Porter-Cable
Encyclopedia
Porter-Cable is an American
company that manufactures power tools. The company is known for introducing a number of noteworthy power tools, such as the first portable belt sander
, helical-drive circular saw
, and portable band saw
. It is a subsidiary
of Stanley Black & Decker.
. In 1914, the company began to focus on power tools, starting with a line of power lathes. In 1917, the company bought a plant in on North Salina Street in Syracuse.
In 1926, Chief Engineer Art Emmons invented the portable electric belt sander, called the Take-About Sander, and the company began to develop a niche in portable electric power tools. In 1929, Emmons invented the helical-drive circular saw, a compact, lightweight design that is still the most widely used circular saw design produced today.
In 1960, the company was sold to Rockwell International
. Rockwell made numerous changes, including phasing out the Porter-Cable name, relocating the company's base of operations to Jackson, Tennessee
, and creating a lower end of power tools to compete with Black & Decker. These tools had numerous reliability problems and harmed the brand's image.
In 1981, Pentair, Inc. acquired Rockwell's power tool group—consisting of Porter-Cable and Delta Machinery
—and restored the Porter-Cable name. The company repositioned itself as a manufacturer of professional power tools and ended production of consumer-level tools. In 1989, the company introduced the first electric random orbital sander
. Around this time, the company expanded into broader retail channels, including The Home Depot
and Lowe's
, greatly expanding its production in the process.
In 1996, the Smithsonian Institution
established a collection of materials from the company's 90-year history, the first such collection for a power tool company.
In 2000, Porter-Cable consolidated with sister company Delta Machinery, the latter moving its headquarters and distribution center from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
to Jackson. The same year, Pentair acquired DeVilbiss Air Power Company
and, in 2002, Porter-Cable expanded its line-up to include air compressors, air tools, generators
, and pressure washers.
In 2005, the Pentair Tools Group—comprising Porter-Cable, Delta Machinery, DeVilbiss Air Power, and others—was purchased by Black & Decker
, now Stanley Black & Decker.
Since the purchase by Stanley Black & Decker the company has been systematically discontinuing all of the tool models for which Porter-Cable has been known for over the decades. Tool models that had achieved legendary status for durability and effectiveness, such as the Model 504 Sander, (the "Locomotive" belt sander a direct descendant of Porter-Cable's first "Take-About" which put the company on the map) Model 314 4 1/2" worm gear drive Trim Saw, the 9118 Porta-Plane, and the "Locomotive" inspired 9725 Porta-Band to name just a few. These tools were and are icons of the industry, and tools that though costing a premium, were known to be multi generational in their durability.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
company that manufactures power tools. The company is known for introducing a number of noteworthy power tools, such as the first portable belt sander
Belt sander
A belt sander is a machine used to sand down wood and other materials for finishing purposes. It consists of an electrical motor that turns a pair of drums on which a seamless loop of sandpaper is mounted. Belt sanders can be either hand-held, where the sander is moved over the material, or...
, helical-drive circular saw
Circular saw
The circular saw is a machine using a toothed metal cutting disc or blade. The term is also loosely used for the blade itself. The blade is a tool for cutting wood or other materials and may be hand-held or table-mounted. It can also be used to make narrow slots...
, and portable band saw
Band saw
A bandsaw is a power tool which uses a blade consisting of a continuous band of metal with teeth along one edge to cut various workpieces. The band usually rides on two wheels rotating in the same plane, although some small bandsaws have three wheels. Bandsawing produces uniform cutting action as a...
. It is a subsidiary
Subsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
of Stanley Black & Decker.
History
Porter-Cable was founded in 1906 by R.E. Porter, G.G. Porter, and F.E. Cable, who, starting with a $2,300 investment, opened a jobbing machine and tool shop out of their garage in Syracuse, New YorkSyracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. In 1914, the company began to focus on power tools, starting with a line of power lathes. In 1917, the company bought a plant in on North Salina Street in Syracuse.
In 1926, Chief Engineer Art Emmons invented the portable electric belt sander, called the Take-About Sander, and the company began to develop a niche in portable electric power tools. In 1929, Emmons invented the helical-drive circular saw, a compact, lightweight design that is still the most widely used circular saw design produced today.
