Amazon.com Review

Porter-Cable's 3-by-21-inch belt sander features an all-metal housingthat gives the tool a solid feel, makes it tough to damage, and lets you sandeffectively without having to press down. This sander also does a great job ofkeeping belts centered, a terrific bonus because there's nothing morefrustrating that having to constantly re-center a belt. According toPorter-Cable, the all-metal housing accounts for the centered placement of the belts.The sander remains rigid, even during heavy use, and the metal helps dissipateheat, keeping the belt relatively cool and in place.

This sander also has a variable-speed dial that lets you match the speed of thebelt with the application, so you can speed up for aggressive removal or dialdown for more precision. We really like the 360-degree adjustable top dustnozzle--a feature you won't find on many belt sanders--because it lets you pivotthe dust bag (or hose if you're hooked up to a dust vac), a huge conveniencewhen sanding in corners or along edges. And, lastly, this is a quietsander, thanks both to Porter-Cable's newly designed gear system, which meshesmore accurately, and to the sander's serpentine drive belt, which makesconsiderably less noise than a more common cog system. For a belt sander, thistool is surprisingly easy on the ears, and that's a very good thing. --JonGroebner ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Powerful sanding action
• Variable-speed dial
• Belt & gear drive
• Designed for flush sanding

Reviews (30)

Terrific, Powerful Sander
After purchasing -- and returning -- the Makita 3X18 belt sander, I bought the Porter-Cable 352VS (eee my review of the Makita). What a difference!

This sander is powerful. I sanded three layers of old paint off a door in about 1/2 hr. The body is constructed of metal, giving it a nice solid feel. When sanding, you can simply glide the sander back and forth, without having to push down at all. Porter-Cable came up with a design that gives you a lot of power, but at the same time control over that power. This is what a belt sander SHOULD be like.

The position of the front handle makes sense -- it is up higher than the front of the machine, so you get a good position relative to the sanding surface. The handle is also designed to give you a lot to grab onto.

The dust bag is designed well. You can swivel it in any direction to get it out of the way while you're sanding, and it holds the dust without spilling until you're ready to empty it out. Also, it does a fair job collecting the dust, but you should never expect any dust-bag system to be perfect.

The meachinism for loading and unloading sander belts is very good. It is easy to place the belt in the sander and then tighten it up securely.

The tracking system really holds the sander belt in place. I placed the belt on the sander, held it upside-down, running the sander until the belt no longer shifted left or right. Then I began sanding, and for the whole time I worked, the belt did not move from center at all. Because the housing is made of metal, even if the belt DID move, it would not damage the sander, as it would on machines with plastic bodies.

All told, this sander is a great combination of power and ease of use.

PS: The 3X21 sander belts that Porter-Cable makes (the purple ones) are excellent.

serviceman
My old belt sander stop working. I went to sears and purchased their 8.8amp belt sander. I used it for about 5 minutes and found it really did not have the power I need. So I took it back to Sears. Then I order the porta cable 352vs from Amazon. As soon as I had taken the sander out of the box I could feel a big difference. I plug the sander in and used it. It has a lot of power. I am very pleased with it. I was really shocked to feel how much more power the porta cable has over the sears craftsman. There is no question about it ,if you need a belt sander go buy the porta cable.

Good Sander, But...
I've had my PC 352vs for about 5 years, and I'd agree with most of the reviews I've read here. Plenty of power, good balance, well-made, but the dust pick-up port constantly gets clogged, and the dust bag and power cord are not positioned as well as they could be.

I've found that I can unclog the pick-up port using a blast of compressed air.

After 5 years, I wore out the drive belt and the platen was also cracking slightly, which is the only repairs I've done. Within 2 weeks of replacing the drive belt, though, I trashed the new belt when I caught the power cord in the sander and jammed the belt to a stop. (Not the sander's fault - mine).

Overall, a good, well-made (and made in USA) sander that should last a long time.

I don't really like this sander much
I have a lot of Porter-Cable tools, my dad has them too. Therefore I thought this would be a good inexpensive sander.
It's heavy which is good, it tracks well which is good, I like variable speed... BUT!
It's not balanced well. Left unto it's own weight it will favor one side over the other and sand unevenly unless you get a feel for which side needs a little more pressure. Use finer paper and take it easy. I started to develope a feel for it but never really enjoyed using it.
I now use a very old Porter-Cable 504 given to me by my dad. It's been a joy to use! $500+ new gulp! Mine's old, has been serviced and will live on.
If I were looking for a belt sander and didn't want the 504 due to preference, price, or going the used route, and I were trying to get something good within reason, I'd try a higher end PC or check another brand. I think DeWalt, or Bosch have settled those balance issues. You can feel it in your hands and hold it gently on a flat surface get an idea as to what may stay flat when the power is on.

Disappointed !!..
I bought this and was expecting a lot from sander of this quality. Well, It is really 8AMP and not 7AMP sander. I am not sure how genuine these reviews are but I had go back to random orbit sander and put this sander back in box on top shelf as I found it useless for finishing work. I would rather spent money on random orbit sander and get quality work done in short time. ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Aggressive sanding action with a swirl-free finish
• Pad control feature to prevent pad spin-up
• Variable speed can be set between 5,000 and 12,000 orbits per minute
• 100% ball-bearing construction

Features

• 150 PSI tank for longer tool run time
• 2-port removable console for remote air regulation
• 3.4HP, 15A, 120V, 60Hz
• Full roll cage to protect pump and motor
• Mobility kit for increase portability

Reviews (1)

This is a FABULOUS compressor.
Where else could you get 6CFM at 90psi and 150psi operating pressure in such a compact and portable package? Price is a little high, but all of my tools (as do most all of them) have a maximum operating pressure of 125psi. And unlike the other compressors I have owned over the years, this one can actually provide enough air at 125psi to get the most out of my air tools. The only thing that I don't like about it is that it only has a 50% duty cycle. ... Read more

Features

• Smooth and durable operation
• Worm gear drive
• 4.5 amp, 4,500 rpm motor
• One year warranty/30 day performance certification

Reviews (11)

A Few Things Missing
This is a nice saw that makes very clean and precise cuts. It's lacking a few things however.

Because the motor is so powerful and on the right hand side, the saw spits wood chips upwards into your face as you're trying to follow the cut line. This saw needs a vacuum or dust bag attachment like other Porter circular saws have.

The saw doesn't come with a carrying case, which is unfortunate. Likewise, the rip guide is necessary for making accurate cuts and should have been included with the saw.

The motor is very quiet and the saw is steady when making cuts.

World's best saw for sheet goods and trim...
I have owned this saw for almost two years now. I also own several "side-winder" saws and a Skil brand worm-drive saw. The big Skil worm-drive will always be close for those jobs that require more power and capacity. The Porter Cable 4 1/2" trim saw has replaced all other saws for most of my cutting though. I love the power and light weight packed into this easy to handle marvel. I use it for all of my sheet goods as well as any free-hand 1X cutting. I also loved the roomy steel case that easily holds the saw, and blades.

What a nice little saw
if you use it for what it's meant for, trim and thin stock. I know that after burning one out cutting both sides of 2" oak with one after leaving my old Rockwell 6 1/2" saws in my shop one day. Fortunately, Porter Cable will rebuild them at the factory for a very reasonable price. It's good as new now.

This is a pro's tool, so it doesn't have all the cutesy attachments that home users have come to expect. It will, with the appropriate blades, do a nice job on plexiglass and formica as well as wood.

I'd recommend thin kerf blades with this, and keep 'em sharp.It's more a finish tool than anything else.

Consider other options
While the motor and blade assembly of this tool seem to be up to Porter Cable standards, I'm disapointed in the sole plate of this saw. It is flimsy and not very accurate. So sloppy, in fact, after you adjust the depth of cut you better check to see if the sole is still square to the blade. Oh, and the set screw used to square the sole to the blade when the saw is set to max. depth of cut ... I tried to adjust it and the thing fell out in my hand. By the looks of it, PC didn't bother to thread the hole. They just forced this screw in a few turns, which means you can't back the screw out because it becomes immediately loose. Shoddy. I wish I looked more closely at some of the small cordless options that are out there now.

If It's Good Enough for Norm Abrams!
I have been a home workshop woodworker for over 20 years and I am a fan of Norm Abrams' work. I noticed him using this saw on his show for years. I finally decided to spend the money and get one. (I have one child in college and one yet to go.) What a fabulous saw! The primary use I had in mind was for breaking down large sheets of plywood, hardboard, paneling, etc. It is so light weight and handy that the user has complete control of the saw's movement throughout the cut. My experience in cutting 4'x8' sheets, particularly the rip cuts, is that at some point in the cutting process I have to walk around and use my non-dominant hand (I am a lefty). With a standard 7 1/4" circular saw I always felt uncomfortable and invariably felt the saw wander periodically during the cut. Again, because this saw is much smaller and lighter I feel much more control even with my right hand.

