Question:
Guys! Owen! I bought a 557 at the San Mateo WW Expo about 6 weeks ago and I have inspected it thoroughly. When sitting on a flat surface, the saw slot (part with the sandpaper surface) has only .010 clearance as compared to the moveable fence which I have it sitting on a table. It doesn’t look like cutting a slot would result in a slot being other than a mere .010 shallower than when cutting in the more usual manner with the fence at right angles to the slot. In other words when checking the discrepancy, the fence is situated like when you put the tool in its storage case (fence parallel to saw slot) Before I bought it, I saw much ado about that part been recessed somewhat, requiring the use of a shim from Fly by Night Copper Co… I had looked at all the pictures describing how to install the shim. BUT MINE DOESN’T LOOK LIKE IT HAS THE FAMOUS PROBLEM. What’s up with this? No one on the Wreck to my knowledge has said PC has fixed it. Mine is definitely a "Type 2". Dave
Response:
Yes, there’s more talk about a problem then their really is. Mine works just fine without the "special shim". Mine is also a type 2. Tim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Guys! Owen! I bought a 557 at the San Mateo WW Expo about 6 weeks ago and I have inspected it thoroughly. When sitting on a flat surface, the saw slot (part with the sandpaper surface) has only .010 clearance as compared to the moveable fence which I have it sitting on a table. It doesn’t look like cutting a slot would result in a slot being other than a mere .010 shallower than when cutting in the more usual manner with the fence at right angles to the slot. In other words when checking the discrepancy, the fence is situated like when you put the tool in its storage case (fence parallel to saw slot) Before I bought it, I saw much ado about that part been recessed somewhat, requiring the use of a shim from Fly by Night Copper Co… I had looked at all the pictures describing how to install the shim. BUT MINE DOESN’T LOOK LIKE IT HAS THE FAMOUS PROBLEM. What’s up with this? No one on the Wreck to my knowledge has said PC has fixed it. Mine is definitely a "Type 2". Dave
Response:
So I’m not hallucinating, after all. Thanks Tim, for the confirmation that all the 557’s don’t exhibit the "DeWALT patent infringement" problem. dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, there’s more talk about a problem then their really is. Mine works just fine without the "special shim". Mine is also a type 2. Tim Guys! Owen! I bought a 557 at the San Mateo WW Expo about 6 weeks ago and I have inspected it thoroughly. When sitting on a flat surface, the saw slot (part with the sandpaper surface) has only .010 clearance as compared to the moveable fence which I have it sitting on a table. It doesn’t look like cutting a slot would result in a slot being other than a mere .010 shallower than when cutting in the more usual manner with the fence at right angles to the slot. In other words when checking the discrepancy, the fence is situated like when you put the tool in its storage case (fence parallel to saw slot) Before I bought it, I saw much ado about that part been recessed somewhat, requiring the use of a shim from Fly by Night Copper Co… I had looked at all the pictures describing how to install the shim. BUT MINE DOESN’T LOOK LIKE IT HAS THE FAMOUS PROBLEM. What’s up with this? No one on the Wreck to my knowledge has said PC has fixed it. Mine is definitely a "Type 2". Dave
Response:
Dave, Any chance you can get me a digital picture of it? I’ll add it to the FAQ. Bernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Guys! Owen! I bought a 557 at the San Mateo WW Expo about 6 weeks ago and I have inspected it thoroughly. When sitting on a flat surface, the saw slot (part with the sandpaper surface) has only .010 clearance as compared to the moveable fence which I have it sitting on a table. It doesn’t look like cutting a slot would result in a slot being other than a mere .010 shallower than when cutting in the more usual manner with the fence at right angles to the slot. In other words when checking the discrepancy, the fence is situated like when you put the tool in its storage case (fence parallel to saw slot) Before I bought it, I saw much ado about that part been recessed somewhat, requiring the use of a shim from Fly by Night Copper Co… I had looked at all the pictures describing how to install the shim. BUT MINE DOESN’T LOOK LIKE IT HAS THE FAMOUS PROBLEM. What’s up with this? No one on the Wreck to my knowledge has said PC has fixed it. Mine is definitely a "Type 2". Dave
Response:
