Your Take on New Porter Cable Tools @ Lowes?

[Stuey]

Lowes has been heavily promoting their new Porter Cable power tool selection.

What do you guys think about this? I'm a bit hesitant since the pricing seems to be way lower than I would expect for tools of Porter Cable's typical caliper of quality.

Are these just 'Black & Decker graded' tools in Porter Cable clothes?

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

According to one of the woodworking sites, they look a LOT like the Firestorm tools, they seem to be replacing. No one that I have heard appears to be happy, and we wonder how it will effect their sponsorship of shows such as The New Yankee Workshop.

I would like to see one tore apart before I completely rule them out, but I am disappointed so far.

 

[BigK600]

I bought a porter cable corded circular saw a couple months ago from lowes for $60. Thought I was getting a deal but found out its the exact same as a Black and Decker just black and gray.

 

[Merkava_4]

Porter-Cable has sold their soul to the land of devalued currency in exchange for cheap prices.

 

[Stuey]

Porter-Cable has sold their soul to the land of devalued currency in exchange for cheap prices.

That's not what we're discussing here, though. The scandal that now seems apparent is that these new PC tools are rebadged B&D tools. The problem isn't that the tools are manufactured overseas, it's that they're 'disguised' as PC tools, presumably to mislead customers. It's as if B&D took their Firestorm tools, painted them yellow, called them Dewalt, and pretending that nothng happened.

 

[Merkava_4]

The problem isn't that the tools are manufactured overseas, it's that they're 'disguised' as PC tools, presumably to mislead customers.

I know a real Porter-Cable tool when I see one and they're not at Lowes.

 

[Stuey]

I know a real Porter-Cable tool when I see one and they're not at Lowes.

Yup. Grey with black accents, and not black with grey accents as shown above. But many people don't know that. Off the bat, I was only suspicious because the prices seemed way too low.

 

[Merkava_4]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Porter-Cable-36...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

They got this one at Lowes?

 

[Merkava_4]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Porter-Cable-75...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

How 'bout this one?

 

[Merkava_4]

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Porter-Cabl...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

This is the best finish sander on the face of the Earth; is it at Lowes? Nope!

 

[Merkava_4]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Porter-Cable-4-...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Worm drive trim saw at Lowes? Hell no!

 

[eschoendorff]

I bought a porter cable corded circular saw a couple months ago from lowes for $60. Thought I was getting a deal but found out its the exact same as a Black and Decker just black and gray.

A $60 saw is a $60 saw, regardless of what name is plastered on it.

Run away from those PC tools....

 

[Merkava_4]

Run away from those PC tools at Lowes....

Fixed it.

 

[wilbilt]

That's not what we're discussing here, though. The scandal that now seems apparent is that these new PC tools are rebadged B&D tools. The problem isn't that the tools are manufactured overseas, it's that they're 'disguised' as PC tools, presumably to mislead customers. It's as if B&D took their Firestorm tools, painted them yellow, called them Dewalt, and pretending that nothng happened.

Funny you should mention that, because that is exactly how the yellow DeWalt tools got their start years ago.

Of course these Porter-Cable tools are all about the whoring of brand recognition. Just like Ridgid, Delta, Skil, etc...

 

[Stuey]

Merkava,

You may want to avoid linking to ebay auctions - eventually they auctions will be archived and then deactivated, and your links will point to nowhere.

 

[lbgradwell]

Funny you should mention that, because that is exactly how the yellow DeWalt tools got their start years ago.

I was just about to mention the same thing! In fact, many old-timers resent how B&D used that venerable marque to flog their re-badged B&D Professional series...

As soon as B&D acquired PC/Delta a few years back, several friends and I were discussing the deal and knew it boded poorly for PC. DeWalt & PC were both respected pro lines (arguably PC was more-highly-regarded) and it wouldn't make sense to carry two such lines from a product placement perspective. No, PC was going to be "repositioned"; it makes perfect sense that they've now used PC to re-badge the Firestorm series (as that would be a step up from the standard DIY B&D line...

