Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Aggressive sanding action
• Electronic variable-speed dial
• Random, swirl-free action
• 100% ball-bearing construction

Reviews (10)

most usefull sander
this sander is also one of my most loaned out tools. Use the adhesive pad version. I have two sanders and can use up the individual disc (which purportedly is the advantage of hook and loop) by using one grit per sander, and the adhesive discs are much much cheaper than hook and loop. Have easily paid for the second sander in savings on sandpaper. Sander is easy to hold and allows light sanding or hogging.

great sander
Best sander I have ever used. First porter cable product and I am very pleased. I dont have the dust attachment and I do have the sticky pads. I just love this thing! More powerfull than I imagined and the cord wraps nicely between handle and rear. Money well spent.

Work horse sander.
I've been using this sander for nearly thirteen years with out a problem. It removes stock very aggresively. Great tool!!!!!!

Very Satisfied !
It's another of the collection of tools we use to make our renovation projects easier. Picked it because of our mostly good experience with Porter Cable. It does awesome work. And, the dust collection system, which is absolutely essential for our work, just about does away with dust completely. That's a great plus for indoor projects such as refinishing wall paneling, hardwood trim, etc., where you can't have dust going all over the house and you'd really rather not have to tape up plastic everywhere.

Unlike one of the other writers, we've found the dust collection system to be great when hooked to our portable vacuums. We also like the hook and loop and have had zero problems with it, despite this sander's power. It's a big improvement over our five inch sanders for larger projects. That one inch difference is unbelievable. We're going to buy more of them.

What a nice tool
I don't know how much I like the vacuum attachment, but I love the sander. Also I got the polishing pad #54745. With the versatility and quality of this tool I recommend it. ... Read more

Features

• 100% sealed ball bearings and dust proof switch
• Powerful 1-3/4 hp, 10 amp motor
• Electronic variable speed from 10,000 to 27,000 rpm
• Easy to use Micrometer depth adjustment
• New "lever-release" height adjustment for ease of use either in a table or hand held

Reviews (3)

Porter Cable 690LRVS - Five Star Features
I recently purchased the Porter Cable 690LRVS router to replace a store brand model I have used for several years and it has all the features I desire in a router. Most all the work I do with a router is with the router mounted to a small router table and I found the 690LRVS especially good for this use. The 1001-T2 base is an excellent design and makes bit height adjusts easy and precise. The lever lock feature and the pin guides in the base allow easy and precise adjustments with simply a quick release of the lever lock and a twist of the motor to raise or lower the bit height. (The motor diameter is just right to grasp and turn with one hand.) Even mounted upside down under the table, the bit height remains where set without having to support the motor with the hand to keep it from dropping down before re-engaging the lock, as I had to do with my old router. Even so, the router motor is easy to remove from the base if need be to use the motor in another base for off table work or for bit replacement. Athough the 690LRVS does not have a shaft lock feature, I have no problem replacing bits using the two wrenches while the motor is under my table. The opening in the base is just big enough.

I like the sealed rocker ON/OFF switch, rather than a toggle switch. And, the variable speed feature is great to be able to adjust the speed for different wood hardnesses and bit sizes. (My old router accepted only 1/4 bits, so its great having the 1/2 bit capability with the 690LRVS.)

Only adjustment I had to make for the 690LRVS was that I had to modify my router table mounting hole pattern to mount the 1001-T2 base to my store brand router table. The 1001-T2 base has a 4 inch center to center spacing for the mounting screws, whereas my router table had a 4 1/2 inch spacing.

Great router. Definitely 5 stars!!

Solid Improvement to an Industry Standard
I received this Porter Cable router from Amazon in hopes that it would fit in my JDS Multirouter. It won't, because of the lever's requirement to pop out to approximately 1-1/2" from the body when released.

BUT...

No big deal... I just switched bases with my old PC router, and I'm up and running. So, in case you're wondering if this motor fits the old bases, it does.

After that, I tried the new router, and here are my observations... First, some people complain about the switch being changed from a toggle to a rocker, but I don't mind that. Neither is particularly easy to switch on and off, but between the two, the rocker (shielded by rubber) is probably less likely to accidentally turn on if accidentally bumped by something (e.g., a cord).

The soft start is not the same soft start that the big PCs have. Those machines have a VERY soft start. This router's soft start is a fast one... In fact, if I hadn't known it was a soft start and hadn't A-B'd it with my other 690, I would never have noticed it being a soft start.

The main thing this router brings to the table is the variable speed coupled with the 1-3/4HP motor. The two together enable the use of big bits (which need to turn slower but also need more power). My big 1-3/4" cove bit (yeah... it's really that big) works a lot better at the slower speed afforded by this router. My old 690 always burned the wood a little with that bit... not this router, though.

The locking lever is nice... No more breaking your thumb on that tiny bolt mechanism on the 690.

Other than those differences, this router has one other important feature -- it still adheres to many of the industry standards set by the 690. The base plates, etc. are interchangeable, which means there are a lot of jigs and add-ons that will fit this router.

I highly recommend this as an all-around router... whether for table use, for freehand use, or used in a horizontal positioner like the MultiRouter (but as mentioned, in that case will require a standard base, not the lever base).

5 Stars!

Great Router
First of all I was really impressed with tool cribs service, I recieved my router in just 4 days, which was nice because I could get started on my project right away. The 690RLVS router worked perfect, it went through red oak without a problem and the height adj. was simple to use and quick to change. I really enjoyed using this router. I give it 5 stars. ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Efficient sanding action
• Solid metal frame
• Rubber posts isolate vibration
• 100% ball-bearing construction

Reviews (19)

Quality Piece, a probable heirloom!
I purchased one of these a couple of years ago to finish sand the maple cabinets I was making for my wife's kitchen. They are pretty much one-of-a-kind in that the raised panels are made from Eastern Curly Maple and the stiles and rails are Birdseye Maple. The point is, of course, this is a super hard wood, that is difficult to work with, and takes a while to sand. This sander worked flawlessly, efficiently, and more importantly, comfortably through twenty-five of these doors. I think that is what really sets this little sander apart from all in its class. It is quiet, and its ergonomics make it a pleasure to use. It does use slightly more than one-quarter sheet of sandpaper, though, to cover its base and fit in the clamps. I readily recommend this sander for finish applications.

