Replies

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Jun 15, 2003 07:57pm | #1

   Chad

      It's obvious from the response that none of us have experienced the problem. It is a problem. You need to call PC tech support and get a read from them. Hopefully, it's still under warranty.

      BTW, I would be curious to see the response and how they handle it from the PC customer service folks. I have never had to use them presonally.

   Good Luck...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   Tac4 | Jun 15, 2003 08:32pm | #2

   Sarge,

   I had this problem during the winter and the guy at the local tool repair shop said it was jammed because it was in an unheated space and the steel screw contracted differently than the aluminum it is threaded into. However, allowing the tool to warm did nothing to alleviate the problem.

   Unfortunately, the tool is out of warranty. They will probably tell me to take it back to the repair shop (certified for PC, Makita, etc.) Anyway, I'll call them and then let you know what they say.

   Thanks a lot,

   ChadBut honey, I can make money if I had just one more tool. Really.

1. 
   RANGERP75R | Jun 16, 2003 12:26am | #3

   Chad

       Thanks in advance if you let me know. I have never seen anyone have the porblem. Very interesting.

   sarge..jt

2. 
   HenryVIII | Jun 16, 2003 06:08am | #4

   The guy at the local machine shop is right.  Anyone who owned motorcycles during the '60s knows about this problem.  Japanese manufacturers were notorious for putting steel (metric, mind you) screws into aluminum crank cases.

   The best solution in those days was to take the phillips-head screws out before you started the engine for the first time, and fling them as far away as you could.  Then you could replace them with hex head screws.

   Now you can buy anti-sieze liquids ( sort of the opposite of thread locking compounds) from Loc-Tite and others.

   You're right.  Hammering on a screw which goes into a shaft is not a good thing.  It doesn't make the bearings happy, among other things.

   good luck, and please post the results of your efforts -- maybe some other poor devil (me, for example) won't fall into the same trap...

2. 
   swedishwoodworker | Jun 16, 2003 06:52pm | #5

   Chad,

   I had the same problem with my PC557.  I took it to the local PC repair center and they worked got the bolt loose at no charge.  The technician indicated that loctite had been applied at the factory.  He indicated that this was a relatively common problem.

   Regards,

   Scott

3. 
   patricks13 | Jun 16, 2003 09:28pm | #6

    This is a common problem with the PC's. I knew about it when I bought mine and the first thing I did was take the screw out and apply anti-seize to the threads. The screw was a little tight when I took it off but not too bad. Since then no problems.
1. 
   Tac4 | Jun 16, 2003 10:49pm | #7

   PAt S., SBRIHN, and 'Enery the Eighth,

   I just got off the phone with the local repair shop and the technician said it was a common problem and to apply never-seize or a similar product. He also indicated that the reason it locked up was that it was designed to self tighten. (Aren't most tools?) It seems to me that the small hex wrench doesn't help because you can't get much leverage and if you do ( I did) the wrench will shear off (it did). The never-seize suggestion is encouraging. I will be applying said product and immediately cutting about 50 biscuit slots as a test. I'll let you know how it works. By the way, that biscuit joiner probably hasn't cut 50 slots total yet, so it seems to happen quickly. Hopefully, this will tell us something.  

   Chad

    But honey, I can make money if I had just one more tool. Really.

1. 
   Sancho | Jun 17, 2003 02:15am | #8

   If its any consulation I had the same prob with mine but I didnt use a chisel. I just had more patience..I mean alot of patience. i swore yelled cursed and all sort of thing but finally worked it loose. Hadnt thought about adding antisieze  gonna have to try it. 

   Darkworks:  No Guns No Butter squilla and the bling bling.

1. 
   Tac4 | Jun 17, 2003 03:23am | #9

   I went over to the shop and put some never-sieze on the new bolt. I cut about 70 slots and the bolt came loose with minimal fuss. It was an easy fix. I wonder why PC doesn't apply a little at the factory. Tomorrow I will call PC's service number and find out what they have to say. 

    Before I posted, I was really afraid it was going to be an expensive fix. Glad to see it wasn't so.

   Thanks for the suggestions,

   ChadBut honey, I can make money if I had just one more tool. Really.

2. 
   Ricky_Yu | Jun 17, 2003 10:45am | #10

   I have the 557 and know what you mean about the hex wrench. It is the later Type 2 version. The earlier Type 1 version came with a spanner wrench that worked off two notch-outs in the blade retainer. I know this because my brother-in-law has the earlier version and my case (the old grey one before they switched to the black) has a slot for the spanner wrench (but no spanner wrench, which irks me no end every time I see that empty slot). As I recall, the spanner wrench might slip now and then from the notch-outs, but then again the spanner is more substantial and less likely to break and no hex heads to strip. I'm not sure if the change is supposed to improve the blade-changing procedure (although that certainly is not so in your case) or is just a cost-saving measure for Porter-Cable.

1. 
   Tac4 | Jun 18, 2003 10:57pm | #11

   I have emailed Porter-Cable and their website promises a response within  24 hours. When I get it, I'll pass on the important stuff.

   ChadBut honey, I can make money if I had just one more tool. Really.

1. 
   Tac4 | Jun 19, 2003 02:58am | #12

   Hi Sarge,

   The e-mail I sent to Porter-Cable went something like this : I bought your biscuit joiner. It's pretty new...etc. The arbor screw keeps getting jammed . Is this a common problem and if so, do you have any plans to correct it?

   The response was something like this: Thanks for buying our stuff. You need to talk to a technician at a factory owned service center. Call this number...blah blah blah.

   Needless to say, the rep who got the e-mail pretty much ignored the question about whether they were going to do anything about  the jamming screw in the future. they weren't much help. 

   Sorry. Wish there was something better to report.

   Chad   But honey, I can make money if I had just one more tool. Really.

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Jun 19, 2003 07:43am | #13

   Chad

      Don't be sorry about the report. Seems the report kind of sheds a little light on PC customer service. I would call them and see if a different tech rep approaches it differently. If you get the consistent run-a-round, it would make me lean toward checking out other brands more closely. I have several PC tools and have never had a problem. But if I did, I would appreciated service after the sale.

   Good luck...

   sarge..jt

3. 
   Tac4 | Jun 20, 2003 12:18am | #14

   Hi Sarge,

   I just sent PC another email. I told them that i still didn't have the answer I was looking for and restated the original question. If this doesn't work, I am going to call them.

   Customer service  is important. I anticipate a better response this time. I'll post as soon as they reply.

   Chad

   But honey, I can make money if I had just one more tool. Really.

4. 
   Tac4 | Jun 25, 2003 11:09pm | #15

   PC sent me another email a few days ago and I promptly forgot to post. It was from David Young, Senior Quality Assurance Engineer. He requested the model and serial #'s on my machine and said he would investigate. I just sent the info to him. This should be wrapping up soon.

   Their customer service seems good. There really isn't much more I could ask them to do. Except send lots of free tools. :) But that is probably out of the question. I'll let you know what he says, if anything.

   ChadBut honey, I can make money if I had just one more tool. Really.