In article . com,
"PPT33R" wrote:

[snip]
Porter-Cable used to mean something to me. Is this just a fluke, or is
their quality dropping across the board? I don't think I will buy
another P-C product at this rate!


I had been a loyal PC user for 20 years or more.
My type of work (solid surface fabricating) is pure hell on tools.
The dust gets in everywhere, just like woodworking 'cept this stuff is
abrasive and eats bearings.
So, I have changed lots of bearings over the years, mostly on their belt
sanders. As I have bought more of them in addition to the ones in
constant use, I also noticed that there had been changes to the motor
bearings, without there being model-number changes.

Not only do those 'new' ones fail much sooner, they are now proprietary
bearings, as opposed to 'off-the-shelf' bearings on the older models.
So, to me, PC's direction is an obvious one...away from 'better'.
Add to that the contrast PC had over the competition years ago.
Back then, PC was better than the other guys, because the other guys
simply didn't make many decent tools. That is no longer true.

There are many companies who make excellent products today and PC has
been asleep at the wheel...no..instead bringing out such gems as the
Profile Sander, That Lethal Pocket Cutter version One. They down-sized
the Production routers from 4.5" IIRC, motor bodies to 4.2", rendering
all my extra bases useless and charging a fortune for replacement motors.
The new ones simply don't last as long.

Having said all that, Milwaukee is getting my router business now. I
haven't decided what to do about my belt sander needs. My PC started
howling again..DAMN I hate that..more down time. Power tools are
supposed to make me more efficient, NOT making me spend time hunting
down parts and spending money on stupid ****..*coughs*...*taking deeeeep
breath......* Maybe Bosch gets another look?

If I have to re-standardize my shop, Satan will be skating to work
before PC gets any more of my money... I always figured loyalty to be a
two-way street.

*stepping off my soap box*

0¿0

Rob