Shopsmith Forums

I Picked this tool up at a local Pawn Shop for $20.00 It's like new in a metal box with instructions. It's a Porter Cable model 555. Just used it to put some 3/4" Lauan plywood together and it seemed to work very well. Anybody else used this tool and what are your opinions.

Don G

I have the same one. Being an early adapter I paid a bit more then $20 for it. Norm was using these and using this same version so if it was good enough for Norm it was good enough for me.

I have sense gotten the inline versions and I go to them so this guy isn't getting much use any more. I did and I think still do have it set up for doing the bevel joints so if and when I do that style I'm ready to go.

I don't recall the year but it has been a while, maybe about 1997??

They are good machines but the inline versions are a bit easier to keep inline with the wood. For larger sheet goods that isn't much of an issue but thinner face frames it is a bigger deal.

Ed

I have the same one and paid more than $20.00. I have used it many times and no problems.

reible wrote:I have the same one. Being an early adapter I paid a bit more then $20 for it. Norm was using these and using this same version so if it was good enough for Norm it was good enough for me.

Ed

Sorry but the one Norm Abrams was using was the Lamello. at least in all the programs that I have watched during the many years that he was on. This picture is the new model, he was using an older model version.
Here is a picture from the 4th link to a re-seller of Lamello on his website page of links :

Check out episodes 312, 406, 410. Lamello didn't appear until 506.

Ed

reible wrote:Check out episodes 312, 406, 410. Lamello didn't appear until 506.

Ed

I stand corrected.
I guess I did not start to watch The New Yankee early enough. Here we did not have a PBS station on our cable early and I must have mist those episodes.
I got to learn of this tool when I saw the Lamello.
Myself i bought the Porter Cable later model of which I could not find a picture.
Now they created a pro version which looks kind of similar to mine.

I too have a porter cable version, I don't think it is a pro version and I don't recall the model number but it works fine. At the cost of Lamello I think the PC one is just fine.

Lamello makes the glue applicator he used which I thought was really impressive. It has been on my list for a lot of years now, can't seem to find the $ to just buy it. I have a squeeze bottle that works but not as cool as the Lamello.

http://www.amazon.com/Lamello-177000-Do ... ds=Lamello

Yep still on my wish list........

Ed

For what ever it is worth the newer Porter Cable plate jointer I have is a model 557. I have plans for it this week so I have it out for that project and figured I might as well get the model number off it while it's out.

Ed

Well, kind of like looking at a Rolls Royce and a Ford, they both will get you there. For twenty bucks, I am happy!

Don G