As we discussed earlier today, Porter Cable is launching a brand new 20V Max cordless tool platform. Their new compact drill driver, PCC600, will be a major part of the initial launch, and will be accompanied by a compact impact driver. Porter Cable designed the lightweight and compact drill with reasonably good specs, and a new look that’s sure to turn heads at jobsites.
Features and Specs:
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- 330 UWO (unit watts out) max torque
- 2-speed gearbox: 0-400/0-1600 RPM
- 23 clutch settings (22 + drill)
- metal ratcheting chuck
- 7-3/4″ length
- 3.5 lb weight (with compact battery)
- new contoured overmold grip
- battery fuel gauge
- LED worklight
- 2 top-mounted magnetic bit holders
- removable belt clip
- rubber bumpers to protect delicate worksurfaces
- PCCK600LB kit includes drill/driver, 2x PCC680L 1.5Ah batteries, PCC690L charger, kit box, double-ended bit
The PCL180CDK drill/driver we reviewed earlier this year performed well in our tests and was fairly compact and lightweight, but the PCC600 looks even better. It’s not just that the PCC600 is shorter, faster, lighter, or even that it comes with higher capacity lithium-ion batteries. We’re suckers for great ergonomics, and the new PC drill looks like it was expertly tweaked to perfection.
Do you notice the lighter gray color of the drill, compared to the darker gray of Porter Cable’s 18V products? Us too. Maybe the images are deceptive, but it looks like Porter Cable went back to the same light gray color they used before brand was revamped a couple of years ago.
Porter Cable PCCK600LB Kit
The 20V drill/driver kit, PCCK600LB, is priced at $129.
Buy Now(via Amazon)
First Impression
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Compared to Porter Cable’s leading 18V lithium-ion-powered drill/driver, the new PCC600 drill is lighter, shorter, faster, and delivers what seems to be comparable level of power. Porter Cable shifted to Dewalts “unit watts out” measure of power from the more traditional inch-pound units used to describe their 18V drills and drivers, so it’s hard to tell.
The ergonomics look to be improved as well, not that Porter Cable has ever given us much to complain about in this department. The adjustable clutch looks supremely grippy, and we’re loving the new look of the handle. Overall the drill/driver looks a bit busy with many minor bumps, grooves, and accents, but we’re liking its sort of high-tech look.
Steven B
Ugg, that’s the ugliest drill I’ve seen in the last decade or so. I love Porter Cable tools, but really do not like the direction the Black and Decker folks have taken the company. I have many fond memories of what they used to be, but it seems like B&D are turning them into cheap versions of DeWalts. It’s also not lost on me that after acquiring Porter Cable, DeWalt came out with some truly innovative tools, like their 20v Max and their latest routers.
Regardless, that is one ugly tool. On the bright side, I guess no one will ever steal it.
Allen
Retro tools will be in before long, you heard it here first. And yes, it is ugly.
kevin milcarek, carpenter
You must be joking…this new PC cordless line is as good as any that PC has marketed in the past…and I actually think it is better!
I view this line of tools as B & D’s effort to NOT completely squash the PC name. The tools are durably built and well designed. They perform as they are advertised to.
Some people-like myself-were brought up using PC tools and I think B & D recognizes that fact as part of their overall worldwide marketing strategy.
I am quite impressed that the company has marketed this new PC line.
Lenny
I think it looks awesome. I hope the DeWALT stuff goes this direction eventually since I’m a black & yellow fan exclusively.
Noah
Porter Cable as a serious brand is dead to me.
gman
Again with the 20V name for 18v tools? I too miss Porter Cable as they were. I quit buying Dewalt because of what they did to Porter Cable and now they make the tools look like something built from lego’s. I guess its better than the ostentatious dragon look that Hitachi went to.
Steven B
Upon further inspection, this is a really bad body design. What’s with all the grooves near the battery? Are they trying to collect dirt/sawdust/etc? I have no clue as to why they put them in. It makes it look cheap and certainly makes it more difficult to clean. I know Porter Cable went from a serious tool brand to Black and Decker’s answer to Craftsman and Ryobi DIY lines, but that looks like it is almost a great tool.
The DeWalt Li Ion drills are my personal favorite on the market and exceptionally designed. It’s like they tried to make something that’s almost as good as the DeWalt 20V max drill, but had to “ugly it up” enough so that people don’t buy the cheaper PC model…and design it to collect debris and get caught in your toolbag so you’re not tempted to take it on a jobsite.
kevin milcarek, carpenter
Cleaning tools?I use my tools-quite aggressively-but I don’t clean or polish them.
Why bother? My tools are used every day and to try to keep them looking brand new would just be indicative of a contrary situation.
This new PC line is not a homeowners line. These tools are heavy duty and intended for everyday use.
As far as the way the tools look….what has that got to do with the performance of the tools????
