Replies

1. 
   andybuildz | Jul 19, 2007 05:17am | #1

   I dunno...they make awesome belt sanders...all sizes 2

    

   "Even if embryonic stem cells are absolutely good for nothing at all how can anyone in good conscience be against using them for research given that they are going to be destroyed anyway"?  J.Hayes

   http://www.john-lennon.com/imagine-neilyoung.ra

   http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM                                 

    
1. 
   stevent1 | Jul 19, 2007 05:24am | #3

   I have 15 or so PC tools. All made in Jackson TN.  PC at one time was only available through supply houses, sort of like Millwaulkee years ago. PC was bought out and all of them are imports now.

    

   Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jul 19, 2007 08:38am | #7

   "PC was bought out and all of them are imports now."PC has not been an indepent company since 1960 when they where bought by Rockwell.PC was bought out and all of them are imports now..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

1. 
   JulianTracy | Jul 20, 2007 05:42am | #8

   One recent product changeover - Dewalt has discontinued their Older laminate router moter, and come out with a clone of the PC 5.6 amp model.Exact same moter, but has a curved yellow top instead of the flat black PC top.JT

2. 
   Jer | Jul 23, 2007 03:38am | #10

   I thought PC bought out Rockwell, I know they did on some of their tools.
   Who makes Craftsman? How about Craftsman professional line?...which isn't bad by the way

1. 
   BillHartmann | Jul 23, 2007 04:22am | #11

   There was no PC to buy out Rockwell.Since I posted the other message the link to PC history has changed or gone from PC's site. But from google cache."Moving SouthIn 1960, PORTER-CABLE was sold to Rockwell International. As a result of the acquisition, the venerable name "PORTER-CABLE" was changed to Rockwell. Although the name changed, Rockwell used dual labels for several years to help ensure end-users they were buying the same quality power tools PORTER-CABLE had manufactured for years.It was during this era that Art Emmons retired in 1964. However, PORTER-CABLE’s legacy of innovation continued long after Emmons retired with introductions such as the orbital reciprocating saw and orbital bayonet saw. As the 1970s approached, Rockwell decided to launch a line of consumer-grade products to compete with Black & Decker. Consequently, the company opened a new manufacturing facility in Jackson, Tenn., and shortly thereafter, Rockwell consolidated all its manufacturing to that location. Although PORTER-CABLE was uprooted from its Syracuse, N.Y. home, many of the employees relocated to Jackson, Tenn. and began a new life in the South.The economy continued to spiral downward in the late 1970s as did PORTER-CABLE’s success in consumer-quality power tools. The lower quality tools, labeled the "green line," began to hurt the company’s brand loyalty due to unprecedented returns and product failures. This was clearly the darkest period in the company’s history. As sales dropped, Rockwell realized that its forte was not in manufacturing power tools. It was not long before Rockwell began to look for suitors that might be interested in turning the company around.
   Resurgence of InnovationNew life was breathed into PORTER-CABLE in 1981 when Pentair Inc. acquired the company. By investing heavily into the business, Pentair Inc. sought to reclaim the company’s original position in the marketplace. Pentair Inc. focused on the two key ingredients – quality and innovation – as its formula for success. Appreciating the company’s unique heritage, Pentair Inc. made a good move by renaming the company with its original moniker, PORTER-CABLE.In 1981, Pentair Inc. appointed Tom Ryan as president. Ryan wasted no time communicating that PORTER-CABLE would reinvent itself as a professional brand of power tools. The company refined its product offering by purging anything less than professional-grade quality from the line. At the same time, Ryan demanded the same spirit of innovation that Art Emmons once exemplified. It only took a few years for PORTER-CABLE to reincarnate itself as the most innovative professional power tool company in the industry.In 1987, new products began to flow – beginning with the introduction of the first affordable biscuit joiner to the market. This was followed by the world’s first 12-volt cordless drill and the first electric random orbit sander in 1989. In 1992, the company strengthened its position in the sanding category by launching the world’s first palm-grip electric random orbit sander. New product awards continued to tout PORTER-CABLE’s innovative introductions. These included Time’s "Top Ten Products of the Year," Popular Science’s "Best of What’s New," and Popular Mechanics’ "Design and Engineering Award." "You can tell who makes a Sears product by looking at the the first 3 numbers (before the decmial point) in the item number. There are lists floating around the internet and they sales clerks are suppose to have one also..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

2. 
   Houghton123 | Jul 23, 2007 06:19am | #12

   A couple of links: http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/whotools.html lists a lot of "who makes what tools" that goes beyond Sears.

   Though this site is mainly machines, rather than portable tools, the listing at this point is quite helpful for identifying the manufacturer of a Craftsman tool: http://www.owwm.com/Craftsman/Manufacturers.asp.  Interestingly, some serious names in toolmaking have produced for Sears over the years.

2. 
   MSA1 | Jul 19, 2007 05:21am | #2

   The Dewalt / Black & Decker empire now own the name.

   I would think its not economical to compete with yourself. If Dewalt has a "cordless kanooter valve", there's no reason for Porter Cable to sell one too.

1. 
   Dinosaur | Jul 19, 2007 08:15am | #5

   If Dewalt has a "cordless kanooter valve", there's no reason for Porter Cable to sell one too.

   Actually, logical as that seems, it is not the way modern marketing works.

   Everything in marketing today is 'branding.' Market researchers have learned that most consumers tend to develop brand loyalties based on perceived value or product 'image' which transcend real quality or customer service concerns. It is thus logical for a major tool marketing corporation such as B&D (they are no longer manufacturers as they do not make anything they sell) to cater to that brand loyalty for each of the brands they own. That way they get a larger market share for 'kanooter valves'.

   FWIW, the PC tools of today cannot compare to those of as short a time ago as ten years. My 12-y-o PC jigsaw is solid metal construction with a heavy, continuous-service-rated motor. My 11-y-o PC finish nailer weighs at least 20% more than the new ones from China, and the machining on the castings and moving parts is far superior. 

   It is the same story for all the other B&D brands.

   Dinosaur

    

   How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

2. 
   SBerruezo | Jul 23, 2007 03:08am | #9

   I'd agree with Dinosaur...makes no sense, but look at the auto industry. It's brand loyalty and recognition. The Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable are essentially the same car, as are the Ranger and Mazda B-series compact trucks and the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra. All very similar, with only minor changes throughout. 

3. 
   hammer1 | Jul 19, 2007 05:25am | #4

   They seem to have all the normal stuff they have always had on the website. PC/Delta never did make a great miter saw.

   http://www.portercable.com/index.asp?e=329

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

4. 
   Scott | Jul 19, 2007 08:28am | #6

   It's a big marketing mind game between consumers and corporations. I fully suspect that PC will re-emerge ten years from now the same way DeWalt hit the stands in the early 1990s (Remember that?). Delta, PC, DeWalt, B&D,.... all one big company. How 'bout Rockwell?

   Scott.

   Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”