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Worse on Purpose

Porter-Cable

Historic American power tool brand, once a top-tier professional name.

Status: Former Great
Founded
1906
Website
portercable.com
HQ
USA
Manufacturing
China,Various
Ownership type
Conglomerate subsidiary
Parent
Stanley Black & Decker

Ownership

Acquired by Pentair, then Black & Decker, then rolled into Stanley Black & Decker. Professional reputation dismantled over successive ownership changes.

Why Former Great

Per a 30-year tool industry rep interviewed for the Power Tools essay, SBD's plan was to cheapen internals from day one of the 2004 acquisition, discontinue iconic legacy tools, and close service centers within six months. The reps who built the brand were fired shortly after. Router line discontinued. Social media went dark for years. Available now primarily as Tractor Supply clearance. A 118-year-old brand whose history is preserved in the Smithsonian, reduced to bin-filler.

Sister brands under Stanley Black & Decker

See all 10 sister brands

Read the full investigation

Investigation · March 31, 2026

Your Power Tools Got Worse On Purpose

Two conglomerates bought American power tools in the 2000s. One built Milwaukee into the dominant cordless platform. The other spent $6B+ hollowing out Craftsman, Porter-Cable, and more. Plus the brands that refused to sell.

Read the full investigation

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