I have used it a few times on 3/4" stock (oak and pine) and found it to be not only sufficient but quite aggressive. Overall, I am nothing short of delighted with the product. I own a number of Porter Cable products (e.g.,cordless drill, profile sander and biscuit joiner)and have found all of them to be excellent tools. This one is OUTSTANDING. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Porter-Cable's palm nailer is growing in popularity among both woodworkers and contractors alike--and for good reason. At first glance, it doesn’t look like much of a powerhouse, but connect it to even a small compressor and you’re driving 6-inch nails no problem. Another great feature: you’re not restricted to one type of nail. Fatigue is minimal, thanks to its light weight (just 2-1/2 pounds!) and ergonomic design. The kit comes with a "no-mar" finish tip, a magnetic tip for driving 3d to 16d common nails, a standard tip for common nails up to 70d, and a steel hammer kit for moldings, dowels, and automotive body work. In hand, it’s super light, compact, and the leather glove makes it a pleasure to use, fitting into nearly any space your hand can get into. Of course, you do have to feed one nail at a time, but this tough little gun is going to drive nails in areas other nail guns would never fit.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty
• Four interchangeable nose tips designed to tackle a wide variety of applications, from finish nailing to auto body work
• Compact, ergonomic design and leather wrap for added comfort and control
• Depth-of-drive control and a fastener range of 1-1/4 to 6-1/2 inches (standard 3d to 70d long nails)
• Multi-bow action (2,300 bpm at 100 psi)

Reviews (10)

this tool could make me a carpenter.
mostly i work with metal and in fact i'm awful at driving nails with a hammer. i bought this versatile tool for miscellaneous homeowner/handyman tasks around the house, because i couldn't justify buying three or four different nail guns for the amount of wood work that i do.
after about a dozen practice nails of various sizes, i'm nailing like a rock star after an arena concert. so far, i've built a couple picture frames, framed in an attic staircase, and built a new workbench, all with ONE great little tool and many different sizes of regular old nails (no pricey nails on strips!).
this is the perfect tool for the amount of work that i do, and i think i could do a lot more before biting the bullet for a gaggle of specialty nail guns.

This thing is great!
I have always used a framing hammer to nail joist hangers and usually on every job I bang my finger once or twice while trying to hold the hanger/nail and hammer. I used this tool for the first time today and was amazed at how smooth it is. It comes with quite a few different accessories for different types of nails and it comes with an air hose connection. I had to nail one hanger with only 5 1/2" between the hanger and the adjacent wall and the palm nailer handled this easily. I was expecting this tool to be rough on the hands but was surprised at it's smoothness and tons of power. This is a tool I wish I had bought years ago.

Great labor saver, fun to use
This tool is a great labor saver, fun to use, and well packaged. I am notoriously bad at driving nails by hand, and this tool has prevented untold amounts of bent nails, bruised thumbs, and sore wrists. I don't know how I ever got along without one. My only complaint: I'm not crazy about the screw-in collar that secures the nailing head to the tool body. As shipped, the collar was screwed in so tightly that while trying to remove it, I damaged one of the included wrenches. Once it finally came off, I had no further problems. However, I'm always worrying that I'll overtighten it again, or that I won't tighten it enough, causing it to vibrate loose during use. Porter-Cable should reconsider the design of the collar mechanism; otherwise, great tool.

3 days work and no crushed fingernails
I bought this after trying it at a tool show. I was surprised at how easily it drove nails into hardwood and softwood. I initially thought that it would make my hand "buzz", but it never causes vibration induced paresthesias. My 14-year old son used it to secure all the joist hangers on a 37 x 25 foot deck we built. I have no complaints.

Very happy w/ my purchase
[...] Cost aside the tools strengths are: 1) small compact size - great for tight spots 2) ease of use - after about 20 nails you get comfortable with it 3) very light - minimal fatigue 4) hammers nails w/ ease 6) runs w/ as low a PSI setting of 50 (MNF recommends 60)- I set my compressor at 100 for framing nails 7) will work with a very small compressor as my 25 gallon's engine hardly goes off (comparison is against my exp with my air ratchet)

If you are a DIY and find yourself wanting to tackle a project that needs driving a large volume of nails, this is a no brainier. The product pays for itself in labor savings easily; you will thank yourself for getting it once you are into your project.
. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This may be the most powerful router you'll ever own. Its3-1/4-horsepower, 15 amp motor makes quick work of anything you canfeed it. I expected it to tear out of my hands at startup, but for itsheft, it has an amazingly soft start at every speed: 10,000, 13,000,16,000, 19,000, and 21,000 rpm. This kind of power doesn't come withoutsome noise, so be sure to wear hearing protection. The handles arecomfortable and offer a secure grip, but at 17-1/2 pounds this is aheavier unit than most routers. The plunge depth range is 3 inches, andthere's no doubt this guy can handle it. The ball bearings are 100percent sealed, and a six-position depth-stop turret is a nice touch.It takes 1/2-inch shanks, so it could double as a shaper in a smallershop. Here's another nice plus: a cool auto-release collet system thatends stuck bits--no more wrench-tapping and pleading! It's a beauty ofa machine for heavy routing or production use. It won't disappoint you.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Smooth plunge mechanism with fully enclosed springs
• Soft start for smooth performance
• 5 speed 15-amp motor maintains constant speed under load
• Aluminum motor housing prevents heat build-up
• Auto-release collets

Reviews (13)

Super workhorse!!!
This is the most powerful router I have ever used. As a dedicated hobbyist I wanted a router to use with my Incra Jig to make boxes. I originally bought the Bosch 2 HP and tried to make one cut and packed it up and returned to get this PC. The difference in power is amazing when cutting oak and walnut. You will need the adjustment knob accessory to make raising and lowering easier in your table,(I also removed the plunge spring handle to make it easier to adjust). It is very large and heavy so to use it for regular routing I believe would be cumbersome on lighter work. The screws that mount the sole plate are hefty and up to the task. If you need power this fits the bill.

Not the best choice
This is a fine router of its type. The variable speed and soft start features make it work beautifully. The plunge lock is conveniently located and easy to use. Unless you are routing dados on a well supported surface, it's weight and power pretty much requires table mounting. It is too hard to control doing edges. The table mounting is where the shortcomings are noticed. The weight will cause a normal MDF router table to sag fairly quickly if it's left in place, so make sure you mount it on a removeable plate; and remove it when not in use. I mounted a Router Raizer on mine to allow height adjustment from above, but in either case it won't plunge enough to allow me to change bits from the top of the table without modification to the (hardened) wrenches. I think a better choice would be the fixed-based version (PC 7518) used with a JoinTech Master Lift Pro or JessEm Mast-R-Lift(not the Rout-R-Lift).

Strongest most durable router money can buy
We have three at work. Talk about work horse. We even us it to route 3/4" ply and 5/4" lumber, over and over. Our newest is three years old, and besides the electric cable no work has been done to any of them. They do 1/8" coves to flush triming 5/4 to steel, even aluminium and they don't skip a beat. We push ours beyound any limit any designer of the tool had eve thought it would be used and it has with stood. If you want a router that can handle anything then buy this one.

Made for the long run
It's a Porter Cable, isn't it? I'm picky about the tools I buy, I try to buy the very best on my budget, but I haven't had any Porter Cable tool in my hands that wasn't a good one. Made in America, and that still means something to me.

First off, this isn't made for handheld use if you plan on doing a lot of freehand work. Get a smaller, say 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 HP for that. I bought the plunge instead of the fixed base just in case I needed one in a pinch. At 21 pounds and with all the torque of a small diesel engine, it's somewhat of a chore to handle with any precision. I mounted mine on a router table and trust me, it will cut through anything you throw at it with ease. If you run large panel raising bits like I do, make sure you get the 7539 (variable speed) instead of the 7538. It will run these better at a slower speed. When you start up a 3 1/4" bit it sounds like a helocpter is hovering overhead. Much better and safer at 10 to 13000 RPM. Since I had already invested lots of $$$ in router bits, mounting this on a router table only made sense to me.

These are the industry standard, expensive but worth it. If you don't mind paying a little extra, this should last the average woodworker a lifetime.

Almost as good as having a shaper
I have had this router for well over five years now and really put it through its paces. The power is incredible with even the largest of bits. You can take those long half-inch diameter upcut spiral bits and plunge inch-and-a-half deep mortises in solid oak in one pass if you are so inclinded. I don't always use it in a router table because I have only had one router in the past. It is on the heavy side for hand held uses, but the soft start keeps your firmly in control. The only thing lacking is a micro-adjustment for height. An indication of how great this particular model router was made is its longevity over the years as a hallmark Porter Cable product. ... Read more

Features

• Complete with case, pins, oil, coupler, and wrenches
• Shoots 23 gauge pin nails 1/2-inch to 1-inch in length
• Automatically adjusts to length of pin nail - no manual adjustment necessary
• Contoured, padded handle for comfort and control
• Excellent for crafts, intricate work, and hold down for gluing applications

Reviews (8)

NOT a nail gun, it's a pinner
On commercially made frame and panel doors you will notice two tiny little holes (that have been filled) on the back side of each joint. Even old dogs like me can learn a new trick once and awhile, and this struck me as a brilliant way of NOT being forced to wait for glue to set during the assembly process of frame and panel doors. My last project had 82 frame and panel doors and finished panels, and even gluing up two at a time in one set of clamps, I ran out of clamps pretty quick and then had to wait at least an hour prior to the assembly of more. My current project has 56 framed panels in 3/4" thick Western Red Cedar, Pine and Iroko so I decided to try a new way of assembly rather than play the waiting game. My PC pinner was purchased for just this purpose and I'm happy to report that this technique works like a charm and the glue joints remain tight while the glue sets AND the pin holes are truly "pin holes". On my current project the back-side of the panels is not visible so therefore I don't need to fill these holes, but on "good two side" projects these holes will not be an issue to fill.

