Carvex Jigsaws - Post your questions here!

[Michael_MA]

Heres a question.....How do the Carvex's address the problem of the blade guides heating up and wearing the blades out prematurely?

I've done some reading and that close up pic gives a good view. But can someone who owns one comment on blade longevity?

By the way the micro site vids are awesome!!! I have to have it!

Has this question been skipped in all the excitement?

Here is an Early Review of the Carvex, which had some toothing probs during that time, but Festool managed to get them resolved very quickly - so after June 2010 all Carvex Jigsaws contain all required modifications to work flawlessly.

FESTOOL CARVEX REVIEW

Please take the time and read it thoroughly, as there is something special with the Carvex, which requires it to use longer saw blades as other Jigsaws. Simply hold your work peace under the Carvex and look if the saw blades protrudes your work peace, even in the upper position of the saw blades, if yes you're fine - if not choose a longer one.
Otherwise you will burn down your saw blade very quickly, specially when you are using the pendulum action.

So as a prcatical example, if you were using a 55mm saw blade with a BOSCH GST65/85 to cut chip board benchtops (38mm) then you will need a 105mm blade on the Carvex, because of the mounting of the interchangeable bases and the superior Visibility/Dust extraction. Good news - the blades dont cost that much more, and the longer blades have a significant longer life cycle.

kind regards, Mike

 

[BobKovacs]

Here's a question- if you close the angle base up as if you were going to cut a 45 inside a box (saw that on a video somewhere), could you use it like a Collins Coping Foot?

 

[peter halle]

Bob,

You read my mind.  I was wondering the same thing.  With the Collins coping foot you are able to cope from both sides, and the Carvex base will be the only one that I know of that will allow you to go both ways also.  I can't wait to try that aspect out.

Peter

 

[stvrowe]

Ahh!  Here's the Shane stumper question:

Should we wait for the cordless version? [unsure]  I have the Trion jigsaw and will only have enough funds to purchase one or the other.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Here's a question- if you close the angle base up as if you were going to cut a 45 inside a box (saw that on a video somewhere), could you use it like a Collins Coping Foot?

Interesting idea. I hadn't thought of that. The Collins foot is also rounded in the front so the base doesn't extend far past the blade as I recall. The angle base for the Carvex will protrude about an inch past the blade.

Should we wait for the cordless version? [unsure]  I have the Trion jigsaw and will only have enough funds to purchase one or the other.

Yeah, that's a stumper alright. Not sure that I can make that call for you. It will depend on your individual needs. For me personally, the advantages of cordless aren't that strong. The performance of the cordless models is very strong. But you're limited by battery life and if you're using dust extraction, the vac must be manually turned on and off. I've become spoiled by my tool triggered dust extraction.

 

[BobKovacs]

Interesting idea. I hadn't thought of that. The Collins foot is also rounded in the front so the base doesn't extend far past the blade as I recall. The angle base for the Carvex will protrude about an inch

Me thinks you need to buy the boys at the office some crown and put it to the test.

Or, even better idea- send me a Carvex and the base kit, and i'll test it out. I'll write you a killer review....

 

[Sean7a]

Here's a question- if you close the angle base up as if you were going to cut a 45 inside a box (saw that on a video somewhere), could you use it like a Collins Coping Foot?

Interesting idea. I hadn't thought of that. The Collins foot is also rounded in the front so the base doesn't extend far past the blade as I recall. The angle base for the Carvex will protrude about an inch past the blade.

Great question.  I think it's a possibility, but like Shane mentioned, the rounded Collins foot vs a sharp edged angle base may be the difference.  It was a possibility we thought of a few months ago, but alas, we've forgotten to give it a try everytime we've had a Carvex in our hands.

 

[Eli]

I have a question for Euro members and Festool staff. Does the Carvex fit in the CMS plate for the Trion? I sure hope so.

 

[Guy Ashley]

Eli

Think I might be the bearer of bad news mate!! :'(

http://www.festool.co.uk/Products/Accessories/Pages/Detail.aspx?pid=561262&name=Module-support-jigsaw-CMS-PS

Compatability shown as the other jigsaw ranges, doesn't mention the Carvex.

