Porter Cable Drill Press Replacement Parts: How to Identify the Correct Version
Porter Cable built a reputation on job-site tools — circular saws, sanders, routers — but their drill press lineup is a different story. The machines are real, the parts ecosystem is thinner than you’d expect for a name-brand tool, and the model history is tangled enough that “Porter Cable drill press parts” can mean several very different machines depending on which version you have.
This guide focuses on what actually matters: identifying your exact version, understanding the key specs that determine part compatibility, and finding quality replacements for the components most likely to need attention.
Porter Cable’s Drill Press Lineup: A Quick History
Porter Cable’s drill press history runs through two distinct periods. Earlier machines — including the widely referenced PCB660DP — were manufactured when Porter Cable was still operating with more independent engineering. Later machines, produced after the Stanley Black & Decker acquisition, were often rebadged from a shared platform that also underpins some Craftsman and other SBD-brand drill presses.
This matters for parts because:
- A PCB660DP part may not cross to a current production Porter Cable machine
- Current machines may share parts with Craftsman drill presses of the same era
- The swing rating (8”, 10”, or 15”) tells you the size class but not the specific spindle or column spec
Start Here: Locate Your Exact Model and Version
Before searching for any part, find the data plate on your machine. On Porter Cable drill presses, it’s typically on the back of the head casting or on the column near the base. You’re looking for:
- Full model number (including any suffix letters)
- Serial number range
- Motor rating (HP and voltage)
If you have the machine’s original manual, the exploded parts diagram will show every component with a callout number. Porter Cable manuals are available through the Stanley Black & Decker service portal.
Spindle Taper: Verify Before You Order Any Chuck
Most Porter Cable drill presses use a No. 2 Morse Taper (MT2), but some models — particularly in the 15-inch floor press class — have used MT3. Ordering the wrong taper means the chuck arbor simply won’t seat.
To check your taper:
- Remove the existing chuck and arbor
- Look at the arbor shank — the taper angle and length identify whether it’s MT2 or MT3
- Compare to published Morse Taper dimension charts (MT2 small end is ~0.700”, MT3 is ~0.938”)
Once you know your taper:
- For MT2 machines: a JT33 chuck on a standard MT2 arbor is your most reliable replacement path
- For MT3 machines: an MT3 chuck arbor assembly is the correct fit
Replace the chuck key at the same time if yours is worn or missing.
Column and Work Table Parts
For Porter Cable 15-inch floor presses, the column OD is typically 2”, which is a common size that overlaps with Jet, WEN, and other drill press brands. This means aftermarket table support parts are often available from non-Porter-Cable sources, as long as you verify the column OD with calipers.
For vise selection:
- A 4” drill press vise fits the 15” table without overhanging, gives you solid workholding for most metal and wood drilling
- A 3” vise is better matched to a 10” bench press where table real estate is more limited
V-Belt Replacement
Porter Cable drill presses use standard V-belts for the drive train. The OEM belt size is listed in the parts manual for your model — if you have access to it, use it. If not:
- Remove the belt and check for a size stamp on the outer surface
- If the stamp is gone, measure the outer circumference and top width
- Cross-reference with standard belt sizing
A link-style V-belt solves the sizing guesswork entirely — you trim it to the exact length needed on the machine. It also runs smoother than a factory-equivalent belt on older pulley stacks.
Work Light Addition
Porter Cable’s drill presses don’t include work lighting. A magnetic LED work light positioned at the drill head gives you clean, shadow-free illumination right at the bit without any mounting hardware.
Pre-Order Checklist
- ✅ Full model number with suffix (from data plate)
- ✅ Spindle taper verified (MT2 or MT3 — measure, don’t assume)
- ✅ Chuck interface (JT33 for most models)
- ✅ Column OD measured with calipers
- ✅ V-belt size from stamp or measurement
- ✅ Quill diameter for spring or seal replacement
- ✅ Spindle travel distance (for depth stop compatibility)
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