The longer the panel sits in clamps the better chance the glue has to "grab". To facilitate this I used two sets of clamps. I glued and assembled one panel in the first set of clamps, fired 5/8" pins into the joints and let that sit while I assembled a second panel in the second set of clamps. The clamps pull the joint together and the 5/8" long pins perfectly "pin" the tenon in the joint and hold the frame together once released from the clamps. Once the third panel was assembled I went back and removed the first panel from the clamps and set it aside to allow the glue to completely set, by the time I got back to the first panel the glue had just enough time to grab and the joint didn't budge. Just remember that they are 23 gauge pins and are there only to hold things together until the glue does it's job, so you can't be reefing on the joints until the glue has been completely set. In this alternating method I assembled all 56 panels in less than a day, totally cool! I estimated it would have taken the better part of a week to have done the same in the "traditional" way with only clamps.

The PC pinner performed flawlessly even without "PC brand" pins and regardless of the material (Western Red Cedar is like hard butter and Iroko is just as hard and stringy as Elm) the pins were set perfectly each and every time at 100 psi. For everyone who has used nail guns, you do have a tendency to push down prior to firing a nail to push back the safety arm. This pinner has a trigger safety on it that you pull back with your finger, so there is no requirement to push down, just set the nose on the surface and pull the trigger. There is a bit of bounce back but I found that even on Western Red Cedar I could avoid a large "nose dint" by using care in how I held the gun against the surface of the material. I can see how this gun would be very easy to jamb as the pins have no head. The pins have an arrow on them indicating which way they get inserted in the gun for good reason. The ram is tiny and must be machined to very tight tolerances (which contributes greatly to the high cost of such a small and specialized tool), I would imagine that if the ram gets distorted or damaged in any way this gun will be problematic from there ever-after. So handle and use this tool with care, if ever there was a nail gun to put the prescribed drop of oil in prior to use this is it. I'm sure I will find a million other uses for this gun over time, but for now I'm very pleased that it worked like a charm for the purpose I bought if for. You've got to love it when a new tool pays for itself on the first job!

One other piece of advice, this is NOT the gun for you if you are looking for a "nail gun". This is a "pinner" and should ONLY be used for that purpose. It can fire pins between 1/2" and 1" in length ONLY, most nail guns can fire nails from 3/4" to 2 1/2" in length. For general nailing buy a gun that fires 18 or 15 gauge nails, they are relatively cheap, much more durable and the nails are cheaper. Made in Taiwan yes, but made to very high standards so I have nothing disparaging to say on that front. Highly recommended.

Good gun, but you know the downside
I like this gun; it does everything claimed of it. It is very difficult to spot the pin holes, and they probably don't need filling. But it is possible to spot the hole if you know where to look for it. I wonder if it would be possible, though, to paint the head ends of the pins, prior to use, with an enamel that matched the workpiece and that would stand up to the plunger. I haven't tried this but it would be really cool if it worked.

One thing I have tried, though, that worked fine, is to find a tiny little knot that is near where I want to drive the pin and put it right at the center of it. The nose is so tiny that it's possible to locate the pin so accurately that you can put it smack in the center of these tiny little knots. The pin is much less noticeable there because people expect to see a variation of color at that point.

It is true, though, that the nose mars the work if the work is soft, but one way to address that problem is to put a small piece of masking tape on the work over the area. Use a little extra pressure so the pin won't be driven proud of the work. After the pin is driving, remove the tape. Voila-no marring.

The only real downside is the length of the pins-or lack thereof. You can't use it for really thick door or window trim, although I do, toward the thin side. There is one trick for this that I haven't tried but I think would work (keyhole slots with screws on the thick side; slide it in place, then secure with pins) but it's very labor intensive. I think PC should come with an 1.5 inch gun, and, when they do, give us full retail for our old guns in trade for it. (Right!)

Wish I had this a few years ago -- GREAT Performer !!!
I bought this after reading the reviews from everyone else. There is always trepidation when you hear pitfalls, especially when you consider the money and sweat-equity that goes into projects. Bottom line: I have encountered absolutely no problems to date. No "nose dents", no jamming, and the pin hole is so small it can be covered up with a wood-filler stick -- if it is needed at all. I've done so many projects the hard way in the past, that I'm kicking myself for not having this over the past few years. I also followed the PC instructions and put in just a couple of drops of oil, and I did not get the oil marks that some reviews mentioned. Additionally, I even used it in a tricky situation where I had to drive pins at an angle joining 2 pieces perpendicularly -- and it was flawless. I've used it on maple, oak and pine. I've run all three wood types (and all using 1" pins) at 80 PSI, and the depth has been perfect. By the way, the automatic adjustment to pin length is worth the price itself just in time (and forgetfulness) savings. I recommend this Pin Nailer highly.

For those who want to take fine to the next level
At first I was hesitant to buy the PC PIN100. The reviews were the core of my concern. Does it leave a dent in the work? Will it quickly malfunction? Is the pin visible? Is it a quality tool, or a piece of junk?
I took it out of the carrying case, and the clear plastic wrap, and immediately put 5 drops of the oil that comes in the kit, in the air nozzle. I wanted to ward off any jamming problems.
Upon loading the nails, I noticed that there were multiple arrows printed on the side of the nail strip. That way you would load them in the right direction. If you ignored the arrows, and loaded them upside down, which is possible considering the small size of the pins, the sharp, fine, thin tip would be up, to do battle with the hammer coming down. Certainly, it would veer off to one side, thereby freezing the hammer and pin. In addition that kind of action could score the shaft, and that would lead to other possible misfires. People reporting problems with jams could have done just that.
The top of the pin has a blunt-flat end on it, and the business end is sharp. Since they are so tiny, if you don't notice the arrows on the side, it is easy to load them upside down.
These pins are not serrated, or ring shanked, but rather smooth on the sides. That way they don't receive resistance on the way down. Important considering their fine size.
I was able to take the 3/4" pins, that come with the kit, and drive several into a 3/4" piece of oak, without any problems whatsoever. I first tested it out on a piece of scrap pine. Since I loaded the nailer with oil, it came out of the nose quite readily, which made a slight black mark where the pin went into the wood. Since the pine is very light, it showed. It was worth it, I wanted to break it in properly. After about 20 pins the oil cleared, I then went onto the oak, and it left a pin without any blemish. All in all with all of my testing, the pin nailer never misfired, or even hinted, at a misfire even once. I put it to the test with firing nails, as fast as I could squeeze the trigger, and never a problem or a glitch. You can fire a lot of nails very quickly with this tool.

It doesn't have the safety nose that requires plunging like the rest of the Porter Cable finish nailer line. That way you can get into finely cramped quarters, and get the pin in at your desired angle. What PC did, was put two levers on the handle, one is a safety release, and the other one is the firing trigger. It is well engineered that way, and is easy and intuitive to use.

How about the pin, does it show? On the first test pieces, with 5 drops of break in oil, it showed on the pine. After blowing it out with 20 pins, the oil deposits stopped, and all you saw was the pin hole. Does the pin hole become invisible by wiping water on the wood? I am getting critical here, but yes it does show. I was dreaming of the wood swelling, and making the pin hole completely invisible. That didn't happen in the pine and oak I tested it in. BUT the pin hole is so small, that all but the most critical customers will object to it. I have to admit that it is so tiny, that it couldn't be any smaller without disappearing altogether. Miniscule is the appropriate word here. It makes an 18 gauge finish nail look like a crater in comparison. For light colored wood it is barely visible, and for medium to dark woods it will disappear altogether. So if you are looking to attach really fine work, like 1/4" quarter round mldgs, this is just what the doctor ordered.

I tried to be critical of the impression if any the head would leave in the work. When working with oak, even at the highest pressures, it did not leave a mark. Pine on the other hand, required a gentle touch. If you pressed down on the head while firing, it left a tiny impression. If you laid the head gently onto the surface, and fired, it left no impression whatsoever. Considering that pine is so soft, that you can leave an impression in it with your finger nail, I laid to rest any concerns about dimples in the wood.

The air pressure range prescribed by PC is 60 to 100 PSI. It is advisable to stay within that range, whereas excessive pressures can cause problems. I imagine the firing apparatus is designed to ideally work within those ranges, and subjecting it to excessive pressure is reason for concern. I tweaked my regulator on the wall to 105 pounds, which would give me 100 or less at the gun, and it fired well without any difference in the head impression on the work.

So what does all of this mean? Simply put, I love this tool. It does the job beautifully, appears to do so without any suggestion of malfunctioning. I have the Porter Cable 16 gauge, and the 18 gauge both in the BN 125A and the 200A, and this makes my fourth PC finish level nailer, and not one of them has given me any problems. (They can misfire if you run them dry. I guess that is why PC always includes a squeeze bottle of oil with every nailer.)

This is a keeper. I bought the other size pin nails as well. They come in 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", and 1 inch. It comes with the 3/4", so I picked up the other sizes.
I am looking forward to using the PC PIN100 in doing the fine work. You can spend a lot of time, and get a large project to really look fine, but the small details can make the difference of looking like artwork, or a signature of a less skilled practitioner. This tool will make you an artist, on the detail work. Highly recommended.

