Carvex Issues

[jmbfestool]

I haven't experienced any of the mentioned problems with my Carvex (ps400), but am I the only one who finds the autospeed-function kinda annoying for precision work? It slows down so much that the vacuum has trouble removing the MDF dust, making it hard to see where I cut. I'm not 100% sure how Carvex-speed is connected to dust extraction, but the visibility does get worse when I slow down :-/

Also, the top-speed on auto seems to be higher than the top-speed I can set manually?

Yes thats true!  I noticed that when you set the manual at the highest its no where near as fast as when its on auto! I dont know why that is.  I think it should have a second auto!  Auto on/off! Soon as you put pressure it slowly turns on to full speed and when you stop after 1 second it turns off.  Its because I still have not go use to using barrel grip jigsaws. I can not see how people think barrel grip you have more control than D handle.  With D handle you can slowly pull the trigger to gradually increase the speed to full and then stop straight away by releasing the trigger.  I often have to reach for the off switch on the Carvex barrel grip so it takes my attention away from the blade cutting the material.  Its okay if your cutting material off its just when you stop half way in the material.  You have alot more control with D handle.

 

[woodguy7]

Decoy

You don't have to use the "auto" function.  If doing fine work & you want it fast then just turn the dial up  [blink]

 

[decoy]

You don't have to use the "auto" function.  If doing fine work & you want it fast then just turn the dial up  [blink]

Eh..  of course I have to use it. It's something my previous jigsaw didn't have. It's cool! But it doesn't work as good as I hoped.

 

[jvsteenb]

I can not see how people think barrel grip you have more control than D handle.

I like a D handle as much as the next guy, but when sawing from underneath ( you look on top but the saw is under the workpiece ) the barrelgrip shines.
It is a fine way to get the best part of the cut in visual range.
Guiderail work is hardly possible when sawing from underneath, but I hardly ever use the guide rail when using my Trion. However, following a scribed line is easy when the machine isn't blocking the view.
Most of the dust will be below the plate as well, and the efficiency of dustcollection wiyh my Trion is significantly improved if I saw from underneath. Sawing in this position is close to impossible with a D-grip saw, unless it has a locking switch.

For "sawing from the top" I too prefer the D-handle, but in that setting the barrelgrip works OK as well, so in my book it's the best of both worlds, really.

Regards,

Job

 

[Frank Pellow]

Hopefully the North American models will have the fixes incorporated before they arrive here in 2011.

Have you heard from a reliable source that they will arrive here in 2011?

 

[mouppe]

Yes, when I was recently talking to Festool's customer service about what to bring back when I visit the UK shortly, I was told that the Carvex would be here next year, probably in the spring, but that the Vac Sys was a no-go for the foreseeable future. I can't remember what I was told about the centrotec 2010 set but it is going to be a permanent part of the line-up so should be here soon. Those were the three items I was interested in. None of this was confidential info and obviously everything could change but this was straight from the source in mid-September.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Yes.

That's good.  [big grin]  Who is the reliable source?

 

[Michael_MA]

You don't have to use the "auto" function.  If doing fine work & you want it fast then just turn the dial up  [blink]

Eh..  of course I have to use it. It's something my previous jigsaw didn't have. It's cool! But it doesn't work as good as I hoped.

Just as an additional info..
the Auto Setting on the Carvex is mainly to avoid kick back, when using the pendulum action.
That means, once you set it on Auto, it not only reduces the speed until the workpiece edge has been  properly detected..
it also holds off the pendulum action.. and starts it after the speed is finally ramped up.

kind regards, Mike

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Frank, yes, we expect to see the Carvex in North America in the first half of 2011. I can be trusted as a reliable source.  [wink]

 

[Henk]

I have a Carvex battery model,bought it 2 months ago.
Its been back to the service department 3 times now.
Its a b**h to work with,its cuts awfull,the flickering light disturbs me,the battery is drained quickly,sawblades burn,etc etc.
I did,n buy any battery Festools for a long time,and I hoped they improved the battery when I bought the jigsaw.
Big mistake.
Really you need 2 batterys.
The jigsaw is for sale now,because I dont trust it and hate working with it.
Interested?

:'(

My other battery tools or from Panasonic,absoluty perfect.
Good battery stamina,light weight,strong etc.
I bought a jigsaw,(14,4 volts battery) from them,and it works fine.
I must admit its a smaller and not very accurate,but you can do a decent cutting job with it.
The Festool won,t. [tongue]

For the rest I must say that this is the first Festool that dis-appoints me.
All other Festools work fine. [big grin]

 

[Frank Pellow]

Thanks for the feedback Henk (and welcome to the forum).

When I purchase a Carvex, it is quite unlikley that it will be the battery powered model.  With the exception of drills, I don't seem to have good luck with battery powered tools.  I already have a very marginal Bosch battery powered jig saw and I don't need to experience another such dissapointment with Festool.

 

[peter halle]

Henk,

Welcome to the forum!  [welcome]  I am sorry to hear that you have been disappointed by the performance of your battery powered Carvex.  I hope you find a buyer soon.

Peter