Porter-Cable 97549 Variable Speed Top Handle Jig Saw Kit

by Porter-Cable

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Porter-Cable variable speed top handle jigsaw kit features a 4-position orbit and all ball and needle bearing construction. A powerful 1-inch stroke accepts Porter-Cable hook or universal jigsaw blades, and the adjustable blade guide and fixed base allows for accurate 90-degree cuts. There's also an optional saw dust blower that can be turned on or off during cutting.

What's in the Box
Jigsaw, 20-tooth blade, case, user's manual.

From the Manufacturer

Porter-Cable 97549 Variable Speed Top Handle Jig Saw Kit

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 15.8 x 4.2 x 13.5 inches ; 6.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000222YY
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 97549
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #532,298 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Capable Porter-Cable, December 27, 1999

By 

James Fellers "splinter" (Crystal Lake, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Porter-Cable 97549 Variable Speed Top Handle Jig Saw Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

I have used this saw for more than three years. It has been instrumental in building a lot of furniture and a wooden boat. The saw is powerful but very easy to control. As noted by another reviewer, the 90 degree base is limiting. The hook-shank Porter-Cable saw blades are difficult to find, which is too bad since they are a high quality blade. The trigger switch broke on my saw, long after the warrantee was over. Porter-Cable shipped me one, free of cost, in about three days. If this saw ever goes belly-up, I would buy another in a heart beat.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Instructions for Changing blade-types not very clear, June 18, 2000

By 

Swimmerman (Greenwich, CT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Porter-Cable 97549 Variable Speed Top Handle Jig Saw Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

I don't consider myself a clod but I'm not a carpenter either. The Mfg devotes more pictures to less pertinent activities and it's our loss. Because of the rave reviews about this saw at Amazon.com and Consumer reports (1995), I bought this because I have a bunch of universal blades I don't feel like throwing away.

The saw comes set up for the Porter-Cable blades so you have to remove the blade clamp and reverse it (I only wish they said something like that in the instructions at the top). It has two screws called a clamp screw and a blade screw, which when the clamp is reversed become the blade screw and the clamp screw (which the instructions don't point out). Further, the instructions refer to moving the blade shaft - (the part of the saw that pistons up and down on which the blade is ultimately attached (if you're lucky)- by using a screwdriver to turn the fan motor (No further pictures! ) You're supposed to figure out on your own that you stick a screw driver in the aperture of the saw body where the fan blades are visible and rotate the blades so the motor rotates and moves the blade shaft up and down so as to enable you to remove the blade clamp and reverse it.

After sleeping on the problem of what the heck they wanted me to do, I finally returned to the scene and figured it out.

It's a pain but I don't think people change blade types very often. Once the type is changed, blades go in easily by tightening a screw.

The only other concern I have is that the instructions recommend that the saw be returned for inspection of the brushes after only 100 hours. For me, that's a three hour round trip to Long Island, for what appears to me little use for a relatively heavy-duty saw. (My old Stanley lasted 25 years and I never brought it to anybody). For those people who are thinking of buying this saw, you too can call the Mfg's toll-free number (1-888-848-5175) and find out from them, as I will do Monday morning.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars P C a great tool as always 97549 Jig Saw, December 18, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Md.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Porter-Cable 97549 Variable Speed Top Handle Jig Saw Kit (Tools & Home Improvement)

A very powerful and easy to control tool. Many extras such as orbital blade controls , dust blower , blade roller guides . My only problem is the fixed base limits you to 90degree cuts so a different base would be a helpful assory.