Handy Dan

dont bother waiting for a sale, its worth it.
Not much to say except that this is the best little finishing sander I've used. Vibration is so smooth, that you can use this little puppy all day and your hand still feels like your hand. I like the cost of plain old 1/4 sheet paper, so this is another plus and the shape of its body makes natural movement feel natural. Like the redundancy? For orbital finish sanders, don't waste yer money on others, just get this one and be happy.

Perfected old design
The 330 has been around a long while and it's the best quarter-sheet machine ever produced. I even used mine years ago with a felt pad and optical polish to restore a wiper-scratched windshield to new condition with about an hour of easy work. Regarding the complaint that a "special" tool is needed for changing standard paper, anyone with an IQ of multiple digits will immediately see that an ordinary flat-blade screwdriver works as well.

The absolute best 1/4 sheet sander
I have been doing cabinetry and custom woodowrking for many years and have owned and used many, many pad sanders. For a 1/4 sheet model, this one is the absolute best. I bought my first one 27 years ago and it was still going strong when it was stolen about 4 years ago. Fortunately I bought a second one about 10 yrs ago which is getting plenty of extra use now.

I've melted down a few Makita's and Black & Deckers (they made my hand go numb after 5 minutes use anyway) but this model just keeps on going. Not only smooth, it's extremely durable and easy to do maintenance on (and it lasts the years so you get the chance to).

About that key: I switched my old 330 out years ago to take adhesive backed abrasives and my newer one already has that capability. I never used that key anyway... a screwdriver did a fine job if I did want to used standard sandpaper. That is such a minor thing compared to the superior performance, life, and smoothness you get out of this sander.

After two sanders owned and a handful other 330's used... this is the champ. If you want a bigger sander, blow some pennies on a Porter-Cable 505... it'll last longer than you will!

A top performer that's reliable and quiet
The Speed-bloc is very well built and much quieter than ordinary palm sanders. It does an excellent job and due to it's lower than normal vibration, doesn't put your hand to sleep in the process. This machine is comfortable to grip and the on/off switch is conveniently located. Changing paper is quick and easy (with or without the little tool they provide). The Speed-bloc is an excellent old design that Porter-Cable was smart enough to leave alone. ... Read more

Features

• 100% sealed ball bearings and dust proof switch
• Powerful 1-3/4 HP 10-amp motor
• New "lever-release" height adjustment
• Easy to use Micrometer depth adjustment
• 1/4" and 1/2" self releasing collets standard

Reviews (6)

Good router
I got frustrated with my Craftsman Professional router when I apparently bought the only model that didn't support their guide bushings. So, I went out and bought this Porter-Cable router so I could use my dovetail jig. Like others, I find this router to be great for doing hand routing, and like other reviewers, I don't like where the switch is located. I'm so afraid that I'm going to do a number on my arm sometime when I'm not careful, because you actually have to lift one hand off the router in order to turn it on and off. That said, it has a very solid feel and I use it for all my hand routing needs (the Craftsman router is now permanently attached to my router table)

Porter-Cable 690LR
The only way to improve on perfection, is to add more power. There is alot of quality built in to this router. It is light wieght and easy to handle. It will accomadate all of your bits with it's easy to change 1/2 and 1/4 collets. I am buying a second one. The first is mounted in my router table and the second will be for free hand. The new lever release allows for perfect bit hieght adjustments. I own about 5 different routers, the only one's I am keeping are my Porter Cables. The track record speaks for itself. I also own the Porter-Cable 7529, 2HP, 5-Speed Plunge Router.

the perfect first router
I have the older 1.5hp version of the 690. I haven't used the updated one but the basics are the same. It glides through wood without hesitation regardless of the bit style or depth(within reason of course). It spends 95% of it's time in my router table where it lives quite happily. In this application, I find it to be ideal for my hobby needs. Even the older screw-type motor lock works well.
If you are looking for a first router or one to put under a table, look no further, you've found it. The only thing that is a drag is having to use two wrenches to change bits, but not many routers in this class have a spindle lock. The collet design is outstanding, by the way, so you don't have to worry about bits sticking.

Everything's fine but the switch
The P-C 690 was a classic. Without doubt you'll go through a hundred cabinet shops and 95 of them will have several 690's in production use. This updated model has some improvements but incorporates one major step backwards. The 690 motor lock was terrible. The new over center latch design is much improved over it. However, the 690 had an extremely easy to use toggle switch that was far, far superior to the tiny rocker switch being used on the 690LR. Why P-C made this change I'll never know. When something is spinning at 28,000 rpm (why they increased the speed from 23,000 on the 690 to something this high is another mystery) you want to be able to turn it off as easily and quickly as possible. The new switch makes this far more difficult than the old. Also the new switch is much harder to change out than the 690's if it goes bad, a common problem with routers since they have to eat so much dust. So thumbs up for the lock but thumbs down for the switch.

Fine workhorse of a router
This router is uncomplicated in design. It is no frills, and all the parts are tough. It will stand up to years of use. The brushes are easily replaced. The collet design requires the use of two wrenches (supplied). While some like having a one wrench design with a built in shaft lock, not having the lock will prevent damage from the common accident of engaging such a lock while running. The depth is set by rotating the motor in the housing which has spiral tracks. A mark on the housing notes how far you have rotated and a marked ring lets you see depth changes as little as a 1/128 inch.

Down sides are that the track can get banged up a bit, so don't expect perfection in the raising and lowering, and you have to be sure the motor is seated in the track to be sure the depth adjustment is accurate (technically known at the backlash problem). Also, this router gives a kick when it starts rather than being soft start. You have to anticipate the small twist that develops with starting.

I really like the collet. It is nicely machined, industrial quality and holds 1/2 and 1/4 inch bits using two inserts . Never had a bit slip or get damaged. The flat top of the motor makes it easy to change the bits. The guide bushings are also work well, but the opening is small, and if you want to run bits bigger than an inch you will want to make a base out of Plexiglass. The base holds on with a few screws and it is easy to make a custom base. The base of the router is ideal for putting in a router table because it is not spring loaded and the motor moves up and down very easily by just rotating it. (I bought an extra base just to put permanently in my router table.)

Just a real nice router. Four stars instead of five for the kick on starting. I'd buy it again if I needed an additional router, but there is no way I'm going to wear it out in hobby use. ... Read more

Features

• Full length locator with each templet section
• Guides router for professional results
• Adjustable for a variety of sizes and applications
• Allows perfect matching
• Spring-loaded nails

Reviews (8)

Dead on every time.
I bought this unit because of the great reputation Porter Cable has and was not disapointed. It is dead on accurate and well made, should last a lifetime. The only fault I could find with it was the manual, somewhat vaguely written. I used common sense and past experience and had no problems, though a beginner may have to read thru a couple of times.