Not Up To Par
The idea of the micro pinner is to leave a virtually invisible hole. The hole the pin leaves is small but the dent the nose leaves is terrible. The bounce from the recoil and the sharp nose needs a redesign. I've used other 23 gauge pinners and PC has a long way to go to be considered even acceptable. I guess you get what you pay for. ... Read more

Features

• 2 year limited warranty
• Adjustable fluid and spray controls for precise operation
• Stainless steel fluid nozzle and needle with plastic cup for quick cleanup
• Latest high volume low pressure technology for high output and low overspray
• Includes air adjusting valve with gauge

Reviews (13)

Great Gun for the Hobbyist or Professional
I just recently purchased the PSH1 and I must say it was a great buy. I had been using a traditional HVLP system that operated on 5psi. This gun has a recommended operating pressure of 43psi. My compressor recharged far less than I expected, very little overspray and I actually used less material than the old HVLP system. Many adjustments can be made including, pattern size, material flow, air volume and air pressure. Bonus features, easy to clean and the material filter which is optional to use. For those not used to a gravity feed, don't worry you will soon be impressed.

Great quality for the price
I have very little experience with spraying finishes--mostly frustrating. Previously I had used a small detail gun, a [low priced] 1Qt. gun and a Wagner airless. Found all to be fussy to set up and inconsistant in use (and the standard air sprayers waste finish due to their high pressure output). The PC arrived & I am so impressed with its quality. As mentioned in the previous review this gun is made of 1st rate materials. I was pleased to see 2 air outlets in each of the aircap horns which helps produce a nice fan pattern. Besides the small hole in the center of the cap that the needle tip protrudes through there are several very tiny holes surrounding it to aid in atomization.
Not obvious in the listing is that this gun comes with a nice regulator & gauge that fit on the gun. Another nice touch for the money.
My only gripe is the gun comes with just one nozzle (1.5mm), Amazon and others don't list other sizes. From PC's service center thay cost[more money] for each size set. That's outrageous and is the only thing keeping me from giving the gun a 5 star rating

Excellent Spray Gun
This is the best HVLP spray gun that I have ever used for fine finishing. I bought it about a month ago for a job to paint 2000 lf of interior trim and door jambs with oil base paint. Result is very satisfactory and I saved lots of time. I have another 3 stage HVLP paid about $600.00 with extra different sizes of nozzles from Amazon 3 years ago. I had used 2 times only. Then I have never used it anymore. Because it is very hard to adjust the size of fan. It is either too narrow or too wide.

Before I decided to buy this, I was afraid of buying another trash that gives you only headache and messes up job.
I used it with 20 gallon air compressor. After 10 minutes practice over the brown paper hanging on the garage wall, I could make a beautiful job.It is very easy to adjust and control the size of fan. This is one of the best tools for Pros for living.

HOORAY FOR HVLP
I have sprayed clear finishes on my woodworking projects for many years using a conventional spray gun. Although I have been able to achieve a quality finish, I was always disappointed by all the overspray and fog created in my garage. What a great pleasure it was to use the Porter-Cable PSH1 HVLP gun. Adjustments were smooth and easy; quality of finish was superb; and best of all, there was no fog to contend with. I'm sold. I'll never go back. Thanks for a great product.

To cut a long story short
When the gun arrived I was delighted, it looked like a $200 gun. When I used it however there was a leak at the nozzle tip. Needing to spray a job, I took the fluid nozzle to a machinist and had it bored out. In fairness to Porter cable, when I told them about this they dispatched me a new gun, but sadly, this one leaked at the reservoir cap. ... Read more

Features

• Additional features: tool-free adjustable depth of drive, nail lock out mechanism, tool-free adjustable exhaust, ¼¿ air fitting, removable non-marring nose tip
• Uses standard 22 degree 2" to 3-1/2" x .113" to .131" plastic collated round head framing nails.
• Delivers twice the life over previous tools
• Power to drive nails (up to 3-1/2" x .131") into engineered lumber
• Selectable trigger, restrictive or contact actuation mode

Features

• The motor housing and both bases are precision machined aluminum for better heat dissipation and long, smooth operation
• Get both a fixed and a plunge base for all routing applications
• 1-3/4 hp motor provide ample power for all but the biggest routing applications
• The 10,000 to 27,500 rpm electronic variable speed allows you to adjust your speed to accommodate any type of wood
• New "lever-release" height adjustment on the fixed base and a smooth locking lever on the plunge base ensure accurate routs every time

Reviews (4)

Nice but not great
I've been replacing my bargain Sears tools with those of better quality. Couldn't be happier with my other assortment of PC tools (nailers, saws, and drill). The router comb is definately nice, but not nearly as big of a step as I expected over a $59 Sears router. Depth adjustment is definately a big improvement, but took a step back by not having a locking collet (need both wrenches) for bit changes.

Bought at a sales rep demo and got the dust collection base thrown in for free. It is better than nothing, but I wish I would have looked closer at the Dewalt set-up.

Bottom line, does the job, but falls a little short of my high expectations for PC tools.

Could have been better thought out
I recently purchased this combo because I had a need for both an evs router and a plunge option. I have a Milwaukee 1-3/4 body grip router and the 3-1/2 hp evs that I use on a regular basis. Unfortunatly Milwaukee is not coming out with a plunge base for any of their routers so I went with the PC. The evs option is nice, as are both of the bases. Where this combo falls short is 1 Both bases are set up for template guides not the wide hole for most bits. That is an option. (C'mon PC! Wake up!! how difficult is is to supply both bases with a 2 base set?!?!?). 2 the guide that comes with it, although very smooth and easily adjustable also throws off the balance of the machine making it difficult to use on long runs as it makes the router side heavy as the handles are perpendicular to the guide as opposed parallel which would make it easier to control the guide as well as push the router through the stock.
3 the evs speed settings are somewhat vague.

Other than the above issues the tool is well constructed and the soft start is really nice. If PC corrected the above issues I would rate this tool at 5 stars.

Still the industry standard for so many accessories, etc.
As a relative beginner, I looked long and hard at all of the models of routers out there and settled on further examining and evaluating three of them -- Porter Cable Combo Kit, Makita "D" Handle, and Bosch Combo Kit. Each had impressive reviews as well as definitive pros and cons. The deciding factor came down to the vast number of accessories already available for Porter Cable and also the fact that most manufacturers have paid silent homage to the PC brand by designing their respective products around the Porter Cable name -- table inserts, plates, bushings, guides, etc. Since I didn't want to buy a brand that would require a lot of shopping around for accessories or creative workshop design and fabrication to adapt and use, this Porter Cable combo kit gave me the very best of both worlds for my level of epertise (novice) and also the money I spent. It has heft and balance as well as a genuinely solid feel to it and in its first use, I felt extremely comfortable using it to router a Roman Ogee and chamfered edge on two different pieces of stock. The router experts may disagree with me and although I would defer to their individual experience and expertise, I believe that this model router will afford me the least expensive and most valuable method of learning this particular art all the while I'm having fun!

Great Router--Greater Value!
I picked this up as a second router, and for the price and quality, it's tough to pass up. PC tools are built like tanks, and should last much longer than lesser brands which are within shot of the same price range. So far, this router has shown plenty of power and surprisingly good balance & stability considering the weight (it won't blow away). The features on both bases are built to last for the long run. Porter-Cable included the deluxe edge guide with this, and it is very nice. Things that could be better for this kit? Handles--ditch the hard plastic and thrown on a set of ergonomic, rubber-coated ones for better grip. Also, include the base for the wider, edge-routing bits with this kit--it's kind of tacky to have to make a 2nd trip to pickup a base which is so obviously needed & used--and spend $15 for it. The case should also be molded to hold the edge guide that's included--it was loose in the shipping box.
Overall, very satisfied with the router & results for the money ($160). ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

While laser guides for miter saws have been available as aftermarket add-ons for a few years, this saw is one of the first we've seen from a major brand to incorporate lasers in the design of a saw. The saw itself is the same excellent 12-inch compound miter saw Porter-Cable has been selling without a laser. It has a powerful 15 amp motor, a sliding fence, integrated dust collection, and a comfortable grip. The tool is solidly constructed and designed to stand up to rigorous professional use. The laser system used on this saw works a little differently than some of the available aftermarket systems. Instead of making a single laser line on the lumber showing where the cut will be, this system projects two lines to show the material that will be removed by the kerf of the saw blade. So, as the saw is beveled, the space between the lines gets wider to accurately reflect the extra material taken out by the blade coming in at an angle. The lasers can be adjusted to match the blade you're working with. We were big fans of Porter-Cable's original 12-inch miter saw, and the addition of the twin laser system makes it that much better. --Brian Trinen ... Read more

Features

• Extension wing and sliding fence support longer work pieces
• Heavy-duty 15 amp motor delivers maximum power
• Nine positive stops for cutting common angles
• Cam-lock miter locking system clamps down accurately and fast
• Mounts easily to 2-by-four material for quick job site set-up

Reviews (11)

Great power and capacity
I eagerly awaited the arrival of this saw which took about 6 days. When it arrived I assembled the saw (easy assembly- about 20 minutes)and put it to work building a deck around our pool. This saw makes cutting angles an easy task!! Great power and easy to read gauge. The saw was accurate out of the box and needed no adjustment. The twin lasers were adjusted perfectly, and they definately make building a quicker and more enjoyable task. The laser is typically easy to see except in bright sunlight...on really bright days I had to pass my hand over the cut area to create shade to see the laser. The saw cut through 4X4 and 2X6 lumber like they were butter, and drew several positive comments from the guys that were helping me. I would highly recommend this saw to anyone. I would have given it 5 stars if the laser was visible in bright sunlight-but I guess to be fair, I don't know of anything that shows up well in the midday sun. Solid, heavy, well made...you'll enjoy the saw....

