I figured I'd get a PC 314. I don't have one of those and it looks like it
would be pretty useful to me... However, several of the Amazon.com customer
reviews mentioned that the blade was not parallel to the edges of the base.
Obviously this would cause grief if using a straight edge to guide the saw
while cutting sheet goods. Were these two reviews about fluke saws or have
others here run into the same problem?
Thanks,
John
I don't own a 314, but I do own a lot of Porter Cable tools. They all
have been and continue to be excellent.
If you are wanting a worm drive, there are other choices but the PC is
the small blade, useful for trim work.
Amazon reviewers aren't that reliable, IMHO.
John Grossbohlin wrote:
> I figured I'd get a PC 314. I don't have one of those and it looks
like it
> would be pretty useful to me... However, several of the Amazon.com
customer
> reviews mentioned that the blade was not parallel to the edges of the
base.
> Obviously this would cause grief if using a straight edge to guide
the saw
> while cutting sheet goods. Were these two reviews about fluke saws or
have
> others here run into the same problem?
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
Sure, it's a good idea to read Amazon reviews carefully and weed out
ones that reviewed a different model, had some sort of agenda, or
don't know what they are writing about. None of those apply to my
comments on the 314 @ Amazon though. I have a reasonable amount of
woodworking experience and try to write balanced and objective
reviews.
The 314 I brought home from The Tool Shed (Gvl. SC) had a blade that
was out of parallel with the base edge by about 1/32" across the
blade length exposed at full cut depth. I did some test cuts guided
by a straightedge and determined that this condition would be a
functional problem - rough cuts and tough time holding the saw
against the edge. 1/32" may not seem like much, but it is for a saw
with blades this thin (1/16" kerf) and small (4 1/2").
I took the saw back to The Tool Shed. The manager inspected the saw
and agreed that it was improperly manufactured. He also agreed that
the saw's design prevented effective and easy correction of the
condition. He popped a second one out of its box for me, we checked
it and determined it to be properly aligned, and I went home with it.
Been a good saw since.
Maybe the first saw I got was the only bum one they've ever made.
Maybe the second one was the only good one. I'm sure the actual
situation is somewhere between those extremes. I recommend the saw
to other woodworkers, but suggest that it be checked carefully upon
receipt.
Regards, Dave
Its a fine little saw. If the base is out of parallel, and gets that way
after it gets dropped. The fix is simple. Bend it back! It is afterall a
lightweight base and can be moved easily.
You wont be framing a house but for trim work, its a fine saw.
Dave
"John Grossbohlin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I figured I'd get a PC 314. I don't have one of those and it looks like it
>would be pretty useful to me... However, several of the Amazon.com customer
>reviews mentioned that the blade was not parallel to the edges of the base.
>Obviously this would cause grief if using a straight edge to guide the saw
>while cutting sheet goods. Were these two reviews about fluke saws or have
>others here run into the same problem?
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>
>
>
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I have one and the base is VERY light weight...
This little saw CAN NOT be thrown around like it's
bigger relatives or you will bend/knock the base
out of alignment VERY easily. It is a wondeful little
trim saw but a little more fragil than most PC tools.
It is NOT a honking big ass framing saw....
John Grossbohlin wrote:
> I figured I'd get a PC 314. I don't have one of those and it looks like it
> would be pretty useful to me... However, several of the Amazon.com customer
> reviews mentioned that the blade was not parallel to the edges of the base.
>
"Never Enough Money" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I don't own a 314, but I do own a lot of Porter Cable tools. They all
> have been and continue to be excellent.
> If you are wanting a worm drive, there are other choices but the PC is
> the small blade, useful for trim work.
>
> Amazon reviewers aren't that reliable, IMHO.
I've got over a dozen PC tools myself. It's the "base parallel to blade" on
the 314 about which I'm specifically interested in getting more
information...
"Fourleaves" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I got one a few years ago, and like it very much. It is great for breaking
>down sheet goods. I haven't done much research, but it seems limited to PC
>blades.
Glad to hear others are pleased with the saw... I've got some PC tools that
are close to 20 years old and some about four months old and have been
pleased with them.
A 314 will be joining my collection. I can appreciate the need to take care
with the saw so as to not damage the base. I don't see that as much of an
issue... I haven't dropped a power tool in about 25 years. That drop was
because scaffolding planks slipped under me while I was trimming plywood
roof sheating on the edge of a gambrel roof. It was a choice: drop the saw
some 16-18 feet to the ground or drop the saw and me some 16-18 feet to the
ground. The saw lost that round. Oh, wait, I forgot about dropping the
Dremel tool that burst into flames in my hands a few years after that. I
dropped that tool but it was toast already so it didn't matter. ;-)
John
I got one a few years ago, and like it very much. It is great for breaking
down sheet goods. I haven't done much research, but it seems limited to PC
blades.
"John Grossbohlin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I figured I'd get a PC 314. I don't have one of those and it looks like it
>would be pretty useful to me... However, several of the Amazon.com customer
>reviews mentioned that the blade was not parallel to the edges of the base.
>Obviously this would cause grief if using a straight edge to guide the saw
>while cutting sheet goods. Were these two reviews about fluke saws or have
>others here run into the same problem?
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>
>
>