Update: No More Porter Cable???

[MilDoc]

Over the past 30 years I've come to equate Dewalt with weekend warrior JUNK. B&D with mixed homemaker JUNK. So this does not surprise me. 30 years ago all brands were good. Over the years DW and BD have regressed.

Too bad they don't post BIG signs in store saying:

"PC = GREAT toolsfor the price

DW = MEDIOCRE tools

BD = buy it only 'cause it's CHEAP"

[tewilk]

I wonder how many of the TV personality would use festools if they had to pay for them... I not saying that they are not good, personally will never know but the prices of their tools seem a bit out there.

[Pappy]

I have a couple of B&D tools in the green Quantum Pro line, a finishing sander that doesn't see much use these days and a 3/8 drill that I had in my hand just today. I consider both to be quality tools. Today's B&D fare is junk, IMO.

The only Dewalt I have is ROS and a set of cobalt bits. For the most part, I have always thought DeWalt was overpriced.

Like most, I hate to see changes in the status of P/C. I wouldn't trade my PC belt sander for any on the market. A couple of years ago they introduced a lline called "Heritage". Slightly modernized versions of some of the old Rockwell tools. Except for the addition of an adjusting ring, the router was a dead match for my Rockwell Model 100.

[LarryG]

I have what may the same B&D Quantum finishing sander as Pappy -- great little tool (although, like him, I don't use mine much any more). I also have a B&D 3/8" VS corded drill that has gotta be at least 35 years old, has seen HEAVY use over most of its life, but will probably outlive me. IIRC, I paid somewhere around $100 for it in early-1970s money. What B&D tool costs anything like that now, if the price is adjusted for inflation?

In Brand Yellow, I own two routers (DW616, DW621) and a recip saw (DW303?), and am very happy with all three. It may be worth noting, though, that the 621 was an Elu in a former life. The recip saw has been a pleasant surprise. I got it free in an amazon.com promotion, and wasn't expecting much; but it has performed flawlessly. Beyond these, though, I can't say that I've been hugely impressed by most of the DeWalt tools I've examined in stores (the DW618 router kit is one notable exception). They either seem subpar in some way, or overpriced compared to similar models in other brands.

Some good points have already been made about how the way tools are marketed changes over time. I'll just add that I've learned to assume nothing is forever when it comes to brand names, and that anything can happen in the corporate world of mergers, buyouts, and bankruptcies. As a kid growing up, I never would have dreamed I'd someday live in a world in which there was no Pan-Am, no TWA, no Plymouth, no Oldsmobile ...

[Flatlander]

If PC will be their mid brand why would they release a new ROS sander under the PC brand for $130?
http://eagleamerica.com/product.asp?...cd2=1218034652

[germdoc]

Some good points have already been made about how the way tools are marketed changes over time. I'll just add that I've learned to assume nothing is forever when it comes to brand names, and that anything can happen in the corporate world of mergers, buyouts, and bankruptcies. As a kid growing up, I never would have dreamed I'd someday live in a world in which there was no Pan-Am, no TWA, no Plymouth, no Oldsmobile ...

In the same vein, I read an article recently stating that the average productive lifespan of a big-box outfit like HD, BestBuy, etc., is 15 years. After that, if they don't diversify or change their business model, they gradually wither away.

Food for thought.

[George Cole]

Who makes Ridgid? Am looking at there planner and router..looks good and price is great..

Thanks,
George..

[jonmulzer]

Ridge Tool Company of Elyria, Ohio. The brand name of them is RIDGID. They have acquired several companies over the years, including Emerson I believe. In other words, they make their own tools.

[shoottx]

Ridge Tool Company of Elyria, Ohio. The brand name of them is RIDGID. They have acquired several companies over the years, including Emerson I believe. In other words, they make their own tools.

I believe it is the other way around. Emerson (http://www.emerson.com/en-US/Pages/Home.aspx) is a broadly diversified manufacturing company that make a variety of brands of tools. Ridgid is just one of the brands. They used and may still contract manufacture tools and other goods. Until recently they were satisfied to let the brands be the public face.

I don't know why I knew this but I did and then verified it on thier site.

[os1kne]

I hate to see PC demoted to a mediocre tool brand. I don't see why the parent company wouldn't just trim PC down to their "bread-and-butter" tools that they've made for years and have a good reputation with - routers, sanders, air nailers (maybe). They could still be a premier brand, and not have all of the bloat of a load of mediocre tools - cordless drills, saws, etc. They should stay away from cordless tools, not because they can't do them - but because there is too much competition in this area from brands that are much more established in this market segment.
They haven't had much success with their attempt to compete with the other cordless tool makers, probably to the detriment of their other products. They need to focus on their routers, their "bread-and-butter" product line that has been taking a hit from other manufacturers in the past few years.

