Carvex on DIY's "Cool Tools" Show

[Mac]

+1.

I couldn't wait any longer for the Carvex (although all the negative press was steering me away from it anyway). Picked up a barrel-grip Trion today in a T-loc, the price is so close to the Bosch 1591 now that is really makes sense to grab one.

Can't wait to use it in anger today as I have some 4"x4" sapele to make some cabinet legs from.

I love my barrel-grip Trion Richard, will be interested in what you make of it.

Well, I used it today to cut my sapele block into roughly lengthed pieces. This is a hard wood, approximately 4" by 5". I put in a new splinterguard, and cut one piece on the zero pendulum setting, and one piece on the extreme III setting. There was no splintering on the first cut, and very little on the second. It went through the block like a hot knife through butter. The cut quality on the end grain was incredible, cleaner than if I had used a bandsaw.

This is my third jigsaw, including the Bosch 1591, and I can see no reason to ever replace it. It's a bit of an unsung hero in the Festool line-up, but it's really superb, and at $250 an absolute steal.

Europe, you can keep your Carvex!

Agreed, it's one of my favourite festools! Glad you like it.

 

[rmwarren]

Other than the strobe light, what are the "improvements" that the Carvex offers? I have been holding out for it because with all the initial pre-release chatter I assumed it was vastly superior to the Trion as well as other brands.

RMW

 

[tiralie]

Watch the Mafellfun clips. Go to www.mafell.com then hit the british flag or British web site the hit Mafell web tv(the first at the right side) ,then fun clips and watch [laughing] mission p1cc

Most of the language specific sites (including the British one) seem to be down.

Ya I noticed that as well. Check this and part 2 as well.
Mafell P1cc Jigsaw Demonstration Part2

 

[tiralie]

This is my third jigsaw, including the Bosch 1591, and I can see no reason to ever replace it. It's a bit of an unsung hero in the Festool line-up, but it's really superb, and at $250 an absolute steal.

Yes, I think so too.
Good to hear you like yours.
Tim

 

[fritter63]

I found the video on YouTube. Here it is:

A Faster, Smarter Jigsaw-DIY

Not much depth to their review.

Man that host is annoying

 

[GPowers]

I gave up on the Carvex wait a long time ago and bought the price reduced Trion, Very happy i with the purchase.  [big grin]

 

[fritter63]

Ya I noticed that as well. Check this and part 2 as well.

Nice, but I just don't get the emphasis on putting a jigsaw on a straight track. If you're cutting a straight line, why not just use the TS 55 (or equivalent)?

Is it for working on installed counters with walls in the way?

 

[AlexThePalex]

Nice, but I just don't get the emphasis on putting a jigsaw on a straight track. If you're cutting a straight line, why not just use the TS 55 (or equivalent)?

Maybe not everyone has a TS55 (or equivalent) and wants to utilise that what they do have to the fullest?

 

[peter halle]

The Trion with the longest Festool blade will also cut thicker material in one pass than a TS 55.

Peter

 

[Kristian]

This is my third jigsaw, including the Bosch 1591, and I can see no reason to ever replace it. It's a bit of an unsung hero in the Festool line-up, but it's really superb, and at $250 an absolute steal.

Richard, how would you rate the Trion compared to the Bosch 1591?

I currently have the Bosch 85PE which truly is a great saw but it has problems on curved cuts especially in hardwood. I've considered buying the Bosch 1591 since I've heard much good about it and would prefer it to some of the newer models Bosch have released. The Carvex is available here in Denmark but I'm not too keen on it. It leans towards being too complicated for my taste with the strobe light, flexible plug-it adapter, guide rail attachment and so on since I really just need a sturdy built jigsaw for rough cuts. Plus I do about 90% of my cutting from beneath the workpiece and having tried the Carvex out I find it to be less comfortable in this position as opposed to the Bosch 85PE which, although a bit heavy, does this very well.

I haven't tried cutting from beneath the workpiece with the Trion but it looks like I can get a better grip on it due to the way the base is positioned.

So with you having tried both candidates I wondered if you had any thoughts to aid the decision process?

Thanks!

- Kristian

 

[mouppe]

Kristian,

There were  several reasons why I went with the Trion over the Bosch, most are cosmetic reasons rather than performance details but the Bosch is a fine jigsaw so the performance differences are not going to be significant anyway.

- With the latest price reduction, the price of the Trion was only $40 more than the 1591 (here in Canada).
- Although they weigh about the same, the Trion is shorter and the barrel seems smaller.
- The dust collection on the Trion is far superior, (although still nowhere near 100%).
- It comes in a T-loc.
- The cut quality seems to be better, but this could be because I am using a new blade with a new splinterguard and I haven't really used it a lot yet. 
- Plug-it cable on the Trion.
- I could return it if I didn't like it.
- Brand loyalty.

 

[Kristian]

Thanks for your reply, Richard. Much appreciated.

All good reasons. The dust collection on my current Bosch is non-existing since no hose adapters were supplied with the saw and I would really like to have at least the option of dust collection when using it on top of the work piece. I guess it would work when cutting from beneath as well...

The plug-it cable is a nice feature as well. The cord on my Bosch is pretty beat-up from 6 years of use and I've had to shorten it once so I think it's below 2 meters now...

I'll try and find a shop that has the Trion on display and check it out.

Thanks again!

- Kristian

 

[Kristian]

Btw, can you adjust the angle of the base plate on the Trion without tools?? That's one of the nice features on the Bosch, I think.

 

[mouppe]

From memory, I think you need to use the hex wrench, but I haven't tried a bevel cut yet.

I don't want to overstate the dust collection with the Trion. It's better than the Bosch for sure, but there's only so much a jigsaw can do with a blade that is pushing dust downwards and the collector is above the workpiece.

Oh, did I mention the Festool new-tool smell? I was too embarrassed to say that was the deciding factor the first time round.

[embarassed]

 

[Kristian]

I know what you mean...! My current saw works great but something's just missing.... and to be honest I think it's that new-tool smell...!  [big grin]

Man, we have to start arranging FA meetings soon.... 'Festool Anonymous'.  [wink]

 

[GreenGA]

Interesting comments, all...

I have a pair of Bosch's, one barrel, one D handle.  Even though they have performed well when not being "pushed", I have an upcoming project that I need to use a jigsaw to cut some thick stock, straight and curved, and I wonder how they will compare.

Time will tell.

Kristian,

There were  several reasons why I went with the Trion over the Bosch, most are cosmetic reasons rather than performance details but the Bosch is a fine jigsaw so the performance differences are not going to be significant anyway.

- With the latest price reduction, the price of the Trion was only $40 more than the 1591 (here in Canada).
- Although they weigh about the same, the Trion is shorter and the barrel seems smaller.
- The dust collection on the Trion is far superior, (although still nowhere near 100%).
- It comes in a T-loc.
- The cut quality seems to be better, but this could be because I am using a new blade with a new splinterguard and I haven't really used it a lot yet. 
- Plug-it cable on the Trion.
- I could return it if I didn't like it.
- Brand loyalty.