Carvex PSB 420 EBQ review/thoughts (not impressed)

[yetihunter]

I don't know what you charge per hour, but I bet if you added up all the time you've spent typing the same thing over and over in this thread you could probably justify the price of the Mafell pretty easily.

Some of these problems are very real and some of them seem like utterly bizarre fixations of yours. Regardless, if you don't like it, you don't like it and should exercise the generous return policy as we all have whenever we found ourselves in similar situations. I myself hated the Domino 500 everybody's nuts about and will say so at the drop of a hat, but I'm not going to spend days of my life demanding Festool rush a new design to market on an internet forum because A) that's completely impossible even if they wanted to and B) finding tools I like working with is a much more productive use of everyone's time.

Everyone has a different way of working and different set of expectations for the tools they’re using in a project.  It’s next to impossible to build the perfect tool.

I love the Bosch 572 because it has the best line of sight of any jig saw on the market.  Other people hate rhe 572 because it’s much heavier than the Festool and Makita.  Who’s right.  Nobody is right.  Each person has completely different expectations.

And some people love the Bosch because of the weight! :0

3 Horse Course Meal.

 

[Holmz]

I don't know what you charge per hour, but I bet if you added up all the time you've spent typing the same thing over and over in this thread you could probably justify the price of the Mafell pretty easily.

Some of these problems are very real and some of them seem like utterly bizarre fixations of yours. Regardless, if you don't like it, you don't like it and should exercise the generous return policy as we all have whenever we found ourselves in similar situations. I myself hated the Domino 500 everybody's nuts about and will say so at the drop of a hat, but I'm not going to spend days of my life demanding Festool rush a new design to market on an internet forum because A) that's completely impossible even if they wanted to and B) finding tools I like working with is a much more productive use of everyone's time.

Everyone has a different way of working and different set of expectations for the tools they’re using in a project.  It’s next to impossible to build the perfect tool.

I love the Bosch 572 because it has the best line of sight of any jig saw on the market.  Other people hate rhe 572 because it’s much heavier than the Festool and Makita.  Who’s right.  Nobody is right.  Each person has completely different expectations.

I respectfully disagree...
In terms of cutting function the p1cc is hands down as close as one can currently get.

Some people do like features like LEDs and variable speed, and ergonomics are also a factor.

With respect to your Bosch, I can make a good case for it, which you have already done... And from a cost/value perspective it is also a "no brainer".

It is more how we "value" the cost, cutting and features that make it confusing.

The US economist just won the Nobel prize, and one of his finding was people are much more irrational than economists previously thought.

 

[Steven Owen]

I don't know what you charge per hour, but I bet if you added up all the time you've spent typing the same thing over and over in this thread you could probably justify the price of the Mafell pretty easily.

Some of these problems are very real and some of them seem like utterly bizarre fixations of yours. Regardless, if you don't like it, you don't like it and should exercise the generous return policy as we all have whenever we found ourselves in similar situations. I myself hated the Domino 500 everybody's nuts about and will say so at the drop of a hat, but I'm not going to spend days of my life demanding Festool rush a new design to market on an internet forum because A) that's completely impossible even if they wanted to and B) finding tools I like working with is a much more productive use of everyone's time.

Everyone has a different way of working and different set of expectations for the tools they’re using in a project.  It’s next to impossible to build the perfect tool.

I love the Bosch 572 because it has the best line of sight of any jig saw on the market.  Other people hate rhe 572 because it’s much heavier than the Festool and Makita.  Who’s right.  Nobody is right.  Each person has completely different expectations.

I respectfully disagree...
In terms of cutting function the p1cc is hands down as close as one can currently get.

Some people do like features like LEDs and variable speed, and ergonomics are also a factor.

With respect to your Bosch, I can make a good case for it, which you have already done... And from a cost/value perspective it is also a "no brainer".

It is more how we "value" the cost, cutting and features that make it confusing.

The US economist just won the Nobel prize, and one of his finding was people are much more irrational than economists previously thought.

I’m only talking about Jig Saws under a $1000 dollars.  At $1400 US, you better be making money with that Jig Saw to use it as a tax write-off.