[Thalermade]

In response to "Who makes Ridgid?"
I don't like being the bearer of bad news, or busrting one's bubble, but I think their may have been a misinterpretation somewhere concerning Ridgid Tools and Emerson.
Two excerpts

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...02190910&EDATE=
RIDGID(R) is a registered trademark of Ridgid, Inc., part of Emerson
Professional Tools, a business of St. Louis-based Emerson (NYSE: EMR). The tools are designed and manufactured by OWT Industries, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Techtronic Industries Company Limited (TTI) (HKEx stock code 669; ADR symbol TTNDY). The orange color used on this product and the combination of orange and grey are trademarks for RIDGID(R) brand power tools. RIDGID(R) professional power tools are available at The Home Depot in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as in industrial supply centers across the United States. For more information on RIDGID(R) tools, go to http://www.ridgid.com or for customer service call 1-866-539-1710.



http://www.ttigroup.com/fileLibrary/R040924.pdf

Techtronic Industries Receives 2004 Innovation Award and Supplier of the Year Award from The Home Depot
RIDGIDŽ POWER TOOL LAUNCH CITED AS MOST INNOVATIVE; TTI OUTDOOR PRODUCTS NAMED SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

(HONG KONG, 24

th September, 2004) –Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (“TTI”) ( received recognition from The Home Depot 2004 Innovation Award for its successful launch of the RIDGIDŽ power tool line Horst J. Pudwill, Chairman and CEO of TTI commented.
“The Home Depot strives to provide innovation and differentiation in our products, and RIDGIDŽ is an example of a best-in-class product designed to address the needs of our pro customers. The new RIDGIDŽ line is the result of years of research and development and includes features not found on any other tools in the industry.”

The new and comprehensive line of 35 RIDGIDŽ handheld corded, cordless, benchtop and stationary power tools for professional contractors, builders and woodworkers was launched

in October 2003. In designing the new line of RIDGIDŽ tools, thousands of hours were spent talking with and working along side contractors, builders and woodworkers to understand how they work, the challenges they encounter, and their power tool needs. This was translated into products that boost productivity, enhance user comfort, and offer exceptional power and durability.

Russ

[KenBurris]

Holmes

Mike Holmes uses DeWalt - and old shows are now on TLC -

I bought a new fiberglass entry door last year, and the Lowes subcontractor who installed it used a DeWalt battery-powered nail gun quite a bit. he did an excellent job fitting the door into my concrete block exterior wall

[shoottx]

[QUOTE=Thalermade;361609]In response to "Who makes Ridgid?"
I don't like being the bearer of bad news, or busrting one's bubble, but I think their may have been a misinterpretation somewhere concerning Ridgid Tools and Emerson.

It was late last evening and I could not remeber the linkage between Emerson owning the brand name and who was the actual manufacture. Thanks for the clarity.

I know TTI manufactures lots of products under different brand names.

[DanNeiman@mac.com]

Over the past 30 years I've come to equate Dewalt with weekend warrior JUNK. B&D with mixed homemaker JUNK. So this does not surprise me. 30 years ago all brands were good. Over the years DW and BD have regressed.

Too bad they don't post BIG signs in store saying:

"PC = GREAT toolsfor the price

DW = MEDIOCRE tools

BD = buy it only 'cause it's CHEAP"

Eh? I'm gonna need some examples of why you feel DeWalt is junk. This weekend warrior extensively remodeled a house using DeWalt tools (cordless drills and 12" chop saw) and they were pretty much bullet proof. So frankly, I'm just not seeing it.

[os1kne]

Everyone has their own opinion. One thing is for certain, DeWalt's marketing people have done a heck of a job. Twenty years ago (if my memory serves me correctly), DeWalt wasn't much of anything - other than the brand name of a company that once made radial arm saws. I don't think that anyone would have given them much of a shot at coming back with a line of contractor-grade tools that were to compete against Milwaukee, Makita, and others with established reputations in this market - but they did and now have a fairly dominant position in the market. This doesn't mean that they make a superior product, but (for the most part) they do have solid products with tremendous brand recognition.

Personally, I have several DeWalt tools, as well as many other brands. I like DeWalt, but there are usually other brands that I like better. I didn't buy my DeWalt tools because I thought that they were the "best". I bought them because they were good tools that will do the job that I need to do at a reasonable price. With the cordless tools, they have a vast selection and the batteries are widely available.