REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Decent blade changing system
Average cutting power
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited battery life
Poor sightlines
Fiddly adjustments
Porter-Cable PCC660 Review
This inexpensive saw is for light-duty applications only
Credit: amazon.com
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Our Verdict
While the Porter-Cable PCC660 appears to be a bargain, the reduction in price comes at the cost of battery life and ease of use functionality. Specifically, the saw has a difficult-to-turn twist knob for the bevel adjustment, and the bevel degree markers are hard to read. Moreover, the sightlines are a sixteenth of an inch off on the long side. The 4 amp-hour battery is also an issue — it's one of the shortest-lived power cells that we've tested. The saw will make most cuts, but it often struggles to do so. Ultimately, we see this saw as an introductory tool that restricts users to the most basic cutting applications.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Porter-Cable PCC660 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | ||||
| Price | $80 List | $80 List $74.79 at Amazon | $79 List | $79 List $69.96 at Amazon | $55 List $44.92 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This moderately priced saw is best suited to low-demand tasks | A competent, affordable saw that is a great choice for non-professional users | This saw will appeal to the novice DIY crowd due to its modest price tag and ease of use features | This model gave a lackluster performance and was particularly shabby in battery longevity department | This economy saw has notable benefits to users with appropriately low expectations |
| Rating Categories | Porter-Cable PCC660 | SKIL CR540601 | Ryobi P507 | Craftsman CMCS500B | Black+Decker BDCCS20B |
| Cutting (50%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| Battery (20%) | |||||
| Specs | Porter-Cable PCC660 | SKIL CR540601 | Ryobi P507 | Craftsman CMCS500B | Black+Decker BDCCS20B |
| Blade Side | Left | Left | Left | Left | Left |
| Blade Size | 6-1/2" | 6-1/2" | 6-1/2" | 6-1/2" | 5-1/2" |
| Brushless Motor? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Blade Brake? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Bevel Positive Stops? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Estimated Linear Feet of 3/4" Plywood Cut per Charge | 157 ft | 324 ft | 202 ft | 184 ft | 52 ft |
| Measured Weight w/o Battery | 5.9 lb | 5.8 lb | 5.0 lb | 5.9 lb | 4.6 lb |
| Measured Max Depth of Cut w/ Framing Blade | 1-29/32" | 1-15/16" | 1-7/8" | 2-1/8" | 1-1/2" |
| Average 6x12" Cross Cutting Time | 6.9 sec | 6.6 sec | 7.6 sec | 5.8 sec | 11.1 sec |
| Rafter Hook? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Battery Used in Testing | 4 Ah | 5 Ah | 4 Ah | 4 Ah | 1.5 Ah |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
What sets the Porter-Cable apart from the class of circular saws is its price tag and its low scores in our ease of use and battery tests. The saw would be much improved if it had a longer-lasting battery and some basic user interface features promoting better cuts while easing user frustration. It should be said that the saw will make some reasonably demanding cuts. However, it protests the action with sluggish blade RPMs and a heightening of the motor pitch — not good signs. Finally, the saw's shoe is rather poorly designed, making bevel adjustments and cuts hard to get right.
Performance Comparison
Credit: Austin Palmer
Likes
We definitely like a saw that is priced low enough that those on a tight budget can enter the market. It's also good that it is capable of making crosscuts and rips of common dimensional lumber. After all, what good is an affordable saw if it doesn't work?
Dislikes
What we don't like about the Porter-Cable is that the saw will quickly be outgrown if the user puts it to regular use. Our concern here is the old adage buy cheap, buy twice. The saw is indeed substantially better than a hand saw. However, it lacks in so many important features — accurate sightlines, proper bevel adjustments, and decent battery life — that it will quickly become an obsolete item if consistently used.
Additionally, we found the blade changing procedure to be a real pain in the you know what. As this is a common point of frustration for the inexperienced user, we think that PORTER_CABLE could have done better on this aspect of the design. As it is, the blade has to be leveraged into place.
Note the lower blade guard pressing against the saw blade. On the opposite side, the arbor is also in contact with the blade. This makes the task of inserting/ removing the blade a pain.
Credit: Ian Pearman
Value
We think that the Porter-Cable is an appropriately priced product. However, the saw's value decreases with an increase in use. This means that if you are an infrequent DIYer, this tool's low price is a boon. However, if you plan on using the saw often, then you will likely be shopping for a better product rather quickly because all its shortcomings will become overwhelming and ultimately unbearable.
Conclusion
The Porter-Cable PCC660 is an economy saw to be sure. However, it's important to recognize that the decrease in cost is accompanied by a loss in battery life and numerous ease of use features. We think that this saw will best suit those with infrequent light-duty tasks in mind. Those with plans for more intensive work should set their sights on a higher-quality saw.
—
Nick Miley and Austin Palmer
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