Porter Cable 7549 Jigsaw

[James Baldwin]

Just picked one up at an Estate sale for $20. Haven't had a chance to use it yet but it should be an improvement over the old Craftsman Auto-scroll saw I was using. I had to cut some bowl blanks out of some 2 1/4" Teak and it was challenge. I'll probably try it out today on some Sapele. I need to see if I can salvage a bowl blank by gluing a piece on. Jim

[Jim Becker]

Here's a link to the manual in case you didn't get it:

https://www.toolservicenet.com/i/PORTER-CABLE/GLOBALBOM/QU/PC7649/1/Instruction_Manual/EN/888004_7649.pdf

Hopefully, it will take "standard" universal blades. I did not read the specs.

[Robert LaPlaca]

I have its brother the 7649, which is a barrel style.

As for blades it takes Porter Cable ‘hook’ style and Bosch style if you reverse the blade holder. The jigsaw is a bit of a beast, I use it to break down rough lumber to rough sizes, the saw has two orbit modes that make the saw more aggresive.

[Curt Harms]

I have one as well, used it to cut thin plate steel and it appears to be none the worse for wear. I haven't used mine in years, don't know if you can still get the J hook blades. I had some "universal" blades - just a straight end kind of dished - that worked okay.

[Kent A Bathurst]

"...don't know if you can still get the J hook blades....."

Available everywhere. All sizes and lengths. Search for PC bayonet saw blades

I still have my ages-old PC 548 worm-drive bayonet saw. A real horse.

[Jim Becker]

Since the unit reportedly can use "universal" (Bosch design) blades, there's no worries about the PC proprietary format.

[Robert LaPlaca]

I used the PC style blades once or twice sometime in the mid 90’s and been using Bosch blades ever since..

[James Baldwin]

I just bought some Bosch blades for hardwood to cut the Teak bowl blanks with the Craftsman so I'm set to try it out. Jim

[Curt Harms]

Since the unit reportedly can use "universal" (Bosch design) blades, there's no worries about the PC proprietary format.

I thought Bosch blades were the T shank design. I didn't know until I started looking that Bosch also makes universal blades which is good to see.

[Tom M King]

I have an older model of that jigsaw that I found NOS in a small hardware store in the early 1970's. I used it until Bosch came out with the variable orbit ones, and probably never used the all metal PC again. It's in my collection of old power tools.

[Jim Becker]

I thought Bosch blades were the T shank design. I didn't know until I started looking that Bosch also makes universal blades which is good to see.
Pretty much "everyone" has gone to the same mount for jigsaw blades in recent years. I personally use the Festool blades most of the time, but have used Bosch and others when that's what was available.

[Larry Edgerton]

Available everywhere. All sizes and lengths. Search for PC bayonet saw blades

I still have my ages-old PC 548 worm-drive bayonet saw. A real horse.

That old beast is still running? It went to a good home.

[jack duren]

I bought two at a pawn shop in their boxes like new. Never use them..

[Kent A Bathurst]

That old beast is still running? It went to a good home.

Whooaa - Great memory, Larry. That one is the backup; I'm still driving my original.