Porter Cable is coming out with quite a few new 18V cordless power tools this Fall, including the infrared thermometer and upgraded Li-ion drill driver that we previously mentioned. Here’s the scoop on what else they’ve been working on:
Porter Cable 18V NiCd Hammer Drill Kit PC180CHDK-2
Porter Cable has redesigned their cordless hammer drill to offer tradesmen improvements in performance, ergonomics, versatility, and durability without a bump in price. The new PC180CHDK-2 is more compact and runs at a higher BPM than its predecessor. It has a 2-speed gearbox – 0-350 and 0-1500 RPM, and 0-25,500 BPM hammer mechanism. The hammer drill comes with a metal chuck and outputs 424 inch-pounds of torque.
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The kit will be available in Nov. 2011 at Lowes, Amazon, and other distributors, for ~$129, and will include two 1.5Ah NiCd betteries, a one-hour charger, double-ended bit, and kit box.
Porter Cable 18V Close-Quarters Compact Drill PCC520B
Porter Cable’s new 18V PCC520B is a close-quarters compact drill add-on. It weighs a mere 2.4 lbs and has two speed settings – 0-350 and 0-1400 RPM. While right-angle drills will probably best the PCC520B in how compact and short they are, the new close-quarters drill looks to offer greater ergonomics, comfort, and balance.
The PCC520B will be priced at ~$80 and is a bare-tool add-on that is compatible with Porter Cable’s NiCd and Li-ion 18V batteries.
Porter Cable 18V Inflator
Porter Cable’s new PCC583B 18V inflator is a high-pressure/high-volume model and can be powered by either a Porter Cable 18V NiCd or Li-ion battery OR a vehicle’s 12V DC power source via its 10-foot power cord.
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The inflator can provide high-pressure (120psi) needed to inflate vehicle tires, but can also deliver a larger volume of air typically needed to inflate large recreational items (think pool rafts and floats).
The inflator also features an automatic power shut-off when the dialed-in pressure is reached, and can also serve as a pressure gauge. Priced at ~$50, the PCC583B is expected to hit stores in Nov. 2011.
Porter Cable 18V Battery Status Indicator PCC580B
A new 18V battery status indicator can be used to quickly test the level of charge of Porter Cable’s 18V NiCd or Li-ion batteries. An automatic shut-off prevents the tester from draining batteries that are accidentally left attached.
The PCC580B is expected to be priced at ~$10 and will also be available in Nov. 2011.
Ed. note: we would really like to see this functionality added to Porter Cable’s batteries in the future, but this $10 add-on seems to be a reasonable and more economical option.
fred
For this venerable woodworking tool brand to introduce a tire inflator ??
Talk about a brand that has lost its focus!
Stuart
To be honest, cordless inflators like this one can be very handy. I’ve been testing a Craftsman 12V Nextec version this week, and it is actually a very impressive unit, much more so than the Campbell Hausfeld unit we reviewed about a year ago.
Al Pazdernik
purchased a 18v drill – happy so far – use it hard and alot – the price is cheap but they need to upgrade the battries to stay charged longer – you need 3 battires if you work a full day 1 being charged – use one and 1 in reserve as it takes 45 min or more for a full charge
Stuart
45 minute charge time? Are you talking about the NiCd batteries? I just charged up two LX/slim Li-ion batteries, and they each took maybe 20 minutes to charge.
SRams
Seeing these new tools and upgrades, I really really hope they upgrade the Job Site radio to charge batteries.
fred
@Stuart
I wasn’t disparaging cordless inflators – just that Stanley – Black & Decker has selected to dilute the focus of the Porter Cable product line – by placing it, more and more, on homeowner products rather than on professional power tools.
Our first cordless drills were Porter Cable 12V Magnequench units – which did Yeoman work in their day. Our first Random Orbit sanders were also PC – and I reacall that they were the first of a kind in the US market. We bought them based on the the great work that our PC “Locomotive” sanders, PC Routers , PC Power Planes, PC Lock Mortiser, Worm-Gear Trim Saw etc. had proven themselves capable of doing for us over many years of hard use. I’m just not sure that a cordless inflator – no matter how nice – will inspire such brand loyalty among professionals – and I don’t see Dewalt (the sister brand) as filling in the gap.
Stuart
Ah, I see, and do have to agree with you about the inflator looking much more DIY/homeowner-oriented in nature. According to Stanley Black & Decker, Porter Cable bridges the gap between Black & Decker and Dewalt, and primarily serves pros/experts and those in residential construction. We also know that, internally, Porter Cable strives to serve tradesmen and other pro users.
From what we’ve seen, Porter Cable is still pumping out high quality woodworking tools, and many of their newer corded and cordless tools are designed for advanced and professional users as well.
Perhaps Porter Cable’s position between B&D and Dewalt may cause confusion among loyal pros as lines are blurred by products such as the cordless inflator, but I don’t think that one or two tools will make a huge difference in how these users perceive the brand.
Porter Cable has come out with quite a few innovative tools over the past year or so, and we’re told that more are on the way. In the long run, their reputation will likely strengthen, even with the occasional out of place tool design.
Joe
I couldn’t agree with you more Stuart,the only differance between Porter Cable and other tool brands is the price which is lower (but not the quality of the tool)the tools they are putting out are excellent and of high quality their new drills are great, equal if not better than whats out there.
MikeFL
I like P. C. tools but since bought by BnD it seems the line is losing it’s professional quality. I have a complete set of 18v NiCd and they work great. Came with 2 batteries and charger keeps up with my work. The only problem so far is the metal keyless chuck slips in your hand and is hard to keep tight. Bits just “fall” out during use. Otherwise, the set price is great and tools are heavy duty. Hope the new LIon batteries are plug in compatible as I just know the NiCds will now be phased out. 8^(
Futureboy
I have become a fan of the 18v line of Porter-Cable tools, all 19 of which are still in great condition which tells me that they are of good quality. They have all been pretty heavily used in remodeling projects. They have “earned their keep”, so to speak. I received the 18v inflater as a gift and it is a wonderful little device. Since I have 9 – 18v battery packs, there is bound to be one charged and near by. I’ve Used it on my car and I think it is a slick device. It is a lot more useful than I thought it was going to be. It has been super valuable as well as very convenient and it’s nice that it matches [most of] the rest of my tools. Porter-Cable has won my loyalty, yet again.