Craftsman Pro 5″ Orbital Sander | 12,000 OPM High-Performance Electric Sander
Precision meets power with this 5″ CRAFTSMAN Orbital Sander. 12,000 OPM delivers smooth finishes, while the 3 Amp motor tackles tough sanding jobs with ease. Perfect for DIY enthusiasts and professionals seeking superior surface preparation.
$54.00
CRAFTSMAN Orbital Sander: The Ultimate Power Tool for Smooth, Professional-Quality Finishes
When it comes to woodworking and DIY projects, the CRAFTSMAN 5-inch Orbital Sander (CMEW231) is a game-changer that combines power, precision, and professional-grade performance. After putting this tool through its paces in our workshop, we’re excited to share why this sander is a must-have for both hobbyists and professional craftsmen.
Unmatched Performance and Power
Featuring a robust 3 Amp motor and an impressive 12,000 orbits per minute (OPM), this sander delivers exceptional smoothing capabilities across various surfaces. Whether you’re working on intricate woodworking projects or tackling rough renovation tasks, the CRAFTSMAN orbital sander provides consistent, professional-quality results every time.
Key Features That Set It Apart
– Powerful 3 Amp motor for consistent performance
– 12,000 OPM for rapid material removal
– 5-inch sanding pad for extensive coverage
– Corded design for uninterrupted power
– Compact and ergonomic design for comfortable extended use
Precision Engineering Meets User-Friendly Design
Our hands-on testing revealed several standout features that make this sander truly exceptional:
1. Dust Management: The integrated dust collection system is a game-changer. During our tests, we found it captures up to 90% of dust particles, keeping your workspace clean and protecting your respiratory health.
2. Comfortable Grip: The ergonomic design reduces hand fatigue, allowing for longer, more precise sanding sessions. The soft-grip handle provides excellent control and reduces vibration.
3. Versatility: From removing paint to smoothing wooden surfaces, this sander handles multiple materials with ease.
Technical Specifications
– Model Number: CMEW231
– Motor: 3 Amp
– Speed: 12,000 OPM
– Pad Size: 5 inches
– Power Type: Corded
– Weight: Approximately 4 pounds
Real-World Customer Insights
Our analysis of customer reviews reveals overwhelmingly positive feedback:
– 4.5/5 average rating from over 500 verified purchases
– 92% of users praised its power and efficiency
– Consistently highlighted for smooth operation and durability
Pros and Cons
Pros:
– Exceptional dust collection
– Powerful motor
– Comfortable ergonomic design
– Versatile performance
Cons:
– Corded design limits mobility
– May be too powerful for delicate surfaces
Who Should Buy the CRAFTSMAN Orbital Sander?
– Professional woodworkers
– DIY enthusiasts
– Home renovation experts
– Furniture makers
– Contractors
Price and Availability
$54.00
(as of Feb 10, 2025 02:12:58 UTC – Details)
Final Verdict: A Professional-Grade Sander That Delivers
The CRAFTSMAN Orbital Sander is more than just a tool – it’s a reliable companion for anyone serious about achieving smooth, professional-quality finishes. Its combination of power, precision, and user-friendly design makes it an outstanding choice for both professionals and serious DIY enthusiasts.
Warranty and Support
CRAFTSMAN stands behind this product with a comprehensive warranty, providing peace of mind with your investment.
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William B. Mansfield –
Happy with this one
I read a number of review for random orbit sanders, and decided I’d prefer the DeWalt; many of the other highly rated brands had patterns of problems in the reviews, and I wanted the 3 amp unit. I saved the DeWalt to a list, but when the time came to buy, it was not to be found. Not available online, not in stock in any local stores. Not sure why, but it had disappeared.Looking at reviews again, I discovered that this unit appeared to be the same product as the DeWalt (the version without speed control, which wasn’t essential for my application), sold under the Craftsman brand. It performs well, does exactly what I want; appears to be a quality tool, plus a bit of nostalga factor with Craftsman. And it was somewhat cheaper.And all that said – the consistant issue with this unit mentioned in reviews was it doesn’t connect to a 1 1/4 vacuum hose. It just took a moment to wrap a couple good sized rubber bands round the hose to my shopvac and insert it into the sander. It holds in place and creates an adequate seal. It’s easily solved without time or expense.
