Porter Cable detail sander #444---Comments?

[Dan Forman]

A friend has a PC 444 detail sander for sale for $45.00. Does anyone have any experience with this tool? It's not new, but has seen very little use, comes with 17 different profiles. It's the single speed model, is variable speed a useful feature? I have no experience with these things, so I'm wodering if it's a good value. Thanks for any guidance you can offer.

Dan

[Howard Barlow]

I bought one a long time ago. I don't use it often, but it is pretty handy when I need the profiles.

[Travis Porter]

Have had one for eight years. Use it rarely. I like the little sanding shapes you wrap sandpaper around better. To me, it is more trouble than it is worth. my .02 worth

[John Miliunas]

Like Howard, I've had one for years and it gets rare use but, I have found it to be real handy when the application calls for it. If it's in good shape, not a bad deal!

[Greg Heppeard]

I started with the Dremel version...went through 2 of them in a couple of weeks. I then got the PC 444 and got the job done. I used it once in a while. I then had the opportunity to try the Fein ($299) which can be used as a small saw also...I purchased the Fein and love it, I use it a lot more than I ever did the PC

[Scott Coffelt]

In general I have never had a bad thing to say about PC or a tool of theirs I bought, this however is one that I have had and thought it was not worth the name or price. That's my opinion. Said part is I paid the regular price for it. I think I tried using it about 3 times and everytime, wonder why I bought it.

[Steve Clardy]

Same as Scott. I brag on all my PC tools, except the detail sander.
I got one 8-10 years ago. Was very unhappy with it. Gave it away.
Then about four years ago, Grainer was selling out some excess stock. I bought another one for $40. some dollars.
Figured maybe they had improved it. Wrong.

So it sits in the case, unused. It will go to Ebay one of these days.

[Dan Forman]

Thanks guys, guess I'll pass on that one.

Dan