Plate Jointer

greg24k

Did anyone worked with Porter Cable plate jointer model #557? If yes, what you think about this model?

Thanks.

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Sooner Pesek

Greg,

I have used the #557 for about 5 yrs. now. The fence adjusts from 0-135 degrees, very solid when locked in and runs very smoothly. It also has the option of installing the smaller diameter blade to use face frame bisquits (although I haven't used those since I got the Krieg jig system).

All in all , a well designed machine IMO.


Roger

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"SKILLED Carpenters aren't CHEAP , CHEAP Carpenters aren't SKILLED " --- saw this on a t-shirt a while back ---

SLSTech

I agree with Roger - of course he threw me for a loop on the 135 degree part. Made me go look at mine & sure enough there it is & I have had it for over 5 years. Thanks Roger

90 degrees is the first lock - if you slide it up you can lock on at 135

Now I don't use mine everyday, more like once a month but I have yet to have an issue. I can see this one getting handed down to one of my kids.

One trick I saw Norm use on New Yankee Workshop which I thought was cool - was routing out a groove on the cabinets, putting the biscuits where needed on the face frames & attaching which helps with any mismarks / lining up problems us mere mortals run into

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Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
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john5mt

i have it and have no complaints...though ive never used a different one so i have nothing to compare it to

Just could bring myself to buy a lamello 800 bucks is a bit much for a plate joiner

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1st Gen tradesman
My summer job in college became my profession

greg24k

Thanks for the feedback I have the Dewalt one and the last few smaller jobs I did, I could have used the FF size biscuits. I will go tomorrow and get the Porter Cable one.

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Splinter

There are several different versions of the 557. The initial model (type1) had issues with enlarged slots, and PC tweaked it and offered the 557 Type 2. All was good until people started complaining about minor alignment issues.... So now PC came out with the type 3. I have this one, it works fine. I don't use biscuits that often anymore, but when I do, I grab my older than dirt Dewalt joiner. It's lighter, smaller, and cuts a perfect slot every time.

If you're looking to buy a new PC 557, make sure it says type 3 on the label.

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- Alex

Long Island Remodeling Contractor

Willie T

I have one, and love it. Although I will have to admit that the offset double track on the guide kind of threw me for a few minutes. (I'm sometimes a little slow on the uptake... )

It's a very solid and smooth machine.

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"True eloquence consists in saying all that is necessary, and only that which is."
François Duc de La Rochefoucauld
Bill Everett - St. Petersburg, FL

Sooner Pesek

Thanks a lot Splinter,

I had to get off my a$$ and look on the label--Mine is a type I.

GREAT!!! Now the next time I use it, subcontiously, I will find something wrong with it, throw it across the room, through the drywall, break a gas line, house blows up.


OK, just kidding-I don't throw my tools.

I haven't had any problems with mine, but that is interesting info.

Thanks,
Roger

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"SKILLED Carpenters aren't CHEAP , CHEAP Carpenters aren't SKILLED " --- saw this on a t-shirt a while back ---

JLTrim

I have one, bought it recently to replace my sh!tty old Ryobi that got stolen. Only used it on one job so far, but it's dead accurate, has no slop, plenty of power, worth every penny. I'm kind of glad the old one got taken, been looking for an excuse to replace that POS.

SLSTech

Type 1 No wonder why everything lines up so well & I just thought I was that good.

Still a good joiner

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Alabama Full Service Remodeling, Renovation, and Preservation by SLS Construction
Certified Energy Efficiency Audits, Ratings, Modeling, Verifications, & Consulting
Residential, Commercial, & Industrial Infrared Thermography Scans

Splinter

For anyone with a type 2- I believe PC was offering some kind of "fix" for it... Contact them or a tool repair shop.

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- Alex

Long Island Remodeling Contractor

Willie T

Not all of them have the wide slot problem. I have an eight or ten year old one (Type I, I assume), and sometimes I have to tap the biscuits into the slot a little. It's always been pretty tight.

__________________
"True eloquence consists in saying all that is necessary, and only that which is."
François Duc de La Rochefoucauld
Bill Everett - St. Petersburg, FL