Carvex Jigsaws - Post your questions here!

[ScotF]

Scot, here's the video you requested. The parallel guides wouldn't work with the jigsaws. The jigsaw must be attached to the non-splinterguard side of the guide rail (otherwise you cut your guide rail in half).

Festool Carvex Jigsaw - Cut Quality Demostration

The cut quality is amazing!!  [thumbs up] -- Thanks for getting the video up so quickly.  Also, thanks for the info on the parallel guides -- for some reason I was thinking that the guide-rail attachment put the saw farther away from the edge.

Scot

 

[ScotF]

The parallel guides wouldn't work with the jigsaws. The jigsaw must be attached to the non-splinterguard side of the guide rail (otherwise you cut your guide rail in half).

Festool Carvex Jigsaw - Cut Quality Demostration

Shane,

I am confused -- the description of the guide rail adapter on the micro-site states that you can cut in either direction -- does this mean that you have to always cut on the opposite side of the anti-splitter strip but the two channels on the adapter allow you to pick up the saw and reverse direction without having to move the guide rail?

Thanks for the clarification.

Scot

 

[jonny round boy]

The parallel guides wouldn't work with the jigsaws. The jigsaw must be attached to the non-splinterguard side of the guide rail (otherwise you cut your guide rail in half).

Festool Carvex Jigsaw - Cut Quality Demostration

Shane,

I am confused -- the description of the guide rail adapter on the micro-site states that you can cut in either direction -- does this mean that you have to always cut on the opposite side of the anti-splitter strip but the two channels on the adapter allow you to pick up the saw and reverse direction without having to move the guide rail?
Thanks for the clarification.

Scot

Scot,

That's exactly it.

 

[Alan m]

sorry but  [eek]his is probable a stupid question but
why the strobe light and not a constant on light. looks like it would drive you mad trying to do small curves and very accurate cuts

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Alan,

It appears that the stobe effect actually slows the appearance of blade movement while you're cutting so it's easier to see the actual cutting action and cut line.  However, I see no reason for you not to take advantage of the strobe and dance or shake or something while making your cuts.  [tongue]

 

[tdfiver]

Our local shop is selling the cordless 14.4v Carvex with the full accessory set for £299 + VAT (£360). Only one battery though, so if you have the appropriate drill you can use the battery off that.

 

[Sean7a]

Alan,

It appears that the stobe effect actually slows the appearance of blade movement while you're cutting so it's easier to see the actual cutting action and cut line.  However, I see no reason for you not to take advantage of the strobe and dance or shake or something while making your cuts.  [tongue]

Ken, I'm sure Festool USA in no way condones dancing or shaking your "something" while making cuts with any of their equipment lol

 

[Steve R]

Festool,

The one accessory that I don't see listed is.... and I'm not sure what it it called.... it allows you to mount the 300/400 to the bottom of a MFT and use it  free hand scroll/ rip saw. [thumbs up]

I do most of my work on site and either take everything including a portable Utility sink.  Or am in for a quick thing or two and need as much multi-function as I can get.  [not worthy]

Cheers,
Steve

 

[peter halle]

Steve,

Festool does not currently offer an accessory like that but the offer a product called the CMS that prodvides that functionality and more.  It is offered as a four legged independent table or as a two legged table that will attach to a MFT.  Different table inserts hold either the plunge cut saws, the jig saws, the routers, and I think Evan the belt sander.  But before you start salivating over it like many of us, it is not available to us here in North America due to UL issues.  You can certainly find much information here on the CMS and in fact see images of it the threads from the last few classes, but ...

 

[Steve R]

Festool,

The one accessory that I don't see listed is.... and I'm not sure what it it called.... it allows you to mount the 300/400 to the bottom of a MFT and use it  free hand scroll/ rip saw. [thumbs up]

I do most of my work on site and either take everything including a portable Utility sink.  Or am in for a quick thing or two and need as much multi-function as I can get.  [not worthy]

Cheers,
Steve

Steve,

One nice feature I saw on the Carvex was that the base is very easy to remove & install.
Buy an extra base & leave it mounted to the bottom of your MFT.

Chris,

I'm with you! That would add very little weight, take up no more space to transport and not get lost/left behind. The CMS looks like a whole can of worms. Nice for a big project...but not a quick in and out. 

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

One of our dealers, Tool Town, demonstrates the Carvex using the angle base in some rather thick material.

New Festool Carvex Jigsaw with angle base, hot!!!

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

Nice! Thanks for the tool porn Shane.

Do you have any Cut demos on hardwood?

Seems like the vies all use pine.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Do you have any Cut demos on hardwood?

Not that I know of, but I can shoot some. It'll probably be early next week before I can post something but we're still a few weeks away from the launch still. What did you have in mind? An angle cut in some maple for instance?

 

[jhark123]

That last part of the video with the 4x4 cut  [tongue] [tongue]

I hate you Shane.

 

[nehardwoodfloors]

Do you have any Cut demos on hardwood?

Not that I know of, but I can shoot some. It'll probably be early next week before I can post something but we're still a few weeks away from the launch still. What did you have in mind? An angle cut in some maple for instance?

yyyyeeesssssaaaahhhhh

that would be wicked!!!!!
THX

 

[richk]

What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of D handle vs barrel grip? Is it simply a personal preference thing?

Rich

 

[Steve R]

What are the relative advantages and disadvantages of D handle vs barrel grip? Is it simply a personal preference thing?

Rich

I think a lot of it is personal preference. I like how the barrel grip fits my hand and I feel much more in control when cutting.

With site work having a lower profile to get under something is a real advantage. 

I think you need to just get your hand on both and do a few test cuts. I buy my Festool from the WoodCraft store in Bloomington, MN. They have a workshop for their classes and let people try the product in the store and also loan out the demo tools for at home/site real world testing. I'm not sure if that is just that stores policy or a nation wide thing.  Check with your dealer and see what they can do to help you.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[ccarrolladams]

Long ago and far away a woodworking friend from Europe impressed me using a jigsaw under the clamped workpiece. That saw had a roundish pad over the blade and a barrel grip. He supported the jigsaw with his left palm and guided it using the barrel with his right hand. This way he could see the line he wanted to follow and hardly any dust got in his way.

I practiced with his coaching me, and have continued using my jigsaws that way for 50 years. I own a Trion PS 300. I do not remember when I bought it.

I was in Europe and the UK when the Carvex PS 400 was introduced. Later I was back there after the improvements to the Carvex were introduced. Subsequently I have used the Carvex many times, including last Friday, 8 April 2011 at The Festool Store in Palm Desert, CA USA.

I can see that it is not always practical to clamp a workpiece in such a way there is room to use a jigsaw underneath, although so far this has not been a problem for me.

What impresses me with the NA version of the Carvex is the outstanding view of the cut, enhanced even in sunlight by the strobes. Although I have not pre-ordered a Carvex, two of the cabinet makers working for me have placed their pre-orders. One prefers a D-handle while the other wants a barrel grip. In both of those cases the new Carvex will replace virtually worn-out jigsaws those fellows have owned for years.

 

[spikfot]

So far, I can only agree with ccarrolladams- my Trions' serve me well in 40mm ash, oak, birch...nothing does it better...

 

[Sean7a]

Whipped together a lil landing type o' page for the Carvex.  A lot of the videos, photos and info found in this thread are there.

Any suggestions, let'em fly!