Carpenter .... Trim
I've owned this same template for 20 yrs and can put it together and rout butts with my eyes closed if I had to ... I wore out 3 skill Butt Templates prior to that (still have one of those) and finally bought this one to last a lifetime ... I know nothing about the Bosch and do not need to as long as I have this Porter Cable Butt Template .

Hard to keep set
This template kit is roughly made. Not easy to keep set up for any length of time (screws loosen). Can be a knuckle scraper. Problem setting the center template the same for the flip flop on the jamb.
I would expect a tool of this type would be made of extruded Aluminum for better accuracy of measurment. I would pay more for such a tool. The price equals the quality on this one.
I have been a carpenter for 35 years, hinged a lot of doors in that time. Pre-hung doors are the choice of course, but sometimes you have to do them on site. This tool wouldn't be my first choice.

With the exception of....
My only gripe with this otherwise excellent template is the availability of the various sized jamb gauges that are necessary to transfer hinge locations from already prepared jamb to door, or vice-versa. I would think they would be included with the tool, but instead I've been having to literally hunt them down. The 4" gauge is not even available, that I can find. In fact, if anyone has a set (3) of the 4" gauge, let me know!
Otherwise, the Hinge Butt Template Kit is an excellent tool to have for anyone involved in the task of reto-fitting and hanging new doors. It has proved to be extremely useful to me.

Template kit
This tool is to hard to set up, and I can cut in a hinge just as fast with a wood chisel and sharp knife. If I had several doors to do at one time, then I think it is more practical to use ... Read more

Features

• Range: 325 for 26x
• Automatic wire hung, magnetically damped compensator minimizes errors on the jobsite by keeping line of sight continuously level within +/- 15 minutes
• Establish and check angles without repositioning the instrument with the 360 degree horizontal graduated circle and infinite tangent screw
• Magnification: 26x
• Accuracy: +/- 1/32@100' for 26x;

Amazon.com Review

This is like an amusement park for the woodworker, right out of the box. The trusty Porter-Cable 691 router has that wonderful D-handle with the power switch mounted right where you want it, and it delivers 1-3/4 horsepower and 23,000 rpm without fail. Add to that the plunge base, one of the best in its class, yet another fixed base, and Porter-Cable's own router table. Porter-Cable's clever auto-release collet system pops bits right out--no more tapping and coaxing. We've always liked Porter-Cable's accurate micrometer ring-depth adjustment, too. The table is a nice, compact 19-3/4 by 16-3/4 inches, big enough for your work piece yet not a space hog. We were impressed with the 2-1/2-inch dust port on the rear cutter guard as well as the split-fence design, and the miter gauge rode snugly in the slot on the model we tested. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Powerful cutting action
• Machined aluminum motor housing
• 100% ball-bearing construction
• Quick-adjust split fence

Reviews (17)

Great value, but shaky table
I got this kit at Home Depot during their Christmas Eve sale. The router is everything I had heard it would be, and the combination of bases is perfect.

The D-handle base solves the problems people have with the top-mount switch; the plunge base is perhaps not the ultimate plunge router, but not many will use the plunge feature enough to care. You also aren't paying for the ultimate plunge router here, and the 690 is relatively light and easy to handle compared to the 3-1/4 HP models. (Curious, isn't it, how the jump from a 10 amp to 15 amp motor results in a 216% increase in horsepower? You learn that trick in Marketing, not in Physics class.) It is easy to set depth stops, the action is smooth and the depth lock is positive and easy to use. I like the third base, to leave installed in the table; it makes moving the motor in and out of the table a snap.

I agree with other reviewers that a spindle lock would be handy, but I can live with needing two wrenches. After all, you are still going to need to pick up one anyway, so it's no big deal to pick up two. The releasing collets are a nice feature; whoever said that he had trouble getting the bits out didn't read the instructions. Just turn the collet nut out till it hits the C-clip, and turn a little more; the bit comes loose.

The router has plenty of power, and is rated to use up to a 2-1/4" diameter bit. So if you want to use this as a shaper and push 3-1/2" raised panel bits, you should look elsewhere.

I have two main complaints with this set; first, since there is more than one base included, there should be one of each size of baseplate furnished; it is silly to put the small-hole baseplate, for use with template guides, on both of the non-table bases. This means that when you want to run a cutter larger than 1" diameter you must go to a tool store (the hardware store probably won't have it) and buy the 2-1/2" hole baseplate for extra.

Second, the table leaves a lot to be desired. Of course you aren't paying very much for it; there are plenty of router tables that sell for more than the price of this whole set. I figure I actually paid maybe for the table over the price of the motor and bases in the set; it is certainly worth that. My sample had a tight-fitting miter gauge, and it interchanges with the clamping gauge and the tenon jig from my table saw, should I need the additional functionality. I was able to improve the function of the fence considerably by replacing the two boards on the split fence with a single 6" wide piece of birch plywood, appropriately cut to clear various bits. I removed the guard, as it made it impossible to run stock thicker than 1-1/2", or most boards on edge. Watch your fingers if you do this!

P-C says that the table must be firmly bolted down for use; if not bolted it is certainly flimsy. To maintain the portablilty, I attached two 30" 2x4's crosswise front and back with carriage bolts, and fasten them to a couple of sawhorses with deck screws when I want to use the table. I find 42" to be a perfect height.

As someone else mentioned, the table is intended only for use with P-C routers.

If the table were better, the package would be 5 star
The router and the interchangeable bases are excellent. It is great to be able to switch one motor easily between 3 bases (table, D handle, and plunge). It is easy to adjust the height in the table, since it is a helical mount...just turn left or right to go down or up. The price on the package is fair.. what you are paying for is primarily the motor and the 3 bases... I estimate about [$$$]. This means you get the table for about [$$]. Thats not a bad price for the table, but its not the best table either.

In summary, its a great package at a fair price. If you are looking for something to raise panels, you may want to get a variable speed router with a smooth table. For all other projects, its great and I would buy it again.

