Reader Jim sent us a brief but comprehensive review of Porter Cable’s 2-speed 14″ floor-standing band saw. The saw is designed for cutting hard and soft wood, and features a 16″ x 16″ tilting cast iron work surface. Here’s what Jim had to say about the saw:
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I bought one of these saws recently at Lowe’s, and it runs like a singer sewing machine. NO vibration, tracks excellent, cuts oak, cherry, almond, without any chatter. Must be the 1-1/2 horse motor! The only thing that PC/Delta could include is the possibility of guide bearings, instead of those stupid metal things! A good fence would also be welcome – like the one that Grizzly includes on their 14″ band saw.
That’s one of the simplest and most helpful reviews I’ve ever seen for a band saw, thanks Jim!
You can find these saws at Lowes for $399 . Similarly sized saws via woodworking suppliers such as Woodcraft are priced higher and include a few more bells and whistles, but this Porter Cable doesn’t seem to sacrifice much in terms of features or performance.
Porter Cable 2-Speed 14″ Band Saw PCB330BS via Lowes
Product Info via Delta Porter Cable
For comparison, here is the Grizzly band saw that Jim appears to be referring to.
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Jerry James
I recently purchased a 14″ porter cable band saw. One thing that is missing is a rip fence. Is there a rip fence attachment that is available from Porter Cable to fit this machine? I am otherwise pleased with this tool. The Saw is is well built and also has a good price.
duane
Kreg makes a rip fence for bandsaw’s.
Todd
Yes a fence is available to order from the factory. I ordered one and it works okay. Not as nice as some, but it works.
george galindo
Do you have the website, address, and phone number to order the fence for a 14 inch porter cable bandsaw?
David Howard
The company is contracted from PC to sell the fence for their saw, it ships from NC, near Raleigh.
The part number for the rip fence is X4CT. Please contact 888-609-9779 to purchase this item. Mine was $49 + $10 to ship to DC.
mike
I just bought mine 2 days ago, and can’t get it to run with out band coming off or is to tight , Spent 6 hours today on it and still can’t run the machine. the roller pushes the band up against the table so tight the machine can’t move the band.
Steve
Each Blade thickness has a different setting. UNPLUG the tool and turn the wheel by hand to see how it tracks . See the mannual .YouTube has some good Ideas on how to install the blade. I have used mine a few times now and it is a nice tool for the money.
Rob lee
just purchased this saw about a week ago. works really well but is there a riser block for this machine cant seem to locate one online yet. dont want to purchase new blades until its raised.
Ryan
No riser blocks are available. Delta version does not fit, PC says no plans now or in the future.
Kim Farguson
I installed the 14″ jet riser block kit on this saw today. Works great, and did not take long to do. It was not made for the saw but was close enough with minor drilling. The Carter Jet14MA-R upgrade fits this saw with the riser block installed. I tried the saw today and it worked great, quite, tracks good was a nice upgrade to a saw that I have had for a year.
Johnny
Riser Block Kit is p/n X0JX, available from the PC Customer Service line at 888-609-9779 ask for Brenda at Ext. 232.
David Howard
I bought this saw over the weekend, and I love it. I wanted a Grizzly or a Jet, but cash is tight, so I tried this saw out for less than $400.
Man, I lucked out, this is as nice as a Grizzly and cuts very well(and straight), the motor is VERY powerfull cutting 3″ maple or 2″ stock for electric guitars. I even tried to re-saw some maple 6″ stock, and it never flinched, went right through it. I am at a loss for what will tax this saw out, nothing I have tried seems to make it bog down or even notice it is working.
I would suggest this so far to anyone, everything is steel or Iron on this saw, it weights 209lbs and seems as solid as can be. I am glad I saved a few hundred and got this instead of the other name brand saws, as this suits all my guitar making needs with easy, and I am only running it at the lower 1700 rpm speed, no need to crank it up if it is working fine on the lower speed.
David Howard
Alexandria, VA
Tom
Hi David,did the supplied blade work good for solid body electric guitar’s or did you switch to a 1/2 inch blade right away? And how is the saw performing 10 years later after your initial purchase?
Regards,
Tom from Toronto Canada
David Howard
More things:
Yes, there is a fence, you have to call the 800 number and buy it direct from Porter Cable.
Yes, there are $150 carbine blades for this saw, 93.5 length and 1/2 width, buy them from Woodcraft.
Yes, there are all-roller aftermarket guides for this model, again Woodcraft store can get them, they run $179 thought (use the Delta Style mouting guide, not the other brand, it fits).
David Howard
The company is contracted to sell the fence for PC, their name is something like Eastern Tool Co.:
The part number for the rip fence is X4CT. Please contact 888-609-9779 to purchase this item.
