February 16, 201115 yr a PC random orbit sander model #390???? If ya got one, how do you like it??? How effective is the dust filter???? I posted a few days ago..........and I'm still look'n.Thanks,gary
February 16, 201115 yr Gary, I don't have the PC 390, I have the PC 343. It is the older one that is taller. I connect mine to the shop vac with an adapter when I am sanding with it. Most all of the dust will be pulled off with that. I just don't like any of the filter bags on any of the sanders I have. I have heard good things about the 390.
February 16, 201115 yr Author Ya. I just went back to my original post and the 390 was mentioned and he is happy with it. I like the idea of the horse power ( 3.3amps) and the 3/32 orbit.. My bosch had that orbit and I liked the finish.I have a sanding down draft table and never use my sanders with the shop vac ( to noisy ).  But do occassionally get to far away from the down draft, that's why I'm wondering about the dust filter.
February 16, 201115 yr Gary, I have the PC ROS, can't remember which model right now, but I have the exact same dust canister, and it doesn't work. It clogs easily, and is ineffective in a short time. Compared to regular bag dust collectors most often found on ROS's, it's not that good at all. But in reality, does any sander have a good on board dust collection system? I have not run across one yet. I would be surprised if any of the sanders on board collectors pick up more then 20 percent of the dust.That 390 sure looks nice though, I like the low profile stance, it looks comfy to hold.
February 16, 201115 yr Buy 4 extra bearings, a dynabrade da sander , and a compressor thats put out at least 18 cfm. The extra bearings for the pc sander will work on your sons or nephews soap box racer for one run.
February 16, 201115 yr I bought the 390 about 2 years ago as a backup to my aging Bosch 3725 after reading several positivr reviews about it. The only complaint that was noted was the rather large gripping surface which is too large for most (including me) hands. Even so, it's a great sander, very well made, powerful, quick cutting, and smooth. I run mine with a vac attached, and it works very well at collecting dust, but since I do that I haven't tried to the built in canister it came with. Also, this was the only hand tool I ever bought that actually hooked right up to my vac without me having to cobble some kind of connection or buy an optional gizmo. It's a great sander, one I highly recommend. Still, I place it second to my Bosch....after 7 years it's still the one I reach for first.
February 16, 201115 yr Author John........the only dust collector I have used that I swear by is the cloth bag that was provided with my 7 yr old bosch 3725. That is one hockey sticks of a sander. I don't have an actual percentageof dust recovery, but I would bet it picks up 95%. I'm forever emptying the bag. Yes............that sander has a good collector. My 2 other bosch sanders have/had plastic pieces of junk that imitate dust catchers.John Morris said: Gary, I have the PC ROS, can't remember which model right now, but I have the exact same dust canister, and it doesn't work. It clogs easily, and is ineffective in a short time. Compared to regular bag dust collectors most often found on ROS's, it's not that good at all. But in reality, does any sander have a good on board dust collection system? I have not run across one yet. I would be surprised if any of the sanders on board collectors pick up more then 20 percent of the dust. That 390 sure looks nice though, I like the low profile stance, it looks comfy to hold.
February 16, 201115 yr Author Fred...........Yup, the 3725 is really my go to sander too. The only draw back to that sander is that is heavy to hold for long periods in the vertical.I wanted to go with another bosch, but I seen this PC and it looks good.Still look'n.................. and listen'n to you guys.garyFred W. Hargis, Jr said:I bought the 390 about 2 years ago as a backup to my aging Bosch 3725 after reading several positivr reviews about it. The only complaint that was noted was the rather large gripping surface which is too large for most (including me) hands. Even so, it's a great sander, very well made, powerful, quick cutting, and smooth. I run mine with a vac attached, and it works very well at collecting dust, but since I do that I haven't tried to the built in canister it came with. Also, this was the only hand tool I ever bought that actually hooked right up to my vac without me having to cobble some kind of connection or buy an optional gizmo. It's a great sander, one I highly recommend. Still, I place it second to my Bosch....after 7 years it's still the one I reach for first.
