Porter-Cable PCC601 Drill/Driver Review

Porter-Cable PCC601 Product Image

Editor Rating: 4.1/5

Great

Porter-Cable PCC601 Drill/Driver Review

Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson

Last modified: Jan 25, 2022 @ 2:48 am

 

 

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Porter-Cable PCC601 Review Summary:

When someone mentions power tools, the first thing that comes to mind is typically the drill. Cordless drills have totally changed the way in which these machines are designed, manufactured, and used. Although not as powerful as their corded cousins, the cordless power drills are now more efficient than ever.

Are the cordless power drills made by Porter-Cable any good? The company focuses mostly on homeowners and hobbyists and sells tools that aren’t that great when it comes to heavy-duty jobs but are more than capable of assisting the user with simple tasks around the house.

The Porter-Cable PCC601 Drill/Driver is an excellent example of this – it’s an inexpensive, compact, and lightweight model equipped with a couple of really interesting features. In case you need a cheap drill/driver and don’t care about the bells and whistles of the more expensive models, keep on reading.

  • Weight – 2.5 pounds
  • Dimensions – 8.2″ x 7″ x 3″
  • Power Source – Battery (Li-Ion)
  • Speed – 1,500 RPM
  • Voltage – 20V

Porter-Cable PCC601 – The Basics


Just like all other drills and drivers manufactured by this American company, the PCC601 has the same black/red/grey color scheme and the ergonomic design. Due to its over-molded rubber handle, compact weight, and short length, this drill/driver causes no user fatigue and is a real joy to work with.

The PCC601 has a high-performance engine with a 2-speed gearbox and is more than capable of delivering the power needed for everyday tasks and lighter professional projects. It has 22 clutch settings, and it can be used in two different speed modes – slow (0-350 RPM) and fast (0-1500 RPM).

Other features worth mentioning are the integrated LED work light, the standard bit holder, and a genuinely low price that’s guaranteed to turn it into a bestseller. Let’s have a more detailed look at the model’s characteristics:

The Features


Design


As already mentioned, the Porter-Cable PCC601 is a genuinely compact drill/driver. It is only 8.25″ long and weighs just 3.5 pounds, so it’s quite easy to use it in tight and hard-to-reach spaces. The fact that it’s so lightweight also prevents user fatigue – with this model, you won’t have to worry about cramps.

Along with the recognizable color scheme, another thing that makes this unit a Porter-Cable power tool is its design. Not only is its handle designed in a way that makes the device feel very comfortable in hand, but it also has a surprisingly great balance. However, this is precisely what we’ve expected from a PC power tool, even though PCC601 is one of the company’s cheapest.

Power


When it comes to power, this is a pretty standard drill – its 283 UWO brushed engine reaches the top speed of 1,500 RPM and makes short work of simpler drilling tasks. There are 22 clutch settings here and two speed settings to choose from (0-350 & 0-1500 RPM). This allows the user to find an ideal speed for the task at hand, which increases productivity as well as the lifespan of the tool.

Although not suitable for the really demanding projects, this drill/driver is powerful enough to be a great addition to toolboxes of carpenters, electricians, plumbers, mechanics, as well as homeowners and DIY enthusiasts.

Other Features


Nowadays, even the cheapest drills come with integrated LED flashlights, and PCC601 is no exception to that rule. The unit’s LED light works without hiccups and is there to illuminate the surface/workpiece you’re working on when you’re in a dimly-lit area. There is also a standard bit holder in the base but no battery gauge or hook attachment, unfortunately.

PCC601 Drill Driver Side View

Pros:

N

Genuinely low price

N

A well-designed drill/driver

N

22 clutch settings

N

Integrated LED work light

Cons:

N

Not for heavy-duty jobs

N

Missing additional features

Things We Liked / Didn’t Like

R

Things we liked about it

The phenomenal design of PCC601 is apparent straight out of the box. It is pretty evident that this drill/driver was designed to have a great fit in hand and to cause no user fatigue at all. Although inexpensive, the unit has a truly outstanding design, which had us somewhat surprised.

When it comes to performance, things aren’t that great, but it’s pretty safe to say that the model is an excellent choice for homeowners and professionals who perform lighter drilling and driving tasks on a daily basis. When handled with care, the PCC601 can become an integral part of anyone’s toolbox – it’s a handy little drill that rarely disappoints.

However, the thing we like the most is undoubtedly the model’s price. For the cost that it comes at, the PCC601 is an absolute steal and one of the best bangs for the buck on today’s market.

Q

Things we didn’t like

Unlike its PCC600 cousin, which is even more compact in size but also more powerful, this drill/driver is unsuitable for the more demanding tasks. Using it for heavy-duty projects is guaranteed to shorten its lifespan.

Although it’s not a significant downside, the fact that the unit misses features like the fuel gauge, the hook attachment, and the magnetic bit holder will probably leave some handymen disappointed.

General Impressions


As expected, the fans of Porter-Cable are quite impressed with the performance and features of this inexpensive drill/driver. They’re calling PCC601 an excellent tool and one which, unlike some of the previous drills they owned, doesn’t start smoking when used for lighter professional projects.

Others say that they’re quite surprised with how wonderfully light this tool is and that they’re thoroughly impressed with its reliability despite the low price.

Conclusion


Who could say that such an affordable model could have so many good things going for it? The Porter-Cable PCC601 is an outstanding drill/driver, as it delivers decent performance and has a great design but also comes at a price that shouldn’t be a problem to any DIY enthusiast.

If you’re looking for a cheap model that won’t leave you disappointed after only a few months of use, definitely consider this unit for purchase. It’s an excellent choice for everyday tasks and less-demanding woodworking projects.

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