More Problems...
I've had this router work station for about 8 months now. I've probably only logged about an hour of run time on it and have encountered several problems. Shortly after I started to use it, the power switch fell out of the cover. I looked by this thinking that porter cable is known for good quality. The switch still won't stay in. After about the 3rd time of using it, it got stuck in one of the bases and I spent several hours trying to remove it. It's only done that once, but it was so frustrating to deal with at a time I needed to use it. The plunge base has moved on me a couple of times while running, like it doesn't stay locked into place. Most recently, It started to make some noise while running it. I began to notice small pieces of plastic falling out of the cover. I removed the cover and found that the 'Plastic' fan on the motor arbor had completely sheered all of it's fins off. I also noticed a piece of wood in with them. Obviously, a small sliver of wood had fallen in the motor(because there's no protection from this while in the table) and removed all of the cooling fins on the fan. Now, I need it again, and I must send off to be repaired. I know that industry is moving to a lighter and cheaper way to make things, but plastic in some things is just not durable and reliable. It may just be me having all of these problems, but I just simply haven't had much luck with this setup. The table is extremely shakey, it works, but I would rather use a home made one rather than this. The table is definitly not worth the money. I like the ergonimics of porter cable, but I'm honestly not completely sold yet on quality of their new products.

Router is Great - Table is a Joke
but it *can* be made useful...I bought my PC router and table kit new (including the floor stand that is not included here) and materials to make the table top and fence useful. I threw the aluminum top and the dippy "fence" away and salvaged the remaining pieces for reuse with a shop-made top and fence. TIP: Buy the PC 69x router combo kit (fixed & plunge) but build your own table and fence.

Best value for my money!
This is my fifth router. I bought it for the small and light jobs. Router is impressive. Table is rock solid. fence may need improvement, but acceptable, and I entend to "fine tune it". When you do the calculation, I got the table and the fence for [a low price] What a deal!
Thanks Amazon, Thanks Porter- Cable. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Imagine the feel of 420 inch-pounds of torque in your hand. That's what this awesome drill/driver delivers in the lock-up position, powered by a 14.4-volt battery. Because of the two-speed gearbox, you've got drill speed ranges of 0 to 450 rpm and 0 to 1,400 rpm. Its 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck is keyless, and the 20-position clutch takes care of drilling and driving into all kinds of material. You'll never regret a Porter-Cable purchase; their drills are among the best on the market. 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! You just can't go wrong. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 1-year warranty/30 day performance certificate
• 2 14.4-volt 2.0 amp hour batteries
• Interchangeable Grip to Fit handle inserts
• 420 in/lbs torque, 20 position clutch
• Two speed gear box, 0-450 and 0-1400 RPM

Reviews (2)

recommend
durable, high quality drill, after 3 years of use the unit has held up, and I would recommend it over a dewalt 14.4 volt. I install cable and phone lines and am very satisfied with the performance (concrete, wood, brick etc)

fooled again
I purchased this drill after realizing I needed a new charger for my old PC 12 Volt. My thought was to buy the new drill and use the charger to keep my old batteries and drill. Seeing that the new charger worked with both 14.4 V. and 12 V. I ASSumed thia was a logical step. Why would anything in the tool world be logical, no need for modularity since we can throw out the old and buy new, better stuff.

So, I bought the damn thing. My new batteries are now shot after 1 year of mild use (or the charger is shot), the new charger won't charge the old batteries, and I'm looking at more drills, batteries, or charger purchases.

I refuse to buy another PC drill even though the torgue was good and not to heavy. The batteries wouldn't hold a very long charge (somewhat forgivable due to a lighter battery weight) but what really turned me off was the non-modular systems and the total disregard for past products that worked ok (but needed a new battery/charger) for the idea that a new better product exists. Thus, I say farewell to PC and hello to Makita or Panasonic - which I should have done before my last PC purchase.

ww ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This Porter-Cable brad nailer and compressor kit is a smart starter set that will have you up and running in just a few minutes. The kit includes an 18-gauge brad nailer; a 2-horsepower, 6-gallon, oil-free pancake compressor; 25 feet of 300 psi air hose; male and female couplers; Teflon tape; oil for the nailer; and 1,000 brad nails. The brad nailer is a compact, no-nonsense unit that might not be as stout as other (more expensive) nailers, but it's reliable and does its job well. It shoots standard brads from 5/8 to 1-1/4 inches long, and includes a sequential fire trigger, a safety that's located behind the driver guide for driving brads in tight spaces, easy-to-use depth adjustment, a directional exhaust port, a removable rubber nose, and a rugged plastic carrying case. The compressor is easy to transport, but still offers plenty of capacity. It produces 135 psi and has a 6-gallon capacity, enough to support heavy use of brad and finish nailers or moderate use of framing nailers. This is an oil-free unit, and its advanced Teflon coating doesn't require maintenance--a big plus on the convenience scale. The compressor's 120-volt universal motor starts easily in cold weather and draws only 10 amps--so you won't have to worry about tripping breakers inside residential homes--and you can use it with an extension cord. It also includes a high-flow regulator and an easy-to-read air pressure gauge. Overall, this combination kit offers two solid pieces of equipment at a very competitive price. It's a great way to get into air-powered tools. --Jonathon Tudor ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• 2-horsepower pancake compressor
• 18 gauge, 1-1/4-inch brad nailer
• 25 feet of 300 psi hose
• 1/4-inch male and female fittings

Reviews (24)

Great package deal from a great company!
Being a novice fixer-upper/wood worker, I wanted to move into a little more advanced stuff. After watching The New Yankee Workshop, over and over again, I knew I wanted, at least, a air powered brad nailer. After getting this one, it has turned out to be an indispensable tool! No more waiting for glue to dry, just brad nail it together! With so may other options and attachments, everyone could use an air compressor at the home. Air tool options... painting, driving nails, driving staples, powered drills, powered chisels, filling up car tires, blowing up air toys, the list goes on...

This little guy is a great introduction of what air tools can provide! It's small and weighs very little. Very easy to understand instructions with little to read (good and to the point). Almost no prepwork. You only need to let it run for 15 minutes before use. The included brad nailer is also well constructed. Smooth operation with no kickback. So far I've used the brad nailer to build some small furniture, attach molding, to blow off saw dust (with optional attachments), and to fill up the tires on my car (no more driving to the gas station!)

I highly recommend this product to be a top choice in your workshop (get a good table saw first!). It's dependable and so is Porter Cable! The only thing I don't like is the noise level. It's a little noisy, but I'll live with that!

