I purchased the 110v top handle saw in June of last year, I only use it primarily for sink and hob cut-outs. It's the model with the strobe light that can't be adjusted. Most of my tools are Festool and overwhelmingly I'm extremely pleased with them. Unfortunately, in my opinion this jigsaw is a big disappointment. I know the strobe light has now been changed, so criticism of this must be taken in context. I simply find that the constant flashing of this light extremely irritating to my eye sight to the point I don't look at it now if possible.
The saw release mechanism is a big step backwards for two reasons: firstly, you now have to remove the splinterguard to eject the blade; and secondly, you can only eject the blade if it has stopped in the 'up' position. The blade release slide only activates the release mechanism on the plunger rod when it's 'up', this is extremely irritating and poorly thought out. And as an aside the thumb lever on the slide mechanism keeps falling off.
I really can't work out what the 'automatic' setting is all about. It seems to have no real purpose and simply engineered and fitted because it can be. My saw 'stalls' when turning tight corners and in automatic mode. What's wrong with the user setting the saw's maximum speed and the saw simply having the standard feature of automatically compensating for increase loads? Perhaps I'm missing something and someone will explain.
Subjectively, the saw feels more 'plastic' than the trion, especially the top handle. I'd also prefer a more chunkier handle, It's a bit thin for me (but that's an individual thing). Another annoying point that is specific to the UK 110v version (and applies to a few Festool tools) is that it's extremely difficult to shut the systainer with the bulky110v plug. You end up with the lid of the systainer bulging out.
Anyway in summary I can't recommend this saw and I think your money would be better spent on a top of the range Bosch at probably half the cost. I've sent it off for repair and hopefully Festool UK can modify the strobe light and the other faults otherwise it's on ebay.
Troll
The saw release mechanism is a big step backwards for two reasons: firstly, you now have to remove the splinterguard to eject the blade; and secondly, you can only eject the blade if it has stopped in the 'up' position. The blade release slide only activates the release mechanism on the plunger rod when it's 'up', this is extremely irritating and poorly thought out. And as an aside the thumb lever on the slide mechanism keeps falling off.
I really can't work out what the 'automatic' setting is all about. It seems to have no real purpose and simply engineered and fitted because it can be. My saw 'stalls' when turning tight corners and in automatic mode. What's wrong with the user setting the saw's maximum speed and the saw simply having the standard feature of automatically compensating for increase loads? Perhaps I'm missing something and someone will explain.
Subjectively, the saw feels more 'plastic' than the trion, especially the top handle. I'd also prefer a more chunkier handle, It's a bit thin for me (but that's an individual thing). Another annoying point that is specific to the UK 110v version (and applies to a few Festool tools) is that it's extremely difficult to shut the systainer with the bulky110v plug. You end up with the lid of the systainer bulging out.
Anyway in summary I can't recommend this saw and I think your money would be better spent on a top of the range Bosch at probably half the cost. I've sent it off for repair and hopefully Festool UK can modify the strobe light and the other faults otherwise it's on ebay.
Troll
