Figured I’d ask for input from those that already have them or use them… Out of the three drywall sanders out there that I know of, Porter-Cable 7800, Loveless 50001 Turbo sander, and Wilco, which is everybody’s favorite, and why?
The only one I’m familiar with is the P-C, and I know that one of it’s drawbacks is the circular head which makes corner work relatively impossible. Otherwise, I’ve heard it works well. But I have no idea how this stacks up to the other two.
How do they stack up from a quality of construction, ease of use, dust collection, and cost to operate (i.e. cost of the sanding pads, etc)? Thanks in advance for any guidance you provide!
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I have the pc and can say that it is a quality product, i use it about 4 - 5 times a year for drywall and also about as many times a year to sand primer etc on walls, the dust collection is good but you do need to detail the corners by hand, we use a little 80 -120 g sanding sponge.
james
Bump.......I too am interested in answers to his query.
I have recently purchased the PC 7800 and have found it to do a good job and the sanding pads seem to hold up pretty well. I agree with james about using sanding sponges and/or traditional sanding poles in the corners. I also own a sand kleen sanding system that does pretty good except the vacuum suction is so strong it is a chore to move the sanding pad across the wall.
I do have a couple of suggestions.
1. If you do not have a shop vac that can accept bag filters that are especially created for sheetrock dust and other fine particles you will destroy your vac with sheetrock dust. That fine dust over many hours of operation will break through your standard filter and that dust will destroy your bearings. to combat this problem I would create a 5-gallon bucket water scrubber (basically a sheetrock bong). Put approx. 6-inches of water in the bottom of the bucket hook your PC7800 to a pipe that penetrates at least 2-inches below the waterline and hook the vac up to the top of the headspace in the 5 gal. bucket.
2. Go to Sears and purchase a load sensor switch (I am not sure that this is the correct name). Anyway how it works is you plug this box into an extension cord then plug the PC7800 into the one outlet on the box and the vacuum up to another outlet on the box. When you start the PC7800 the vac. will automatically come on and when you turn the PC7800 off the vac will turn off after a 10-15 sec. delay to clear the lines of any dust. This load sensor is only about $20.
Good luck
Clark
I have the PC. Use it almost every day. I do flood and water damage repairs, so I'm in a lot of peoples homes every day doing sheetrock repairs. I never have to mask off areas to do the sanding. Make sure to keep the head flat or you can get so puffs of dust that shoot out. I've had some house wives be very appreciative!!
What's the maximum ceiling height for this unit -- while staying on the floor?
Well, 8 or 9 is comfortable to work with. If you're lanky, you might reach a 12, but your arms would be up and I don't think you'd last very long. As long as the floor isn't cluttered up though, (you don't trip and the vac doesn't get stuck) you can walk on stilts with the thing. The hose is plenty long, and you can link 2 together, and add an extension cord to the thing, you could reach an awful long ways with that if you needed it. But at that point you arent on the ground anymore."If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain