| Review by FJPetruso | posted 830 days ago | 8265 views | 0 times favorited | 7 comments |  |
 |
- Porter-Cable PCB370SS 16" Variable Speed Scroll Saw
- Brand: Porter-Cable | Category: Scroll Saws
 |
 |
 |
 |
I have a 24” Delta / Rockwell scroll saw but found it too hard to change blades for scroll work & has too much vibration. When I decided to get a bit more serious about scroll work I checked outquite a few brands & “off”-brands. Yes I’d love to have a New Dewalt or Delta but you need at least $600 to get a new one. I wanted a saw for under $200. There’s quite a few out there… Most of them crappy. But the best one I found in that price range is this PORTER-CABLE 16” Variable Speed Scroll Saw with Stand. It has easy left & right tilt of the work surface up to 45 degrees both ways, a nozzel to blow dust away from our sight line, a vacuum hook-up, very easy blade change (something I really wanted that my old scroll saw dosen’t), easy adjust tension, a dedicated stand &, unlike some reviews I have read) quite tollerable vibration. I did have to make some adjustment to the blade clamps to make the blade face straight forward. But that was very easy to do. The only thing that I would change is to add a thicker insert for the blade to go through. I have to add a circular gasket to shim the insert up because there is a step from the insert to the work surface that catches your work on, especially if you work on small sized projects. This wasn’t hard to do either. I do have to agree that the work light is a bit weak, so I use a battery operated portable light I have that sticks to the stand with magnets. I gave it only 4 stars because of the previous three reasons. But in the $200 price range, (mine was $189) it the best for the bucks.
-- Frank, Florissant, Missouri "The New Show-Me Woodshop"
7 comments so far
jim C
home | projects | blog
1400 posts in 1270 days
#1 posted 830 days ago
Thanks Frank
It looks like a doable machine without the crazy price.
I’m sure I could make it useful.
-- Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.
Steven H
home | projects | blog
1105 posts in 1231 days
#2 posted 830 days ago
You got any vibration problems with it?
-- shdesign3.com
Howie
home | projects | blog
2449 posts in 1094 days
#3 posted 830 days ago
I have this saw and it does have a lot of vibration. Otherwise it’s ok for what I use it for.
-- Don't rollerskate in a buffalo herd
FJPetruso
home | projects | blog
285 posts in 1881 days
#4 posted 829 days ago
Compared to my old Delta / Rockwell 24” scroll saw, it has a lot less vibration. And thats considering it is a lot lighter than my old cast iron tabled saw. The little vibration that it has is no problem to me. But like any other stationary tool, if it’s bolted to the stand securely & you’ve added some heavy tools to the shelf underneath, that will do a lot reduce the vibration of a tool quite a bit.
-- Frank, Florissant, Missouri "The New Show-Me Woodshop"
jerrells
home | projects | blog
675 posts in 1056 days
#5 posted 818 days ago
I, also, have that PC 16” saw. I do not notice an excessive vibration from the unit. Yes, the light is almost useless but I still use it. the thing I dislike the most is the lower clamp screw. Too hard to get to it. I have tried to talk to PC about it and I am still looking for a workaround. Overall, for the price, I would rate the saw at a 3 to 4 on a five scale. If I had it to do ove, and had the money, I would go for the DeWalt 788 but who would not.
-- Just learning the craft my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ practiced.
bjrandall
home | projects | blog
1 post in 735 days
#6 posted 735 days ago
I’ve had the Portercable 16” scrollsaw in my shop for a couple of months now. Seems to be a pretty good addition for the price. Very little vibration, it can accomodate both plain and pin end scroll blades. Very easy to change.
smoke
home | projects | blog
123 posts in 1193 days
#7 posted 472 days ago
I HAD the same scroll saw. After having it for about 9 months, it stopped working. I had noticed some vibration, but decided it was just the machine. I also bought the extended warranty, but because it was within the one year manufacture’s warranty, it had to be shipped away. After 3 months I found out that the piece is made overseas (the part was on back order for over a month) and Porter Cable stuck its name on the product. I used to hold Porter Cable in high regard, now I don’t know if I will purchase another.
Have your say...