Carvex. How tough is it?

[woodtradesman]

I'm in the market for a good jigsaw. I currently have a Hilti jigsaw that has served me well but I was never totally happy with it accuracy with round cuts (although its taken lots of abuse and keeps working like new). My main 2 requirements are clean and accurate cuts and good a degree of toughness.

I mentioned to a fellow finish carpenter that I wanted a new jigsaw and he showed me his Carvex. I was impressed with it but when I asked him how about how tough it is, he mention that he wasn’t planning on using it for anything tough and he wasn't worried about how long it would last because he would baby it. That won't work for me, I take good care of my tool but most of the time I just can't go around babying me tools. I need a good all around tough jigsaw because I just don't room lug around double of every tool at the moment which brings to the Carvex. I was ready to order one but before that, I came here to the FOG get some more info on the carvex from users. I came across a recent thread in which it appears that the carvex will probable not hold up to the same rigours that my hilti has endured and what is more, from what I can gather, the warranty won't cover broken gears from hitting a screw (I hit those all the time).

Can any one here on the FOG share your thoughts how strong the Carvex is? I'd appreciate your comments.

Thanks.

 

[orm8426]

I'm in the market for a good jigsaw. I currently have a Hilti jigsaw that has served me well but I was never totally happy with it accuracy with round cuts (although its taken lots of abuse and keeps working like new). My main 2 requirements are clean and accurate cuts and good a degree of toughness.

I mentioned to a fellow finish carpenter that I wanted a new jigsaw and he showed me his Carvex. I was impressed with it but when I asked him how about how tough it is, he mention that he wasn’t planning on using it for anything tough and he wasn't worried about how long it would last because he would baby it. That won't work for me, I take good care of my tool but most of the time I just can't go around babying me tools. I need a good all around tough jigsaw because I just don't room lug around double of every tool at the moment which brings to the Carvex. I was ready to order one but before that, I came here to the FOG get some more info on the carvex from users. I came across a recent thread in which it appears that the carvex will probable not hold up to the same rigours that my hilti has endured and what is more, from what I can gather, the warranty won't cover broken gears from hitting a screw (I hit those all the time).

Can any one here on the FOG share your thoughts how strong the Carvex is? I'd appreciate your comments.

Thanks.

As you pointed out, a recent thread proved that apparently (according to Festool's reason for refusing the warranty claim) that a Carvex can be broken, to the point where it's uneconomical to repair, by hitting a screw whilst sawing through a kitchen worktop. So I'll leave you to make up your own mind what that says.

Also from my research it seems the blade guide is a little temperamental and requires frequent adjusting to keep the blade from wandering in thicker stock. I don't own one so this is just second hand information.

For me however there were enough posts and issues that this week instead of buying a Carvex as I had intended I instead bought a Mafell P1CC. Maybe this would be one to investigate.  Here's a video of a side by side cutting comparison:

 

[orm8426]

or you could buy 2 Carvex units for the price of that Mafell and probably still not have an issue with the Carvex. Nervous ninny syndrome is abound when it comes to tools. One person gets loud and people freak out. Then the mass of owners with no issues stay quiet because they have no issues. Which is the better example for the tool?

Or you could buy 10 Black & Decker's for the price of the Carvex. If you start pulling the pricing card, Festool is gonna lose out in the bigger picture.

But in actual fact the carvex is £269 and I bought the Mafell for £389, so only £120 or 30% more.

 

[jeh]

I owned a Trion and was sucked into the Carvex after seeing the accessory kit. I was never really happy with it as it had issues with blade deflection when cutting near a previously cut edge. The Trion has no trouble with these types of cuts. The other issue is with foot adjustments. Seems unnecessary complicated and kind of a rig.

Anyway I bought the Mafell and it works like a champ.

 

[Phil Beckley]

Hi
  There is some 'history' behind this video from when the P.S.420 was launched. I demonstrate the 420 series to dealers and end users on a regular basis and have never had this happen - maybe the instructions should have been read before using the 420.
  This evening i cut 75mm maple into 200mm blanks for turning - and no sparks.
rg
Phil

 

[orm8426]

I owned a Trion and was sucked into the Carvex after seeing the accessory kit. I was never really happy with it as it had issues with blade deflection when cutting near a previously cut edge. The Trion has no trouble with these types of cuts. The other issue is with foot adjustments. Seems unnecessary complicated and kind of a rig.

Anyway I bought the Mafell and it works like a champ.

Mine is yet to arrive. But it's good to hear someone who is neutral i.e. owns Festool as well as other brands praise the Mafell! [smile] I look forward to mine arriving and putting it through its paces.

 

[mouppe]

Unless you want all the bases, get a trion. A simple outstanding jigsaw. Robust and much cheaper.

 

[thedude306]

I think if you research you will find that the Bosch 572 is the work horse, the Carvex is the precision, and the Mafell is both. 

You can't go wrong with any three of those jiggies, you just have to decide what you want out of it and how much you want to pay.

My next one will be the Mafell. 

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I have abused both my cordless and corded carvex equally with no adverse effects. 