In 1960, the company was sold to Rockwell International
Rockwell International
Rockwell International was a major American manufacturing conglomerate in the latter half of the 20th century, involved in aircraft, the space industry, both defense-oriented and commercial electronics, automotive and truck components, printing presses, valves and meters, and industrial automation....
. Rockwell made numerous changes, including phasing out the Porter-Cable name, relocating the company's base of operations to Jackson, Tennessee
Jackson, Tennessee
Jackson is a city in Madison County, Tennessee, United States. The total population was 65,211 at the 2010 census. Jackson is the primary city of the Jackson, Tennessee metropolitan area, which is included in the Jackson-Humboldt, Tennessee Combined Statistical Area...
, and creating a lower end of power tools to compete with Black & Decker. These tools had numerous reliability problems and harmed the brand's image.
In 1981, Pentair, Inc. acquired Rockwell's power tool group—consisting of Porter-Cable and Delta Machinery
Delta Machinery
Delta Power Equipment Corp. designs, manufactures and distributes power woodworking tools under the Delta Machinery brand.-History:Delta traces its roots to the Delta Specialty Company founded by Herbert Tautz in 1919 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
—and restored the Porter-Cable name. The company repositioned itself as a manufacturer of professional power tools and ended production of consumer-level tools. In 1989, the company introduced the first electric random orbital sander
Random orbital sander
Random orbit sanders, also called Dual-Action or D.A. sanders are hand-held power sanders where the action is a random orbit. They were first introduced in the early 1990s and quickly became tremendously popular...
. Around this time, the company expanded into broader retail channels, including The Home Depot
The Home Depot
The Home Depot is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products and services.The Home Depot operates 2,248 big-box format stores across the United States , Canada , Mexico and China, with a 12-store chain...
and Lowe's
Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
, greatly expanding its production in the process.
In 1996, the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
established a collection of materials from the company's 90-year history, the first such collection for a power tool company.
In 2000, Porter-Cable consolidated with sister company Delta Machinery, the latter moving its headquarters and distribution center from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
to Jackson. The same year, Pentair acquired DeVilbiss Air Power Company
DeVilbiss Air Power Company
DeVilbiss Air Power Company is an American company that manufactures air compressors, pneumatic tools, generators, pressure washers, and accessories for them. It is a subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker, having been purchased from Pentair in 2004 by Black & Decker.- External links :*...
and, in 2002, Porter-Cable expanded its line-up to include air compressors, air tools, generators
Engine-generator
An engine-generator is the combination of an electrical generator and an engine mounted together to form a single piece of equipment. This combination is also called an engine-generator set or a gen-set...
, and pressure washers.
In 2005, the Pentair Tools Group—comprising Porter-Cable, Delta Machinery, DeVilbiss Air Power, and others—was purchased by Black & Decker
Black & Decker
Black & Decker Corporation is a corporation based in Towson, Maryland, United States, that designs and imports power tools and accessories, hardware and home improvement products, and technology based fastening systems...
, now Stanley Black & Decker.
Since the purchase by Stanley Black & Decker the company has been systematically discontinuing all of the tool models for which Porter-Cable has been known for over the decades. Tool models that had achieved legendary status for durability and effectiveness, such as the Model 504 Sander, (the "Locomotive" belt sander a direct descendant of Porter-Cable's first "Take-About" which put the company on the map) Model 314 4 1/2" worm gear drive Trim Saw, the 9118 Porta-Plane, and the "Locomotive" inspired 9725 Porta-Band to name just a few. These tools were and are icons of the industry, and tools that though costing a premium, were known to be multi generational in their durability.
External links
- Delta Machinery/Porter-Cable web site
- DeWalt ServiceNet (parts and service site)
- "Vintage Power Tools To Smithsonian" (Popular MechanicsPopular MechanicsPopular Mechanics is an American magazine first published January 11, 1902 by H. H. Windsor, and has been owned since 1958 by the Hearst Corporation...
article from December 1997)