I was wondering when someone would ask. Yes, I have a Powershot S40. Where do you want it? dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dave, Any chance you can get me a digital picture of it? I’ll add it to the FAQ. Bernie Guys! Owen! I bought a 557 at the San Mateo WW Expo about 6 weeks ago and I have inspected it thoroughly. When sitting on a flat surface, the saw slot (part with the sandpaper surface) has only .010 clearance as compared to the moveable fence which I have it sitting on a table. It doesn’t look like cutting a slot would result in a slot being other than a mere .010 shallower than when cutting in the more usual manner with the fence at right angles to the slot. In other words when checking the discrepancy, the fence is situated like when you put the tool in its storage case (fence parallel to saw slot) Before I bought it, I saw much ado about that part been recessed somewhat, requiring the use of a shim from Fly by Night Copper Co… I had looked at all the pictures describing how to install the shim. BUT MINE DOESN’T LOOK LIKE IT HAS THE FAMOUS PROBLEM. What’s up with this? No one on the Wreck to my knowledge has said PC has fixed it. Mine is definitely a "Type 2". Dave
Response:
I bought a 557 at the San Mateo WW Expo about 6 weeks ago and I have inspected it thoroughly. When sitting on a flat surface, the saw slot (part with the sandpaper surface) has only .010 clearance as compared to the moveable fence which I have it sitting on a table. It doesn’t look like cutting a slot would result in a slot being other than a mere .010 shallower than when cutting in the more usual manner with the fence at right angles to the slot. In other words when checking the discrepancy, the fence is situated like when you put the tool in its storage case (fence parallel to saw slot)
Very, very interesting B.A.Dave. Just last week I had a fellow email me that his new 557 was very similar to yours with a "tight .015" " instead of .065". Perhaps PC has changed the machining with the idea of pushing the legal envelope. For your machine, you might want to look into replacing the stock sandpaper type gripper strip with some 3M no-skid tape. If I remember correctly, the PC gripper is about .005", the 3M stuff is about .020". You can get it at most hardware stores and it’s sold as a product for slippery floors and stair treads. (Get a big enough piece and trim it after it’s on the tool – the sticky on this stuff is tenacious.) — Owen Lowe and his Fly-by-Night Copper Company Offering a shim for the Porter-Cable 557 type 2 fence design. <http://www.flybynightcoppercompany.com <http://www.easystreet.com/~onlnlowe/index.html
Response:
I don’t recall, but isn’t a patent only good for about 7 years. Perhaps DeWalt’s patent ran out. After all that’s why there are so many knockoffs of Stanley planes, and why they kept changing them. Cheers, Eric
Response:
So I’m not hallucinating, after all. Thanks Tim, for the confirmation that all the 557’s don’t exhibit the "DeWALT patent infringement" problem. dave Yes, there’s more talk about a problem then their really is. Mine works just fine without the "special shim". Mine is also a type 2. Tim
Actually, that’s not what he said. There is only one cut where the shim helps. When the fence is flat for use in the center of a board, there is a gap. This is true on mine and why I got the shim. You can still make the cut without it, by moving the fence down as close as possible to the slot, but the shim takes care of the problem. Note: If you somehow got a type two retrofitted with a type one fence, you won’t exhibit the problem. That is how some people solved the problem before Owen’s shim. Cheers, Eric
Response:
I know there is only one type of cut with an issue. And I am telling you that my new 557 doesn’t have that problem. I did my research before I bought it. I looked at the pics posted at Owen’s site and ready everything on Google. That’s why I posted the "Doubting Thomas" thread. I am going to provide pictures, but am waiting to find out where to post them. dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So I’m not hallucinating, after all. Thanks Tim, for the confirmation that all the 557’s don’t exhibit the "DeWALT patent infringement" problem. dave Yes, there’s more talk about a problem then their really is. Mine works just fine without the "special shim". Mine is also a type 2. Tim Actually, that’s not what he said. There is only one cut where the shim helps. When the fence is flat for use in the center of a board, there is a gap. This is true on mine and why I got the shim. You can still make the cut without it, by moving the fence down as close as possible to the slot, but the shim takes care of the problem. Note: If you somehow got a type two retrofitted with a type one fence, you won’t exhibit the problem. That is how some people solved the problem before Owen’s shim. Cheers, Eric
Response:
For your machine, you might want to look into replacing the stock sandpaper type gripper strip with some 3M no-skid tape. If I remember correctly, the PC gripper is about .005", the 3M stuff is about .020". You can get it at most hardware stores and it’s sold as a product for slippery floors and stair treads. (Get a big enough piece and trim it after it’s on the tool – the sticky on this stuff is tenacious.)