Looking at the many of the design similarities, It looks like Mafell is the one sub manufacturing the 572 for Bosch.  The body shape, button placement, layout of and exterior design of the Bosch 572 and the Mafell share too many design similarities for it not to be made by Mafell. 

Bosch uses Mafell for a lot of their high-end tools designs like their track saws.

The 572 is the poor man’s version of the Mafell.

 

[peter halle]

There is no perfect tool - I don't care what color it is.  Different people have their own wants, needs, and expectations.  This can be based on funds available, work flow, work type, hand size, desired functions, warranty expectations, service availability. - you name it.  And they end up purchasing might not be the perfect fit.  Some manufacturers allow users to buy and try.  Some don't.  Some have 1 year warranties, some three, some longer.

If you are interested in a tool and want to take it for a spin, see if there is a way to do it.

Peter

 

[grbmds]

I don't know what you charge per hour, but I bet if you added up all the time you've spent typing the same thing over and over in this thread you could probably justify the price of the Mafell pretty easily.

Some of these problems are very real and some of them seem like utterly bizarre fixations of yours. Regardless, if you don't like it, you don't like it and should exercise the generous return policy as we all have whenever we found ourselves in similar situations. I myself hated the Domino 500 everybody's nuts about and will say so at the drop of a hat, but I'm not going to spend days of my life demanding Festool rush a new design to market on an internet forum because A) that's completely impossible even if they wanted to and B) finding tools I like working with is a much more productive use of everyone's time.

Everyone has a different way of working and different set of expectations for the tools they’re using in a project.  It’s next to impossible to build the perfect tool.

I love the Bosch 572 because it has the best line of sight of any jig saw on the market.  Other people hate rhe 572 because it’s much heavier than the Festool and Makita.  Who’s right.  Nobody is right.  Each person has completely different expectations.

I respectfully disagree...
In terms of cutting function the p1cc is hands down as close as one can currently get.

Some people do like features like LEDs and variable speed, and ergonomics are also a factor.

With respect to your Bosch, I can make a good case for it, which you have already done... And from a cost/value perspective it is also a "no brainer".

It is more how we "value" the cost, cutting and features that make it confusing.

The US economist just won the Nobel prize, and one of his finding was people are much more irrational than economists previously thought.

I’m only talking about Jig Saw’s under a $1000 dollars.  At $1400 US, you better be making money with that Jig Saw to use it as a tax write-off.

Looking at the many of the design similarities, It looks like Mafell is the one sub manufacturing the 572 for Bosch.  The body shape, button placement, layout of and exterior design of the Bosch 572 and the Mafell share too many design similarities for it not to be made by Mafell. 

Bosch uses Mafell for a lot of their high-end tools designs like their track saws.

The 572 is the poor man’s version of the Mafell.

$1,400 for a jigsaw? I think anyone spending even close to a $1,000 for a jigsaw should have a very good, frequent use for it. I'd like to know what uses would justify a jigsaw for a $1,000? Maybe for use onsite, but in the shop, it seems like you can get a decent bandsaw for a $1,000 which would cut the curves occasionally needed and perform other uses.

 

[Steven Owen]

I don't know what you charge per hour, but I bet if you added up all the time you've spent typing the same thing over and over in this thread you could probably justify the price of the Mafell pretty easily.

Some of these problems are very real and some of them seem like utterly bizarre fixations of yours. Regardless, if you don't like it, you don't like it and should exercise the generous return policy as we all have whenever we found ourselves in similar situations. I myself hated the Domino 500 everybody's nuts about and will say so at the drop of a hat, but I'm not going to spend days of my life demanding Festool rush a new design to market on an internet forum because A) that's completely impossible even if they wanted to and B) finding tools I like working with is a much more productive use of everyone's time.

Everyone has a different way of working and different set of expectations for the tools they’re using in a project.  It’s next to impossible to build the perfect tool.

I love the Bosch 572 because it has the best line of sight of any jig saw on the market.  Other people hate rhe 572 because it’s much heavier than the Festool and Makita.  Who’s right.  Nobody is right.  Each person has completely different expectations.