This is a must have
I purchased the porter cable 12 inch twin laser in Feb of 2003. Easy to setup never even had to look at the directions. The laser's and the presets are dead on right out of the box. The reason I purchased this saw was to install crown molding around the ceiling in our dining room. I have never even messed with crown molding. With presets for both the mitre and bevel this saw made me look like a pro. The job turned out perfect. The ease of use for this saw is amazing. My wife wanted an octagon frame for a mirror. She cut the pieces herself. With its dead on accuarcy, prestes at 22.5 degrees, and ease of use this saw made it easy for her. Another job well done. My daughter who has never used one surprised me when she showed me some molding she had cut on it. The molding was small with fine scrollwork embedded in it. No chipping or splitting just perfect 45's all around. This saw has everything going for it. Either in the home shop or on the jobsite it can make an amatur look like a pro or a pro more productive.

nice saw
After much research I opted for this saw. I looked at sliding 10", Dual compound 12" and this compound 12" with and without the laser.
I wanted to be able to cut 4x4's with one pass as well as cut off some boards up to 6". That's sort-of a compomise in my criteria and the features are sort-of a compromise. Doesn't seem you can get everything in one saw. Although Delta now has a dual compound sliding 12" and DeWalt has one, but the Dewalt has a design flaw that I can't get over once I spotted it. It's flimsy locking mechanism that flexes the table out of adjustment. Adjustments are easy to make solidly on the Porter-Cable as well as the Delta without that flexing.
I like the laser more than I thought I would. I wish they put a laser on the 12" sliding, dual compound Delta. That would then seem to have everything.
They don't ship it with any clamps and the ones Porter-Cable make aren't as nice as the ones from dewalt. They aren't interchangable but I really haven't needed to clamp anything. As long as long boards are supported on the end I don't have any trouble holding them still with my hand.
There's some tear out that can be minimized by slowly finishing the cut and/or getting a different blade.
I like the laser more than I thought, it's really cool. Helps make some fine adjustments right on the table.

Good tradesman tool
I have been a remodeler/carpenter for twenty-five years,so I fully intend to use this miter saw almost daily. I was looking for dependability, consistant cut quality, and of course value. I really don't need a slider type or dual compound capability, perhaps if I had these functions I would grow to appreciate them too. The PC/Delta miter saw is not light weight, but it is very stable and the rubber pads on the feet make it more so. My first project was to make my version of the 2x4 saw table that the manual shows[the base is designed to sit in it], it has since cut a variety of trim. The saw needed no tweaking, I was satisfied with the accuracy out of the box. I had no trouble assembling the extension table and fence slide. The table rotated easily on mine but was stiff on a couple that I tried at stores. It is adjustable like almost every feature. With daily use the saw will need some adjusting as it wears from use and gets banged around in the van. One feature that is not common with the Delta is the bevel scale which is stainless steel on the PC and much easier to see for me. I had been using a Dewalt CMS and it gave me good service and is very worn now. I thought of going with another one, but I was intrigued by the dual laser thing. I am becoming more far sighted and it is getting harder to see in dimmly lit situations [like when you work under temporary lights and spotlights]. So I thought what the heck and gave it a try. I have found it helpful. I put a 80t Freud on her and she does a good job. By the way that 2x4 saw table works real good and is cheaper and lighter than the metal type[$10.00 in 2x4 material].
All in all I am very pleased. Its a battleship, rock solid construction. I think it will hold up to whats ahead. I was fortunate to find one at a closeout sale for the same price as the Delta. There seems to be about a fifty dollar difference between the two-is it fifty bucks more for the name or the color? One twist is that Delta gives a two year warrenty and PC one.
Thumbs up from Ohio!

BEST 12" CHOP SAW AVAILABLE, PERIOD!
I recently purchased this saw from Amazon and put it to the test. This saw came out in the end shining! Right from the start, the saw was easy to assemble right out of the box and the lasers were dead on right from the factory. The PC saw is much larger than the 12" DeWalt I was considering. The extension table is a nice feature as well. The only thing I wish is that Amazon carried the work clamp accessory that fits into the table on either side of the blade. I give this saw a full five stars partially because this saw and the Delta (same saw) are the only two saws that even have the laser option. Oh, I guess Craftsman offers the laser on their saws too. But since you are here reading this, you know why I pay no mention to the Playschool brand! To sum it up, this saw is built of high quality components and very easy to set up and use. Have no doubts in this saw. ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty/30-day performance certification
• Powerful cutting action
• Mounts to a door in seconds
• Centers automatically
• Heavy-duty motor

Reviews (1)

PC 513 lock mortiser
If you are a finish carpenter, door/hardware installer, or door shop that does a lot of mortise lock prep, this is THE tool! Together with the PC 517 Lock Face Template, this stuff preps wood doors for mortise locks quickly and accurately.

Why only 4 stars?

One: Price; it's pretty spendy. Purchase both tools and you spent something like $.... The occasional mortise lock installer should stay away from this equipment unless you think it might grow into a Specialty Skill.

Two: Adjustability; Adjusting back and forth between different lock configurations can be a hassle until you figure out the learning curve. The markings on the frame for mortise height, and the stop rod for mortise depth, are "not that accurate;" takes a bit of time and practice to figure this thing out.

And this: You spend this much on a fine tool, you sure don't want to lug it around in the cardboard box it came in. Build a nice wood box, a place for everything and everything in it's place. Why PC has the nerve to sell this tool for so much money and not provide a decent storage box, even if it's blow-molded plastic, is a mystery to me. Sign of the times, I guess. ... Read more

Amazon.com

So small, so light, but so powerful-—what a delight to use. It's just perfect for the professional upholsterer and the home do-it-yourselfer, too. Because it's so compact, it fits nicely into tight spaces, and its super light weight means no fatigue, even in the awkward positions upholsters can find themselves. We didn't experience any misfires or jams, but if they happen, just release the magazine and the driver blade guide retracts. We like the convenience of the end-load magazine, and because the staples are so thin, you get an impressive 185 loaded in the magazine, which of course means fewer stops to reload. And just like Porter-Cable's more ambitious nailers, this one's got a directional port to keep the exhaust off you and your workpiece. While it's in name an upholstery stapler, we think you'll find a lot more uses for this little worker.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Small and lightweight for ease of operation
• 3/4-inch nose extension for limited clearance fastening
• Steel top cap for durability
• Rear exhaust port channels air away from work

Reviews (11)

Great stapler, but a word of caution
Light and effective. It does its job as well as I could have hoped. Not a single jam that was not obviously my fault. I have spent several times the cost of this tool looking for a stapler that would do what this one does as well as it does. Why the enthusiasm? Well, most staplers not meant for construction site abuse are not very good. This one is.

A word of caution. This is not, nor was it ever intended to be, a construction stapler. The staples it is designed to use are not big enough nor thick enough to be of much use for construction site purposes. This is a professional grade upholstery stapler.

Great for insulation
I bought this stapler with the intention of using it to hang faced insulation. I wasn't sure if it would do the job or not but I figured I'd give it a shot. I was not disappointed. It has worked flawlessly through several thousand staples. As others have mentioned, the staples are not very thick, even smaller than standard T-50 staples, but for something like insulation where it's going to be covered up anyways, the staples work just fine. Plus, because they are thinner, it means more staples per strip and thus fewer reloads. The extended nose made it easy to get into tight corners that other staplers wouldn't have been able to. A bump-fire trigger would have made it even better, but I guess since it is technically an upholstery stapler that probably wouldn't make much sense. The only downfall I can see is that I couldn't find staples for it at any local hardware store, had to order them from here. With free shipping, though, that wasn't a big deal.

woops
Call me stupid. Nowhere in the description did it mention that this tool is not electric.

Porter Cable US58
No plastic case! No Sample Staples!!Staples not available in my local area!

Nice stapler, but where is the case?
PC really cheaped out on this one. A plastic case would be nice, the cardboard box is not very hardy! ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Depth adjustment
• Sequential fire trigger
• Quick release nosepiece
• Directional exhaust port

Reviews (9)

Excellent stapler
I just laid down a 1/4" subfloor on top of old vinyl flooring in a kitchen and two baths. I shot about 3500 1.25" staples and only had one situation with a double staple fire. (Probably my fault.) I was shooting in the sequential mode. Since this was my first time using it my accuracy of placement was a little off in the biging but improved as I learned hot to handle it. The stapler paid for itself on this one job as all the flooring contractors wanted about $320.00 to lay down 8 sheets of luan. My cost was about $72 for the luan and $99.00 for the stapler. I am sure I will find many other uses.

An OK stapler
My coworkers and I have used this stapler for a variety of professional remodeling and construction tasks. So far, it's been very handy in situations when larger nails or staples wouldn't be appropriate and when finish nails won't hold well enough. It's amazing how often we find uses for the stapler, and its small size allows it to squeeze into tight situations.

