Porter Cable/Dewalt Company

[gb387]

I must be out of the loop on this one, I missed Dewalts purchase of Porter-Cable, I guess over a year ago(so I am told).

So....

Today at work I was calling around trying to purchase a Porter Cable 7428 rotary buffer and discovered they have been discontinued. We have a hand full of the 7428 and keep the junk ones around for parts, so we stick to the same model. I am told its been dropped as Dewalt is eliminating some of the duplicate products and they are not going to drop anything in the Dewalt line. The guy at the tool shop told me its up in the air on all Porter Cables products no one is sure whats going to happen to them(what might go and what might not.

I just hope they are not looking into the future of the PC... Everyone go out and buy a G100A or 7424 or 7336 keep the sales up!

[sneek]

Porter Cable is being completly dropped by Canadian Tire so the rotary is only $200
i'm way to chicken to buy a rotary though

[Mike Phillips]

My guess is the PC is a cash cow for Black & Decker/DeWalt... I don't expect to see it go away...

[the other pc]

I read somewhere that Black and Decker picked up Porter-Cable for market expansion.

They had already differentiated B&D and DW as consumer vs. pro products. While DW has a strong position in the professional construction/contracting world they had less acceptance in the industrial woodworking market (despite efforts to break in). They also bought Delta to get into larger woodworking tools.

It was easier to just buy PC than grow their market share. I hope they're not stupid enough to think they can just drop PC products and try to substitute in DW pieces in general. PC has a very strong following for a reason and I think the woodworking world would react badly if they felt they were being forced to buy DW and robbed of their PC.

It doesn't surprise me that the 7428 would fall victim though. Even for PC it was a bit of an orphan. Electric rotary buffers aren't especially prevalent in the woodworking world and PC doesn't really have much presence in the PBE market. PC doesn't even make it. It's made by FLEX, their subsidiary in Germany.

I've always wanted a 7428 but it's been hard for me to justify (since I have a Metabo). I just might have to buy one before they disappear.


PC.

[gb387]

Originally posted by the other pc
I read somewhere that Black and Decker picked up Porter-Cable for market expansion.

They had already differentiated B&D and DW as consumer vs. pro products. While DW has a strong position in the professional construction/contracting world they had less acceptance in the industrial woodworking market (despite efforts to break in). They also bought Delta to get into larger woodworking tools.

It was easier to just buy PC than grow their market share. I hope they're not stupid enough to think they can just drop PC products and try to substitute in DW pieces in general. PC has a very strong following for a reason and I think the woodworking world would react badly if they felt they were being forced to buy DW and robbed of their PC.

It doesn't surprise me that the 7428 would fall victim though. Even for PC it was a bit of an orphan. Electric rotary buffers aren't especially prevalent in the woodworking world and PC doesn't really have much presence in the PBE market. PC doesn't even make it. It's made by FLEX, their subsidiary in Germany.

I've always wanted a 7428 but it's been hard for me to justify (since I have a Metabo). I just might have to buy one before they disappear.


PC.

OK, that all makes sense now. Thanks!

As for the 7428, we started buying them as they were cheaper than others and seem to hold up well, they take a beating and get some serious use for long periods of time, the one I am replacing took a little swim last year, it works but only high speed and the bearings are a little loud.

[rusty bumper]

This is NEWS to me!

I hope that Dewalt doesn't turn PC products into a "Make it fast & cheaper at all costs type of product".

I don't know too much about Dewalt tools, but Porter Cable has been tough to beat IMO.

[71Malibu]

News to me as well.
I love PC and hate Dewalt. I have had problems with every Dewalt tool I have ever purchased (from jig saws to framing nailers), but never have had any issues with my PC tools, so I stick with that line. I am like many consumers who stick with a product line once they have done you right just as we all stick to Meguiar's when it comes to car care.
I truly hope the PC quality doesn't suffer as a result (or worse, they drop it.)