Porter-Cable, the original inventor of the modern pencil sharpener, has been making smart tools since 1906. The company's most recent breakthrough is a portable oscillation spindle sander, a tool unlike anything else on the market. Traditionally, of course, spindle sanders have been bench tools. Now, with Porter Cable's portable model, instead of carrying the workpiece to the tool, you take the tool to the work. It's perfect when laboring on large projects, such as sheet material, cabinet pieces, countertops, and stair treads--situations where, in the past, a woodworker might have tried to get by with some risky belt sander magic only to end up ruining a piece and losing time. It's a great tool, in particular, for cleaning up after jig saw cuts. Because the spindle is perpendicular to the base, you get a 90-degree finish no matter what angle your jig saw bit might have strayed. Porter-Cable's sander is smooth and quiet, too, and it's easy to operate: simply guide the sander along an edge much the way you would use a router. As with all oscillating spindle sanders, the combination of rotating and oscillating action delivers a smooth, burn-free surface.
This is a sizable tool, but the smooth action and the molded body make it comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver. You can adjust the speed of the orbits and the rate of oscillation, letting the sanding action easily adapt to a variety of applications. There's also an adjustable edge guide with two fences that work like infeed and outfeed tables on a jointer, so you can determine exactly how much material you want removed. This sander also mounts to Porter-Cable's router table, giving you the option of inverting it and using it as a benchtop sander. There's also an integrated dust port for dust collection. The tool comes with a standard 2-inch drum, but can take 1/2-, 3/4-, 1-, and 1-1/2-inch drums as well.
Will this spindle sander change the world? Well, maybe not, but it will make your life a lot easier if you're a kitchen fabricator, remodeler, carpenter, or serious home shop hobbyist. --Jon Groebner