I respectfully disagree...
In terms of cutting function the p1cc is hands down as close as one can currently get.

Some people do like features like LEDs and variable speed, and ergonomics are also a factor.

With respect to your Bosch, I can make a good case for it, which you have already done... And from a cost/value perspective it is also a "no brainer".

It is more how we "value" the cost, cutting and features that make it confusing.

The US economist just won the Nobel prize, and one of his finding was people are much more irrational than economists previously thought.

I’m only talking about Jig Saw’s under a $1000 dollars.  At $1400 US, you better be making money with that Jig Saw to use it as a tax write-off.

Looking at the many of the design similarities, It looks like Mafell is the one sub manufacturing the 572 for Bosch.  The body shape, button placement, layout of and exterior design of the Bosch 572 and the Mafell share too many design similarities for it not to be made by Mafell. 

Bosch uses Mafell for a lot of their high-end tools designs like their track saws.

The 572 is the poor man’s version of the Mafell.

$1,400 for a jigsaw? I think anyone spending even close to a $1,000 for a jigsaw should have a very good, frequent use for it. I'd like to know what uses would justify a jigsaw for a $1,000? Maybe for use onsite, but in the shop, it seems like you can get a decent bandsaw for a $1,000 which would cut the curves occasionally needed and perform other uses.

That’s the price when you want to have only the best of the best.  I’d rather settle for tool that 90% of the quality that leaves you with money in the bank to buy some wood to build some projects.

There’s a law of diminishing returns on things like the Mafell Jig Saw.  It may be the best but not in any way that it’s going to make or break a project. 
 

 

[McNally Family]

I don't know what you charge per hour, but I bet if you added up all the time you've spent typing the same thing over and over in this thread you could probably justify the price of the Mafell pretty easily.

Some of these problems are very real and some of them seem like utterly bizarre fixations of yours. Regardless, if you don't like it, you don't like it and should exercise the generous return policy as we all have whenever we found ourselves in similar situations. I myself hated the Domino 500 everybody's nuts about and will say so at the drop of a hat, but I'm not going to spend days of my life demanding Festool rush a new design to market on an internet forum because A) that's completely impossible even if they wanted to and B) finding tools I like working with is a much more productive use of everyone's time.

Everyone has a different way of working and different set of expectations for the tools they’re using in a project.  It’s next to impossible to build the perfect tool.

I love the Bosch 572 because it has the best line of sight of any jig saw on the market.  Other people hate rhe 572 because it’s much heavier than the Festool and Makita.  Who’s right.  Nobody is right.  Each person has completely different expectations.

I respectfully disagree...
In terms of cutting function the p1cc is hands down as close as one can currently get.

Some people do like features like LEDs and variable speed, and ergonomics are also a factor.

With respect to your Bosch, I can make a good case for it, which you have already done... And from a cost/value perspective it is also a "no brainer".

It is more how we "value" the cost, cutting and features that make it confusing.

The US economist just won the Nobel prize, and one of his finding was people are much more irrational than economists previously thought.

I’m only talking about Jig Saw’s under a $1000 dollars.  At $1400 US, you better be making money with that Jig Saw to use it as a tax write-off.

Looking at the many of the design similarities, It looks like Mafell is the one sub manufacturing the 572 for Bosch.  The body shape, button placement, layout of and exterior design of the Bosch 572 and the Mafell share too many design similarities for it not to be made by Mafell. 

Bosch uses Mafell for a lot of their high-end tools designs like their track saws.

The 572 is the poor man’s version of the Mafell.

$1,400 for a jigsaw? I think anyone spending even close to a $1,000 for a jigsaw should have a very good, frequent use for it. I'd like to know what uses would justify a jigsaw for a $1,000? Maybe for use onsite, but in the shop, it seems like you can get a decent bandsaw for a $1,000 which would cut the curves occasionally needed and perform other uses.

That’s the price when you want to have only the best of the best.  I’d rather settle for tool that 90% of the quality that leaves you with money in the bank to buy some wood to build some projects.

There’s a law of diminishing returns on things like the Mafell Jig Saw.  It may be the best but not in any way that it’s going to make or break a project. 