May just not have been updated, or maybe it will be a new one required! [scared]

 

[mouppe]

Although on page 6 in this pdf from Festool UK,  it says you use the circle/ guide rail adapter base in the cms.

http://www.festool.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Catalog/Kat_2005/portal_multimedia_download/gb/p2010_carvex_gb.pdf

 

[mastercabman]

So here are my questions.The saw has 6 different bases.Witch one comes as standard?  There is one base that is designed to tilt.Does that mean that the other bases does not tilt?

 

[ThomasC]

So here are my questions.The saw has 6 different bases.Witch one comes as standard?   There is one base that is designed to tilt.Does that mean that the other bases does not tilt?

That's my question too. If the saw is $350, but can't bevel without a $200 accessory kit, you might as well just say it costs $550. I also see that it only bevels to 45*. Why not 47* with an accurate detent at 45*? That would have been nice. Either way, I'll probably still have to own one 8).

TC

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

$200 buys all the bases.

I think just the tilting one alone goes for $40 or so?

Shane will chime in to correct the pricing for me  [wink]

 

[mouppe]

Thomas,

The stand-alone angle base is $95 or thereabouts. So you could look at it as a $450 jigsaw to the spec you require, or a $350 jigsaw to the spec I require.  

Personally, I like the basic model to be as cheap as possible, and if I want extras I can pay for them.

Richard.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Angle base is $95. All of the accessories are listed on the website at:

http://jigsaws.festoolusa.com/jigsaws/models/accessories/

The jigsaw comes with the standard base and the StickFix base which uses felts. All other bases are available separately or you can get the full set with the circle cutter for $200.

I should note that while I'm using the term "bases", the correct thing to say would be bases and base plates (or inserts). The metal cutting, phenolic, dimpled, and felt base plates actually slide on and off of the standard base.  The angle, guide rail and standard bases are full bases. Hope that makes sense.

 

[mastercabman]

OK,so to be clear,you can not bevel with the standard base that comes with the saw?  I would need the optional tilt base?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

OK,so to be clear,you can not bevel with the standard base that comes with the saw?  I would need the optional tilt base?

Correct. The standard base that comes with the Carvex is stationary.

 

[ApgarConstruction]

I've been waiting for this jigsaw forever,  along with may other people.  I have been using a D handle porter cable jigsaw for over 10 years, and I am having trouble deciding which carvex to buy.  I know I want the corded model, but not sure about the D handle or the Barrel Grip.    My biggest concern with the barrel grip is having an on/off switch instead of having a trigger to pull on/off as we are feathering a cut etc.    Do you guys that have the Barrel grip think it's easier to control than a D handle?

I will definitely be pre-ordering mine next week along with the accessory kit.  I don't see why anyone would buy some of those bases separately when the kit comes with so many of them, if not all the bases?

The angle base alone is 95, and that comes with the accessory kit for 200.    do I have that correct?

My dealer says if I get the carvex and the accessory kit, it's 50 dollars off making it 500 even.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

The base kit comes with EVERYTHING, all of the bases + the circle cutter + extra splinterguards + extra felts for the felt base. It's a great deal. However, there are no additional discounts or "package pricing" for buying the Carvex and base kit together.

 

[Arthouse Joinery]

Hey guys, i'm looking at buying a Carvex for my next Festool purchase  [smile]

I'm in Australia so i'm not sure if you guys will be able to help, but, i'm just a bit unsure of the 'accessories Systainer that comes with the PSB 400 EBQ-Set AUS. I've read that the accessory Systainer is an SYS 1, but the accessories systainers that i've seen in pics are in an SYS 2. It's not clear on the Festool site as to what actually comes in the accessories systainer....

Linkage here - http://www.festool.com.au/mediandoweb/index.cfm?sLanguage=AUS-English&ID_O_TREE_GROUP=7260&ID_O_PRODUCT=376059&BLATT=1&PARENT=1691

Any help much appreciated!

Matt.