Short Overview
Editor’s Pros & Cons
- Lightweight
- Articulating sanding head: You can sand anywhere standing in the same place.
- Can sand high places using the bar
- Covers a wide area while sanding
- Gives a dust-free sanding
- Not suitable for sanding corners
- Bit expensive
If you are an interior painter or a hobbyist who does home painting frequently, you know the pain of sanding high places. You need to use ladders to sand those areas. You can also understand the hassle we used to go through when using elbow grease or a pole sander. It was a tiresome & boring job.
But drywall sander has come with a solution to this problem. It comes with a long bar, for which we don’t have to climb while painting. It has made this tough job a lot easier than before. It not only made the sanding job easier but also it’s dust collection process made it a lot healthier for the carpenters.
When we are talking about drywall sanders, the mention of porter cable 7800 drywall sander is bound to come. It has become a must-have tool in a workshop or in a home. The variety of features that it has & the advantages it provides is something amazing.
Porter-Cable 7800 Drywall Sander Review
Features
Lightweight
When sanding the ceiling, we have to hold the sander for a long time. A heavy sander no doubt will make this difficult for you. Lightweight drywall sanders make the ceiling sanding an easy job.
The sander weighs around 8.5 pounds. Comparing to its competitor , it is very lightweight which makes it easy to sand wherever you want. You definitely have to carry this sander around the house. So, this feature is a must for the drywall sanders.
Motor
This sander has a 4.7 amp motor which delivers satisfactory performance while sanding. It is pretty good power comparing to the other drywall sanders. It has a variable control system. The speed can be adjusted between 1400 to 2000 RPM. It gives a great advantage because you can control the speed according to the project demand.
The motor is situated in the opposite direction of the sander’s head. It gives a better balance & control on the sander.
The power & speed can be a time saver for large projects. Also, It will reduce your workload for sure.
Long Bar
It features a 13-foot long static- dissipating vacuum hose of 1 ¼” size. We’ve mentioned the facilities it gives to a carpenter. It removes the potentially harmful dust. It also produces almost zero dust. So, it keeps the workshop cleaner. Also, If you don’t want to climb all the time you sand a high place, this feature is especially for you. You don’t have to do that tiresome climbing & sanding job anymore.
Standard Equipment
Getting some extra equipment with the sander is really a welcoming feature. The sander comes with standard equipment including sanding discs, power cord, etc. The sander has hook & loop straps so that it can be easily connected to an external shop vac.
Final Verdict
Note: Also read Craftsman CMEW231 Random Orbital Sander Review
FAQ
- Which grit is better to start for this sander?
For drywall sanding, you can start from 150-220 grits. In my opinion, you should start with 180 grits. This will do the job pretty much perfectly.
- How far can the vacuum hose reach?
This 13-foot vacuum hose is long enough to sand the ceiling. It can reach pretty much every place in the house.
- Can I use this drywall sander to remove the old paint?
Yes, a drywall sander does this job perfectly. For removing paint, you have to use finer grits. Also while sanding, be careful so that you don’t end up damaging the wall.
- Will porter-cable 7800 leave a circular mark after sanding the wall?
If you do your job properly, then the marks will be almost invisible. It’s an easy process. With a little practice, even you can do it like a pro.
- Does it include a dust bag?
No, it doesn’t. But you can attach an external vacuum to collect the dust particle. The sander has hook & loop straps. So, connecting a vacuum is pretty much an easy job.
- Can I use it on the popcorn ceiling?
Sanding a popcorn ceiling with a drywall sander is not the best idea. You should avoid using it on a popcorn ceiling.