Not sure where the $1,400 price is coming from.  Here is a much cheaper alternative that is just as good:

https://www.timberwolftools.com/mafell-p1cc-jigsaw

 

[ScotF]

I don't know what you charge per hour, but I bet if you added up all the time you've spent typing the same thing over and over in this thread you could probably justify the price of the Mafell pretty easily.

Some of these problems are very real and some of them seem like utterly bizarre fixations of yours. Regardless, if you don't like it, you don't like it and should exercise the generous return policy as we all have whenever we found ourselves in similar situations. I myself hated the Domino 500 everybody's nuts about and will say so at the drop of a hat, but I'm not going to spend days of my life demanding Festool rush a new design to market on an internet forum because A) that's completely impossible even if they wanted to and B) finding tools I like working with is a much more productive use of everyone's time.

Everyone has a different way of working and different set of expectations for the tools they’re using in a project.  It’s next to impossible to build the perfect tool.

I love the Bosch 572 because it has the best line of sight of any jig saw on the market.  Other people hate rhe 572 because it’s much heavier than the Festool and Makita.  Who’s right.  Nobody is right.  Each person has completely different expectations.

I respectfully disagree...
In terms of cutting function the p1cc is hands down as close as one can currently get.

Some people do like features like LEDs and variable speed, and ergonomics are also a factor.

With respect to your Bosch, I can make a good case for it, which you have already done... And from a cost/value perspective it is also a "no brainer".

It is more how we "value" the cost, cutting and features that make it confusing.

The US economist just won the Nobel prize, and one of his finding was people are much more irrational than economists previously thought.

I’m only talking about Jig Saw’s under a $1000 dollars.  At $1400 US, you better be making money with that Jig Saw to use it as a tax write-off.

Looking at the many of the design similarities, It looks like Mafell is the one sub manufacturing the 572 for Bosch.  The body shape, button placement, layout of and exterior design of the Bosch 572 and the Mafell share too many design similarities for it not to be made by Mafell. 

Bosch uses Mafell for a lot of their high-end tools designs like their track saws.

The 572 is the poor man’s version of the Mafell.

I own them both and there are no similarities between the two other than being a barrel grip that accepts T shank blades. Both are capable saws, but the Mafell cuts are steps above any other jigsaw I have used. Not everyone needs this level of accuracy and nor everyone wants to spend the money on a jigsaw. I have no regrets on either purchase and would buy a replacement if either saw disappeared. YMMV.

 

[Holmz]

...

I’m only talking about Jig Saw’s under a $1000 dollars.  At $1400 US, you better be making money with that Jig Saw to use it as a tax write-off.

Looking at the many of the design similarities, It looks like Mafell is the one sub manufacturing the 572 for Bosch.  The body shape, button placement, layout of and exterior design of the Bosch 572 and the Mafell share too many design similarities for it not to be made by Mafell. 

Bosch uses Mafell for a lot of their high-end tools designs like their track saws.

The 572 is the poor man’s version of the Mafell.

There is nothing wrong with the Bosch. It was only my list as second choice.
However the maths can use some "review/thoughts" to mirror the title of the thread:

Other sources in Germany may be less, but the Dictum website is easy.
Saw:https://www.dictum.com/de/werkzeuge...-praezisionsstichsaege-p1-cc-maximax-im-t-max
Angle-foot:https://www.dictum.com/de/werkzeuge...1-sp-bis-450-schwenkbar?ftr=_33__97.7_1_48_12

USA:
Saw:https://www.timberwolftools.com/mafell-p1cc-jigsaw
Angle-foot:https://www.timberwolftools.com/mafell-tilting-plate-p1-sp

P1cc:
Item          De (Eu)        USA($)      Au($)
P1cc          534.31        765            809.69
Angle foot  89.25          134            135.25
                                    899 USD    945 AUD
^These^ include a circle cutter and they work on the Bosch track.

