Carvex 420 going off line on circular cuts

[jonathan baines]

I'm following this story in respect to my Carvex 420. Not the same issue but similar. I have just returned the saw for the second time due to cuts wandering. When you cut freehand following a pencil line, the saw will cut perfect as it should but the body of the saw is ever so slightly skewed. When you try to guide the right side of the base up against a clamped straight edge, the saw starts to wander off cut to the left. When cutting with the left side of the base against the straight edge, the blade slowly wanders left again until it becomes too hard to continue the cut. The saw was returned with a full explanation of the problem and it came back with a note saying the gear cover had been replaced but the saw is doing exactly the same thing. I believe the problem lies with the blade clamp. If you say the saw is pointing North, the clamp is pointing very slightly to  North West. I don't like to undermine the service engineers but I wonder if they have the extensive experience in using the machines to understand these kind of issues. I have requested that the saw is exchanged instead of a second repair attempt as the saw is almost new. Fingers crossed.

Jonathan.

 

[peter halle]

Hopefully Festool will get this sorted out for you.  After making tools for 84 years and supplying them all over the world I would guess that they might have the necessary experience on how to make and use tools.     [big grin]  Otherwise we wouldn't be buying and using them.

Peter

 

[jonathan baines]

Thanks for your reply Peter, I think the Festool engineers in the U.S. may have a little more "hands on" experience with regards to using their tools than over here in the UK. When speaking to them in person, you get the impression that what your trying to describe is like talking a different language! Maybe thats a little harsh, but you get the idea.
Would be interesting to here if this problem has occured before though. I've used many jigsaws with varying results but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect The latest jigsaw from Festool to cut a true straight line when guided by a straight edge. Festool give me the impression I am expecting too much. Maybe it's me.

Jonathan.

 

[peter halle]

Thanks for your reply Peter, I think the Festool engineers in the U.S. may have a little more "hands on" experience with regards to using their tools than over here in the UK. When speaking to them in person, you get the impression that what your trying to describe is like talking a different language! Maybe thats a little harsh, but you get the idea.
Would be interesting to here if this problem has occured before though. I've used many jigsaws with varying results but I don't think it's unreasonable to expect The latest jigsaw from Festool to cut a true straight line when guided by a straight edge. Festool give me the impression I am expecting too much. Maybe it's me.

Jonathan.

The only Festool engineers are in Germany.  In regards to your issue, I don't believe that you are the first to have it.  I would suggest that you follow up with Festool and if you don't get satisfaction work up the chain if necessary to get a resolution.  You bought a product, it isn't working the way that you feel it should based on ..... and how can this be rectified to both of our satisfactions.

Just a thought.

Peter

 

[Wuffles]

Another thread has reminded me I've not tried this again. I'll try it later and see if it's fixed by re-fitting the base.

 

[fesfrank]

I started a seperate thread about similar issues.  I think the idea of the actual carvex being skewed from the base could be the problem.  Also I didnt use Festool FSG blades, but it said to use a scroll blade when cutting small circles, as mine were only 8" diameter.  So I used a bosch coping blade, it was working great the right at the end it didnt line up.  It actually went into the circle, as opposed to outside and I could just sand it off.  Then I tried again and the blade broke.  Tried changing blade after that and it wouldnt go in by hand, I hand to push it in and turn with pliers.  After successful blade change the Carvex went way outside of line like first pic in thread.  So I had to use a flush cut bit and turn 90 degrees halfway through to make both circle alike ( the smaller diameter)  whew....  I will get pics next time..  Thank you guys for all the help in advance.

 

[tlathbury]

I am having the exact same issue.  Have now gone thru 4 blades and several splinter guards in the process of trying to cut a clean circle counter clockwise.  After reading this thread I switched to an FSG blade and that helped a little, but the blade still wanted to wander and started smoking at different points during the cut. Needed to back off a few times during the cut and when I was done the result was not clean, too many stops and starts.

I understand which side the pin goes on etc etc.

Then tried clockwise with the opposite pin configuration and worked like a charm.

I looked at the issue of potential slop in the base mount and it appears there could be some.  But I do not see nudging the base as a reliable or repeatable solution.  Would appreciate more feedback from Festool on this.  I actually ended up putting a gouge in my Mft3 side profile because the blade wandered too much on me and I wasn't paying close enough attention to the proximity of the blade to the table.

  Would appreciate more feedback from Festool on this.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Just a follow up on this topic. We have tested this clockwise and counter-clockwise without any issues on multiple cuts. The 75/4 FSG and S 75/4 K blades were used.

Again, I'd recommend that those having issues check the following:

- Make sure the green knob on the circle cutter is tighten down to prevent movement
- Check the blade you're using
- Make sure the blade guides are properly set
- Ensure that the pin is on the same side of the circle cutter as the saw as I illustrated in my previous post
- Pendulum setting to 3, most aggressive
- Let the saw and blade do the work, don't push the cut speed

To make sure it's not movement of the circle cutter extending as you cut, annotate the measurement on the tape before you start cutting and afterward. It should, of course, be the same. If it's not then the tape is extending out as you cut, which is the problem.

If anyone having this problem can video their cuts, that would be really helpful in troubleshooting what's going on.

Shane

 

[Wuffles]

Okey dokey. Finally got round to testing this, and if I'm honest I probably have avoided doing so as it hurts to watch a perfectly good blade get destroyed just testing something that should work as advertised.

All testing performed with clockwise cuts.

