Customer Reviews

Black & Decker 350 Watt Powerfile

Hi all I really MUST say do not go by the first bad review, I have been using Black and Decker Powerfiles in all their different updates and styles for the last 20 years and it is the most used tool in my tool box. I agree with everything "Hud" (the second reviewer) said and more. what I will never understand is why the Powerfile is not more popular, I have even used it to "sculpt" shapes to suit tricky areas. If you use the variable speed and the different grits to suit the job then you should get many useful years out of this very useful tool.
Oh and just for information my first (Black coloured) powerfile lasted 10 years before I burnt out the motor with heavy use. My second (green coloured) one is still going, it is about 10 years old, this one I treasure as it has variable size heads so it is used sparingly. My third one (orange coloured) took over the heavy use and has been flogged for the last six years, I managed to damage the wheel on the end from trying to get it to do too much, oop's silly me. It is the one being replaced by this new designed (orange coloured) one which is easier to use as the location of the motor has been re-designed it is better balanced.
GREAT TOOL, BUY IT, USE IT, LOVE IT.

This product is superb, as a professional builder it has got me out of trouble many times as it can get into places others cannot reach and can be used on almost any material. Like all tools if used properly it will last for a very long time. It has paid for itself many times over. The other negative comments about this tool are only because the people concerned did not use it wisely.

I am so glad that I wasn't put off buying this tool,
I think you have to be realistic what you are using the tool for as with all power tools you have to let the tool do the work,
I wouldn't reccommend this tool if you were stripping the face off of a barn door but it easily got the wood treatment off of my window frames
I found it easy and versatile to use, the only quibble I found was it became a little bit heavy after prolonged use, and think it would have benifitted from an adapter to allow a vaccuum to be fitted,
I didn't find any problem at all with the (foam ?) pad.
What I would suggest is don't buy any course belts unless you are sure you need them, the medium ones are very effective, also be realistic in belt life, if it's worn out use a new one.
( NO I DON'T WORK FOR B&D; )
But happy sanding.
Hud.

I purchased my powerfile yesterday for sanding varnish on my boat.
Last night, I initially tried sanding with the coarser belt already fitted to the powerfile. In the space of a fraction of a second, this not only removed the varnish, but 1mm of hard teak leaving a small groove in my wood.

You need the fine grade belt, the lowest speed, press very lightly and to move very quickly for removing varnish. Even then I would recommend practicing on something which does not matter first as it seems very fast!

You don't seem to be able to buy a finer grade belt than 120. (part no 3381)

Bought this to speed up the removal of heavily weathered varnish and cut back two hardwood garden recliners and table back to bare wood ready for re-finishing. It's amazingly quick to remove what was taking ages with an orbital sander and manual sanding block from the flat areas. My problem was that removing the finish from the slats and particularly between the slats was going to take ages by hand, hence my purchase. Wow! The reviewers who claimed it is a little too visious are right if you don't use a fine belt and a light hand. My first couple of attempts with the coarse belt and a higher speed did result in a few millimeters more wood being taken off than I had realised but then it is a file, not a sander! Once you work out how to use it it is a great time saver. I stripped the first chair in a couple of hours, it was looking like taking me a few days without this.

I originally bought the Black & Decker 350 Watt Powerfile to work on a rusty boat trailer. Certain areas were quite tight to fit a normal sander, and this tool did the trick, Since then I have used it on a myriad of projects. Anything from sanding rust off railings, removing varnish from deckchairs to modelling the butt of an air rifle!!

Another premium offering by Black & Decker.

Highly recommended

I have so far used the powerfile only for some metal profiling, like sharpening a quite dull axe. It's a good tool. I intend to use it also for profiling knife handles.

A very big and a welcome surprise was that there was a euro plug inside the uk plug.

The 60 grit is a bit aggressive for my liking, but 120 is just about right. Even so, you need to be careful.
My only improvement would be to have a supported area on top of the belt. It's easier to see and the debris flies away from you.

One of the best tools I've ever had. The ability to reach into tight areas with a belt sander is invaluable.
I wish I'd bought one years ago. This tool save hours when compared to either hand sanding or vibrating sanders.

the black and decker powerfile is the best tool in my collection. it saves hours of work by hand and is excellent at getting to all those little areas that a larger tool would be unable to reach. fantastic tool highly recomended