On the downside, we've found that it often misfires (no staple comes out) or fires two staples at the same time. We're usually firing 1.5 inch Porter Cable staples. As staplers go, it's a relatively cheap choice that's probably better suited for occasional rather than daily professional use.

I recently bought an Hitachi N3804AB narrow crown stapler that's a bit smaller than the Porter Cable NS150A, but also more solid and powerful. So far, my coworkers and I prefer the Hitachi over the Porter Cable because it's much more reliable (the only time it ever jammed was when I fired it directly into a steel joist hanger as a test; it has never misfired or fired more than one staple either), it will fit into smaller places because it's about an inch shorter than the Porter Cable, and can sink 1.5 inch staples fully into hardwoods and knots. It also fires smoothly and doesn't recoil. The Hitachi is made in Germany, and I've been impressed by it's durable all-metal solid feel, simple construction, and ample power.

I haven't used a Senco, but I've heard they're good as well. Before I bought the Hitachi, I was going to get a Senco SKS, but now I don't think I'll need it. The Hitachi seems to have enough power for every situation, plus it's smaller. It's a bit difficult to find a store that carries the Hitachi 3804AB, but if you look around you might be able to find a used one at an equal or lower price than the Porter Cable NS150A.

Wish I bought one of these 20 years ago
I bought this Porter cable crown stapler because of the great reviews it got from the rest of you. Except the guy who claims he shot a staple into his bookeepers neck. I don't see how that can happen since the head of the gun has to be pushed up to your work before you can pul the trigger and fire a staple.
I used the gun to make a few frames and fix the edging on an old table. What a great tool. I wish I had bought one 20 years ago, I can think of thousands of times I could have put it to good use. The exhaust deflector can be turn away from your face into any other direction. The oil is no problem. I read the notes of the more experienced reviewers and noted that adding too much oil will make a mess, and just the right couple of drops will not produce any splatter. Keep lots of different size of staples on hand and you will find many uses for this gun.

Great tool and a great price too!
Hello,

I purchased this stapler after reading several reviews in numerous tool publications. I've used this tool day-in and day- out, driving staples into numerous types of woods. I've only had 1 hung staple in the 1000's I've driven. It's a great stapler, one that I'm VERY PLEASED with!!! When you purchase this stapler, the manufacturer will send you the FREE safety trigger, that will only allow the stapler to fire 1 staple per trigger squeeze.

Porter Cable really did their homework with this tool, it's lightweight, reliable, easy to use and best of all comes with that great Porte Cable warranty. So, whether you're looking for a stapler for around the home, or for a workhouse of a tool, I believe this tool is for you!!

Ciao!!

Wonderful gun
I just recieved the gun and I am very impressed with it. I already used it for the floor in my new woodshop... ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Imagine the feel of 470 inch-pounds of torque in your hand. That's what this awesome drill/driver delivers in the lock-up position, powered by a 19.2-volt battery. Because of the two-speed gearbox, you've got drill speed ranges of 0 to 500 rpm and 0 to 1,500 rpm. Its 1/2-inch chuck is keyless, and the 20-position clutch takes care of drilling into all kinds of material. Porter-Cable's drills are among the best on the market; you'll never regret a PC purchase. But here's one more reason to go with this model if you're in the market for a cordless drill/driver: the interchangeable Grip-to-Fit handle inserts. Having grappled with tool handles that were too big to control, we think this system is a great idea. There are manly sized grips included, of course, but for the woman woodworker or cabinetmaker, welcome to a delight--small grips! This package also gets you two batteries, a charger, a bit, side handles, and a case. You just can't go wrong. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Includes drill, 2 batteries, charger, bit, side handles and case
• 19.2 Volt, 2.4 Amp-hour batteries provide outstanding run time
• Grip-to-Fit Adjustable Soft Grip System with three removable grip inserts
• Keyless 1/2" Ratcheting-locking steel chuck for maximum bit-gripping strength
• Two speed-range gearbox (0-500 rpm and 0-1500 rpm)

Reviews (3)

Great Professional tool
Great tool for the pro, not for a hobbyist or casual user. Tool is heavy and has a great deal of torque. It could easily get away from an unsuspecting user.
For the professional, this is a really good and reliable tool that has all the power that would want. The batteries are rapid charging and are generally available from recharge before you wear out the previous battery.

Great Drill!!
I have two of these drills, one is a hammerdrill also. the older of the two is about 2 1/2 years old(not a GTF model) and is used every day. I'm still on the original batteries. Just the other day the chuck assembly pulled out of the drill while trying to drill a 1/2" hole with a long auger bit threw 2 6x6's. when i pulled up on the drill. the chuck and bit stayed in the 6x6's. this is the first time that's ever happened in 2 1/2 years. I took the drill apart and fixed it. seems a C clip came off inside which holds the chuck in the drill. I wouldn't recommend taking these drills apart, because it took like 3 hours to get back together. and now the drill only has low speed. but still works fine. i'm shopping for a new drill incase this one breaks again. the hammerdrill/driver PC drill is about a year old and still works fine. the batteries last a while and have been charged many many times. not a day goes by on my jobs where both of these drills aren't out working. always two batteries on charge. I'm a builder in NJ, not a DIY home owner, so these drills definitely get plenty of use.
I'm not sure if I'll replace the one that broke with the same exact drill. I'm willing to try another drill to see if they are any better. 2 1/2 years for a drill that gets used every single day, isn't bad at all. and I never had to replace the batteries! like I said, it still works, just no high gear(that was because I didn't reassemble the tool correctly) fixing it myself was still better than buying a new drill right away.

Good tool -- Bad Battery
This is a great tool; smooth, not heavy, rugged case, good power. This does have plastic drive gears which eventually wear out but is fine the casual worker or light work. I spent 3 weekends driving 3/8 lags screws and stripped the gears. No problem getting a new drill. I have 2 other similar models but the batteries last about 2 hours with medium work load and may take 4 or more hours to cool off and take 2 hours to charge. My old model PC drill last 4 hours and charges in about 1 1/2 hours ... Read more

Features

• Includes one year limited warranty on parts and accessories.
• Powerful 2-1/4 HP, soft start motor, 12 amps
• Variable speed 10-23,000 rpm, Electronic feedback, Table top heght adjustment, handle switch access and spindle lock
• Premium 1/4" and 1/2" self releasing collet system for easy bit removal
• Multi functional carrying case with bit and accessory storage

Reviews (6)

Great design for under table mounting; build quality so-so
This is a very nice design for mounting under a table because it's possible to make small height adjustments from above, without groping under the table. To do that you drill a hole in the router table that lines up with a hole in the router base, and to adjust the height you use a special wrench. (Devise your own using a hex wrench bit or buy the outrageously priced tool offered by Porter Cable. Porter-Cable ought to thrown in the adjusting wrench as part of the price.)

Three problems: (1) The printed manual doesn't say a word about mounting and adjusting it in this way, even though that's the main benefit of the 890 series design vs the cheaper, better-built workshorse 690 series. You have to figure it out for youself. (2) It uses a plastic rack-and-pinion gear to adjust the depth of cut, which feels less solid than rotating pin alignment of the 690 series. (3) When you release the lever that locks the depth of cut setting, the router wobbles a little, so you have to re-check the height carefully after the router is locked in place. We're used to rock-solid tools from P-C, not plastic gears and wobbly housings.

Plus side: It's quieter; the RPMs can be adjusted; it's safer, faster and much easier to change bits -- no more skinned knuckles! It comes with a CD that shows more about how to use it. Not really four stars, but better than 3.

Close but no Cigar
I have several Porter Cable routers along with an ELU. When this router is mounted under a table, it is wonderful that it will lift to a height where changing bits is a breeze. Also, the router has plenty of power when using large raised panel bits. Now for the bad. Porter Cable used a plastic gear system on the side of the router for the raising and lowering mechanism. When using the height adjusting feature, the gears are too course which doesn't allow for accurate fine adjustment. Also the adjustment is sloppy at best, the router tilts in its base, especially when a little sawdust falls into the adjusting mechanism. I actually have to reach under the table and pull the router vertical to insure accurate height adjustment. While the router motor is fine, there are better systems for mounting a router beneath the table. This router makes me thankful for Ebay.

On first use it broke down
The router itself is an ingenius piece of work and sets up very nicely. The first time I used it however, the rack and the attaching screws sheared in pieces. Finding parts has been difficult and even to this point I need to wait a day to see if I can obtain them. Porter Cable needs to make parts more accessable.