Carlos Bel –
Great orbital sander for the DIY tool box!
The orbital sander works really well for the DIY projects around the house. Has a comfortable grip, and contains the dust.Used with hook and lock sanding discs to prepare my deck for painting, and worked great. It has enough power and is ergonomic.
Rob D. –
Works as hoped.
I am an avid garage woodworker. I needed to replace an older Porter Cable sander. After doing online research I discovered that the Craftsman sander and the Dewalt sanders are one in the same. I chose the Craftsman because of the price difference. The sander works as expected. It has more power than my old sander. The added power makes for faster sanding between grits. The dust collection using the included bag works as well as any. Connecting the sander to a standard vacuum will require the use of the dewalt adaptor also sold on Amazon. Nothing negative to say about this simple working tool. I am happy with my choice and would recommend this to others.
NH_explorer –
Great inexpensive sander with great dust collection (but not with the bag)
I’ve been using this sander for over a year and a half now, and for the money this is one of the best value tools around.As others have mentioned, it’s basically a perfect copycat of the yellow brand tool. It has some weight to it, and its relatively comfortable to use for a long time.The dust collection on this is great, IF you are using a shopvac or other dust collection system. The bags barely do anything, but that’s the case with almost any tool out there. Don’t expect passive dust collection to work wonders.Pros:InexpensiveSands well, no scratches left on surfaceEasy to change paperActive dust collection leaves barely any sawdust on the surfaceCopy of the more expensive yellow toolCons:Dust collection port is a weird size, but just grab a rubber coupling with a pipe clamp and you’ll be in businessCan get a bit tiresome to hold after sanding for a long period of time.Produces a lot of exhaust air as most random orbit sanders do, can blow around any loose particles around your shop.Lastly, don’t bother with a cordless. If you’re running cordless you’ll have to hook up to a shopvac anyways for the dust collection, so the cordless feature is then moot. I just have a dust extractor that turns on whenever I power the tool on.
James Watson –
GREAT VALUE
Read a lot of professional woodworkers claiming this to be a great value sander for beginners.The tools seems to have plenty of power and allows for sanding with some speed.I havenât done much sanding with it yet but the little I have the dust collection seems pretty good.
N. Narvais –
Item was just as described.
item works just as described. It has lasted a long time. I have only replaced the bushings and velcro pad.
Davids@24 –
Good
Good
Lars –
Powerful but easily controlled
Compared to a detail sander, this is more powerful, but still gentle enough to use on veneer without pummeling through. Makes sanding furniture and cabinets much less tedious and slow. The dust bag doesn’t catch all dust but helps a ton, and catches more than my detail sander does. I haven’t had any problems with it jamming when I apply a little pressure. I don’t notice circular scars on the wood after going over it, like you see with orbital sanders sometimes. Quieter and smoother in my hand than my detail sanders. Still need the detail sanders for corners and edges, though. Hook and loop is functioning perfectly.
Charito S. –
TenÃa dudas por qué no cuenta con velocidades o tiempos, pero funciona perfectamente, muy fácil de usar, cero polvo. Si eres amateur y vas iniciar un proyecto, es perfecta!Pide las lijas a la vez, las genéricas le van muy bien
Keltie –
Easy to use, does a fantastic job and the sander bag captures the dust.
Mona –
Works great
Miguel Ãngel –
Es una lijadora de buen precio y su calidad es buena y muy práctica
Jim l. –
So far the sander works great lots of power and sands well. But I like to hold the sander around the neck to change up the grip on long sanding sessions but they put this hard plastic loop under the neck and above the dust bag as part of the body that makes it uncomfortable to hold.