Any skateboard shop throws away many pieces big enough to fit on a daily basis. Just hang around long enough for a grip tape job on a board and take the scraps. I guess you’d have to find a shop that uses the right stuff. Chris — Chris Richmond | I don’t speak for Intel & vise versa
Response:
Dave, I sent you my email address, but also post them on alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking That way everyone can see them right away. I’m having web site driver issues so it may take a couple of days for me to get them in the faq. Bernie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know there is only one type of cut with an issue. And I am telling you that my new 557 doesn’t have that problem. I did my research before I bought it. I looked at the pics posted at Owen’s site and ready everything on Google. That’s why I posted the "Doubting Thomas" thread. I am going to provide pictures, but am waiting to find out where to post them. dave So I’m not hallucinating, after all. Thanks Tim, for the confirmation that all the 557’s don’t exhibit the "DeWALT patent infringement" problem. dave Yes, there’s more talk about a problem then their really is. Mine works just fine without the "special shim". Mine is also a type 2. Tim Actually, that’s not what he said. There is only one cut where the shim helps. When the fence is flat for use in the center of a board, there is a gap. This is true on mine and why I got the shim. You can still make the cut without it, by moving the fence down as close as possible to the slot, but the shim takes care of the problem. Note: If you somehow got a type two retrofitted with a type one fence, you won’t exhibit the problem. That is how some people solved the problem before Owen’s shim. Cheers, Eric
Response:
I posted the picture to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking as "doubting thomases – PC 557". dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So I’m not hallucinating, after all. Thanks Tim, for the confirmation that all the 557’s don’t exhibit the "DeWALT patent infringement" problem. dave Yes, there’s more talk about a problem then their really is. Mine works just fine without the "special shim". Mine is also a type 2. Tim Actually, that’s not what he said. There is only one cut where the shim helps. When the fence is flat for use in the center of a board, there is a gap. This is true on mine and why I got the shim. You can still make the cut without it, by moving the fence down as close as possible to the slot, but the shim takes care of the problem. Note: If you somehow got a type two retrofitted with a type one fence, you won’t exhibit the problem. That is how some people solved the problem before Owen’s shim. Cheers, Eric
Response:
i just did – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dave, I sent you my email address, but also post them on alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking That way everyone can see them right away. I’m having web site driver issues so it may take a couple of days for me to get them in the faq. Bernie I know there is only one type of cut with an issue. And I am telling you that my new 557 doesn’t have that problem. I did my research before I bought it. I looked at the pics posted at Owen’s site and ready everything on Google. That’s why I posted the "Doubting Thomas" thread. I am going to provide pictures, but am waiting to find out where to post them. dave So I’m not hallucinating, after all. Thanks Tim, for the confirmation that all the 557’s don’t exhibit the "DeWALT patent infringement" problem. dave Yes, there’s more talk about a problem then their really is. Mine works just fine without the "special shim". Mine is also a type 2. Tim Actually, that’s not what he said. There is only one cut where the shim helps. When the fence is flat for use in the center of a board, there is a gap. This is true on mine and why I got the shim. You can still make the cut without it, by moving the fence down as close as possible to the slot, but the shim takes care of the problem. Note: If you somehow got a type two retrofitted with a type one fence, you won’t exhibit the problem. That is how some people solved the problem before Owen’s shim. Cheers, Eric
