Next week, several members of our staff and myself will be headed to the International Woodworking Fair (IWF) in Atlanta, GA, for three days of new tool overkill. We’ll be filling you all in on our IWF blog during the show, with both video and text coverage from the heart of the action.
But that’s then.
Yesterday afternoon, Porter-Cable held a new product webinar to unveil five new tools that will be available mid to late October. These folks aren’t gonna wait till Atlanta to start dishing the new goods!
I participated in that webinar and thought you’d want to know the latest as soon as we did. So, here’s the scoop: Porter-Cable is expanding its 12-volt Max tool line with three new tools, plus an 18-volt jobsite radio and a new heat gun. Here’s the skinny.
New to the 12-volt Max line is a 3/8″ Drill/Driver (Model PCL120DDC-2) that will have a street price of $89.97. It features a single-sleeve chuck, 20 clutch settings and a variable speed motor that operates at 0 – 315 or 0 – 1200 rpm. It will come with two 1.3 amp-hour batteries and a 30-minute charger, plus a soft-sided case. It weighs in at 2.4 lbs. and has a built-in LED light. Overmolds, a belt clip and magnetic bit holder are other good details.
The company also is offering a new 12-volt Impact Driver (Model PCL120IDC-2) that will retail for $119. This 2.6-lb. tool has a 1/4″ hex chuck with quick release. It will produce 950 in.-lbs of torque and 2500 blows per minute. A variable-speed trigger and LED light should make it even more convenient to use for those jobs around the shop or house. It will include the same two batteries and charger as the drill/driver, plus a soft-sided case.
Tool number three is Porter-Cable’s $129, 12-volt Max Clamp Saw™ (Model PCL120CRC-2). Essentially, this is a half-pint sized reciprocating saw with a three-position articulating handle. It has a tool-free blade collar and accepts standard-size recip saw blades. The company has added a unique adjustable clamping shoe that can help hold workpieces up to 2.5″ in diameter while you saw. Or, you can retract the clamping shoe and use it like a standard recip saw shoe. It has a variable-speed trigger and can develop a top speed of 3000 strokes per minute with an overall stroke length of 5/8″. It comes with the same 12-volt battery duo and charger as the other two tools and a soft case. It weighs under 3 lbs. Looks cool and could come in mighty handy for tight-squeeze applications.
A new Jobsite Radio (Model PC18JR)—$99.97—is also part of the fall lineup. It has a 3.5mm aux input for your iPod, iPhone or other MP3 player, or tune into your favorite radio station with the digital tuner that has 10 AM and 10 FM presets. The radio sports two 120-volt AC outlets that are activated when you plug the radio into the wall. Or, power the radio from an 18-volt Lithium-Ion or NiCad P-C battery (not included). When plugged into the wall, the radio does not charge tool batteries. The speakers are weather-resistant, and the entire radio is protected by a roll cage for added durability on the jobsite, in a truck bed or the shop.
Finally, there’s a new 1500-watt Portable Heat Gun (Model PC1500HG) that will sell for $34.97. Its got a handy variable temperature control that adjusts the tool’s heat output from 120 to 1150 degrees, plus a two-speed fan. It can stand on the end of the motor housing for hands-free work, and a six-ft. power cord should give you some “tail” to work with.
Company spokespeople informed me that we’ll have a chance to take a closer look at all five of these new offerings next week in Atlanta.
There you have it: hot off the virtual press! A little tool salivation for a Friday morning.
Catch you in the shop,
Chris Marshall, Field Editor
