Porter-Cable quality?

[Sloper0204]

Used to use a lot of Porter-Cable tools when doing a lot of wood working and always enjoyed their quality, was wondering if they are still considered a good quality tool?

I've read that Black & Decker owned Delta/Porter-Cable, so now with the Stanley/B&D merger Delta/Porter-Cable falls under their umbrella. Has this affected their quality?

 

[blue dog]

All the older stuff is great, i have routers that are 20 years old and have never been any kind of problem. The new stuff is homeowner quality at best. stay away from the new cordless stuff at loews, terrible.

 

[Stephenw]

I was using my brother-in-law's Porter Cable finish nailer this weekend for a project at my mother-in-law's house. It would misfire about 1 in 5 nails. I've shot countless nails through my Harbor Freight model without a hiccup. I know most of their tools are now made in China, but I have no other experience with them.

 

[metal1313]

yea the brand has been killed off really, the new cordless tools are garbage. i would not trust tools that have gone from some of the most expensive to some of the cheapest in such a short time.

 

[Bolster]

Can someone please verify or refute the rumor I heard, that any PC with grey highlights on black, is the Chinese ****, and that PC that's grey with black highlights is the good stuff? Or is it all Chinee now? Can you still get that famous 690 router USA made?

 

[mrholeshot]

I bought the Porter Cable set (drill,recip saw, circular saw and flashlight) for 129 last year on black Friday. I bought the 1/4 impact and jig saw and have absolutly beat the **** out of the drill and impact, used the other stuff a good bit and it has held up really well. I didn't expect much but have really been shocked how well it has done. I've charged the batteries at least 150 times and they are holding up great. I keep the drill an impact on my workbench ready to go all the time. Totally satisfied for the money and make a nice back up set or first set. I use the impact more than anything and it gets used an extraordinary amount. My opinion is listen to people who actually own the tools you are looking at and weigh the reveiws. While I couldn't be more satified other owners may not be as happy. I have 0 regrets in my purchace. It's not the only set of cordless tools I own. I find it nice to buy something on occasion that exceeds my expectations.

 

[BigRed390]

I've had the same experience as MrHoleShot. I got the NiCad set for $129 and couldn't be happier. I've beaten the snot out of mine as well. They've survived falls from the workbench without a problem and are still holding a charge just fine. I'm not using them to make a living or anything, but I'm using them WAY more than the "high end homeowner" crowd they're marketing to. No complaints. I can't comment on any of their new tailed tools. I've just got a cordless set.

 

[DougB442]

I was using my brother-in-law's Porter Cable finish nailer this weekend for a project at my mother-in-law's house. It would misfire about 1 in 5 nails. I've shot countless nails through my Harbor Freight model without a hiccup.

like any other air tool, they must be maintained...

I have two PC nailers, a finish, and a narrow crown stapler. both work well.

I prefer the Bostich air tools, however some of the Hitachi guns are really nice. and less problematic than the Bostich

as far as the rest of the product line, it's like any other manufacturer. buy the one with the proven design that hasn't changed in 20 years...this way you know it won't break down.

 

[PaulR]

I have a 6 year old Porter Cable 14.4 cordless hammer drill, made in Taiwan. dropped it off the top of my garage door doing drywall, kept going years later. I beat on it regularly with no problems.

I have no experience with the new stuff at Lowes, but looking at them, and guessing about the quality: I would say yes this is another brand that has been bought and flushed down the toilet (Just like Milwaukee).

 

[woody 73]

Back in the Day when I was a grasshopper,PC tools were the gold standard for wood working tools. Today it is a different story,most high quality tools come from European Countries.

I have a few air nailers that seem to be holding up and I have a hand planer that is still going strong.

 

[Sloper0204]

Any suggestions on European brands to look at? I'm looking at setting up a woodworking shop and will have to start from scratch.

 

[kartracer23]

I've always had PC sanders. After 5 or 6 years, I had to replace the velcro pad on my 5" RO. Ordered an OEM one, and it lasted about 2 weeks. Thought it might have been a fluke and ordered another. Got about a month out of it before it wouldn't hold paper.
Now I've got a Dewalt RO and it seems to be doing fine.
Not sure if the velcro pad issue is a fluke or what, but it really makes me question the current quality considering the original lasted at least 5 years.

 

[Monte]

rebadged PORTER CABLE recipro saw

inspection gap between motor housing and gear case ???? You can even see the grey pegboard through the gap !

no , not from China or Mexico (NOS)

Don´t look like high quality

 

[BigRed390]

Any suggestions on European brands to look at? I'm looking at setting up a woodworking shop and will have to start from scratch.

Depends on what tools you're looking for. Whether they're stationary or hand held, you'll have to get your wallet out. A Euro-style sliding table saw will cost you around $5k-$15k, for example, and you can go higher than that if you want.

For starters, google the following:

Felder
Hammer
MiniMax
Laguna
Agazzani

 

[Monte]

Any suggestions on European brands to look at? I'm looking at setting up a woodworking shop and will have to start from scratch.

For hand held electric tools look for Festool, Protool, Lamello, Mafell, Metabo etc.

 

[Sloper0204]

For hand held electric tools look for Festool, Protool, Lamello, Mafell, Metabo etc.

Awesome.

What I'm really looking for right now is hand held tools. Sanders, routers, saws, etc.

Also looking for good quality finish nailer and crown stapler and can't decide if I should just pick up a couple more Bostitch or try and find PC.

 

[Abbott]

Depends on what tools you're looking for. Whether they're stationary or hand held, you'll have to get your wallet out. A Euro-style sliding table saw will cost you around $5k-$15k, for example, and you can go higher than that if you want.

For starters, google the following:

Felder
Hammer
MiniMax
Laguna
Agazzani

Be warned Laguna has terrible customer service.