The PORTER-CABLE 382 Corded 5 in. Random Orbit Sander is a corded palm sander built for finish sanding, surface prep, and coating removal. This is a random orbit sander designed for smooth finishing on wood, painted surfaces, and similar jobsite materials. Model Number 382. If you want a simple corded sander that sticks to the basics and does them well, this one is built around steady pad control, easy disc changes, and low-fatigue handling.

What matters most here is how the tool behaves at start-up and during longer passes. PORTER-CABLE uses a Controlled Finishing System to keep pad speed manageable and reduce gouging when the tool first comes up to speed. On real work, that means less chance of digging a swirl or scuff into trim, doors, patch areas, or painted surfaces right when the pad touches down. The 12,000 orbits per minute output gives it enough speed for routine sanding and finish prep without overcomplicating the tool with extra settings.

The motor is rated at 1.9 amps on 120 volts, which puts this sander squarely in the practical everyday-use category. It is not trying to be a heavy stock-removal machine. It is better suited for smoothing seams, knocking down old finish, prepping surfaces for coatings, and cleaning up between coats. For contractors, painters, remodelers, and serious DIY users, that is usually the work a 5 inch random orbit sander gets handed most often.

From a durability standpoint, the useful details are the dust-sealed switch and sealed ball-bearing construction. Sanding dust is what kills switches and bearings over time, so these features matter more than flashy add-ons. The dust-sealed switch helps keep harmful particles out, and the sealed 100 percent ball-bearing construction is there for longer service life when the tool gets used regularly.

Jobsite comfort is another strong point. The dual-plane, counter-balanced fan is designed to reduce user fatigue, which is a big deal on broad surfaces where you are making repeated overlapping passes. At about 3.0 lbs to 3.9 lbs depending on source listing, it stays in the lightweight palm-sander range and is easy to move one-handed across tabletops, trim parts, filler patches, and painted panels.

The paper setup is straightforward and practical. This sander accepts 5 inch, 8-hole hook-and-loop paper, which keeps disc swaps quick and makes it easy to match grits to the task. That matters when you are moving from coating removal to finish prep without wasting time fighting with adhesive-backed sheets or oddball pad patterns. The included dust bag also gives you basic dust collection right at the tool, which helps keep the work area cleaner during routine sanding.

Who should buy it? This is a good fit for woodworkers handling finish prep, painters removing loose coatings, remodelers smoothing patched walls or trim, and homeowners who want a dependable corded sander without stepping into a more expensive variable-speed platform. If your work is mostly finish sanding and prep, the PORTER-CABLE 382 keeps the setup simple and focuses on the features that actually matter: controlled pad action, common sanding discs, solid durability details, and reduced fatigue over time.

PORTER-CABLE 382 Corded 5 in. Random Orbit Sander Keeps It Simple in a Good Way

This is the kind of corded finish sander that earns its spot by being easy to live with, easy to feed with standard discs, and controlled enough for real prep work.

• Who it's for: Painters, remodelers, woodworkers, and homeowners who need a straightforward 5 inch random orbit sander for finish sanding and surface prep.
• Why it stands out: The Controlled Finishing System, low-fatigue fan design, and dust-protection details are the features that actually help on the job, not just on the box.
• Worth knowing: This is a corded single-speed tool, so it makes the most sense for everyday sanding and prep rather than users who need variable speed for a wide range of specialty materials.

• What size sanding paper does this sander use? It accepts 5 inch, 8-hole hook-and-loop sanding discs.
• Is this a corded or battery-powered sander? It is a corded electric sander that runs on 120 volts.
• Does it have variable speed? No. Available product data lists this model as non-variable speed.
• What kind of work is it best for? It is best for finish sanding, smoothing seams, removing old paint or varnish, and general surface preparation before coatings.