Thanks for the reply Stuey. I use a Fein almost every day and the blade release on that is very stiff.
I'd bet they have to be stiff in order to ensure the blade/attachment is perfectly secure.
That said, the PC's tool-free unlock lever does require a bit of finger or hand muscle to squeeze open. I don't think that the spring should soften with time. If you have to change a blade every minute, you'll get tired fast. I can see how changing blades a couple of times an hour several hours a day can get tiring too. Although not nearly as tiring as having to deal with a hex key each time.
I was not bothered by the PC's somewhat stiff/strong blade-change lever. I figured that if it did become a problem, I could easily devise a cheater-bar of sorts to make frequent changes easier on my hands. While this would add a slighty delay, it would require less effort and would still certainly be better than dealing with a hex key and bolt.
Stuey, how does this one compare to the Bosch Multi-X. PC has become a poor tool company in recent years. It went from the best in sanders and routers to Dewalt's B line, if such is even possible.
I have not been able to get my hands on the Bosch Multi-X for prolonged review, although I did try it in action a few times here and there. Still, I can't really offer a reliable comparison right now. If pressed to offer a subjective opinion, I would say that the tools themselves may be comparable in terms of quality and performance (hard to say at this time, really), but that perhaps Bosch has an upper edge in accessories given their greater experience and head start. There's also a bit of a price gap between systems. I don't think that either the PC or Bosch is a lesser tool. But again, I have not yet done the testing to really support this stance.
That said, I am confident that the PC tool is intended for professional use. I actually made the mistake of initially assuming some of the new 12V max tools were targeted at the same audience as the inexpensive 18V tools offered at Lowes. I was wrong.
As for Porter Cable being Dewalt's B line, I don't see that happening at all - they've got their own identity, and it looks like they're working hard to show it. Now, with that said, it does look like they're somewhat price conscious, without having to sacrifice any essential features or build quality. As you can tell, I've had a lot of time to think about this and make my mind up about the company.
Actually, quite a few of Porter Cable's most recent new tool releases surprised me with how great they are - the 12V drill, driver, ClampSaw, quik jig pocket hole jig, circular saw, and compact router. The 12V drill and driver are far from being the most compact or most powerful on the market, but they offered great performance and quality at a reasonable price. The circular saw proved to be superb, and the router as well. The router does leave out the variable speed control and LED worklight that Dewalt's version offers, and its base is different, but in use this didn't make any difference.
I was an outspoken skeptic. I mean, a $90 (on sale) cordless drill and circular saw kit? The older Porter Cable cordless drill kit used to cost double that by itself. But aside from those few inexpensive mid-level big-box store tools, I feel that PC has been showing their true colors in the other tools they've released in the past 1-2 years.
Agree, I purchased one a month or so ago.