Powerful, quiet, a snap to set up
I have never been more impressed with a power tool. I can make bit adjustments or changes in seconds accurately with the adjustment knob through the base.There i splenty of power in this baby too. I cut 2 3/8" molding in a single pass. Perhaps the best feature is the heavy insulation around the motor. This router is quieter than a blender. If you own a table and are looking for a replacement router or a better router, I can't begin to tell you how satisfied you will be with this product.

outstanding in & out of the table
This is the "perfect fit" for router table use. I can't comment on hand-held use because it immediately went into the router table. This machine is smooth cutting, powerful and quiet. The features for the table mount are perfect. PC put a lot of thought into this one! You can adjust the bit height using the 75301 height adjustment knob, lock/unlock the motor from the mount and lock the spindle all from above. The spindle/collet raises enough that you don't have to reach down inside the mount to get to the collet nut. My only gripe was that the height adjustment knob is an accessory costing an extra twenty to thirty bucks depending on where you find it. Amazon doesn't carry it yet but a web search will turn up a bunch of sites that do. I thought I'd save a few bucks and just use a 1/4 drive 3/16" socket and extension bar but none of the sockets I have found will fit through the hole in the base. The knob from PC has a second, located lower, plastic guide that helps to align the knob shaft with the height adjuster mounted on the base. I guess the best bet is to spend a few more bucks and get the PC version.
This unit comes with an interactive cd that is very well done. Even has plans and a short movie from the router workshop on building a table. Very well done I might add.
All in all I would give it six stars if I could. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Removing layers of old paint from siding is never fun or easy, but Porter-Cable's power paint remover goes a long way toward making the task more tolerable--and a lot quicker. The tool uses a thin metal grinding disc spun between two easily adjustable guide rollers, so the user can remove paint without damaging the underlying wood. We found the tool relatively easy and comfortable to work with--certainly less tiring than trying to remove the same amount of paint using a regular sander. It does take a little time to get the guides adjusted right, but, once done, the tool really does work wonders. Adjusting one of the guides a little further in than the other, so paint is removed with only one edge of the disc, seemed to work quickest while producing the least amount of paint clogging on the disc. We also like that all adjustments to the power paint remover can be made without the use of additional tools and can be performed quickly. While this is a highly effective tool for its purpose, there are a couple of concerns to keep in mind. First, to avoid grinding the siding, make sure you have the guide adjustment set correctly before you go too far with the tool. Second, because this is basically a grinder, it will leave some small spin marks in the siding, and you'll generally have to go back over the wood with a random orbital sander to get a perfectly smooth finish. We also recommend getting a few extra discs, as they will clog, and it's nice to have a fresh one handy while the clogged disc soaks in solvents. In the end, though, this tool is a huge improvement over more common paint removal methods, like using a regular sander or scraping with a heat gun and putty knife. --Brian Trinen ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Efficient material removal
• Easy disc changes
• Helical gearing
• Well balanced design

Reviews (26)

Porter Cable Power Paint Remover
After spending hours trying to remove layers on our 124 year old farm house, and after reading the reviews I purchased the Porter Cable Power Paint Remover. I used it today for the first time. Last weekend I spent six hours on one four sided pillar on the front porch. The process involved scraping and sanding with a high speed random orbital sander with 80 grit disk. This evening I used the Power Paint Remover on the next piller (total of five). The process took a total of about 15 minutes to have the entire pillar down to bear wood, unreal. I'm looking forward to tackling the rest of the house. I am sure that this unit will pay for itself just in the cost of the lumber that I was going to buy to replace old molding just because the paint was too thick and cracked. Now I am sure that I'll be able to just go down to the bear wood with no time or effort.

I had to stop shortly after starting to use this unit and run down to the hardware store to purchase a good quality dual filtered respirator mask, the unit puts out the removed paint big time in a very fine dusk. A good shop vac is needed to clean up afterwards. Safety goggles are a must. I love it. A big 5 STARS +++++

Power Paint Remover saves the day.....
Restoring a 1875 Victorian has a true challenge. The outside of our house is lap siding (1"x8") and has not painted for over 20 years. After using everthing possible to remove the old finish including sanding, scraping and sand blasting, I tried the Porter Cable 7403P Power Paint. After a little work and finally reading the limited directions, I was able to remove numerous layers of paint with minimal effort. The final finish was perfect to apply a good primer coat before the final finish. The Power Paint Remover saved the day. Things to consider using the 7403P. 1)If sanding lead based paint, wear proper breathing equipment. 2)Keep the rpm's of the 7403P low so that the paint does not melt on the sanding disk, which is difficult at to remove. 3)Take your time..the 7403P is slightly heavy and working over your head is difficult. This is componded if you are working off a ladder.

With a little work, the 7403P is a very versitale piece of equipment and can handle a wide range of projects for both the professional and the amature.

Also consider....
I haven't used this tool, okay? I have needed to remove multiple layers of paint from window sills and a garage door before, and am looking to do so soon again for a different house.
I am hoping to find a tool that can do paint removal better than what I've used so far. I thought I would post my experience here for others to learn from.
I've used a torch, heat gun, belt sander, finishing sander, and an air-powered dual-action disc sander. I just wanted to post that if you want light weight, the air-powered dual-action sander isn't bad. Use 50-grit sticky discs and plenty of compressed air (6hp and 230V is probably better. I used 4hp/120V and paused to allow the compressor to catch up.)
The torch makes for larger, less windblown rubbish, but is somewhat slower and when I got annoyed sometimes scorched the underlying wood.

Rented it, now want it
ONLY PROBLEM is the weight!
I have been removing the paint from my 2 story, cedar shingled house with a 3 inch belt sander, part time since May (now August), with time off for an injury and the heat. Chemicals were too costly, ineffective and I did not want bad residue. I got 1 side done, some of another side, but the edge about 1 inch below each course was still left. Turning the sander sideways to get that area, killed belts FAST! The dust kicked up by the belt sander was terrible, going everywhere!!!!

I rented the 7403 for 4 hours. My results: tired arms, more paint removed and less wood eaten than the belt sander. This thing WORKS VERY WELL!!! It takes getting used to. So did the belt sander. It works MUCH FASTER (2 to 3 times) The rollers prevent gouging. It works better on flatter, harder surfaces. (My warped shingles are not as warped anymore) The areas where paint was sticking well to the wood went almost as fast with this as the areas with the paint flaking off.

I also found that it created MUCH LESS dust, that settled more directly to the ground. Belt sanding dust included wood that made it drift much further. Dust from the 7403, in a light breeze, was found to fly straight about 5 feet at ground level, drifting very little. The dust is denser. The particles fly faster off the work, ABSOLUTELY necessitating mask and goggles! Glasses were not enough at all.

Some paint buildup on the middle of the metal grinding pad, was easily removed when hot by fingers(with sander unplugged). The metal grinding pad distributes the heat evenly. It is cooler than belt sanding.

The belt sander will help to quickly touch up the light circular marks, once my skills are improved. There appear to be ways to adjust it to reduce the marks and/or making them go with the grain while maximizing the paint removal.

I am looking forward to impressing my friends and family with my new set of muscles! Big arm builder at 9+ pounds. I have to put this into my budget to finish by winter.

Critical Instructions for use!!!
This machine works but is heavy, like other reviewers said. Myself and my coworker are each 6 foot tall men in good condition. We can barely put in 6 hours a day with the tool and that includes two half hour breaks to allow for muscles to stop spasming.
BUT--if used correctly, this tool does remove paint. It is slow, paint dust goes everywhere, and you must wear a respirator mask and a face shield.
Contrary to the instructions included with the tool--I found that the "cutting" side (leading edge) of the grinder needs to be set to about 1/16 inch lower than the grinding disc and the back side (trailing edge) needs to be about 1/16 of an inch TALLER than the total depth of the paint you are removing. In my case I am removing approximately 1/8 inch of paint (typical for an 80 year old house). Therefore the trailing edge of the grinder needs to be set at about 3/16 higher than the disc surface. The measurements are made by laying a straight edge (I use a square) across the disc and raising and lowering the black rails to the appropiate height.
Plan on using an inconspicious place on your house and practicing for about 2 or 3 hours until you get it right. Don't give up. My first day was very frustrating. Lots of clogging. At first I could only use the tool for about 10 seconds before it totally gummed up. Uggh. But with practice, clogging (gumming) is actually quite minimal when you find the right "angle of attack" for your application. Gumming usually occurs when you hold the grinder in one place too long or try to cut too deeply in one pass. You can't expect to realistically remove more than about 1/64 of an inch per pass, maybe even as little as 1/128 of an inch per pass. This equates to about 4-6 passes, sometimes up to 10 passes for severly cupped and warped wood. But this type of use allows for almost constant grinding with very little gumming. When the tool does gum up use a small, wooden-handled ice-pick to "pop" the gum chunks off of the grinding disc. A cleaning session takes about 1-2 minutes or even less. An occaissonal brushing with a wire brush helps prevent re-gumming on paint covered, problem spots on the disc. This techinique works so well that I only change the disc when the teeth wear down and stop cutting effectively (4-8 hours of use, depending). I have only soaked the discs in mineral spirits one time and generally find it unneccessary.
Beware--this tool pulvarizes the paint into a fine powder that goes everywhere. You will need ridiculous amounts of plastic drop cloths and bricks to hold them in place. Then you must sweep the powder at the end of each day. The amount that you collect is astounding. You can expect to collect about 10-20 gallons of paint powder from an average, 3BR/2Bath, one level home. This must be done for both legal and ethical reasons. Would you actually dump 10-20 gallons of lead and enamel paint into your yard?
In closing--this tool works great. It is a bear to use. You must use scaffolding. It is slow. Expect about three weeks of all day work to get your old house scraped and ready to prime. Buy lots of discs, about 10 for an average size house. Use only the 24 grit as the discs wear out and you need all the cutting power you can get. But beware as a new 24 grit disc cuts viciously and leaves severe swirl marks. But after about 10 minutes of use it wears down to a managable level.
If you can afford it--replace your siding. New poplar siding is about 15 cents a foot in the US. Materials for an average home would cost about $4,000. Plus lots of labor. Vinyl siding is usually a poor choice. It costs $5,000, looks fake, and causes wierd moisture issues between the vinyl and the old siding.
But if you, like me, have little money and lots of time--this is the tool for you. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