Bill
I agree with you, you said it all!!!
I just purchased this porter Cable 20v cordless drill and really like it a lot.
Jeff Tieman
It is fairly ugly, and looks like Lego made it. I’m not sure why, but I like it. After a month of my use I’m sure I’d have half of all that rubber falling off, and dirt in all those ribs. It does look better than a Hitachi, like the guy above said, though.
Kyle
Looks like the set designers from Judge Dredd have found a new line of work in the design department for Porter Cable.
Nikki B
I don’t know what you guys are talking about, that thing looks like some kind of tactical weapon, looks like it’ll drill like one too! Maybe Porter cable has an all pro offering now?
kevin milcarek, carpenter
I concur Nikki!
joe
I like the way it looks it looks better than milwaukee,makita and dewalt
fred
Some of the same comments continue to pop up about Porter Cable from those of us who remember the company as the innovator of new portable power tools primarily aimed at professional carpenters and woodworkers. I personally – and professionally continue to use and maintain 30-40 year old PC sanders, power planes, trim saws, routers and a lock mortise – to cite a few examples of what once were the products of a company that lead the industry – when they were acquired by Rockwell. Once sold to Pentair – and subsequently to Black & Decker they seem to have more and more been relegated to a consumer – not professional standing – so That Dewalt (once known only for Radial Arm Saws) could be marketed as the professional line, Never a big fan of Dewalt (although we like their 36V saw) or B&D (I’ll make an exception for the Super Sawcat) – Stanley – B&D has all but lost my portable power tool buying dollar to Bosch , Makita and Milwaukee. Meanwhile , we will keep the chain drives on our old PC belt sanders – and worm gears on our PC trim saws well lubricated.
kevin milcarek, carpenter
You have left out a very important step in the PC history.
Look it up-after Rockwell was done with PC it became an employee owned company and was saved from extinction not unlike the way that Harley Davidson was at around the same time.
There just isn’t anything wrong or bad about this new PC line
B & D has done a great job with PC tools. A lot of the old PC designs are gone-for now at least- but what B & D has marketed have all been well done.
Stuart
Update: kit includes TWO 1.5Ah batteries.
ray
I go by performace and not how pretty or ugly a tool is by the time I am done with a tool it looks like a mess but as long as it performs and completes any job I throw at it I am a happy camper
kevin milcarek, carpenter
Me too Ray!
Anthony
I think the new look is working well, I still have Porter Cable tools that work just as good as they did when I bought them back in the early 70’s these new 20volt PC’s are just what I have been waiting on. Now they need to add a 20v impact wrench to there line up ?????
Anthony
I agree with Ray, & Kevin
Bill K
Anybody know if this drill and battery are compatible with the 18v drill, battery & charger?
Mark
No PC 18./20v batteries are not compatible.. Unfortunately. . I wish one company would stay with a design or at very least make an adapter compatibility with new tools.. You buy tools then when your batteries are toast you either stay with something that isnt going to get the newest and best or you keep how every many different types of batteries… I bought the PC 20 volt set and I believe the tools will outlast the battery…. It’s not top of the line but they get the job done at half the price.. Plus I picked up the drill impact recip saw with two batteries for 160.00 new… That big yellow set would start at about 329 for the three tools.. I also have a an 18v yellow drill and saw dw693 I think and the 12 v max screw driver. .. so I might go with the new brushless 20v but is or really going to be worth it or do I get the 5 peice set.. Decisions decisions decisions
c sapp
I bought this to replace my Milwaukee drill and driver because their batteries were not holding much of a charge. However, the Milwaukee in its worn out condition would drive more screws than the NEW PC. The batter life is terrible. In dry walling a 12 x 12 room (no ceiling) I had to recharge the battery 3 times! And they were metal screws so not driving into a piece of wood.
d.j.keys
well I bought the pc.600 new at a pawn shop wher I live it came with a drill/driver and a impact and 2 batterys and a charger for 129.71 after tax butt it cant remove lug nuts off my astro vanso I still hve to go out and by a bigger impact driver but ill find smaller jobs for it so I ghess I dint totally get screwed …… and they stink burnt smell but I haven’t used them yet so il se and do another post later if its posible
randy
i purchased the pc 20 v max 1/2 drill driver & im no professional but i installed metal roofing on my house & screwed 300 2 1/2 inch metal roofing screws into my old plank roof 1850`s house and the battery was still going it has worked circles around my others and for the tool 2 batteries and charger for just over $100 i couldnt ask for more so for the diy its hard to beat it does kinda look like a transformer but its comfortable and well balanced for me
Brad
Ive beat the piss outta my PC 20v impact for the past two years or so. Its still like it was when new. Doesnt look new but works like new. Ive done 15+ metal roofs, built two houses, you name it this ugly cheap impact can handle it. Ive put just about every other impact brand to shame with my PC 20v.