Carvex:
Item              USA      Au($)
420EB            525      680
Angle base      116  ~125
Circle cutter      68    ~90
Table adapter    28    ˜35
                      737    840(AUD)

Australia: About ~1000 AUD versus ~840 AUD with shipping in Australia. (I know mine was comfortably

 

[Womble]

So whos converted the Bosch 572 to work with the Plug-It cords? Love to see how it turned out. Thats the only thing holding my back from selling my Trion is I really like to use my Festool hoses with the cords attached to them in a sleeve. Id rather not have to use a separate cord to power a non-Festool tool.

IMO - Run another cord and use a Neutrik on it and convert the Bosch at a Neutrik.
just about all my tools have a Neutrik TrueOne PowerCon on them once the warranty is done (and sometimes before  [eek]).

Or get maybe for you, get the UK version of the PlugIt and convert the Bosch to match the Festools... While the Neutrik is better in every way imaginable and measurable, just go straight to the PlugIt.

Wow, never looked into the Neutrik TrueOne PowerCon connectors before, and I have used Neutrik connectors for all my audio cables for many years now. I think for a jigsaw Id rather have it be a Plug-It connector as Im pretty deep in the Festool system, but for other stuff I will certainly keep these in mind!

AH ha thats what these connectors are called i have seen them on bits of equipment before but didn't know the type.

They are available in the UK & from a quick look i don't see any reason why these cannot be used with either a UK 3 PIN 240v plug or a 110v UK Site plug on the other end of the cable providing you use the correct Amp rating which they appear to be available in either 16Amp & 32Amp varieties.

Also seeing as Festool in their wisdom have discontinued the UK 110v PlugIt conversion kits this could well be a very good solution for a lot of people. The 240v PlugIt conversion kits are still available though.

I am definitely going to look into converting some non Festool tools as a starter & see how it works out, they do look to be slightly more expensive than PlugIt but only slightly.

Just as a starting point it seems Farnells sell these in the UKhttp://uk.farnell.com/c/cable-wire-...r-cables?product-range=neutrik-powercon-true1 and i am sure there is many other UK sellers also as Neutrik have a UK websitehttp://www.neutrik.co.uk/en-uk/power/powercon-true1-power-cord

 

[Holmz]

....

AH ha thats what these connectors are called i have seen them on bits of equipment before but didn't know the type.

They are available in the UK & from a quick look i don't see any reason why these cannot be used with either a UK 3 PIN 240v plug or a 110v UK Site plug on the other end of the cable providing you use the correct Amp rating which they appear to be available in either 16Amp & 32Amp varieties.

Also seeing as Festool in their wisdom have discontinued the UK 110v PlugIt conversion kits this could well be a very good solution for a lot of people. The 240v PlugIt conversion kits are still available though.

I am definitely going to look into converting some non Festool tools as a starter & see how it works out, they do look to be slightly more expensive than PlugIt but only slightly.

Just as a starting point it seems Farnells sell these in the UKhttp://uk.farnell.com/c/cable-wire-...r-cables?product-range=neutrik-powercon-true1 and i am sure there is many other UK sellers also as Neutrik have a UK websitehttp://www.neutrik.co.uk/en-uk/power/powercon-true1-power-cord

You will need a plan.
My plan is everything 230v runs the yellow TrueOne PowerCon, and the 110v uses the blue ones.

You may also want something a bit obvious where the 110v cannot get 230v power...

...
... they do look to be slightly more expensive than PlugIt but only slightly.
...

Neuerik only make connectors.

 

[Steven Owen]

So whos converted the Bosch 572 to work with the Plug-It cords? Love to see how it turned out. Thats the only thing holding my back from selling my Trion is I really like to use my Festool hoses with the cords attached to them in a sleeve. Id rather not have to use a separate cord to power a non-Festool tool.

IMO - Run another cord and use a Neutrik on it and convert the Bosch at a Neutrik.
just about all my tools have a Neutrik TrueOne PowerCon on them once the warranty is done (and sometimes before  [eek]).

Or get maybe for you, get the UK version of the PlugIt and convert the Bosch to match the Festools... While the Neutrik is better in every way imaginable and measurable, just go straight to the PlugIt.

Wow, never looked into the Neutrik TrueOne PowerCon connectors before, and I have used Neutrik connectors for all my audio cables for many years now. I think for a jigsaw Id rather have it be a Plug-It connector as Im pretty deep in the Festool system, but for other stuff I will certainly keep these in mind!

