Porter Cable Question

So I'm looking to get into building my own guitars, and I have some cash to collect a few tools. I have no particular brand allegiance, but I notice that Lowes has a Porter-Cable Drill Press, Band Saw and Table Saw. Spec-wise they all seem to look pretty good, and the prices are right as well. I've seen the DP and BS in person, and they look relatively sturdy too.

Does anyone have experience with these? Anything that one should be wary of before purchasing these tools for hobby guitar building and other woodworking?

Here are links to the tools:

14" Band Saw (http://www.lowes.com/pd_78159-46069-PCB330BS_0__?productId=3162487&Ntt=band+saw&pl=1&currentURL=&facetInfo=)

15" Floor Drill Press (http://www.lowes.com/pd_78742-46069-PCB660DP_0__?productId=3162489&Ntt=drill+press&pl=1&currentURL=&facetInfo=)

10" 15-amp Table Saw (http://www.lowes.com/pd_101711-46069-PCB270TS_4294857520__?productId=3161103&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=)

I've kept my eye on CL, but haven't seen much in the way of Drill Presses or Band Saws, and to top it off, I'm just more comfortable with something new, as I don't know enough about the tools to try and deal with issues from something used.

Thanks in advance, I've been lurking for a bit, but really enjoy this section of the forum!

Porter Cable used to be Delta tools which used to be Rockwell tools. I'd imagine some of there stuff is good quality there, although I bet there is more more home duty quality in certain things, as opposed to industrial strength like they used to be 35-50 years ago.

I have the delta 14 bandsaw now going on about 25 years with no problems. Most every 14" bandsaw out there is a copy of that one.

Those prices are indicative of better quality stuff than what you could pickup in some places.

The drill presses are probably the one item where they have cut some corners over the years. Still adequate for what you will be doing, I've had 6-7 new ones the past 10 years at work. The weak parts in my opinion are the pot metal castings for the spindle handles. They strip out with a lot of use.

Porter Cable has really gone down hill in the last decade or so. They used to only make handheld tools, and I think their machinery like the BS, TS, and DP is made by another company using the PC name (Rikon, maybe?). I've never used them, but have looked them over at Lowe's. Probably about the quality of Ridgid stuff. Not great, but a decent value for the hobbyist. Hopefully someone who actually has used them will chime in.

That old Delta stuff, though, man that was well built.

From their website:


In 2005, Black & Decker purchased DELTA Machinery and PORTER-CABLE from Pentair Inc. Already a leader in the consumer tool category, the purchase solidified Black & Decker’s position in the professional power tool market

Delta definitely changed the Porter Cable brand. They used to be top notch had tools. Now, it seems like they're all over the map.

I have the porter cable bandsaw and have been using it at a steady pace for the past 3 years and haven't had a problem with it other than the upper wheel axle break so that set me back $40 but customer support was great when I ordered the part and I got the part quick.

I have the porter cable bandsaw and have been using it at a steady pace for the past 3 years and haven't had a problem with it other than the upper wheel axle break so that set me back $40 but customer support was great when I ordered the part and I got the part quick.

That's good info KRamone, thanks!

How frequently have you been using it the past 3 years?

Also, just in case anyone else is on a bandsaw search too, Grizzly has what looks like a pretty great deal on a G0555LX, on sale for $445.

Grizzly saw (http://www.grizzly.com/products/14-Deluxe-Bandsaw/G0555LX)

That's good info KRamone, thanks!

How frequently have you been using it the past 3 years?

Just about every weekend but things have slowed down with my custom work so now it's about once a month

I am totally unimpressed by the new Porter cable bandsaws and tablesaws. The ones at our local Lowes are overpriced, and are equipped with a lot of cheap parts. Rigid tools available at HomeDepot are much better quality in my opinion.

All my Grizzly tools are top notch.

Rigid is a better deal. Grizzly is good too.

