P-C 330 sander...help fix

[Maldoror]

my 330 sander began making a loud sound and the handle began vibrating to the point i could barely get it turned off. it heated up and the clamp spring broke.
is this a bearing? which parts will i need?

andy

[Dale]

Its probably part # 15A. The bearing that sits in the base. Or your rubber coupling is tore # 117. Heres a link to the parts list.
Porter Cable 330 Parts List and Diagram - Type 2 : eReplacementparts.com

[Yohy]

Dale,

Hi there. I am new to forum and have been researching a developing issue with my 330. Over the past year or so, it seems to take a while to reach peak RPMs, lately becoming more persistent. I have pulled it apart twice, looking for any problems. The brushes are fine and I have blown out all of the dust from the past 20 years, but the problem continues. Now today as a last resort, I took off the sanding pad, turning the unit over and sprayed some WD 40 onto the counterweight. Well guess what, it spun right up to full RPMs. This leads me to believe it’s not a mechanical issue but more of a lubrication issue. So I decide to try to remove the screw that holds the counterweight on. No luck. It has (this is from memory) like a 5/32” hex head and for the life of me, I can’t get it off. Do you have any tricks to remove this screw? Am I going about it in the right way? Your thoughts/comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated. I have had this sander for over 20 years and it has been a great companion and I would love to get it back to 100%.

Thanks for your time.
John

[hal898]

When you look at the fan above the counterweight the fan turns to pull air down from the top, turn the screw in the same direction. Rule of thumb is to turn nuts, bolts and screws in the same direction the shaft turns.

[S. Sharp]

Dale,

Hi there. I am new to forum and have been researching a developing issue with my 330. Over the past year or so, it seems to take a while to reach peak RPMs, lately becoming more persistent. I have pulled it apart twice, looking for any problems. The brushes are fine and I have blown out all of the dust from the past 20 years, but the problem continues. Now today as a last resort, I took off the sanding pad, turning the unit over and sprayed some WD 40 onto the counterweight. Well guess what, it spun right up to full RPMs. This leads me to believe it’s not a mechanical issue but more of a lubrication issue. So I decide to try to remove the screw that holds the counterweight on. No luck. It has (this is from memory) like a 5/32” hex head and for the life of me, I can’t get it off. Do you have any tricks to remove this screw? Am I going about it in the right way? Your thoughts/comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated. I have had this sander for over 20 years and it has been a great companion and I would love to get it back to 100%.

Thanks for your time.
John

Here is a trick for getting that screw (bearing 15a). Use a Vise Grip small needle nose plier (4LN probably means 4inch long nose). Slip it in past the paper clamp & use it to pinch the counterweight against the bottom plate. The screw is a normal thread (righty-tighty, lefty-loosey). Worked for me. The plate then pulls straight down & off.