February 16, 201115 yr Author Donald.............I think I read that you are not happy with the 390. Did the bearings go bad???? Anything else you care to share???Ya, a dynabrade would be the way to go...........but not for a one man shop............at least IMHO.donald ellis said:Buy 4 extra bearings, a dynabrade da sander , and a compressor thats put out at least 18 cfm. The extra bearings for the pc sander will work on your sons or nephews soap box racer for one run.
February 17, 201115 yr The bags are better I think, that canister the PC comes with, which is what I have on mine, just doesn't cut it. I agree, the bags are much better. Gary Heltemes said: John........the only dust collector I have used that I swear by is the cloth bag that was provided with my 7 yr old bosch 3725. That is one hockey sticks of a sander. I don't have an actual percentageof dust recovery, but I would bet it picks up 95%. I'm forever emptying the bag. Yes............that sander has a good collector. My 2 other bosch sanders have/had plastic pieces of junk that imitate dust catchers.John Morris said:Gary, I have the PC ROS, can't remember which model right now, but I have the exact same dust canister, and it doesn't work. It clogs easily, and is ineffective in a short time. Compared to regular bag dust collectors most often found on ROS's, it's not that good at all. But in reality, does any sander have a good on board dust collection system? I have not run across one yet. I would be surprised if any of the sanders on board collectors pick up more then 20 percent of the dust. That 390 sure looks nice though, I like the low profile stance, it looks comfy to hold.
February 17, 201115 yr I have the PC 390 ROS low profile and so far I like it. The canister isn't very good but most canisters or bags don't work very well. I use a shop vac with mine and it works great. I bought mine when the price dropped from $140.00 to $109.00 and 2 days after I bought it they dropped the price to $89.00. Oh well thats life but I'm still happy with it.
February 17, 201115 yr Gary Heltemes said: Donald.............I think I read that you are not happy with the 390. Did the bearings go bad???? Anything else you care to share??? Ya, a dynabrade would be the way to go...........but not for a one man shop............at least IMHO. donald ellis said: Buy 4 extra bearings, a dynabrade da sander , and a compressor thats put out at least 18 cfm. The extra bearings for the pc sander will work on your sons or nephews soap box racer for one run.
February 17, 201115 yr Gary Heltemes said: Donald.............I think I read that you are not happy with the 390. Did the bearings go bad???? Anything else you care to share??? Ya, a dynabrade would be the way to go...........but not for a one man shop............at least IMHO. donald ellis said: Buy 4 extra bearings, a dynabrade da sander , and a compressor thats put out at least 18 cfm. The extra bearings for the pc sander will work on your sons or nephews soap box racer for one run.
February 17, 201115 yr donald ellis said: Gary Heltemes said:Donald.............I think I read that you are not happy with the 390. Did the bearings go bad???? Anything else you care to share??? Ya, a dynabrade would be the way to go...........but not for a one man shop............at least IMHO. donald ellis said: Buy 4 extra bearings, a dynabrade da sander , and a compressor thats put out at least 18 cfm. The extra bearings for the pc sander will work on your sons or nephews soap box racer for one run.
February 17, 201115 yr  Hi Gary, A company I worked for about 10 years ago almost religiously honored the idea of wear out sanding after assembly, even tho the shops capability of 80% to 90%material finishing before the parts ever reached the bench was in place. The finished products had no continuity only depending on the person sanding, the condition of the sander (bearings, broken platens, bad switches, crappy cheap sanding dics, and on and on. Of course there was the factor of a lot of different users with different off the street skills or lack thereof.We always knew when the sanding was bad when the finisher would shove a cabinet. back at you, marked with felt tip penn so you had to sand back to bare wood. With your situation of being a one man show, you have the advantage of taking care of your tools and mastering the idiocyncracys of this type of sander. Years ago I watched a bodyman remove tree branch scratches fom a classic rolls. Light went on and been using da's since. Except while stuck w/ orbitals in the ":120 grit daily fireworks shop". I.m running an Eagle 3 cyl upright comp. that puts out 18.5 cfm in a 3000 sf shop that actually cost me less than a 175 psi red thing at the big box. When you grow, and you will, and need a large compressor, watch the cfm rating, psi doesn't mean squat when you have to watch air build up for 15 min. Oh! forgot to mention. I'm a one man shop too.Shallow labor pool here. Good luck Gary         Â
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