Rating of Lowes $599 Porter-Cable table saw
71Atlas
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
Has anyone reviewed the Lowes $599 Porter-Cable PCB270TS table saw?
I want to dump a $90 10″ Riobi table saw. I have a been using the Riobi for several years because of limited space. After seeing the Porter-Cable PCB270TS for $599 with a mobile base it seem like a good replacement for the noisey/sloppy Riobi saw.
Is this a good choice or are there other better priced saws on the market?
Replies
PC TS review
I haven't seen a review in a magazine, but a Google search turned one up by an individual:
http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/1693
The online owner's manual indicates a need for metric wrenches for assembly, if that tells you anything.
Portable Table Saws
Can't help on the PC saw, but I have read very good reviews on the portable Bosch, also at Lowes for $599, and a few times a year on sale there at $549. The new line of PC shop tools at Lowes could look better as to fit and finish, but haven't seen any reviews yet.
I own the PC table saw
I purchased this saw a couple of months ago and like it better each day. Unlke the normal contractor grade table saw, the PC has the motor inside the base. Not hanging off the back like my old Sears saw. Another nice feature is that the handles for adjusting blade height and angle are in the front. A design feature apparently taken from the new Delta unisaw. I connect my shopvac to the dust collection port on the back and that works fairly well.
My biggest complaint is that the extension tables are made from sheet metal. Solid cast iron would have been nice.
One last note. Lowes doesn't carry the dado insert, but you can buy one directly from Delta/Porter Cable. I believe I paid a total of $29 for the insert and shipping. I tried making my own, but the opening for the insert requires very thin stock--less than 1/4".
Fred
I just purchased this saw and I found the blade (My own and the blade that came with the saw) to be about 6 one thousandths (.006) off parallel to the miter slot. The blade is closer to the fence in the back than in the front. Has anyone had any success aligning the tool? I called the number in the manual and they told me to take off the front and there were two philips head screws that would let me adjust but I am having a hard time believing that. I'm not sure if this bit off will even present me with an issue as it's less than 1/128th of an inch but I would like to have it trail away from the fence by .001 - .003 but the way the saw it mounted to the frame it looks like there are just holes that the bolts go through and there is no adjustment.
Thanks,
Lance
The PCB270TS is essentially an updated version of the Hitachi C10FL. The PCB270TS added a riving knife and the mods to accommodate it, and an improved wheel system, but is otherwise has the same fence, same cabinet, same wings, same handwheels, etc. I've never been overly impressed by the fence and wings on the Hitachi or PC. The new Ridgid R4512 and nearly identical Craftsman 21833 are in the same price range and class, so I'd check those out too.
I've not been impressed with the 'new' Porter Cable line since the Stanley/B & D/DeWalt/Delta merger. As someone has already posted, the Bosch was the clear favorite in a recent comparison of these saws, and it's the same price as the PC. If I were spending $600 on this type of saw, the Bosch would be the one.
Lowes Porter Cable Table Saw
I recently bought this saw and love it. Three years ago I had to liquidate my Powermatic wood shop due to a downsizing move. I had been recenlty using a Ryobi portable table saw, but got tired of chasing it around the garage on heavy rips (it's still a good saw). I needed to have my table saw on wheels so I could still use my garage for parking cars. I have used Porter Cable tools for decades and decided on the Porter Cable table saw on sale at Lowes. It is a well thought out tool and that becomes apparent during the logical assembly process. The first cut was ripping a large full 2" x 12" chunk of pine and the saw walked through it and didn't budge a inch. Then I had to cut some melamine shelving and it cut that as smooth as butter. I was impressed. Compared to the massive Powermatic with cast iron table extensions, the Porter Cable with stamped steel extensions held it's own. It's heavy enough for stability and light enough to easily move around the shop (garage). The integral wheel system is easy to use and I really like the "knee bump off" design of the power switch.
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