Nice combo pack
This is just what the wood Dr. ordered. It's just right for a small woodworking business like mine (small as in just me)
The compressor is farely light and perfectly ballanced which is nice when you have to carry it to three or four different jobs a day. It has plenty of power to run the brad nailer.
The brad nailer is nice also. I like having cases for my power tools,it keeps them from getting damaged. The 1 1/4" capasity is just right for doing finish work and works well for tacking bigger things inplace while your gluing and clamping.
And how can you beat the price for top notch tools.
This combo pack has made my life easyer

Excellent for the Do-it-yourself person
My husband borrowed one of these combo packs from a friend for a remodeling project and said he just had to have one. He said it was the best birthday present I ever bought him. He braggs to all his friends about how good it works. I like it for all the jobs he gets done with it. It is perfect for trim, cabinets, fascia, and anything else he uses it for. His father taught him everything he knows about remodeling and mechanics and though he is not a profesional, watching him work with his power tools and the speed at which he gets them done his friends all think he is. If your looking for a quality brad-nailer this is definetly the one you want. I recommend you buy the finish-nailer and upholstery-stapler also. Think of the great projects you could do with all three. The only thing is the compressor is a little loud, but it doesn't run long between nailings.

So much easier than using finish nails and counter sinking
This thing makes trim and cabinet work a breeze. I use it to attach the frame to my cabinets and you can barely see the brads. I also attach the 1/4 inch plywood back to the cabinets with it.

If you never had a pneumatic tool, this is the one to get first.

Great Tool
This tool make short work out of a once boring task. It makes you wonder how you got along without it for so long. The motor is a bit loud, but it maintains pressure for a lengthly period. I'm happy with the tool. ... Read more

Features

• Beefy 10.5 amps with 0-2,600 strokes per minute and a 1-1/8" stroke range for a wide variety of applications
• Keyless clamp and shoe for fast blade changes
• Variable speed in trigger to match the tool speed to the job
• Cushion grip for reduced operator fatigue
• Cushion grip and case

Reviews (1)

MOAS The Mother of all saws!
I have used this saw for the last 6 months. Forget all the fancy features like angle heads or rotating handles. This is the most aggressive wood cutting saw of all. Power and more power along with a super orbital cutting action. All the framers I work with are impressed with the speed of cutting. The blade changing system couldn't be easier. You can put the blades in upside down for tight spots. If this can't cut it down it will shake it down. ... Read more

Features

• 19-3/4 by 16-3/4-inch table
• Dust collection hood size 2-1/2-inch

Reviews (11)

Porter Cable Drops The Ball
I am usually a big fan of Porter-Cable products, but this one is a dud. The fence is clumsy and hard to adjust, the miter gauge slot has substantial slop in it, and ridges in the table are rough and sometimes mark work. I bought it as part of a 3 piece kit - the "Ultimate Router Workshop." The cost was less than as a stand alone piece, so I'll probably keep it. If I had purchased it as a stand-alone item, it would be returnsville! If you're serious about owning the PC 1 1/2 hp routers with both bases, purchase them separately and pony up the extra cash for a more refined table. You'll thank yourself later.

Don't kid yourself- this is a quality tool
I was surprised to see sub par reviews for a porter cable tool but I thought the price was right so I went ahead and bought it. Let me say that this is a top notch router table. I understand the difference between quality tools and cheap imitations and you won't be dissapointed with this. The fence is a two-parter but it's so easy to adjust that it shouldn't scare you away. Plus, it lets you use shaper bits to make mouldings and fancy edges. The $$$ price tag with free s&h made this guy a steal...

Overlooked design fault
I only bought this machine yesterday but found a design fault almost straight away. I only found it because it almost cost me a [$$$] panel raising bit! The problem is that the ring inserts for the table vibrate and jump when the machine is in operation. I'm surprised that PC have overlooked this dangerous design fault. Either use some wooden or perspex ones or find a way of securing the metal ones whilst in operation. Everything else about the table is fine and it would have received 5 stars but for this fault.

Not up to PC standards I expected
I just bought one of these and already am having second thoughts about keeping it. Like alot of others, I thought by buying a PC product it would be top of the line. First, the table looks unfinished with both the front and back wide open. Second, the darn thing only has two inserts. One with a small opening and the other with a huge opening. I think everyone that reads this should call PC and complain about that. How much trouble could it be to provide another insert with this table. Oh yes, by the way this metal insert (nothing but a big washer)just lays in the the hole unattached and bounces around when in use.
Lastly, this router table is better than some I saw, but then again it should be...[for the price].

nice little table
As a hobby woodcrafter, I find this table quite adequate for my needs. I've seen the high priced/high quality tables and I'm clear this is not in that league, but for what it is designed for, it does very well.

I only have a couple of complaints, but most of them have been worked out so that they aren't an issue.
1st, the table casting was rough, so I filed the burrs smooth.
2nd, the table top doesn't appear to be totally rectangular, though the infeed and outfeed sides are parallel and that's all I care about.
3rd, you only get two insert rings. It would be nice to have at least three.
4th, the insert rings don't sit flush to the table, they are a tad short. This only causes a problem with very short work pieces and larger bits.

That's about it for complaints. At first I thought the dual fences were a bit fiddly, but I got used to it quickly and can set it up fairly fast.

I haven't had a problem getting the fences to lock square to the table. I find using a large rafter triangle really helps speed this process up.

I really like the switch located on the outside of the leg as well, that's way nicer than having to reach under every time!

My miter gauge and slot seem to work just fine and are square to the fences.

Overall a great little hobby table, but probably not to useful for any real production work. ... Read more

Features

• Box of assorted biscuits
• 500 of size no. 20
• 250 of size no. 10
• 250 of size no. 0

Reviews (7)

juniper creations, log furniture
i use these biscuits in all my dressers and night stands and have been very pleased. i,ll be buying more soon.

Consistancy or lack there of.
I was a bit concerned with the quality of the biscuits. I found that about 5%+ where off size or broke easily. I have a small home shop that I do a little work out of. It is important from a $ stand point that the supplies I buy are right. I will buy another, when I need one, to see if I get the same results.

some are swollen
before you judge the quality of these biscuts on my review, keep in mind that they are being kept in less then airtite conditions in a rather damp basement. Most of the pieces which i remove from the bag are, in general, perfectly normal, but there are a few which do take a bit of persuasive action with a rubber mallet to make fit. no huge problems, however. I would recommend.