Checked and double checked the line-up of the base along the centre with regard the blade. Starts wandering within about 60 degrees of the start of the cut, blade torched.

Whilst I've got all of the kit out, I'm not giving up. Checked it all over again thoroughly, moved the pilot hole along the work piece about and inch so as to avoid the original cut, replaced with another new blade, wanders again, sparks, destroyed blade.

Not satisfactory so will be returning the saw on Monday. As others have said, if it can't do it every single time, it's not right. And I'm now down around 5 blades, all killed whilst trying to figure out why it's stopped working - worked fine for ages, but I guess my mistake was taking the base off for another sawing application.

As I've never had to return a Festool item in over 6 years of use, is it an easy thing to do in the UK?

 

[Davej]

Sent my carvex 400 in for repair  through a local dealer , I was told that there was a backlog of repairs so I rang festool UK as I needed it back ASAP  and they posted me a loan tool that arrived the next day . Can't fault them for their support .
Dave

 

[Wuffles]

I feel the only problem will be proving to them that there is a fault. I've been here before with  a machine that 'functions' under most conditions. Anyone know the magic phrasing required to avoid the no fault found return message? Because I'll keep sending it back unless they're providing replacement blades for testing.

 

[woodie]

Do you have any way to capture it on video? That might be the most helpful.

 

[Wuffles]

I could do that, but the only way to prove it would be to use a brand new blade again, or they could blame it on the fact that I'm trying to use a banana shaped blade, and I'm out of new ones now.

Certainly won't be buying any more to prove a fault so I hope they'll be able to replicate. Not that's it's hard to replicate.

 

[Wuffles]

During one of the failed cuts it seems to have fused the roller as it no longer spins, so that could be part of the problem - the chap at the dealers noticed it compared to a shop model. It's on its way back to Festool now via the dealership so will monitor the situation and try it once it's back.

Incidentally, left a voicemail with the Service department this morning and they didn't call me back, that's a black mark right there as far as I am concerned. Bosch are better on the service than that.

My main problem with this situation is this. Once upon a time this thing would cut circles without any problem at all, then it stopped (whether due to a misaligned base or what, I don't know), so there's a vagueness I could do without. Then the by-product of it not working correctly on a circle cut is a destroyed blade (few quid), damaged workpiece and potentially a part fusing that requires sending the entire unit off for repair, which is all good during warranty period (albeit a pain), not entirely something I'd feel comfortable about outside of warranty.

To sum up; the product "occasionally" doesn't do what it's supposed to do, without a "tap" in the right place under "some" circumstances. Too vague for me.

 

[Wuffles]

Thought I'd post an update on this.

But as Festool didn't collect the broken device until yesterday (reported Monday) there won't be any kind of update until next week at the earliest I suspect.

I was expecting more, I really was.

I know it's different in the States as "y'all" seem to rate the speed and efficiency of Festool US as one of the highest you've ever dealt with, similar from my experience to Bosch Power Tools in the UK.

 

[amundsenej]

I appreciate your persistence on this problem and hopefully I can learn from your trials and tribulations cause I have a brand new Carvex and right out of the box it's doing the exact same thing, only difference is I have only smoked three blades.  Tried it going clockwise and worked fine so go figure.  It is definitely tracking to the right and within 100mm on a 300mm radius circle it's departed the proper track and starts smoking.  I checked out all the posts on this subject and have verified and checked all the suggested fixes to no avail. 

I also did a test cut with a track and even on a straight cut it appears to be tracking off to the right.  The blade shows wear only on the right side from the tungsten blade guide and by the end of the cut its out of square. 

Eric

 

[peter halle]

Eric,

Sorry to hear about your difficulties.  You might want to give Festool USA a cal and talk to one of the Customer Support people.  I am sure that they will be able to help you out and/or arrange to get your Carvex in for a checkup.

Peter

 

[Wuffles]

I appreciate your persistence on this problem and hopefully I can learn from your trials and tribulations cause I have a brand new Carvex and right out of the box it's doing the exact same thing, only difference is I have only smoked three blades.  Tried it going clockwise and worked fine so go figure.  It is definitely tracking to the right and within 100mm on a 300mm radius circle it's departed the proper track and starts smoking.  I checked out all the posts on this subject and have verified and checked all the suggested fixes to no avail. 

I also did a test cut with a track and even on a straight cut it appears to be tracking off to the right.  The blade shows wear only on the right side from the tungsten blade guide and by the end of the cut its out of square. 

Eric

Check the roller isn't fused in place now, because if it is, no amount of adjustment will save your next blade. Annoying isn't it, you destroy consumables based on what is effectively a faulty product and (in my case at least) I expect to be left out of pocket for the pleasure.

 

[amundsenej]

Thanks, based on your previous posts I had checked the roller and luckily it is still OK.  Spent another couple hours this morning and smoked another blade to finally determine that the blade chuck is misaligned with the saw base.  See photos attached.  Out of the box and can't cut a straight line; pretty frustrating as I have been more than impressed with the rest of my Festool products.  Sending it back.

 

[Davej]

Thanks, based on your previous posts I had checked the roller and luckily it is still OK.  Spent another couple hours this morning and smoked another blade to finally determine that the blade chuck is misaligned with the saw base.  See photos attached.  Out of the box and can't cut a straight line; pretty frustrating as I have been more than impressed with the rest of my Festool products.  Sending it back.

If that's the fsg blade it is narrower at the back.  Still a bummer your having problems though .
Dave