Response:
I just left a message on Terry Stockwell’s voice mail at PC. Well see if he knows anything about a new fence or if he’s able to comment. Bernie
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dave, I sent you my email address, but also post them on alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking That way everyone can see them right away. I’m having web site driver issues so it may take a couple of days for me to get them in the faq. Bernie I know there is only one type of cut with an issue. And I am telling you that my new 557 doesn’t have that problem. I did my research before I bought it. I looked at the pics posted at Owen’s site and ready everything on Google. That’s why I posted the "Doubting Thomas" thread. I am going to provide pictures, but am waiting to find out where to post them. dave So I’m not hallucinating, after all. Thanks Tim, for the confirmation that all the 557’s don’t exhibit the "DeWALT patent infringement" problem. dave Yes, there’s more talk about a problem then their really is. Mine works just fine without the "special shim". Mine is also a type 2. Tim Actually, that’s not what he said. There is only one cut where the shim helps. When the fence is flat for use in the center of a board, there is a gap. This is true on mine and why I got the shim. You can still make the cut without it, by moving the fence down as close as possible to the slot, but the shim takes care of the problem. Note: If you somehow got a type two retrofitted with a type one fence, you won’t exhibit the problem. That is how some people solved the problem before Owen’s shim. Cheers, Eric
Response:
Cool, thanks Owen! I just posted a picture on the binaries… Can i use a hair dryer to get off the old stuff? dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I bought a 557 at the San Mateo WW Expo about 6 weeks ago and I have inspected it thoroughly. When sitting on a flat surface, the saw slot (part with the sandpaper surface) has only .010 clearance as compared to the moveable fence which I have it sitting on a table. It doesn’t look like cutting a slot would result in a slot being other than a mere .010 shallower than when cutting in the more usual manner with the fence at right angles to the slot. In other words when checking the discrepancy, the fence is situated like when you put the tool in its storage case (fence parallel to saw slot) Very, very interesting B.A.Dave. Just last week I had a fellow email me that his new 557 was very similar to yours with a "tight .015" " instead of .065". Perhaps PC has changed the machining with the idea of pushing the legal envelope. For your machine, you might want to look into replacing the stock sandpaper type gripper strip with some 3M no-skid tape. If I remember correctly, the PC gripper is about .005", the 3M stuff is about .020". You can get it at most hardware stores and it’s sold as a product for slippery floors and stair treads. (Get a big enough piece and trim it after it’s on the tool – the sticky on this stuff is tenacious.) — Owen Lowe and his Fly-by-Night Copper Company Offering a shim for the Porter-Cable 557 type 2 fence design. <http://www.flybynightcoppercompany.com <http://www.easystreet.com/~onlnlowe/index.html
Response:
I don’t recall, but isn’t a patent only good for about 7 years. Perhaps DeWalt’s patent ran out. After all that’s why there are so many knockoffs of Stanley planes, and why they kept changing them.
Seven*teen* years for U.S. patents, I believe… Regards, Doug Miller — Real email address is alphageek /at/ milmac /dot/ com .. Ted Kennedy’s car has killed more people than my gun.
Response:
I know there is only one type of cut with an issue. And I am telling you that my new 557 doesn’t have that problem. I did my research before I bought it. I looked at the pics posted at Owen’s site and ready everything on Google. That’s why I posted the "Doubting Thomas" thread. I am going to provide pictures, but am waiting to find out where to post them.
