Customer Reviews
Black & Decker Sander 
2007-12-29
I was delighted to find a model similar to the one I had 20 years ago.
Piece Of Chinese Junk 
2006-09-29
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.
20 years, time for a new one! 
2005-10-11
I came to the website looking to see if B&D still made this puppy. I bought mine in '84, and have been diligently beating it to death ever since. My first house - total gut job. Used the sander on everything. Second house, much better, lots of woodwork and moldings, and a built-in wet bar all done in cherry.
I built a 20 foot long work bench and LOTS of cabinets for the garage/workshop. A couple of kid's furniture projects later, bookselves, desks and dollhouses - the thing started making a very loud rattling noise.
Its the same top bearing issue mentioned before. Its not really a bearing at all, just a weird metal donut that started to melt the inside of the plastic case. And after only 20 years! What a piece of junk, huh?
Yes, I would love to have kept more skin on my knuckles, but I do change the paper often, and those teeny little levers are a joke. Mine never let go of the paper, though. You've got me a little worried.
I've had good and bad experiences with B&D. Their belt sanders are about as sturdy as a styrofoam cup. Had one two months and it crapped out.
I've got other sanders, but this one has the right weight, the right size and (until last week), the right level of invincibility I need from powertools.
I think I'll risk it and go drop another 25 bucks - the same price it was in '84. I'll let you know in 2025 if it was worth it.
Paper Falls Off 2005! 
2005-06-12
I wonder if there's something wrong with the clamps on a batch of these. We bought this a couple years ago and never really used it much. Just started trying to use it in earnest this evening and I will add my "paper falls off" woes to the group.
I tried about ten times with a number of different types of sandpaper - it seems that the clamps tighten down when you pull up on the lever, but in order to lock the levers into place they "relax" just a little bit and the paper doesn't hold in place well. Just a tiny bit of sideways motion and yep, paper starts to slide right off...
Sounds like they've had this model forever - maybe it's time the old B&D spent some money on R&D and upgraded their product a little bit.
Looks like it goes on the garage sale pile and it's time to try out another...
Takes a beating and keeps on sanding! 2005-02-10
I've had this sander for more than 15 years! I sanded everything from cars to sheetrock! I can't count the times I've dropped it, and it still worked. The felt pad has worn completely off to the base. I just placed an order for a new one for $25.00 it's not worth fixing it, or maybe if I make the time to find the parts. All around sander, light weight no frills.
Cheap, noisy and vibrating too much sander. 
2005-01-16
1/3 Sheet Finishing Sander, High Speed Orbital Action, 13,000 OPM, Compact Design, Flush Sands On 3 Sides.
Best at this price point 2004-08-29
I've had this sander for so long I can't remember when I bought it (must have been late 80's). While it's still going it needs a new rubber pad and bearing, so for me it's just going to be cheaper to get a new one. I've never had a problem with the paper releases as someone else mentioned, nor do I think it rips the sandpaper all that often. Most of the time when a paper rips a hole it's because I've tried to go over a sharp edge. It would be nice to have a variable speed, but I've lived without it this long...
Very reliable and dependable tool.
Good sander for the $$, only a couple of issues 2003-01-03
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.
Reliable, hard working sander 2002-12-09
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!!).
NOT FOR WOODWORKERS 2002-07-03
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.
