Porter-Cable FAQ: Door Hinge Templates, 20V Circular Saw Blade Size, Pole Saw Blades, TRADESTACK, and Screw Anchors in Wood

Short answer FAQ for Porter-Cable and woodworking

I've been handling tool crib and contractor orders for 9 years. Maybe 10—I'd have to check my start date. I've personally made (and documented) 23 significant mistakes, totaling roughly $4,800 in wasted budget. Now I maintain our team's checklist to prevent others from repeating my errors.

This FAQ covers the exact stuff that trips up buyers: the Porter-Cable door hinge template, Porter-Cable 20V circular saw blade size, pole saw blades, the TRADESTACK system rolling tool box, and the classic question: should I use screw anchors in wood?

• 1. What is the Porter-Cable door hinge template, and do you need one?
• 2. What blade size does a Porter-Cable 20V circular saw use?
• 3. Pole saw blades—what do I actually need to order?
• 4. What should I know about the TRADESTACK system rolling tool box?
• 5. Should I use screw anchors in wood?
• 6. What's the one thing people miss when ordering Porter-Cable replacement parts?

1. What is the Porter-Cable door hinge template, and do you need one?

It's a router jig for hanging doors, not a drill guide. The Porter-Cable door hinge template—the 59380-style kit is the one most people mean—locates standard 3-1/2 in. and 4 in. hinge mortises so your router cuts consistent depth and spacing. You still need a plunge router, the right guide bushing, and a hinge mortising bit, usually 1/4 in. shank. In 2019, I ordered 14 templates for a finish crew and forgot the bushings. The templates sat in the box for a week. $210 in overnight shipping later, I learned: a template is only half the setup.

When I compared a door I hung with the template vs. freehand, I finally understood why the template matters. The freehand one worked, but the hinge gap was uneven. If you're hanging one or two doors, freehand can be fine. If you're doing a whole house, the template pays for itself in fewer redos. I'm not a finish carpenter, so I can't speak to historic door profiles. For that, hire a millwork specialist.

Porter-Cable 59380 door hinge template kit is designed for standard hinge sizes. Check your kit manual for the exact bushing and bit.

2. What blade size does a Porter-Cable 20V circular saw use?

Most Porter-Cable 20V MAX circular saws—like the PCC660—take a 6-1/2 in. blade with a 5/8 in. arbor. Not 7-1/4 in. That's the mistake I made in 2020: ordered 20 7-1/4 in. framing blades because I assumed all circular saws were the same. $260 wasted. The manual is your source: check the blade size and arbor before ordering.

For framing and ripping, a 24-tooth carbide blade is a good starting point. For finish cuts, step up to 40 teeth or more. Thin kerf helps the 20V saw keep speed in thicker stock. Bottom line: 6-1/2 in., 5/8 in. arbor, match the tooth count to the cut. If your saw is a corded 7-1/4 in. model, ignore this—different animal.

Porter-Cable PCC660 manual: 6-1/2 in. blade, 5/8 in. arbor. Always verify against your specific model number.

3. Pole saw blades—what do I actually need to order?

First figure out which pole saw you have. Chain-driven pole saws don't use a blade; they use a replacement chain and bar. You need to match pitch, gauge, drive link count, and bar length. Manual pole saws use a pruning blade—usually 12 to 15 in.—and you match the mounting hole pattern and blade length.

I once ordered 11 chains using only the bar length. Didn't check pitch. $390 in chains that wouldn't fit. That's a red flag in any parts order: if you're only matching one spec, you're guessing. For chain-type pole saws, the manual or bar stamp tells you the numbers. For manual pole saw blades, pull the old blade and measure. Honestly, I'm not sure why some listings call chains 'blades.' My best guess is search volume. Don't order by name alone.

4. What should I know about the TRADESTACK system rolling tool box?

The TRADESTACK system rolling tool box is the wheeled base of Porter-Cable's modular storage line. It has a telescoping handle, wheels, and latches that let you stack other TRADESTACK boxes on top. It's not a stand-alone box if you plan to build a full stack—it's the foundation. I've seen guys overload it with heavy hand tools up top and then wonder why the handle feels loose. Keep heavy stuff low.

Check the manual for the load rating; I'm not going to quote a number I can't verify. Also, confirm your existing boxes use the same latch system before buying. In 2022, we ordered a rolling box for a crew that had an older modular set. The latches didn't match. $180 return shipping. Measure twice, click once.

5. Should I use screw anchors in wood?

Usually, no—not in solid wood. Wood screws are designed to bite into wood fibers. Anchors are for drywall, plaster, masonry, or hollow-core doors. If you're fastening two pieces of solid wood, drill a pilot hole and use the right wood screw. If the hole is stripped, don't reach for a drywall anchor. Glue a hardwood dowel in the hole, let it cure, then re-drill. Or move up to a slightly larger screw.

For particleboard or MDF, use threaded inserts or confirmat screws—not plastic anchors. The exception: if you're anchoring into a hollow-core door or thin panel, a toggle bolt or hollow-wall anchor can work, but it won't hold structural load. When in doubt, ask what the load is. If it's a cabinet, a shelf, or anything overhead, talk to a carpenter or engineer. This gets into structural territory, which isn't my expertise.

6. What's the one thing people miss when ordering Porter-Cable replacement parts?

They order by brand and tool name, but not by the exact model number. Porter-Cable has made multiple generations of similar tools. A 20V circular saw blade size, a door hinge template bushing, a pole saw chain, and a TRADESTACK latch can all vary by model year.

I keep a simple rule: model number first, then part. In 2023, we had a $640 order of hinge template parts that were for an older kit. The fix was easy—return and reorder—but it cost us a week. So before you buy, find the data plate on the tool. Write down the full model. Then check the manual. If the listing doesn't ask for your model, that's a red flag. A specialist who asks for your model is worth more than a generalist who says it fits all.