 

[boiler7904]

The take I heard on it the other day was take the crappy Firestorm line of tools, replace them with mediocre [at best] quality tools carrying the once-respected name Porter Cable and increase the price.

They're probably ok for occassional or light duty homeowner use but they aren't something you want to use day in day out on a commercial construction site.

At $40, the grinder is disposable.

I need to pick a couple of things up at Lowe's this afternoon so it's time for a stroll through the tool department.

 

[Merkava_4]

What is your zip code Stuey? I need to find you some industrial stores to go to; you're not gonna find the good stuff at Sears or Lowes.

 

[Vinko]

Porter-Cable has sold their soul to the land of devalued currency in exchange for cheap prices.

I was in HD today and noticed that the old American-made model of palm sander for $65 or so is no longer available. It's been really great for me. Used it for metal and wood for the last few years.

 

[Crawlin]

A bit off topic but at least Home Depot sells Makita and Milwaulkee. I doubt I will ever buy a power tool from lowes (maybe bosch?). I always remembered porter cable tools on the new yankee workshop when I watched it years ago, it seems them and Delta do not have the product they used to.

 

[Stuey]

At Lowes, I would focus on Hitachi and Bosch. At Home Depot, it's Ridgid and Bosch, maybe Milwaukee. What I don't like is how there are few Bosch tools at Home Depot to allow for a pro-Ridgid bias. When I had gift cards to HD, I wanted an orbital sander, and the three stores I went to only had Ridgid orbitals, no Bosch ones. I did manage to get a Bosch sheet sander, but still... Not the Ridgid is bad or anything, I bought it and it's actually pretty nice, but it wasn't my first choice.

Lowes used to carry a few PC tools, but then they slowly disappeared for good about 12-18 months ago.

 

[amt]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Porter-Cable-36...39:1|66:2|65:12|240:1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

They got this one at Lowes?

I have seen it there before (and at home depot). They do list the 3x21 sander on their web site.

 

[lbgradwell]

Not the Ridgid is bad or anything, I bought it and it's actually pretty nice, but it wasn't my first choice.

If it's the large RAS, and made in Germany, it's a re-badged Metabo - a very fine tool.

 

[Stuey]

If it's the large RAS, and made in Germany, it's a re-badged Metabo - a very fine tool.

It's the 5" one.

Overall, I'm very impressed with Ridgid's corded tools. The cords especially, since they're heavy duty rubber and have a cord wrap - something none of my other corded tools include.

 

[Merkava_4]

If you can't even post your zip code... that's paranoid as hell.

 

[Stuey]

If you can't even post your zip code... that's paranoid as hell.

I didn't even see that you asked. But now that you mention it, maybe I should try to avoid sharing personal info, because some people like to post other people's personal info such as full name, address, and phone number, on online forums without their permission or knowledge.

Oddly enough, I cannot find that thread anymore - the one where you posted some ebayer's full contact info. Maybe the thread was deleted? And if it was, I applaud that decision.

 

[autoace]

If you can't even post your zip code... that's paranoid as hell.

He's afraid you will find him and lube his ratchets

 

[Merkava_4]

But now that you mention it, maybe I should try to avoid sharing personal info, because some people like to post other people's personal info such as full name, address, and phone number, on online forums without their permission or knowledge.

Suit yourself dude ... I was just going to look up some industrial stores within 50 miles of you.

 

[Stuey]

Suit yourself dude ... I was just going to look up some industrial stores within 50 miles of you.

I never said that I was looking to buy these new rebadged PC tools, I simply wanted to see what other people thought of them. Remember, I was already uploading photos from my phone so I decided to start a discussion on the PC tools while I was at it.

Although your tool and accessory recommendations are usually top-notch, I think that if I was in the market for a new drill and/or a circular saw, I'd know how to select a decent one myself.

 

[Vinko]

I was in HD today and noticed that the old American-made model of palm sander for $65 or so is no longer available. It's been really great for me. Used it for metal and wood for the last few years.

The model I bought (I was using it today) is the 330. The dust collection bag doesn't work well, and made a ****** mess in my garage when I was sanding today, but it's been a great sander all the same.