Before we dive into the review I want to share some of the basic features, specifications and description from Porter-Cable.
Featuring first-class 4” spindle travel and X-Y axial projecting laser guidelines, the new PCB660DP delivers extra drilling capacity and accurate pre-alignment for precision and performance that woodworkers demand in the woodshop. In addition, a depth adjustment gauge enables precise drilling of repetitive-depth holes with a 5/8” chuck.
The PCB660DP includes a durable 13-15/64” by 13-15/64” cast iron table that tilts 45° right or left and rotates out of the way when the drill press base (20-3/8” by 11”) functions as a work surface. A quick-belt tension release knob allows woodworkers to quickly change between 12 operating speeds (300-3,100 RPM), and dual hubs provide left or right side handle locations for even greater ease of use and convenience.
An adjustable work light provides better illumination of work area is included and the rack and pinion table elevating allows for quick and easy adjustment of the work table.
I’ve had this drill press set up in my shop for several months now so it’s been used for a variety of drill tasks. This review covers the general operation and performance of the PCB660DP during some of our standard uses in the shop.
This is a 15 inch drill press where the 15 inches refers to the swing (swing is defined as twice the distance from the center of the spindle to the front face of the column). Obviously the bigger the swing the bigger the work piece that can be drilled. In simpler terms it means that you can drill a hole a maximum of 7-1/2″ from the work piece edge with a 15″ drill press.
Weighing in at over 150 lbs this is certainly a drill press that wants and needs some dedicated floor space. I’ve seen and heard of people using mobile bases but I don’t recommend that as most all drill presses are VERY top heavy. You’re much better off picking some dedicated space and setting it up once and leaving it alone.
As you can see in the photo above the base is rather small. That won’t matter much if you anchor it to the floor but I want to point out that moving it requires extreme caution.
The drill press operational controls are located on the front as you can see above. When you step up to the larger drill presses like this one you typically have an electronic laser sight (the smaller bench-tops usually have battery operated ones). So the control panel has an on/off switch for the laser and a nice large toggle on/off switch for the drills motor.
The built-in work light has a standard on/off switch on the back of the lamp. It uses a standard incandescent light bulb which provides nice light at the working surfaces.
Just to the left of the on/off controls is the variable depth control. The depth of drilling can be set for repetitive drilling and controlling the depth of hole. Below is a photo of the right side of the drill press showing the spindle handles.
I found all the controls easy to use and well designed.
The Porter-Cable PCB660DP can be operated at 12 different speeds depending on the type of material and type of drill bit being used. To adjust the speed users must adjust the belt/pulley combination under the top housing.
Adjusting the belts on the pulleys is easy to do. All that is required is loosening two belt tension lock knobs, pushing or pulling the belt tension handle, and adjusting the belt. On the inside cover of the housing is a detailed chart showing the required belt/pulley configuration for each of the 12 speeds. Changing the belts on the pulleys was easy to understand and perform.
The PCB660DP comes with an X-Y Axis laser sight built-in. As you can see above the laser provides red lines on the work piece for alignment. The laser works quite well but it does require adjustment EACH time the table is moved. Adjusting the laser is straight forward following the directions that are printed on the laser housing. I think it’s a nice feature for repetitive drilling tasks.
The work table on the PCB660DP is a strange circular shape with T-Slots built-in for clamps and fences. The table is a nice heavy cast-iron with a machined surface. The table can be adjusted in several ways as I’ll discuss below.
If I had one small complaint about the table it would be the lack of a wood insert. Drill bits can be VERY expensive and the thought of running an expensive Forstner Bit into the cast-iron makes me sick!
The table can also be tilted left and right up to 45 degrees.
The Porter-Cable 15″ Drill Press (Model PCB660DP) is a very good value priced at just $299. This drill press offers some great features like laser sights, adjustable speed, tilting table and built-in work light. The motor provides quiet, consistent power for drilling different materials and hole types. The chuck and spindle produced accurate, consistent holes in our tests drilling in metal and wood.
If you’re in the market for a mid-sized floor drill press then I recommend you consider this one. The PCB660DP is currently available at Lowe’s.
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View Comments
Hi Todd,
I recently purchased a PCB660DP from Lowes and I basically like it with some reservations:
1) I have the unit anchored into the concrete floor but really
now....the base plate is far too thin....the unit can rock.
2) the 't' slots in the table are hard to buy 't' nuts for; I still
have not found the correct fit. Have you had any luck?