With this 2-1/2-inch, 16-gauge finish nailer, Porter-Cable continues to make good on their reputation as one of the top pneumatic toolmakers. The gun's straight magazine is well thought out, made from aluminum, and top loading. This is a sturdy, compact nailer that shoots a conveniently wide range of 16-gauge nails, from 3/4 to 2-1/2 inches. The nailer has a good balance and a nice, thin grip made of porous rubber. (You don't have to have the hands of a giant to comfortably operate this gun.) The gun has a nicely designed depth-of-drive adjustment. There's also a muffled exhaust port, so it's quieter than a lot of other nailers--plus the exhaust port is adjustable, so you can direct the discharge where you want it. The gun's also lighter than we'd expected, always a good thing in a tool a lot of us use all day long. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• Adjustable exhaust port and depth-of-drive for maximum comfort and control
• Drives 3/4-inch to 2-1/2-inch, 16 gauge finish nails without the need for a nail guide
• Internal piston-catch ensures full driver blade stroke every time
• Teflon cylinder for less friction and reduced O-ring wear for long lasting action
• Quick-release nose piece for fast clearing of jams and less down time

Reviews (13)

Porter Cable FN250B .....WOW......
I wanted a finish nailer that could make my nailing job easier
as I suffer from Carpal Tunal Syndrome. I conducted research on the reliability, price and features on several different finish nailers. I spoke to trades people and co-workers who had Porter Cable tools, and came away impressed. This was my first Porter Cable Tool and air nailer purchase.

What impresses me most about the FN250B air nailer is the balanced feel and weight of this tool along with the padded handle. The nailer loads easily and has never jammed. Adjusting the depth of the nails is simple.

I use the FN250B finish nailer on home improvement projects like crown molding installation and building custom shelving. I wonder why I didn't buy one years ago.

Relaible and affordable.
I bought this nailer over a year ago and I am immensely pleased with its performance. I am a home hobbist and have used this gun where I should have been using a more proper tool. The result: everything worked fine. I have put about 3000 nails of every length through it and little oil with no jams an only one or two short feeds. The depth gauge works great and the "feel" and weight are right at hand home in my hand. This little marvel has me interested in coming back to PC again and again.

Trimmers - look no further.
I love the power of this gun. It drives nails with a forceful, and solid hit. I've used the Senco "Finish32" guns from home depot that shoot these same 16 gauge nails and this Porter Cable gun by far out delivers that model 10/1. I'm in the field everyday with this unit running all types of trim with it.

Keep your air to 120 and forget setting nails with this light weight, powerful tool.

Enjoy!

Very useable
First air nailer I ever used. First thing I noticed was how it made craft nailing so much simplier.
Had it about 1 year now and in that time only 1 jam. It was very simple to fix even for someone who was not used to air naliers.
Has a wide variety of brad size it can nail which makes it very usefull. I would buy another if this one stopped working.

Great Unit, If your buying one, this is the one to get
I have three Porter Cable finish nailers, the 18 gauge brad nailer, the 16 gauge finish nailer, and the 15 gauge angle finish nailer.
Excuse me for stating the obvious, but the 18 gauge leaves the tiniest hole, which is nice for clear finish work. The 16 gauges hole is a bit larger, but still acceptable for clear finishes on larger trim work. The new 15 gauge, actually leaves a D Shaped hole. It is kind of large, and is designed for putty and paint. The 15 gauge is a bear though. When you fire it for the first time, POW, you know it is stronger than the 16. Although I haven't had any unusual problems with the depth drives on the 16, other than knot concerns.
If I had to choose one nailer, instead of all three, I would say this 16 gauge would give you the most universal use.
This 16 gauge, has great ergonomics, fires reliably, (keep your finger off of the trigger when plunging the nose) and overall does a very nice job. Keep it oiled. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This magnesium round-head framing nailer from Porter-Cable is a rugged, lightweight piece of equipment. The nailer's magnesium housing is several pounds lighter than regular models, but it still offers the durability you expect on the job site. We didn't notice any difference structurally from nonmagnesium models, except for the obvious difference in weight--which is a pretty big deal, considering a framer wields a nailer more than any other tool throughout the course of a day. The gun's handle is ergonomically designed, with a slip-resistant rubber grip that's comfortable to hold.A nail lockout mechanism alerts you when it's time to reload, so you won't waste time firing blanks.There's also a jam release knob located right on the magazine.To round out its impressive feature list, this magnesium nailer also has an easy-to-use depth-of-drive adjustment, a barbed nose for easy toenailing, a rubber foot pad for sheathing and decking, a large air chamber for added power, and an adjustable exhaust port. The gun accepts standard 22-degree, plastic, collated round-head stick nails from 2-3/8 to 3-1/2 inches long. The kit comes with a 1/4-inch male quick coupler (with dust cover), oil for the nailer, and wrenches. --Jonathon Tudor ... Read more

Features

• One Year Warranty/30 Day Performance Certification
• Excellent power to weight ratio--7.4 lbs. and drives common nails (.162" shank)
• Uses 22-degree plastic collated full-round-head nails
• Jam release knob on magazine
• Nail lockout alerts operator to reload magazine

Reviews (14)

Great round-head framing nailer, great price
Purchased the new FR350MAG because I wanted a full round head nailer (they hold better, esp on outdoor projects), and wanted enough power for full 16penny common nails. I have only framed out my basement since I got it, but so far love the nailer. Is an improvement over the FR350 (lighter, more power, easier to clear jams, and can shoot bigger nails), but identical in physical size.

Pluses: Light, good balance, comfortable to use, powerful, easy jam clearing, very easyloading magazine, good toe-nailing, good price for product.

Minuses: Double-fires often with standard trigger (as most nailers do). Called them and they sent restrictive fire trigger (free). Large size makes nailing in joist space, etc, difficult. Can't hold as many nails in the magazine as a clipped-head nailer (duh).

Overall a great nailer. Have used lots of framing nailers, and this is my favorite so far. Not sure about durability, since I do not frame houses for a living (though i've done a couple). Will update this review as I use this nailer more (a big shed project scheduled for spring!).

FR350Mag
Bought for handyman general work. Works great in my initial use. Light easy to use, light recoil, easily drives 31/2 inch nails. I use the restrictive trigger (I consider this a must for the non-pro otherwise this gun will double and triple fire--- a very very dangereous situation). There is a lot of scrap plastic flying around so anyone near the user must also wear eye protection. Local source of nails (covering the full range) is a problem not finding Porter Cable Dealers (locally) much help. A bit in hindsight I would recommend that anyone buying a framing nailer check first that a good source of nails is available locally (most pros locally seem to use split head nailers and HD in this area stock those nails but not round head.

Pleased so far, but I haven't used it alot
I purchased this framing gun after buying a PC finishing nailer that I abosolutely loved. So far, I have been pretty happy. The first nail out of the gun didn't even make it to the wall. Ever since, it has worked like a charm. I am a home hobbiest and thought that such a large and bulky nailer would be cumbersome to work with, but I have been amazed how well it "feels" in my hand and how little problem I have had with the bulk. Overall, I have been very happy with my purchase.

porter cable?
I have minimal expertise in this area, so keep this in mind as you read my point of view. However, I know good and bad product concepts and customer relations.

I bought and returned this as it leaked air from the head. It happens. That is not a reason to not buy this. But, no case after many have complained... It has been out for a couple of years.(read reviews) shame on you, PC. A $10 plastic case. Please , how cheap and stupid, PC. The problem is; if you are a framer you may want the light weight, but if you are a home user it may be better to go with the 350 regular. I did after returning the MAG 350. It is not that much more weight, a pound at most. A few reasons. 1)It is $40 less 2) comes with a case 3) Has the dial on the trigger to change from bump fire to sequential (which is good for the less experienced/home user...we be dangerous...some at least...) 4) I have the PC brad and finish guns and called PC almost 2 months ago to get the free trigger to allow bump/continuous nailing...backordered. I may never use the seqential, however, I would like to have this. Why not include this in the box, or, at least have it as a dial on the trigger. 5) It can take a 2" - 3 1/2 nail, the Mag takes a 2 3/8 min -3 /1/2. Better yet, buy a DeWalt D51844 Full Round Head Framing Nailer, Magnesium, 7 .5 lbs.
for around the same $ , 20 less actually (239- here, at amazon ..the best place to buy tools or anything for that matter ) if you want a lighter tool. I believe it comes with the extra trigger to change from bump to seqential, not a dial, though. But, I do not think it has a case. So, another bunch of clowns. Oh, well.
Is it as good? I would not know. I do know that PC is a less than good company to buy from. So, because PC was not and is not responsive I did not hesitate to order a Bosh Router from Amazon last week. Maybe , I hope, Bosch is more customer responsive. I just bought the Bosch 4000 table saw also, and it is nice.

Fencing finally has an answer
I purchased this nailer to use primarily in building and repairing three board fence. For this it does an excellent job in the field. It is also precise enough to use in more delicate jobs. I used it to build three benches from salvaged 1" barn floors. It worked like a high-powered finish nailer. Overall a solid tool that has paid for itself with time savings. ... Read more