Moved from carvex-review

I've got my carvex for about 2 weeks now and after some "testing" this is what I think from it: (sorry for the quality of my pictures I'll try to make better ones as soon as possible)


So this is what I got... The PS400 with the power cord and I've got also the ruler for cutting circles and the guide rail adaptor. When first opening the Systainer it was already clear those clever guys from Festool did it again. They thought very well of this one, into every detail. The power cord for instance can be rotated. This may sound stupid, but trust me, it's not... when cutting big boards, I like to put the cable over my shoulder, and it goes way better when the cable is in the "up" position. On the other hand, when cutting smaller pieces, I like to cut from underneat, and as you would have thought, this goes best with the cable in the horizontal position. They also say it's useful for cutting into small spaces, but I did not get to that (yet...). Also the pipe for the dust extraction can be removed which is nice if you don't use it that often. But now, lets get to some cutting... I took of with some 18 mm MDF, while doing this, I was still thinking how I would do with my old jigsaw, so the curves aren't that tight, but the cut is very clean, as it should be.

Also the speed was a suprise, even on this small piece. This brings me to the next feature, the adjustable speed. Instead of the usual 1 - 6 setting, it has an extra one, "A", when set on this position, the saw will set the speed on it's own, and it works really well, I even tried to cut a 2 inch solid oak board to see if the speed would change at the ends, and of course, it did... Also take a look at the picture and see how nice the cut is, you can put a square next to it and yes, once again, as it should be... Believe it or not this was done with the Carvex.

Then took an other piece of oak, 1 inch thick to test how tight the curves could be, just look at the pictures, I've never done this before in such an easy and clean way and I even did some smaller ones later on...




Maybe a something about the light, this is very nice, and one thing in specific. If you use the saw upside down, the lights are off, so no chance of getting blinded by a bright light at the beginning and the end of a cut.
I found a downside as well, I had to cut some pine the other day and the transparant cover got covered in a sticky layer of dust, which took some effort to clean, but the hardest part was where the LEDs for the light are, this was really difficult to clean. But ok, every saw would be difficult to clean after cutting a pile of pine?
And maybe a final impression to compare it with its predecessor, the PS300. The PS300 is a good jigsaw, I've used it and loved it, but once you've used the PS400 you know what the best jigsaw is...
This was about it, I'll try to test the circle cutter as soon as possible, and let you guys know. I wonder how it handles for bigger circles, since it allows a radius of 1,5 m.
And just to mention, I'm not associated to Festool in any way (or maybe I'm, I'm addicted ). So I paid for the Carvex myself.

Best regards from Belgium,

Hans

Thanks for the review.   

As soon as these become available in Canada, I am going to buy one.

Toto

I had the 300 but never really took to it as i found the visibility to be poor.  I now have the Carvex (sold the 300) & all i can say is "WOW".

Nicer to handle, lighter, much better visibility, better dust extraction, cool strobe light & the sliding clear cover is so quick & easy to use.  I will be investing in the extra bases shortly.

The only grumble i have is that when you buy the basic saw (not the set with all the bases) The base on it cannot be adjusted to an angle, IE - 45 deg.  So if you need to cut an angle you have to go out & buy there adjustable base 

All in all, one of the best tools they have produced 

Woodguy.

The strobe light cannot be turned off.
And it only works with the machine on top of the material.
If you use the machine upside down the strobe light does not work.
And that's logical because you don't need it upside down.
Maybe the strobe light is harmfull for your eyes, but I don't know for sure.

No it does not. I just checked it on my own Carvex.
On all speeds there is always the strobe light.

Well that's just my opinion and experience.
When you use the saw upside down you do follow the sawblade which comes through the material and just follow the line with your eyes.
No need for the strobe light that way.
But if you want to follow the line in upside down position and also your head you may need the strobe light. But it's simply not there.