| Review by Bob Kollman | posted 256 days ago | 1762 views | 2 times favorited | 20 comments |  |
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- Porter-Cable 390K 5" Low Profile Random Orbit Sander
- Brand: Porter-Cable | Category: Sanders
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I sand a lot of wood…on average over 200 BF a month. I own a drum sander and use it a lot, but I find that for the final finish a ROS is the best tool. I have owned and used porter cable sanders for the past 5 years and I like them. The 390 low profile is a cut above the others.
This tool has been reviewed on LJ’s twice before, but it has been awhile and this tool deserves another mention just to keep it on your radar.
It is variable speed….I don’t use that option.
Powerful motor = maximum sanding results with minimal efforts.
Brake system= when you hit the off switch the sander winds down to a stop within about 3 seconds.
Effective Vacuum Port = I have a home made adapter to hook it up to my 2’ vac hose, clean no dust.
Smooth Operation = No pins and needle feel in your hand after hours of sanding. It is the smoothest feeling sander I have ever had.
I have small hands, a lot of women have bigger hands than I do, so gripping the low profile is a little tiresome, but it was just a matter of getting use to it. Most guys will have no problem with the grip. A positive trade off is the low profile that allows easier axis between tight shelf spacing.
Where I find the sander the most convenient is when I am using the bench vice for sanding. You turn the sander off drop it on the bench and there is no long wait for the sander to wind down. I sand a lot using my bench vice so it is a real time saver.
It cost a 100 bucks, about 50 bucks more than my other porter cable sanders, it is worth the extra 50 bucks.
-- Bob Kenosha Wi.
20 comments so far
Joe Lyddon
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6391 posts in 2222 days
#1 posted 256 days ago
A very good Review…
... and very useful too… It’s hard to find a really GOOD sander.
Thank you…
-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"
Sheila Landry (scrollgirl)
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5938 posts in 1090 days
#2 posted 256 days ago
Good to know, Bob. We have been doing a lot of sanding lately and are perhaps considering another sander. Nice to hear about this one. :)
Sheila
-- Contributing Editor, Creative Woodworks and Crafts, Sheila Landry Designs http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com "Knowledge is Power"
helluvawreck
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10466 posts in 1037 days
#3 posted 256 days ago
Thanks for the review, Bob.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau
NiteWalker
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1473 posts in 747 days
#4 posted 256 days ago
Great review Bob. :)
I have the same sander but in dewalt yellow (D26456) and love it.
Even without using a shop vac it does a really nice job collecting the dust.
-- He who dies with the most tools... dies with the emptiest wallet.
SPalm
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4114 posts in 2052 days
#5 posted 256 days ago
Cool.
Thanks. Sounds great.
Steve
-- -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Alexandre
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1417 posts in 361 days
#6 posted 256 days ago
I also have the same sander. Its a great sander.
-- My terrible signature...
Pete Perrello
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16 posts in 1507 days
#7 posted 256 days ago
I gave this to my wife to read.
She said it was a very informative review but she wasn’t going to do my sanding.
whitebeast88
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1870 posts in 361 days
#8 posted 256 days ago
thanks for the review.i’ve got one coming any day now and glad to here another good review.
-- It don't have to be straight,it's just a suggestion!!!
Lenny
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1039 posts in 1697 days
#9 posted 256 days ago
Great review Bob. I particularly like that you have logged a good number of hours with it prior to the review.
-- On the eighth day God was back in His woodworking shop! Lenny, East Providence, RI
rodneyh
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103 posts in 834 days
#10 posted 256 days ago
Have it as well, and love it. Got it about 6 months ago. Lots of power.
A10GAC
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141 posts in 1248 days
#11 posted 255 days ago
Can we get some details about your homemade vac adaptor?
-- A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way. - Mark Twain
harvey4804
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98 posts in 852 days
#12 posted 255 days ago
I tried to order one from cpo through Amazon but they were sold out. I’m waiting for the refund to go find one!
-- Ryan, FRMR HMM165 - HMX1 01-10
Bob Kollman
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1779 posts in 1361 days
#13 posted 255 days ago
Thanks for the comments everyone.
A10GAC – I took one of the old tapered wands from a wet vac I was no longer using and cut a section out with my band saw… instant fit.
Pete P, I guess that’s her way of saying buy one :)
-- Bob Kenosha Wi.
Beginningwoodworker
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13225 posts in 1843 days
#14 posted 255 days ago
Bob I have been instreted in that sander.
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
A10GAC
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141 posts in 1248 days
#15 posted 255 days ago
Thanks, I had a feeling that was what I was looking at, but wasn’t sure.
-- A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way. - Mark Twain
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