model ROS. I just bought one of these sanders from Amazon, had a problem, called Amazon, they sent another one that had the same problem. The sander operates normally for approx. 2 to 4 minutes and then starts a wild, wobbling oscillation that becomes progressively more difficult to control. Turning power off and on usually returns it to normal operation, but it starts acting up again in a few minutes. I was really shocked to see the second sander having the same problem. Problem is worse at max speed, but does happen at lower speeds also. Called Porter Cable,they never heard of such a thing. Want me to send it in for repair but since it is so intermittent I'm afraid they could send it back "no problem found" after Amazons return time period expires.(30 days?)

[hex]

check the screws that hold down the sanding pad, ive had them work loose enough to move the pad off center disturbing the balance and making the sander wobble, you may want to add a bit of lock tite to keep them from loosening again.

[Duane Bozarth]

Interesting symptom...never had the VS version but noticing that there appears to be a continuing slicing on the durability of the 333's and

334's over the years. Gone through several w/ the barn over the last two years and none (I believe it's been four) have lasted anyways near as long as the original one that was purchased 8-10 years (I'm guessing) before.

First thing that has to be done to use one for any length of time is to remove the "brake" as it causes excessive overheating and early bearing failure if left in place for long-term nearly continuous usage.

Haven't noticed such a "flutter" however, until bearings are failed on the fixed speed models, so must be something wrt to the VS control/mechanism...or you just got "lucky"... :)