The Porter Cable 352VS Belt Sander has a powerful 8-amp variable speed motor with a variable belt speed of 850 to 1300 surface feet per minute. This is a very popular model because it is sturdy, reliable and comfortable. The 352VS uses 3”x21” belts, and any brand of belt seems to fit well.

The platen and drums on this sander don’t stick out past the edge of the belt, so you can sand up to the right edge of your workpiece. This leaves very little extra work to be done with a detail sander or sanding block, and it makes this sander very easy to work with.

One problem we’ve noticed with this sander is the dust collection assembly system [696167]. The dust bag tends to get clogged when it starts to fill up. An easy workaround for this is to empty the bag when it’s halfway full, and periodically use an air compressor to blow the residual dust out of the bag. This can be pretty inconvenient when you’re trying to finish a project, but overall we consider it a minor issue.

Lastly, this sander is very loud. We recommend ear plugs along with your safety glasses and dust mask if you’re going to be using it for an extended period of time.

One common question that we run into is if the motor can be purchased as an assembly. Unfortunately, you have to purchase the armature [A05378] and the field [876672] separately. Porter Cable does this to help on repair costs. The armature and the field are both expensive, and there is no reason to replace both if only one has gone bad.

The cordless DeWalt DW988, 18-v ½ inch hammer drill features a 3 speed, all metal transmission with a max power speed of 2000 RPM. A lot of our customers use this drill because it weighs less than 6 pounds, has great balance and the battery holds a good charge. With the power and performance behind this drill, you can finish any job.

The hammer drill feature is great when drilling holes for anchors in concrete walls, floors, and ceilings. This drill uses a 1/2″ keyless metal ratcheting chuck [330075-45] with jaws to prevent bits from slipping. After the bit is centered, the ratcheting mechanism locks it in place. This delivers great holding power without the usual two-hand twist. For our customers that are framers, the drill also has slip rings on the front that make it easier to drill in corners without grinding the chuck.

After years of use, these drills may start working only on one speed. With DW988 parts so readily available, it was surprisingly easy to replace the transmission [397892-05], and the drill works great at all speeds again.

More recently, DeWalt has replaced the DW988, with the DC988. Replacement parts are still available for both models.

From time to time we like to share with our readers the good and bad about specific power tools. Sometimes manufacturers get it completely right and sometimes manufacturers get it completely wrong. We feel that the DW705 is a great saw. Here is what we like about it:

The DeWalt DW705 Heavy-Duty 12” Compound Miter Saw is a power saw with precision cutting. At nearly $300 retail, it is a little more expensive than some other brands. We think it is well worth the extra cost – it’s an investment that will give you precise and consistent cuts for years. With a 15 Amp motor and 4000 RPM, you are sure to have the power you need.

The 12” blade (part# DW3123) gives you more versatility in cutting than the 10” blade. The cut capacity of the saw miters 48 degrees to the left and right with solid detents at 15, 22.5, 30, 45, and 0 degrees both directions. The detents make it very easy to cut quickly at commonly used angles. The secondary angle does not have detents, but we’ve found it to be easily adjustable. It bevels 48 degrees to the left and 3 degrees to the right.

The DW705 comes fully assembled right out of the box, and it includes a 12” diameter saw blade, a blade wrench in a wrench pocket, a side table extension kit and dust bag. The horizontal trigger caught us off guard at first, but after using it for a while, we found we preferred it to the vertical trigger.

Some find the DW705 heavy at 40 lbs, while others find it to be light for a miter saw. The addition of a workbench will certainly add to the weight and bulk when moving. This saw has an oversized “D” handle. For you lefties out there who find standard tool features limiting, it gives a big surface to hold onto, and you may find it more comfortable than the pistol grip.

The electric brake stops the blade the moment your finger leaves the trigger, so there is little wasted time getting the saw ready to go again. While there is a retractable blade safety cover to help prevent accidents, there is no extra safety button on the tool, so be careful when working with it.

The most common problem we’ve found is the electric brake. If you are having problems, the brushes (147097-05) or switch (391926-00) are cheap and easy to replace. If that doesn’t fix the problem, cleaning the commutator on the armature may help. The connection between the brushes and the commutator must be good for the brake to work.

Bearings and gears do wear out occasionally as well, so make sure you keep an eye on those to make sure your saw stays in top condition.

The DW705 a high-end tool that’s easy to use for the average DIYer while being tough enough for the contractor, and it has continually impressed us.

I have two DeWALT 18 Volt cordless lights, and I love both of them. They are so handy around the house, and even out on the go.

My first light is the DeWALT DW919 Flex Floodlight.
The flexible neck makes this a great light when you want a direct powerful light, that can be directed at an awkward angle. I have used my light while working on my car, working out in the garage, and even up in the attic. I really like the fact that you can sit this light upright easily on a flat surface by resting on the 18V battery.
The most common replacement part for this item is the 18 VOLT FLASHLIGHT BULB. The package comes with two bulbs in a pack, so you can have a spare handy in case it you need it. This light comes with a lot of cordless kits, so we try to stock these bulbs and we should have them in stock for quick delivery.

The second DeWALT light that I have DC528. This is another great cordless light made by DeWALT. Just like the other 18V lights, it rests perfectly on the bottom of the 18V battery, so you can put it on any flat surface, and not worry about it falling over. This light has a fluorescent bulb that gives off a flood or fill type light instead of a concentrated beam type light.

It is shocking how much light it gives off, and how long the battery lasts on a full 18V battery charge. I used mine the other night on a camping trip and it lasted over two hours on one single battery charge without any signs of slowing down. It also has a wire hook that tucks away nicely. It is a really good design, even though it is very simple. Here is a link for the DC5273 replacement fluorescent light bulb if you need to buy another one. It is fluorescent so it should last a long time, but they do go out from time to time, so it does not hurt to have another one.

There are a lot of things that DeWALT does right, and these cordless lights definitely fall under that category.