Hey Mattie, noticed that you're in virginia as well. You anywhere close to Greenvalley Auctions? They have an estate auction every other week, and they've had some pretty good deals on things like Grizzly tools whenever they get them. would be worth checking out

I am totally unimpressed by the new Porter cable bandsaws and tablesaws. The ones at our local Lowes are overpriced, and are equipped with a lot of cheap parts. Rigid tools available at HomeDepot are much better quality in my opinion.

All my Grizzly tools are top notch.

Yeah, its a shame how Black & Decker is destroying a solid brand like Porter Cable with inferior products.

I love my Grizzly bandsaw. I consider the Grizzly stuff to be pretty close to the Delta stuff in my shop.

As twick stated Ridgid is a very good brand for about anything they build. Their warranty is second to none if you register the tool online, full lifetime warranty with no questions asked. I have 5 Ridgid routers, shop vac, sander, circular saw and various other tools and accessories.

As far as Porter-Cable goes I have 2 PC routers that I like very much. One in my router table and the other a plunge router I use to cut holes with and a PC circular saw that has served me very well for the past 3 years. As far as their table saws and band saws I can't offer an opinion because I have no experience with them.

Another brand of tool I highly recommend is DeWalt. I have 2 DeWalt routers and the DW Trim router is my go to router for most of my hand held router work be it plunge or fixed base routing.

Hey Mattie, noticed that you're in virginia as well. You anywhere close to Greenvalley Auctions? They have an estate auction every other week, and they've had some pretty good deals on things like Grizzly tools whenever they get them. would be worth checking out

Actually, I'm in Charlottesville, not too far from there... I go to the Green Valley Book Fair a few times a year!

Thanks for that tip, I may have to check that out sometime. Have you scored anything from one of these auctions?

As twick stated Ridgid is a very good brand for about anything they build. Their warranty is second to none if you register the tool online, full lifetime warranty with no questions asked. I have 5 Ridgid routers, shop vac, sander, circular saw and various other tools and accessories.

As far as Porter-Cable goes I have 2 PC routers that I like very much. One in my router table and the other a plunge router I use to cut holes with and a PC circular saw that has served me very well for the past 3 years. As far as their table saws and band saws I can't offer an opinion because I have no experience with them.

Another brand of tool I highly recommend is DeWalt. I have 2 DeWalt routers and the DW Trim router is my go to router for most of my hand held router work be it plunge or fixed base routing.

So, would the Ridgid drill press that Home Depot sells be worth it? It's $499 available online only.

Cannot testify due to the ownership change. The old Porter Cable sanders were very, very hard to kill - used to go through one about every four to six months, and that was from both dry and wet sanding approximately 12 bodies and necks per day. Good stuff, but I don't know how they are these days.

Porter Cable, Black and Decker and Dewalt are all the same company now. Black and Decker is the low end, Dewalt and Porter Cable are the next level up depending on what tools you are looking at. Don't get a PC drill or recip saw, go Dewalt. PC's routers are made a bit better than Dewalt, I'm guessing its a price point issue. I don't have alot to say about their drill presses or stand up band saws, not many have come across my bench.

So, would the Ridgid drill press that Home Depot sells be worth it? It's $499 available online only.

I have the Rigid Drill press. Excellent machine, but 499 is about 250-300$ too much.

Actually, I'm in Charlottesville, not too far from there... I go to the Green Valley Book Fair a few times a year!

Thanks for that tip, I may have to check that out sometime. Have you scored anything from one of these auctions?

Charlottesville you say? I live about thirty minutes over towards Staunton area. I personally, have not gotten anything from them yet. Between work and lack of funds, not much time for anything else. I check the site regularly and right now, they have a Jet Tablesaw for the auction next friday. I've heard nothing but phenomenal reviews. Another suggestion, check the auctions ads for shops closing down. Last month a cabinet shop auctioned off everything that they had. Powermatic 14" bandsaw went for 310, two drill 15" drill presses for around 150-200. Nice, Production grade stuff for pennies on the dollar. You just have to keep your eye out, also i think it was maybe a week ago i saw a fairly new rigid drill press on CL. I know you mentioned you like new, but every now and then a good deal pops up. Hope this helps man, happy building.