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15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
 Good sander for the $$, only a couple of issuesJan 02, 2003
By William Dickerson
I've had my B&D 7448 for a bit over 4 years. I use it a lot and use it hard. I'm impatient so I push tools hard instead of letting things take their normal course.
I've never had a problem with the paper coming out, ever. In fact, on mine it's very tight and clamps quite hard.
I wish the levers were larger.
I'd like it to be quieter - however I can't hear the sander when the vac. is running anyway and one SHOULD use hearing protection when using power tools. Like the pros on TV do :-)
As far as "how it's made", mine finally got VERY loud and ran slow and erraticly - I found the upper "brearing" is a plain sleave. The other sealed ball bearings are perfect, but the top "bushing" by the brushes is shot to heck. It's gone. Yeah, I push, but for a few cents per unit, a ball bearing here would make it quieter and make the whole unit last longer over-all.
So, out I go looking for a bearing and I'll have my favorite sander running again. (I'm a top mechanic and specialize in electrical systems - and this is the most simple power tool I've ever opened!)
It's light, easy to use and the next best sander costs over twice as much, so I can replace a couple of bearings in 10 years and still have a cheaper sander .... Takes about 5 minutes to disassemble the sander and replace the bearing - takes longer to go get the bearing.
23 of 26 found the following review helpful:
 A Disposable Sander?Aug 31, 2000
By Dan Steele
I sometimes fail to remember that one gets what they pay for and this sander was no exception to that rule. I saw the 'price' and the 'intent' of this tool right off the bat. The price was right in that it was practically free compared to its nearest competitor! Unfortunately, the competitor sander had a lot more 'intent', and consequently... higher quality, durability and reliability in mind during the design and manufacturing process. My new Porter Cable 550 will probably end-up in my Great Grandchildren's hands in serviceable condition, and I am not a Grandpa yet! After taking this sander out of its box, and putting it to use, it soon became clear that I could not keep sandpaper on it. As a result of its Billion RPM orbital action, it kept tearing off along the securing clamps on either end of the sander. I tried about every little trick I could think of before tossing this tool into the "lesson-learned pile" of other bargain-priced power tools in my shop. You know, the ones too worthless to really use, and too valuable to throw away? Don't end up spending your money twice on the same sort of tool. GO GET A PORTER CABLE, OR EQUIVALENT!!! If you want the Black and Decker Sander above, send me an email and you can have mine for the cost of shipping! Handy Dan
9 of 10 found the following review helpful:
NOT FOR WOODWORKERSJul 03, 2002
By John Zottoli
I own two of these, and they both have given up the ghost. This is the first bad review of a tool that I've given here[...], But I feel that the truth should be known. First of all, this thing takes way to long time to sand down anything. Either it eats the paper too fast, or like on my second one, the clamps were not strong enough, and the paper kept falling off. Not to mention that this thing is louder than my table saw.It's been a few years since mine died, and I've come to learn one undisputable fact. If you buy a low cost tool, you'll get poor results. What upsets me is that Black and Decker knows what kind of tool this is, but they still continue to make it the same way. No improvements at all. When I compare this to what I have now, they'll never get my money again. Don't put good money after bad. If you can't afford a high dollar sander, Ryobi has got a dandy little sander at an affordable price, and it's a heck of a lot better than this one. Buy anybody's but this one, you'll be glad you did. Sorry, Black and Decker, But I call it as I see it.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Reliable, hard working sanderDec 09, 2002
By Joe
"joef4570"
I have spent countless hours and reams of sandpaper using this sander for at least 8 years and it's still going strong (used mostly on softwood). It is powerful enough using 60 grit paper to take down dowel ends, round edges and level uneven wood height (even end grain). After 60 grit, I use 100, 150 and finally 220 grit for a perfect finish. The 1/3 sheet size gives the unit a stable footing on the work. The unit is made for two hands but you can use one hand comfortably especially with fine grits. Paper changes are pretty fast but could be easier if they made the lock levers a little bigger. The best way I found to get the paper on easier is to clamp and crease one edge first, flip the paper around, clamp the other end then attach the first pre-creased edge. Be warned that you can expect dust to go all over the place using this unit. It is best used outdoors or like I do, with the garage door open and a fan blowing out over the work. If I do replace it, it will be to upgrade to a 1/2 sheet sander with a dust bag (at four times the price!!).
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Piece Of Chinese JunkSep 29, 2006
By W. Howell
I have used a Model#FS350 Type1 (made in the U.K.)(Blue case) for a number of years and the only problem experienced is a bad on/off switch. I installed a jumper on the switch & it is still working. I purchased a Model#7448 (Black case - Made in China) to have as a backup and it broke down on the third time I used it. The motor runs but the pad doesn't vibrate. Another quality? product from China!!! Both units appear identical (inside & out) except for color and point of manufacture.
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