I understand, but all Tim said was that he didn’t have any problem making the cut, which is certainly doable on the units with the problem and without the shim. The shim just makes it easier. I was not making any comment on your unit, other than the fact that type one fences can be, and have been, retrofitted to type two units. In another post I also noted that we don’t know how old the DeWalt patent is that caused Porter Cable to make them differently. Perhaps the patent ran out, or perhaps some time period was agreed to in the settlement, or perhaps Porter Cable changed something else that allows them to get past the problem. Cheers, Eric
Response:
Eric, Did you look at the pics? It isn’t a matter of just "doable"; it’s a matter of there is nothing wrong with the current incarnation. dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know there is only one type of cut with an issue. And I am telling you that my new 557 doesn’t have that problem. I did my research before I bought it. I looked at the pics posted at Owen’s site and ready everything on Google. That’s why I posted the "Doubting Thomas" thread. I am going to provide pictures, but am waiting to find out where to post them. I understand, but all Tim said was that he didn’t have any problem making the cut, which is certainly doable on the units with the problem and without the shim. The shim just makes it easier. I was not making any comment on your unit, other than the fact that type one fences can be, and have been, retrofitted to type two units. In another post I also noted that we don’t know how old the DeWalt patent is that caused Porter Cable to make them differently. Perhaps the patent ran out, or perhaps some time period was agreed to in the settlement, or perhaps Porter Cable changed something else that allows them to get past the problem. Cheers, Eric
Response:
Did you look at the pics? It isn’t a matter of just "doable"; it’s a matter of there is nothing wrong with the current incarnation.
But the sandpaper still won’t touch the material, will it? It can qualify as a minor defect. I received my 557 few days ago and checked it out. I need to go buy new set of filler gauge, but from what I could tell with my old rusty ones, I have about .35mm gap. It is significantly less than 1/16” (~1.6mm) that has been reported. Jenya
Response:
Jenya, Mine is exactly .010 off. close enough for me. Besides, Owen suggested just changing out the surface for some thicker 3M stuff. That’s a good idea if you really think it’s necessary. dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Did you look at the pics? It isn’t a matter of just "doable"; it’s a matter of there is nothing wrong with the current incarnation. But the sandpaper still won’t touch the material, will it? It can qualify as a minor defect. I received my 557 few days ago and checked it out. I need to go buy new set of filler gauge, but from what I could tell with my old rusty ones, I have about .35mm gap. It is significantly less than 1/16” (~1.6mm) that has been reported. Jenya
Response:
Eric, Did you look at the pics? It isn’t a matter of just "doable"; it’s a matter of there is nothing wrong with the current incarnation. dave
Can’t get to them from this machine. Too many firewalls and filters. Cheers, Eric
Response:
Can i use a hair dryer to get off the old stuff?
Yeah I’m sure that may help release the adhesive – I think I just peeled mine off with no problem tho. — Owen Lowe and his Fly-by-Night Copper Company Offering a shim for the Porter-Cable 557 type 2 fence design. <http://www.flybynightcoppercompany.com <http://www.easystreet.com/~onlnlowe/index.html
Response:
ok, thanks, Owen. Look at the fiasco of a thread on binaries. I’m losing my cool over it. People can’t see the picture I posted, some say its too big, some say its too small. Eric can’t get to it. Will you please take a look and tell me what you see? thanks! dave – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can i use a hair dryer to get off the old stuff? Yeah I’m sure that may help release the adhesive – I think I just peeled mine off with no problem tho. — Owen Lowe and his Fly-by-Night Copper Company Offering a shim for the Porter-Cable 557 type 2 fence design. <http://www.flybynightcoppercompany.com <http://www.easystreet.com/~onlnlowe/index.html
Response:
The pic looked good to me. frank – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ok, thanks, Owen. Look at the fiasco of a thread on binaries. I’m losing my cool over it. People can’t see the picture I posted, some say its too big, some say its too small. Eric can’t get to it. Will you please take a look and tell me what you see? thanks! dave Can i use a hair dryer to get off the old stuff? Yeah I’m sure that may help release the adhesive – I think I just peeled mine off with no problem tho. — Owen Lowe and his Fly-by-Night Copper Company Offering a shim for the Porter-Cable 557 type 2 fence design. <http://www.flybynightcoppercompany.com <http://www.easystreet.com/~onlnlowe/index.html
Response:
looks fine to me.
Response:
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