Can't find this elsewhere
In our area, these are tough to find, and when you do, you have to buy way too many of just one size. This assortment is handy. As for defective biscuits mentioned in another review, I've found only a few, and wouldn't half of them would have to be bad to break even paying double for something else?

nice biscuits
These are a good quality and a good price, I would recomend! ... Read more

Features

• 1 year limited warranty
• High-powered 19.2-volt drill/driver
• 340 in/lbs maximum torque
• Two-speed gear box, 0-450 and 0-1,450 rpm
• Two batteries, advanced diagnostic charger, bit-tip, and carrying case

Reviews (1)

Best value/performance
This drill has excellent power. The battery life is outstanding. The weight is managable (only slightly heavier than my older 12v bosch). The clutch and electric brake have good feel. The drill is balanced well. Unlike my older drill the bit holders (2ea) work. The price on this unit is incredible (...). 19.2v is kind of unusual. However, Porter-Cable has a complete line of tools at this power, so I expect they should be around for a long time. My drill is still fairly new so the only unknown I have is how well the batteries will last. This is one of the most important considerations in buying cordless. This is the reason I chose not to buy the 18v Dewalt, or the 15.6v NiMH Panasonic. My old 12v Bosch Batteries lasted 6yrs, which given the amount of use I think that is pretty good. I went with the Porter-Cable for the price. ... Read more

Features

• Fastens a full bundle of shingles without reloading
• Drives standard .120 diameter, 15 degree wire collated roofing nails from 7/8" to 1-3/4"
• Powerful high performance motor with adjustable tool-free exhaust diffuser
• Features double cams and guides and quick adjust support for all nail lengths
• Steel contact safety with dual carbide inserts

Features

• Standard equipment: Saw, 18T carbide tipped Riptide blade #12800, case #907834, and operating manual
• Quik-Change keyless blade change offers tool-less blade changes in seconds
• Magnesium construction provides more durability and lighter weight at 9lbs
• 15, AMP, AC/DC, 10 lbs, 5,800 RPM blade speed with two second electric blade brake
• 100% ball and needle bearing

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
• Includes plunge base with machined brass post bushings, quick motor release, thumb rotating depth stop, templet guide sized sub-base, removable springs, and bulit in dust collection

Reviews (5)

disappointed
The 890 router is a fine, quiet machine. However, the grip-vac and plunge bases leave a lot to be desired. I have only found one type of router operation in which the dust removal functions adequately-template routing of dishes. All other operations, free hand or on a table less than 10% of chips and dust are removed. Additionally, the dust port on the plunge base is too small for any vacuum hose/fitting I can findand I finally rigged a dodge 318 bypass hose to facilitate connection to my shopvac. Since dust and chip management were my primary for selection of the 890, I am very unhappy with this purchase. Yard sale bound. Maybe I should have waited for the arrival of the new MLCS

Deficiencies
Overall, it's a fine system, and I'm glad I bought it.
However there are some astonishing design blunders:
1. On some of the plunge bases, the depth indicator is made of translucent plastic instead of transparent. This makes it impossible to read the depth indicator.
2. The spindle lock actuator on the plunge base is completely disfunctional. The motor unit cannot be brought down far enough to engage it.
3. With the dust shield in place, it's impossible to make above-the-table bit changes. Worse yet, with large bits, the entire unit must be removed from the table to change bits. Without the dust shield, above-the-table bit changes are quite easy; but you get a lot of dust sprayed around.

Very nice fixed base unit, OK plunge base unit
I bought this set mostly for use in a Bench Dog RT150 router table with the fixed base. Wanted the GripVac base for occasional "out of the box" use where the vac feature would be nice. The fixed base/motor work REALLY well in the RT150. The motor release and height adjust controls are very accessable through the cabinet door and the accessory top-side height adjust knob, though a free mail-in item, is not really needed. The only things you have to reach for are the speed control (easy), on/off (easy), and the collet lock (less easy, but tolerable). The motor is very quiet, the soft-start "way cool", and power more than adequate. The clear plastic sub-bases ae less impressive. Seem like polystyrene, but I hope they are something more durable that that. I am less impressed with the plunge base. It's OK, but compared to my P-C 7529 plunge router, it's pretty crude in features, but then it only added $30 to the cost of the fixed-base router and $6 of that is for the plastic base that can take guide bushings. Too cheap to pass up. An annoying thing about the plunge base is that it has a 1" dust port, but the location makes it very inconvenient/impossable to use with P-C's 1" dust hose. Somebody stopped thinking too soon in the design stage. No fine plunge adjust, either. I give the GripVac base 5 stars and the plunge base three, so an average of four. Overall, a very good product and worth the money. Sure wish P-C was less stingy about warranty. Milwaukee does "lifetime", why does P-C only do 1 year? By the way, the CD they give you with the kit includes a video of instructions on building a simple router table. Unfortunately, the audio periodically fails. Not a big thing, but it does make P-C look bad to ship such a thing. I think they need a little Demming influence there.

Great going, Porter-Cable!
I recently bought this router to supplement my Milwaukee 3.5HP table router. I have, thus far, been nothing but impressed by this new offering from P-C. It is, by far, one of the quietest routers I have yet to use (other than the original Elu I used in Europe). The dust collection system is functional, the multi-point accessible power switch is a great innovation, and the general feeling of solid quality is P-C at its best! If I had any complaint, it would not be against P-C - it would be that you really should peruse the manual first - I didn't notice the additional switch access until later (who uses manuals anyway, until they have a problem with a product).

disappointed
D
-
base looked good, but plastic subase did not fit properly due to poorly machined router base. The adjustment knob also could use work in that it was too close to body to allow ease of turning. I have an ELU and PC 690 which are fine. Will likely try the Dewalt 621 next. I did SO want the dust collection aspect! ... Read more

Features

• One Year Warranty
• High-pressure technology provides more usable air for longer run time
• 3 hp induction motor for quieter operation
• High-flow regulator allows more work at higher pressures
• Supports use of all brad and finish nailers and moderate use of framing and roofing nailers

Reviews (10)

A good compressor to get you started.
I shopped extensively for a light duty compressor based on the following criteria: price, weight, and flow rating. I found the PC 3HP pancake style to be the best model that fit my needs. First the price...this model comes in at about the mid-range of the portables. It features the same motor and compressor as the PC 3HP twin stack model but is $40 cheaper and about 10 pounds lighter. I also thought it would be a little more compact and easier to move around. Given the twin stack has a few nice features, like dual quick connect fittings and a gage console, but I just didn't think I would need them.

As far as flow capacity the PC 3HP is one of the best considering its price and weight. It's rated at 5.3 CFM at 90 psi. It is an oil free design, so it can operate on uneven ground. The oil splash designs are supposed to have greater durability but for my infrequent use it should be just fine.

