Porter-Cable 7346 random orbit sander

Overview

This is the corded random-orbit I reach for when a board needs a flat, swirl-free face. It is a Porter-Cable 7346 — a 6 in. right-angle barrel-grip sander with a removable side handle, a red slide switch, and a thumbwheel speed dial. Porter-Cable ships a PSA (sticky) pad in the box, and that is how I run it — PSA discs on the stock pad for panel and board work — not a palm-grip finish sander with a dust canister.

Specs

Machine alone, from Porter-Cable’s published product page.

Benefits

• Six-inch pad — More surface area than a typical 5 in. palm sander, so faces and larger panels get covered with fewer passes.
• Variable speed you can feel — The thumbwheel runs from 2,500 to 6,800 OPM. Dial down for finer grits and control; open it up when you need stock gone.
• Two-handed control — The barrel grip plus a left- or right-side handle keeps the pad flat when you are leaning into a glue-up or a wide board.
• Built for work — Full ball-and-roller bearings and a 4.5 A motor are the industrial-duty story Porter-Cable puts on the page; mine shows the shop dust and scuffs that come with real use.
• Accessory spindle — The 5/16-24 thread accepts the maker’s pad and other threaded sanding/polishing accessories when you need to swap.

Honest limits

What works well

• Flat, swirl-free faces on boards and panels
• Side handle for two-handed pressure without tipping the pad
• Speed dial that actually changes how the cut feels
• Compact 5-1/2 lb body that still covers a 6 in. disc

Tradeoffs

• No onboard dust bag or canister — Unlike many palm random-orbit sanders, this one does not ship with a dust hood. Plan on a respirator, good shop ventilation, and a vacuum nearby for cleanup.
• Corded only — You stay near an outlet; great for the bench, less handy for outdoors or a far corner of the shop.
• Stock pad is PSA — The box includes a pressure-sensitive adhesive pad, and that is what I use: peel-and-stick discs. Changing grit means peeling the old disc and seating a fresh one firmly so it does not throw off the pad.
• Hearing protection — Porter-Cable’s manual calls for hearing protection during use; it is not a quiet palm sander.

Bottom line

If you want a corded 6 in. random-orbit with real two-handed control for boards and panels, the 7346 is a workhorse: variable speed, a side handle, and a pad that covers ground. It will not vacuum its own dust for you, so treat lung protection as part of the setup — then it earns a permanent spot on the bench.

Where to buy

Plain store links — no affiliates. Checked October 23, 2026 (Central Time). Prices change; check the store before you buy.

• Porter-Cable 7346 product page — maker page (no direct sales)
• R.S. Hughes: Porter-Cable 7346 — exact 7346 (industrial supplier); $178.27 (checked Nov 2, 2026)
• Home Depot: Porter-Cable 7346SP — same sander sold as the 7346SP kit (adds a polishing pad); $179 (checked Nov 2, 2026); out of stock when checked

Amazon’s exact 7346 listing was out of stock when checked; Lowe’s no longer sells the 7346 online.