DeWalt Plate Joiner vs PC 557

[phrog]

Just scored a DeWalt Plate Joiner at HD for $74 thanks to the Bargain Alerts forum. (You guys have got to quit getting me into trouble.) :-) Just wondered if anyone out there has used this joiner and what you think about it. Also, has anyone seen a comparison of this joiner to the PC 557. I had been planning to buy the PC 557 but for this price, unless the PC is greatly better, I guess I'll stick with the DeWalt. Thanks.
Richard

[drumpriest]

The 557 has a few more options for slots to cut, and has a 2" blade for cutting face frame sized biscuits. I think the biggest advantage of the 557 is that the handle is located on the fence, not the plunge mechanism. The Dewalt's handle moves when you are plunging. This feels awkward to me, but I think both are fine biscuit joiners.

If someone gave me a Dewalt before I bought my 557, I'd have kept the Dewalt.

[Knottscott]

...If someone gave me a Dewalt before I bought my 557, I'd have kept the Dewalt.

Ditto....I'd "buy" the PC, but I'd "keep" the DW if you've got it.

[ragswl4]

I have had the Dewalt for over a year and have used it to make a number of cabinets and install face frames. Works well, accurate but a little lacking in the dust collection arena. Don't know about the PC but gets the better reviews. I paid $100 for lightly used so $74 is a steal, IMO.

[Knottscott]

I have had the Dewalt for over a year and have used it to make a number of cabinets and install face frames. Works well, accurate but a little lacking in the dust collection arena. Don't know about the PC but gets the better reviews. I paid $100 for lightly used so $74 is a steal, IMO.

Hi Rags - You can improve the DC on the DW by clipping out that stem inside the DC chute.

[ragswl4]

Hi Rags - You can improve the DC on the DW by clipping out that stem inside the DC chute.

Thanks, I'll do that on the next round of cabinet cases.

[LinuxRandal]

Might do a search of Ebay and Craigslist and see what they have/are selling for used. For the price you bought it, I would think (at least in my area), you ought to be able to get that back out of it, when you find a bargain on the Porter Cable.

[phrog]

Thanks to one and all for the posts. I tried out the DeWalt this afternoon and found that, although it was in an unopened package, it was defective. The trigger mechanism hangs in both the on and off position. Sometimes hard to get it on and sometimes have to unplug it to get it off. The locking button does not work at all. Guess it's a moot point now, going back to HD for a refund.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Thanks to one and all for the posts. I tried out the DeWalt this afternoon and found that, although it was in an unopened package, it was defective. The trigger mechanism hangs in both the on and off position. Sometimes hard to get it on and sometimes have to unplug it to get it off. The locking button does not work at all. Guess it's a moot point now, going back to HD for a refund.

Can you exchange it for another or is this something being cleared out by HD?

[phrog]

Can you exchange it for another or is this something being cleared out by HD?

Hey Jeffrey,
It's being cleared out by HD, thus the great price. Unfortunately, the one that I bought was the last one they had at that particular store. It feels like something has come loose inside the housing and is getting hung under the trigger mechanism. It would probably an easy fix and if they will give me a further big discount I will probably keep it. Otherwise, I will get a refund. Thanks for asking.
Richard

[Uncle Cracker]

That's a very good price for a respectable joiner, and unless you're a joinery fetishist, you probably won't need to upgrade (unless you're gonna face-frame everything). That said, I will also state for the record that I popped for the 557 first off, and have never been even slightly disappointed with it.