: Rob,

: I understand your point about the benefit of fast speed for a large open
: area. That makes a lot of sense. But how does a slow speed help you in a
: confined area? Is a ROS so aggressive that it is too easy to lose control
: of it in small close quarters at high speed? Will it damage work more
: easily?

: So far, the common thread in all responses to my post is the Porter Cable
: ROS. Right now I'm seriously looking at the Porter Cable 333P fixed speed
: at 12,000 rpm versus the Porter Cable 333VS variable speed at 5,000 -
: 12,000. Since both have the same top speed, I would assume that they are
: equally good at sanding large open areas. I guess my question now is how
: much of an improvement there is in sanding smaller areas at slower speeds,
: and is variable speed is worth the extra $15?

: Thank you for all of your insights so far. I really want to avoid buying
: junk.
: -Dan

Any time you are working on a smaller surface, say the deck near the stems,
you should reduce the disk speed because your are concentrating the work on a
smaller area.

Or say you've not used 60 grit before and you're concerned about it being too aggressive.
A slower speed will take off less, and be less aggressive. Variable speed means more control.

Once you learn to use it, you'll never go back. I'm not happy unless the sander has the variable
speed built into the trigger pressure like the old Bosch ROS I use.

I bought a newer model that has more power and is heavier and does't have the trigger variable
speed control, AND I don't use it becasue I don't like it.

All the best,
Rob