Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #248769 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Porter-Cable
• Model: 557R

Amazon.com Review
This review refers to the new model of this tool. This is a reconditioned power tool. Reconditioned generally means that the tool has been returned to the manufacturer, who brings the tool back to like-new condition. Some tools may contain cosmetic blemishes. Reconditioned tools come with the same warranty as their new counterparts.

Though this Porter-Cable tool is priced higher than comparable DeWalt and Makita models, the 557 is Amazon.com's top-selling plate joiner. Its success is perhaps due to its very powerful 7-1/2 amp motor--the largest in the industry--which turns the blade at 10,000 rpm and does an excellent job of making clean cuts in any kind of wood. As well as cutting slots for the standard no. 0, 10, and 20 biscuits, Porter-Cable's joiner features an exclusive, full-thickness, FF biscuit developed especially for cabinet face frames. Another unique feature of the Porter-Cable joiner is the 2-inch blade (included), which is small enough to make cuts in stock as narrow as 1-1/2 inches. We found the microheight adjustment works well, allowing for precise biscuit placement. The tool is well balanced and comfortable to use.

From the Manufacturer
Factory-Reconditioned Porter-Cable 557R Professional Plate Joiner Kit

Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
A great Plate Joiner
By Jack Mitchell
A great tool. I have made table tops, cabinets, and frames using the PC Plate joiner. I believe the fence is the best on the market. The fence angles both directions so you can cut slots dead center in frames and box corners. The fence adjustments are easy and accurate because of the screw adjustment. I comes with 2 cutter heads, one for #0-#20 and one for FF (face frame). The small one is very useful for joining the rails and stiles on face frame cabinets. It may cost a little more, but well worth the price difference. You can't go wrong with this one.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
Sweet. Easy to use. Almost like new.
By J. Durgin
Reconditioned: The only thing not like new is the little sand paper piece around the where the blade comes out that is designed to hold the joiner in place a little better. It's irregular. But everything else is great - like new. So far I've done two projects, both mirrors with mitered corners joined with biscuits. One required using the smaller, 2" blade for narrow, FF biscuits. Not sure if the FF biscuits are too thin, or the slot made is too fat but they were a bit loose in the dry fit. Whereas using the standard blade and size 10 biscuits resulted in a dry fit that was perfect - tight, but still allowing enough looseness to add glue. (The biscuits swell a bit once they get the glue, so you can't dilly-dally once you start the glue-up, but that's another article)

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful.
Great biscuit cutter
By Thomas G. Ulsas
I believe this is one of the best cutters made selling at a reasonable price. I also am satisfied with my choice of buying a "reconditioned" model, same warranty as a new unit with additional savings.