AH ha thats what these connectors are called i have seen them on bits of equipment before but didn't know the type.

They are available in the UK & from a quick look i don't see any reason why these cannot be used with either a UK 3 PIN 240v plug or a 110v UK Site plug on the other end of the cable providing you use the correct Amp rating which they appear to be available in either 16Amp & 32Amp varieties.

Also seeing as Festool in their wisdom have discontinued the UK 110v PlugIt conversion kits this could well be a very good solution for a lot of people. The 240v PlugIt conversion kits are still available though.

I am definitely going to look into converting some non Festool tools as a starter & see how it works out, they do look to be slightly more expensive than PlugIt but only slightly.

Just as a starting point it seems Farnells sell these in the UKhttp://uk.farnell.com/c/cable-wire-...r-cables?product-range=neutrik-powercon-true1 and i am sure there is many other UK sellers also as Neutrik have a UK websitehttp://www.neutrik.co.uk/en-uk/power/powercon-true1-power-cord

There was a error on the Timberwolf site when I loaded the page.  Maybe it put me in the wrong county.  765 US or 995 CAD.  It’s $1000 Jig Saw in Canadian.

Is better Jig Saw. No doubt.  In the shop, both the Bosch 572 and Mafell will make the same cuts.  The Mafell will make those cuts a little faster and slightly cleaner finish.  For a home shop user or someone working construction, that really doesn’t matter much. 

If you’re in a production environment, the Mafell would shine.  Time is money.  Every second you shave off the time it takes to finish a part or piece is money. 

The average home shop user would never need the Mafell.  They would simply want one.  The Mafell made Bosch 572 is one of the best reviewed Jig Saws.  It gets the job done and it does it well. 

 

[Job and Knock]

You will need a plan.
My plan is everything 230v runs the yellow TrueOne PowerCon, and the 110v uses the blue ones.

You may also want something a bit obvious where the 110v cannot get 230v power...

Well, you could start by using more logical colours - 110 volt BS.4343/CEE typ17 connectors are YELLOW whilst 230 volt ones are BLUE. This is the exact opposite of your planned colours....

Is better Jig Saw. No doubt.  In the shop, both the Bosch 572 and Mafell will make the same cuts.  The Mafell will make those cuts a little faster and slightly cleaner finish.  For a home shop user or someone working construction, that really doesn’t matter much. 

If you’re in a production environment, the Mafell would shine.  Time is money.  Every second you shave off the time it takes to finish a part or piece is money.

I beg to differ, based on my own experience. I'm site based and I do a lot of work on historic building refurbishment as well a lot of new build interior fit-out. Which is exactly why I have the P1cc. That throwaway comment about "for someone working construction, that really doesn’t matter much." implies that accuracy isn't an issue. But towards the end of a lot of interior fit-out or listed building works when all the really detailed stuff is being done it most certainly is! The extra power and accuracy of the P1cc makes it a tool without peers in an admittedly niche area of the trades

 

[Holmz]

You will need a plan.
My plan is everything 230v runs the yellow TrueOne PowerCon, and the 110v uses the blue ones.

You may also want something a bit obvious where the 110v cannot get 230v power...

Well, you could start by using more logical colours - 110 volt BS.4343/CEE typ17 connectors are YELLOW whilst 230 volt ones are BLUE. This is the exact opposite of your planned colours....

I may not be bright, but I am consistent... And yellow matches my bright-n-sunny disposition [cool]

 

[Steven Owen]

You will need a plan.
My plan is everything 230v runs the yellow TrueOne PowerCon, and the 110v uses the blue ones.

You may also want something a bit obvious where the 110v cannot get 230v power...

Well, you could start by using more logical colours - 110 volt BS.4343/CEE typ17 connectors are YELLOW whilst 230 volt ones are BLUE. This is the exact opposite of your planned colours....

Is better Jig Saw. No doubt.  In the shop, both the Bosch 572 and Mafell will make the same cuts.  The Mafell will make those cuts a little faster and slightly cleaner finish.  For a home shop user or someone working construction, that really doesn’t matter much. 