3)the lasers are a little hard to line up; because when I get them
lined up and then tighten them they seem to rotate when I tighten
the screw and then they are not on center.
Thanks,
Frank
Frank,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I keep mine on a mobile base so I can move it around the shop. So I can't really comment on the stiffness of the base. I've only used on device (clamp) that has a T-Bolt and that clamp came from Porter-Cable. Have you checked out the selection of T-Bolts at Rockler? They have all kinds and may have one that will work for that set-up.
I've never been a huge fan of lasers for woodworking. They are ok for ballparking placement but I never rely on them. Until they come out with lasers that shoot off bits I'll pretty much ignore them.
Thanks for stopping by!
Nice press, but I have the same complaint about the table as well. A machinist table for woodworking is not ideal.
The PCB660DP is made by Rexon Industrial Corp (DP3800RF?) for Porter Cable. I will attempt to see if their is a slotted table alternative, but I'm not very hopeful.
The woodworking T-bolts and rectangular nuts seem to be a bit small for this table. I'm going to try McMaster-Carr = 94750A582 and 94750A589 T-slot nuts. This will give me 3/8" and 7/16" thread options. Being from the machinist side of the house, they seem like they would fit best.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I certainly can't disagree. The reality is Porter-Cable is marketing to a wide range of DIY, Homeowner, light contractor users. Not sure this is marketed towards hardcore woodworkers. Having said that, most people that use a drill press much end up building an accessory top which certainly would be a good option for this model. Good luck getting things set up.
Just purchased this drill from Lowes and set it up. The Lowes salesman said it was already put together, 'Just take it out of the box." That didn't make any sense as the box was smaller than the demo drill. However, after assembling it, I like it a lot. One issue is the work table. It's not stable. It moves probably about +/- 15 degrees sideways. The rack slides with it, of course. The ring collar small allen set screw is tight, as is the bottom mount large allen set screw. Any idea how to fix this? Nothing intuitive jumps out. Mine came with the center pulley lying in the upper case. Installed easily, however and the belts had some grease on them which cleaned up easily.
Hi, Fantastic writeup. I purchased one and for the price paid I am very happy. I am using it to complete an 80% lower for an AR frame rifle and only wish I had purchased this sooner.
The only problem I have encountered is adjusting the belts for speed. I removed both belt tension lock knows but the belt tension handle will only move about an eighth on an inch which is not enough. The manual has little about this add your are the only person on the Web speaking to this subject. Do your have any thoughts on this? Thank your very much for your article.
Rocky
Never mind I had not had my cornflakes yet this morning very easy to do. Thanks
Hi Todd:
I bought this drill press a few days ago. You say "... cast iron table that ... rotates out of the way when the drill press base (20-3/8” by 11”) functions as a work surface". Mine doesn't seem to be designed so that the table support can rotate with the table to left or right, because the toothed thingy (excuse the technical term) on the column doesn't rotate around the column. What am I missing here?
Thanks.
I don't have this drill press anymore so it's hard for me to go on memory. My current one does pivot as well.
The rack (toothed bar) *should* definitely rotate with the table. It is probably snagging on a rough part of the base casting. I sounds like when people are assembling the drill press, they should make sure that the groove (in the base) that the bottom of the rack slides in is smooth, and maybe do some filing to make sure that it is.
Clean the column with acetone and remove all the packing goo (yes... that's a technical term). Apply some grease to the upper and lower collars the gear track rides on. Loosen the rear lock bolt for the table arm, and while lifting the table slightly, rotate the table around the column to spread the grease around the upper and lower collars. Your table will slide around normally and smoothly pretty quickly.
I have had my PC drill press for about a month. The rack does not rotate easily. It moves just fine in the top collar, but it sticks at the bottom. I probably would have to tap it along to avoid twisting the rack. My press came with a bent lamp shield. A call to customer service resulted in an immediate replacement. However the wire connections are deep in the upper housing. I probably would have to remove the entire top assembly and move to the workbench. I think I will stay with the bent shield
How do you adjust the laser and/or replace the bulb. The laser shines but very dimly...
I just bought this from Lowes. After assembly I discovered the chuck key was missing. I have contacted PC twice with no help. Now I will load and return it to the store for a refund. Wont buy another PC drill press.
I purchased the press about two years ago. However, I did not use it much because our son was born and just did not have time. I am thinking I turned it on maybe 5 times total. I remembered thinking the chuck has wobbly. But, just let it go because I did not have time to deal with it. The past few weeks I have started working in the shop some and I have tried to use. It seems like it just got worse. Not sure what to do to fix it.