Porter Cable 7800 sander drive cable

**Dillon** · 07-05-2013, 09:56 PM

I have an original Porter Cable 7800 sander that I have had for a good 10 yrs and thus far I have not had a problem with it untill today when I can hear what sounds like the drive cable snagging in its sleve so Im guesing that its about to let go. I have ordered a new one from Belmoor and was just wondering if you guys have any tips for changing it over when it comes. It looks easy enough but you never know there might be something not obvious to me.

**jase hag** · 08-05-2013, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by Dillon

I have an original Porter Cable 7800 sander that I have had for a good 10 yrs and thus far I have not had a problem with it untill today when I can hear what sounds like the drive cable snagging in its sleve so Im guesing that its about to let go. I have ordered a new one from Belmoor and was just wondering if you guys have any tips for changing it over when it comes. It looks easy enough but you never know there might be something not obvious to me.

If you are going to change the cable,I would replace the bearing aswell.make sure you put plenty of grease on the cable.hopes this helps.

**belmoreboy** · 08-05-2013, 09:07 AM

Hi Dillon take a look at this post should help with DIY drive shaft change over http://www.tapingandjointing.com/for...ght=DRIVESHAFT

**Dillon** · 08-05-2013, 03:14 PM

Thanks both a great help

**Dillon** · 09-05-2013, 09:47 AM

well that was a supprise, today I went out and stripped the sander ready for the new drive cable, when I pulled it out it looked like new just a bit dry. The noise that I thought was the cable stripping was actually the sleve that had started rotating with the cable, So I fixed that and re greased it and now it runs a smooth as silk. Also the motor was absolutley caked in hard dust so the lesson there is more regular servicing.

This sander is over 12yrs old and while its not worked too hard these days it has in the past done a lot of work so I can definatley recomend Porter Cable sanders.

Ps The Best Tool in my Garage/workshop is my Airline

**Dillon** · 25-03-2015, 08:32 AM

Hi and just to add to this thread, I was sanding a house on Monday when my trusty 7800 slowly came to a halt (guess I spoke too soon), Any way I had to finish off with the idiot stick surprisingly I took to it really well. When I got home I stripped the old girl down and found that my worst fears of a burnt out motor were not the case and it looked like it was only the bushes that needed renewing, so a quick call to Marcus confirmed that was the case and new bushes sent first class and re fitted on Tuesday. Once fitted the machine seems to run muck better and certainly faster so that's something to watch for in future.

Im still amazed at how good this machine has been as far as I can remember this is only the second set of bushes I have fitted, its still on the original drive shaft, its had a couple of brush skirts and backing pads and that's about it. I do keep it well maintained I blow it out with an air line every 3-4 houses.

Thanks to Marcus for the help and advice and well done Porter Cable.