Dave
Larry Major
O.K. here’s my problem. I got a carter blade guide set for the saw because I was having a problem tracking. For $180, I was sure it would fit. I was told to get a set for a Delta as Carter doesn’t make one for PC. Big mistake. It will not fit on the lower set up. I got to checking and found out that the lower saw wheel does not run true! Over .125″ out! Now I have to tear the saw apart and rebore the arbor hole. As for the Carter guides, I’ll return them and make my own set. Made one about 20 yrs a go for a Dayton.
Andrew L Dunscombe
Before you mess with your lower wheel check out on http://www.youtube.com Bandsaw Clinic with Alex Snodgrass. ***** Great info.
Joey Wagner
UPDATE **********************
everyone might know now , but the PCB330BS has a riser block kit also,, call the same number, 888-609-9779 , part # – X0JX, $80.49 + S&H
David Charles
I am interested in getting the Porter-Cable 14″ band saw, but primarily for cutting sheet metal. I know blade speeds for metal cutting are much slower, so I am considering two modifications: a pulley change to slow down blade speed, and a speed control for the motor to reduce motor speed and reduce blade speed still further. I have not been able to find ANY metal cutting saws for less than about 1500$. You guys all know a lot more about this than I, so what do you think? Thanks, Dave Charles. P.S. email me with your ideas, at [email protected]
jim burd
I have had my saw for a while, the tab on the top wheel tracking device has broken off twice, making the saw useless. The tab is made out of pot metal junk and can not be welded up. Lots of luck just buying a replacement part.
Chris
A little late to the party, but here’s my 2 cents.
I love my PC bandsaw! I got it on discount for buying a floor model. It was missing a few parts but picked some stuff up at a tool parts website. I’ve had mine for 3 years now and it’s a great tool. I need to replace the tires on it though. They’re getting all dry and cracking. And it’s starting to vibrate. Im considering urethane tires, but I’m not sure I can justify the price for hobby work. Also, buy good blades. But in the time I’ve had it, I’ve put it to work. I would buy it again unless a grizzly retailer opened up near me. I’d give it 4.5/5 stars. It’s nice and heavy cast frame not cheap stamped metal. I highly reccomend.
Ken
I love my urethane tires well worth the money in my book
EDDIE PROROCK
IS THERE A MEATL CUTING BLADE FOR THIS BANDSAW OR CAN YOU USE IT FOR CUTING METAL
Stuart
Generally, the speed is the issue. Wood-cutting band saws are often way too fast for cutting metal.
S.W. Williford
I have a Dayton 4TJ91 14″ bandsaw. The tracking mechanism broke. Like Jim Burd said, it’s made of pot metal. I ordered a replacement from Sustainable Supply@Bloomingdale, Co. After waiting to week for the part, they notified me that the part was no longer available. If anyone knows where I can purchase the part or have one made, email me at [redacted].
Larry McCollum
Try ereplacementparts.com
bob
porter cable bandsaw is junk. my newly purchased bandsaw would not run and neither porter cable nor Lowes would stand behind their product.
Larry McCollum
I have had my PC330 bandsaw 1+ year. This was a floor model at Lowes that had fallen over and sustained a lot of small part damage. Found all the replacement parts @ ereplacementparts.com. Added a riser block part number XOJX ( yes, it fit, no modifications needed) and a ripfence part numberX4CT, both from 888-609-9779.
Long story short – paid $100 for the saw and $300 for all the repair parts and the fence and riser block. Sold my old Craftsman 12″ for $100 on Craigslist. So, total $300 outlay for 1 1/2HP saw with 12″ x 12″ capacity. Love this saw, accurate, no vibration, heavy, lots of power, cuts like buttah- 5 stars.
mac
what is the widest blade i can use on this.
Stuart
Online user manual says 1/2″.
https://servicenet.portercable.com/Products/Detail/PCB330BS
Steve
Where can I get a paper manual for this machine?
Tommy
Had mine over 15 years used a lot in wood shop works great once it’s tuned and I read all to know bout band saw book great book also
GEORGE R UMBERGER
Do I have to assemble it? If yes, is help available?
Stuart
Woodworking tools and other machinery generally do require user assembly. There are 3rd party services for furniture assembly, but you might be able to find someone that can help with tool assembly or installations as well.
M.Lionetti
The tires that came with it lasted only for about 10 hours of use before they literally dissintegrated. Bought this saw from Lowes in a pinch. It was up in the overhead racking and was dust covered. My suspicion is that it’s hot up there and the rubber just dried out. Rather than order the same ones through Porter Cable, I purchased urathane ones from an aftermarket source on line. So far so good. Ceramic tracking blocks would be a good idea. Can’t seem to find anyone who makes them for this saw.
Joe Windell
Olson Cool Blocks are what you need.