Other than that what can I say - it pumps air. Supposedly it runs at higher pressure (135 psi max) than its competitors. This gives it the reserve of a 5 gallon tank, even though it is physically 4 gal. It is fairly loud, but I haven't listened to many other models to make an educated comparison.

Overall I think it's pretty sweet. Especially after I drove my first nail with the PC finish nailer I bought to go along with it. But that's another review...

*** One year+ update ***

I have now owned this unit for over one year and am pleased to report zero problems. I have used it quite a bit for high air flow operations, such as blowing off dust / debris and even running an air chisel to bust up concrete. It often runs full time for 5-10 minutes and is able to keep up with air demand.

However, I do agree the regulator assembly is not adequately protected from damage. If you are going to be regularly moving the compressor around, spend the extra... bucks and get the one with the roll cage. I actually ran a compressed air line out to my garage, so the compressor can stay put in the basement and avoid potential damage from moving it. In retrospect, I probably should have bukced up for the roll cage model.

*** 4-year update ***

I have owned this compressor for 4+ years now and am still completely satisfied. I did have one problem with a leaky pressure regulator. I was able to fix it a few times by disassembling the regulator housing but eventually stripped one of the connectors. I was able to obtain a replacement direct from PC, for less than $20, which I thought was pretty reasonable.

This past summer I decided to demolish my entire chimney, 35+ feet of brick and mortar. I used a hand held, air chisel to break up the mortar joints. The compressor was operating at 100% duty cycle for 10-15 minutes at a stretch, but couldn't quite keep up with continuous use of the air chisel. I figured it was time to buy a bigger model. As an last ditch experiment, I bought a 10 gal portable air storage tank, some extra quick disconnect fittings and rigged up a reserve tank in parallel with the 4 gallon PC tank. (yes, I am an engineer) My thinking was that I would run the crap out of my little PC and if it bit the dust, that was my excuse to buy a new compressor. I am amazed to say the PC compressor ran flawlessly for the entire chimney demo and still works fine today. As hard as I try, I can't kill the thing. I have more than gotten my money's worth from this machine.

Good Quality, Great Service
There are a lot of pancake compressors on the market, but this one stands out for two reasons. First, the quality is better than most of the oiless models out there. Second, the Porter Cable service organization. If you're *anywhere* near a medium sized or larger city, spare parts and repair are just a phone call away.

For the remodeler working alone, or the handman looking for a small compressor for the shop, this machine is an excellent chice.

Maybe a good compressor, but beware of shipping
I ordered my P-C 3HP/4GAL compressor from Amazon, and their tool supplier, Tool Crib, shipped the unit to me via UPS. When I unpacked the compressor there was a broken piece of plastic in the bottom of the box. After reading the Owner's Manual and starting the break-in procedure I realized the plastic piece was the on/off switch! Using plastic for such a high-use piece like the on/off switch is a very poor design.

I took the compressor to the local Porter-Cable service center and they tell me the boxes the P-C compressors come in are NOT designed to handle the rigorous treatment of UPS shipping. The compressor is very heavy and the support inside the box is just flimsy cardboard, so the unit will shift alot during UPS shipment. The boxes were designed to be shipped on pallets and sold in stores off the pallet.

No wonder the switch was broken. I'm just wondering what other parts may have been damaged in the shipping. Won't know until the replacement part comes in and we can turn the unit on. It's been two weeks now and the replacement switch unit still has not arrived.

Be advised about this shipping problem with this compressor. Your's might arrive damaged also. Tool Crib should know better than to ship these heavy units in flimsy boxes! Luckily the local Porter-Cable service center is willing to fix it under warranty!

Great Little Air Squeezer!!!
This little Porter Cable compressor is all (and more) that I expected it to be. It pumps the 4-gallon tank to 125 psi in less than a minute, and then cycles automatically as the pressure drops. The output should be more than adequate for my needs to run an air ratchet, blow nozzle, hand sandblaster and pressurize a small auxilliary portable tank. The order arrived ahead of schedule with no damage via UPS. Works like a champ, the price was right and Amazon's Free SuperSaver Shipping made this a no-brainer bargain.

The gauges, regulator and hose coupling on this model are out in the open, and exposed to potential damage if used at a busy construction site. A better choice for that kind of a work environment would be the 3HP enclosed, stacked-tank model offered by Porter Cable. The downside to that model is about twenty more dollars, and about twenty more pounds of mass to move around. For my application, however, the exposed fittings are not an issue.

Something Different Inside
...The pressure supplied is more than sufficient for average duty use. The recovery time is not to bad. The price is reasonable. However with those positives let me get to the other side.
First, ..., the guages are exposed in a poor design and can be a serious potential liability. It can easily be broken off. The consumer needs to make special note of this.... Although most of these models are on the display floor, having four legs, I found that a good deal of them only have three legs. This makes it hard to stay upright any of the time. It rolled around the back of my van at every stop, go, turn, you name it. I even tried surrounding it with other items to box it in. It is so top heavy, it falls on its side anyway. A slight tug on your air hose is enough to send it rolling.
The four legged version is satisfactory but, watch out for that three legged version its a nightmare. I exchanged it for the roll cage model. I'll tell you about that one on that review.
I AM OUT..... ... Read more

Features

• One year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Quick and easy professional joinery
• Precision milled face
• Cam-action clamps
• Handles a variety of projects

Reviews (1)

Easy to use!
I watched the video, went to my shop, set up my Dovertail machine and the only setting i had to change that the video suggested was the depth of the dovetail bit. The precision was incredible, and best yet repeatable! I love this machine, my wife just got me the variable spaced template (more on that later)! ... Read more

Features

• Drives "N" wire 16 gauge, 7/16" crown construction staples
• Adjustable exhaust port and depth-of-drive
• Quick-release nosepiece for fast clearing of jams
• One year warranty/30 day performance certification

Reviews (5)

What a joke!
After having all of my air tools stolen, I bought this stapler because it was the cheapest. It came with the head bolts too loose so it leaked air. I tightened them, no big deal. The worst part was the advertized easy un-jamb nose piece. The engineers in their great wisdom put the magazine higher than the Hinged nose piece. It takes a narrow screwdriver, a needle nose plier and a lot of cussing to remove a stuck staple. The spring is too weak to keep the proper pressure on the staples, only large amounts of WD40 sprayed on the magazine kept the gun operating smoothly, and paint doesn't stick on oil. I give this gun 1 star because of it's lousy anti-jambing design.

