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I purchased a Porter Cable 12 volt cordless drill about 1 year ago and after using it fo about 7 mos. the electric brake would no longer work. I returned it to the place of purchase and was given a new drill. After 4 Mos. of use the same thing happened again. Being busy and not having time at the moment I’ve been using the drill without the brake. No big deal. Saturday I went to Lowe’s to purchase somefinish nails when I came upon a Porter Cable rep. We started talking about what Porter Cable tools I owned and what I thought about them. Well, I figured that this is a good time to tell him about my drill. The rep asked if iI had seen the new drill line that came out recently and I told him I might have read about them somewhere. After pointing out all of the improvements he told me to bring in my drill and he would exchange it for one of the new models. Fortunately my drill was out in my truck in the parking lot. I got it and sure enough he traded me for a new 12 volt. I can’t believe how much more powerful this new model is. It felt as if I was using a 14.4 volt. The battery is much easier to remove and install and the all around balance has improved. I really appreciate Porter Cables committment to keeping a customer satisfied. Their professional courtesy will keep me buying Porter Cable.
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Mad dog, Nick the electrician here,Just had the same problem happen only with the 14.4v drill. The plumber I work along side frequently has the 12v and you guessed it, same problem. I used to be a through and through porter cable fan but have had this experience and am not too thrilled with their cut out tool either.(sheet rock).The allen key holder in the tool is lousy loose or tight,it just depends(lost it already)and the shoe adjustment is awkward at best.That has fallen right out after use.Ived used the tool maybe 6 times.It collects dust now in my truck. What can I expect for a $100 tool? My fault? I'm not sure.I'm pretty particular when it comes to proper care of my equipment.Anyway maybe someone else will be spared the trouble. Later, NICK(sparky).
*I've got the Porter Cable cut out tool also. I didn't pay $100.00 though, I got it for $69.00. Came with 5 blades, and you are right. As a cut out tool , it sucks.I have a Sears Craftsman 16.6 volt drill, made by Porter Cable. It is identical in every way, except the color. I love it, and wouldn't trade it for the world. I've never had a single problem with it, and it has a tremendous amount of torque. I also have two Dewalt drills (14.4 volt) and they both suck. Every single Dewalt tool I own, rather it be cordless or electric, has had the power switch go out. That tells me a lot about their electrical quality. I own 2 drills, 2 palm sanders (both variable and single speed), cordless saw, 2 jigsaws, 1 belt sander, and 1 (3/4") hammer drill. That's a lot of damn switches to go out for no reason. Repair facility repaired most, and Dewalt replaced a few tools for free. I still ain't happy. James DuHamel
*I too [had] the cutout tool. After getting it home and trying out that lousy "collet" arrangement I promptly returned it and got a Rotozip. As for the drill, I have the 12v model and while it's worked pretty well for the last couple of years, as you noted MD, that lock system for the battery sucks- difficult as hell to get the battery out. Not ready to completely dismiss PC but am definitely going to look their stuff over a little more carefully. Sam
*One more vote against the PC cutout tool- hard to use. I'd get the RotoZip, but always hoping for no more drywall jobs. The RotoZip bits are much better, also. I am having very good luck with Dewalt tools.
*I have had mixed success with DeWalt. Gotten a few bad switches and the dust bags on my sanders have not held up very well. I'd give them a "B-" overall.
*In regards to switches on Dewalt power tools, I too have had switch problems with two Dewalt model 615 plunge routers. It seems that this also happens after their warranty expires. MDM.
*I gotta know fellas, For those of you who have the Rotozip, is it a good tool to use in a tight spot? I've been looking at them, but the handle just seems like it would get in the way in a tight spot. As for the Dewalts, MAN... I have all the luck. If some of you are having problems with the switches, then there must a few bad ones in every shelf load. What is this, a conspiracy? Does every employee at tool centers wait for me to come in the door, then secretly "scoot" the bad ones to the front, just so I can pick them? I swear, I can pick one from the middle, the back, or the front, and I STILL seem to get the sucker with the bad switch. I haven't had a problem in a while though. After Dewalt replaced a few tools, I must admit they are working well. Like Jim, I would rate them a "B-"James DuHamel
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I purchased a Porter Cable 12 volt cordless drill about 1 year ago and after using it fo about 7 mos. the electric brake would no longer work. I returned it to the place of purchase and was given a new drill. After 4 Mos. of use the same thing happened again. Being busy and not having time at the moment I've been using the drill without the brake. No big deal. Saturday I went to Lowe's to purchase somefinish nails when I came upon a Porter Cable rep. We started talking about what Porter Cable tools I owned and what I thought about them. Well, I figured that this is a good time to tell him about my drill. The rep asked if iI had seen the new drill line that came out recently and I told him I might have read about them somewhere. After pointing out all of the improvements he told me to bring in my drill and he would exchange it for one of the new models. Fortunately my drill was out in my truck in the parking lot. I got it and sure enough he traded me for a new 12 volt. I can't believe how much more powerful this new model is. It felt as if I was using a 14.4 volt. The battery is much easier to remove and install and the all around balance has improved. I really appreciate Porter Cables committment to keeping a customer satisfied. Their professional courtesy will keep me buying Porter Cable.