 

[erock]

Get a Festool  Trion PS300 !!!!!!!    [tongue]

The guy in this video makes using a Trion PS300 look fun !      [wink]



Eric
aka  the guy in the video    [embarassed]

 

[davetink]

My 2 cents....
One guy hits a screw and destroys his Carvex and suddenly after many good posts the whole production run is junk?
I've got a Carvex and like it quite a bit.
Festool deserves the benefit of the doubt...they have earned it.
My first and last comment on this.

 

[Bigchasbroon]

As I said on the other threads there's a sheer pin on the carvex which is designed to break and protect the gears and motor. I've broken this pin 3 times on the 400 and 420. Each time I've had it repaired under warranty. I broke them while being very rough. I'm not saying the other post was BS but my experience is completely different...

My brother had a Mafell it was a good machine but quite heavy. He broke the base and had trouble getting a new one.

I do think the carvex is a bit less robust than the Mafell but it is much more accurate. I'm still fairly rough with it but try to avoid steel beams and the like  [eek]Before I always bought bosch jigsaws but the festool is head and shoulders above those.

 

[Linbro]

or you could buy 2 Carvex units for the price of that Mafell and probably still not have an issue with the Carvex. Nervous ninny syndrome is abound when it comes to tools. One person gets loud and people freak out. Then the mass of owners with no issues stay quiet because they have no issues. Which is the better example for the tool?

Down here, in Australia, the Carvex 420 costs AU$630.
I could import the Mafell from Germany for AU$578 + shipping, which would be about $70.

 

[peter halle]

There previously was a video posted in this thread that I have deleted,  That video and the tests that showed up in the video were let's say not quite what they appeared to be.  That video has been here numerous times and has been deleted previously so I am not doing something that hasn't been done previously.

Peter Halle - Moderator

 

[orm8426]

There previously was a video posted in this thread that I have deleted,  That video and the tests that showed up in the video were let's say not quite what they appeared to be.  That video has been here numerous times and has been deleted previously so I am not doing something that hasn't been done previously.

Peter Halle - Moderator

Would you care to enlighten us as to how it's "not quite what they appear to be"?

It's fair enough to delete it if you're prepared to give details in the thread, publicly, as to what is wrong with it. But to talk in hushed tones citing "not quite what they appear to be" really isn't acceptable censorship in my view!

 

[SittingElf]

Go to Peter Parfitt's YouTube site. (New Brit Workshop)

He has a VERY GOOD review of the Carvex on there. That should answer any questions the OP has.

Frank

 

[DB10]

or you could buy 2 Carvex units for the price of that Mafell and probably still not have an issue with the Carvex. Nervous ninny syndrome is abound when it comes to tools. One person gets loud and people freak out. Then the mass of owners with no issues stay quiet because they have no issues. Which is the better example for the tool?

Down here, in Australia, the Carvex 420 costs AU$630.
I could import the Mafell from Germany for AU$578 + shipping, which would be about $70.

My 2 Cents, I have a Carvex, its cordless. I use it on site at least twice a week sometimes more and I certainly don't baby any of my tools, Its always been rock solid in performance. I only ever use Bosch and Festool blades.
I used to use Mafell years ago and they were heavy machines back then, can sometimes work in your favour having the extra weight but can also get tiresome.
It would have been nice in Aus to have the choice to buy a Mafell. But there are no Dealers that I am aware of. I wouldn't import one into Aus without a dealer for back up, way to costly if anything went wrong and not considerably a better jigsaw IMO, just differant, certainly not worth the risk to import at those prices.

 

[peter halle]

There previously was a video posted in this thread that I have deleted,  That video and the tests that showed up in the video were let's say not quite what they appeared to be.  That video has been here numerous times and has been deleted previously so I am not doing something that hasn't been done previously.

Peter Halle - Moderator

Would you care to enlighten us as to how it's "not quite what they appear to be"?

It's fair enough to delete it if you're prepared to give details in the thread, publicly, as to what is wrong with it. But to talk in hushed tones citing "not quite what they appear to be" really isn't acceptable censorship in my view!

No I don't care to explain.  Please use the search function for Carvex and Mafell and you will find the previous threads.  If you have an issue with my moderating I am available via PM.

 

[orm8426]

There previously was a video posted in this thread that I have deleted,  That video and the tests that showed up in the video were let's say not quite what they appeared to be.  That video has been here numerous times and has been deleted previously so I am not doing something that hasn't been done previously.

Peter Halle - Moderator

Would you care to enlighten us as to how it's "not quite what they appear to be"?

It's fair enough to delete it if you're prepared to give details in the thread, publicly, as to what is wrong with it. But to talk in hushed tones citing "not quite what they appear to be" really isn't acceptable censorship in my view!

No I don't care to explain.  Please use the search function for Carvex and Mafell and you will find the previous threads.  If you have an issue with my moderating I am available via PM.

That's okay. I think your reluctance to give details speak volumes above and beyond any explanation you might give.

Thanks for the offer of contacting you via PM, but that's all a bit cloak and dagger for my liking. The point of a forum is publicly shared information, not "behind closed doors" PM's.

 

[elfick]

I'm a new carved owner (PSC 420). I've only used it a couple times so far but it has left me extremely impressed. That may not be saying much as I only have an old bosch and Ryobi for comparison, but I'm happy. I think the best thing that can be said would be to get one and try it. If you aren't convinced in 30 days, return it.