Fast but not consistant
I needed to install a sub-floor. I went as fast as could and the stapler did a great job with no jams. It is easy to run out of staples and not know it. It needs something besides just looking thru a little hole at the staples. Uses little air, my pancake compressor kept up. I did have a hard time setting the depth of the staples. The depth varies a LOT with out touching the dial and I had to go back and pound down about 15% of the staples.

Porter Cable has a winner
I bought this stapler from Amazon to put up sheathing and it has performed flawlessly. Have used it for several other jobs as well where a framing nailer would split the wood but needed more holding power than a finish nailer, such as attaching lattice work. Haven't used the optional vinyl siding attachment yet, but will be in the next couple of weeks. The stapler does have a depth of drive adjustment, but comes from the factory with a setting to drive the staples as deep as possible, so don't use on a finish job out of the box. Haven't had a jam yet, but the front clearing mechanism is simple to use. Have used on sheathing and lap siding jobs and was very impressed by the difference in holding power of the stapler versus a nail. It will definitely stay in the top of my job box for easy access.

It Does the Job
I have used this stapler on a couple of jobs now and I can't complain to much about it. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that it did not come with a no-mar nose piece as advertised. I am writing Porter-Cable about this. I am sure they will resolve it. One word of caution: most Home Depot/Lowes stores do not carry 16 gauge staples. Make sure you have an alternate supplier available locally (a real tool store) otherwise order the staples here.

Ever try to hold something and hammer it?
I bought this stapler because my long-suffering wife refused to act like a clamp anymore, so I had to hold up sheets of sheathing or paneling with an elbow and a knee while trying to drive nails. It got old really fast! This PC stapler is a marriage saver! The owner's manual is well written, and I was using the stapler five minutes out of the box. I easily quadrupled my output, and was able to sheath and side my shop (16x16') solo in a single day. Haven't had a jam yet, though they look fairly simple to clear. Definitely worth the money! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lots of improvements make this a better nailer than its predecessors. Porter-Cable redesigned the magazine, and we think the compactness of it improved the tool's balance and control. Despite the downsizing, it holds three strips of nails. Depth of drive is now tool-free, as is the adjustable exhaust, both nice improvements to an already top-notch nailer. You can choose between restrictive fire or contact actuation mode to suit the job at hand. Because the magazine's forged of hard coat anodized aluminum, it's lighter than it looks, and that means it's easier on your body. This is a super-reliable workhorse that even alerts you when it's time to reload—-and that takes only a couple of seconds. You won't be disappointed with this.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Includes 1 year limited warranty on parts and accessories
• 2- to 3-1/2" x .113- to .131", 32-34-degree clipped head paper tape collated stick nails
• Rugged aluminum magazine holds three nail strips at a time
• Depth of drive adjustment to match application
• Large air chamber for added power

Reviews (5)

great nailer/ magazine needs more capacity
I have had this nailer for about three months. Used it on everything from decks, fences, and rough framing. Love the ease of switching from sequential to bump firing with the new trigger. The ease of loading is only offset by the fact that it does not hold three sticks of nails. Granted I've been using Paslode brand nails. It just seems like a waste of space when only two sticks fit and you have 2 inches left in the magazine. With all that said it is well worth the money and you can't beat Porter-Cable for quailty. Only upgrade would be for a swivel air fitting(still haven't found one) to keep the hose from wrapping around everything.

Nails work great for me!
I'm not sure why someone experienced problems with the 33 degree nails from grip-rite at Home Depot. I bought the FC350A nailer from Amazon and bought a box of 3 1/4 inch x .131 hot dipped galvanized nails from Home Depot. The nailer and the nails work great for me! I really love the size of this nailer. Very nice improvement over the older version. The price from Amazon is also very competitive. I am extremely pleased!!!!
Update - After running several hundred Nails through this nailer, I stand by my earlier conclusions. I have not had any problems with the Grip-Rite nails from Home Depot. I plan to try the Paslode 30 degree nails in this nailer. Great Nailer!!!

Great Nailer!
Bought this gun to reframe a old gargage. Couldn't ask for any thing better. The best feature is the selectible trigger, when nailing location really matters. Never had a jam or unsunken nail.

Great product - but one caveat
This new nailer (the FC350A) is one great tool. Very powerful, a good range of nail sizes, not too heavy, works well even in the lower psi range. Well made, simple to maintain. I chose the clipped head over the full round head because the magazine doesn't stick out quite so far. Which leads me to the caveat. If you search for nails for this gun, you'll see many manufacturers stating compatibility. Also, you'll see sites quoting the gun works with nails strips from 30 to 34 degrees. This is not so! You *must* have nails strips of 34 degrees, except for the shortest length nails. Why? If you go to Home Depot and purchase a box of 3 inch nails, clipped head paper collated, like those from Grip-Rite (who state compatibility with the FC350) you'll notice they are 33 degrees instead of 34. This one degree difference means that longer nails don't get punched by the nailer - the impact head just slides down the nail. Shorter 33deg nails sometimes work because their short length means the head is more in line with the impact head. So really the problem is in trying to obtain 34 degree paper collated nail strips. I've tried everywhere, including all the merchants listed on the PorterCable website. I finally ordered online from www.circlesaw.com who have the right range. It's a great tool, it's just a pain in the $%#$% to get the right nails, at least right now. Maybe it's still early days.

Big Improvements over FC350
I actually purchased the FC350 nailer first (from a local store). I only used that once, and the next time I was in the store, less than a week later, they had this model being sold in a kit with a compressor. Looking at the new model, I was pretty disappointed that I had just bought the old one because the new model had a lot more features. Fortunately, a super-nice store manager actually took back the old one and sold me the kit. So needless to say I was a happy camper.

Anyways, I haven't actually had the opportunity to use this gun much yet, only the old one, but I was impressed with the quality of the old one. The reviews of the old one pretty much speak for themselves - it's a nice gun. In addition to all of the nice features of the old one, this one has:

- A trigger that allows you to select sequential or bump-firing (this was included in the "Type 3" FC350)
- Tool-free adjustable depth of drive
- Tool-free adjustable exhaust
- A redesigned inline magazine that makes the nailer much easier to handle (although it does hold fewer nails)
- On-tool storage of the removable nose-piece
- A lockout that prevents you from firing if you're out of nails (this is really nice)
- A more contoured body that's easier to handle
- Thanks to the shorter design, it also comes with a smaller carrying case

Even if you have an FC350 that you're happy with, once you see one of these you're going to want to "upgrade". ... Read more