I have owned this half sheet sander for 2 years now and it is still going strong. I have used it to sand large areas such as steps and floors. This sander runs very smooth and has very little noise for a sander. The unit is constructed of all metal so it can take the bumps along the way. I also purchaced the attachment for collecting dust and it really helps to keep the dust down to a minimum. Paper change is a snap also. Another great product from Porter-Cable!

This is a heavy duty tool, well constructed and durable. For flat areas the half sheet size can't be beat. Yet, its balanced enough so you can do finer work and even work some edges without chewing them off. Granted, its heavy and you will build up some grip using this.
br /I've had mine for about ten years and had to repair it once. A finish nail got dropped and landed in just the right place to fall inside the motor housing and it hung up. I replaced the rubber pad twice as the edges get rough. Changing the sandpaper is a snap using two strong spring clamps.
br /Its an expensive sander but you will never have to replace it. This tool hearkens back to the days when tools had more metal than plastic and it feels like it.

I used dozens of these for years in cabinet and furiture shops. They are smooth, quiet, powerful and last forever. They are made for easy servicing when that time comes... but it take years before they need it. I used other brands of half-sheet sanders but all the others (older Bosch, Hitachi, and Milwaukee models)I've tried just vibrate too much. After a few mintes of sanding your hand feels numb from using a sander that isn't smooth and well-balanced. They needed far more servicing as well.pThey're expensive but if you're looking for a large, half-sheet sander: this is the one! Porter-Cable really has the sander market in a bag.

I retired a year ago and started working in a cabinet shop, where they used the 505 sander. This is the smoothest sander made. It does a remarkably good job on any wood. You can't harm any wood, unless you're not paying attention to what you're doing. I have used this for hours at a time with no fatigue. It's well worth the money, and will last for many years. Buy it......

I use this sander stabilized, upside down. That allows me to bring the small wood parts to the machine rather than the other way round. It works great and has changed the way I sand all smaller items.

Magnificent sander: feels great, performs great, looks great. Nice balance and weighting, aluminum housing is gorgeous. Only anxiety with it is that it might get stolen as it is widely coveted by others, or that the cord will eventually give out. This tool, a simple a half sheet sander, feels like the splendidly well-built power tools manufactured generations ago--it feels like the type of tool that should last a lifetime.