If you’re in a production environment, the Mafell would shine.  Time is money.  Every second you shave off the time it takes to finish a part or piece is money.

I beg to differ, based on my own experience. I'm site based and I do a lot of work on historic building refurbishment as well a lot of new build interior fit-out. Which is exactly why I have the P1cc. That throwaway comment about "for someone working construction, that really doesn’t matter much." implies that accuracy isn't an issue. But towards the end of a lot of interior fit-out or listed building works when all the really detailed stuff is being done it most certainly is! The extra power and accuracy of the P1cc makes it a tool without peers in an admittedly niche area of the trades

I was thinking more about the person working in a home based shop vs someone out in the field.  The 572 is incredibly accurate, it just not incredibly fast.  You have to slow down the cutting speed on a 572 to get the best cutting accuracy.  The Mafell has superior accuracy at full speed. The Mafell makes 2 cuts for every cut you can make with the Bosch.

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Hmm, the Bosch 572 slipped under my radar. It seems to have the same (for me, ideal) grip as the 18V battery version which I really liked!

I did have the old Scintilla Bosch, great jigsaw really. Then Bosch replaced it with a Chinese/Russian made heavy piece of crap that was just  heavy and clumsy. Then they released a high capacity jigsaw with a base made of flimsy steel/aluminium that would bend under pressure and become convex after a short while. I gave up on Bosch jigsaws then but it seems they have a few good options out now - they are sold under different model numbers over here. The GST 90 (crap) and the the GST 1400 (seems great) which probably translates to the equivalent of the 527.

I bought an old Festool 300 which works "ok" but I don't have any great jigsaws in the stable at the moment. My Metabo STA 18LTX 18V is just "ok". A little better than the Carvex I had - which doesn't say much as I really dislike the Carvex both in use and as a concept.

I did sell my Mafell P1cc (!) as I didn't use it all that much and I am much better off having a 18V jigsaw. Just hoping a good one will emerge any time soon. (The Bosch 18V is pretty good - just don't want to invest in that battery platform.)

Do I miss the P1cc? Yes, but I have only sort of "needed" it once after I sold it and I did ok with another saw. I do consider the P1cc the best jigsaw of the lot. My ideal jigsaw would be a no frills P1cc/18V with built in angle base. Ok, slap a LED on it. But none of those "another Systainer full of bases gimmicks". It is still just a jigsaw.

 

[DB10]

I have to agree with the "another systainer of gimmicks" quote.

Personally I like my 18v Carvex, But I do agree with other that fitting new blades can be a fiddle to start with. I'm very fussy about which blades I use for each task and have never had a problem with not cutting perpendicular or not being able to see the cut line, I'm not sure how some people use their jigsaws but the Carvex does have a longer learning curve than other jigsaws I've owned & used. Most complaints must be down to users not fully understanding how to use the tool imo.
Personally I wouldn't buy a corded jigsaw from anyone but if the Maffel came out with a cordless version I would be interested.

 

[Holmz]

... I'm not sure how some people use their jigsaws but the Carvex does have a longer learning curve than other jigsaws I've owned & used. Most complaints must be down to users not fully understanding how to use the tool imo.
...

I believe you are correct in the user error aspect.

How I use it is I move the blade release and put in whatever blade seems like the picture matches what I am cutting.
Sometime I read the Bosch blades which say "wood" or "metal", the green Hitachi blades are for the 5/8" concrete board.
And the Cunex ones are for wood.
Most of the time there is a cartoon that lets me know what to do.

I do not think that there are not many cartoons in the manual - or maybe I did not look?
Basically I unplug it when changing blades.

Maybe I should read the manual, but as it is working - I am not sure what I would learn...
They have basically dumbed it down to the point where one can even put the blade in backwards and not ruin it.

When I heard someone say, "Only a moron should/would buy one", I thought... "I'll have what he is having"... [huh]

 

[Job and Knock]

They have basically dumbed it down to the point where one can even put the blade in backwards and not ruin it.

Of course the P1cc is designed to actually work with the blade inserted in backwards. Probably only ever needed to use it that way twice since I bought mine, but it really got me out of a hole at the time