Carvex PSC 400 li 18v

[Roadkilled]

Hi everyone,

I have been a kitchen fitter for over 25 years now and ever since the age of battery tools I have always wanted a cordless jigsaw.

Over the years many cordless jigsaws have been released but these were too heavy (do alot of upside down jigsawing) or too under powered (cut alot of 40mm worktops)

Is there anyone on the forum that owns or has played with one for a while.

Compared to a corded version did it have the power needed to cut 40mm worktops? Was it light enough to use upside down for hours on end? How long does the battery last with constant use?

If you do own one do you find yourself getting the corded jigsaw out and the cordless collecting dust?

Thanks for reading and I hope you can help

Jon

 

[Pdevore]

Jon,
I am a Festool Newbe so take the following as you want, Festool has the BEST policy for purchasing tools that you may be a bit unsure of. They will take it back within 30 days NO QUESTIONS!!!! I would suggest that you go to your local dealer (or online) and tell them your concerns. I would then buy the carvex and use it everyday, if you don't LOVE it take it back. You are out nothing!!!!! MAN I LOVE FESTOOL. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D [big grin] [big grin]

Pete

 

[woodguy7]

I think JMB would be the best one to answer your question.  I know he has one & has an opinion on everything  [smile]

Oh, welcome to the FOG.

I will send him a P.M to tell him.

 

[Roadkilled]

Thank you for that. I know what you mean about the 30 day no quibble but I don't really like to do it.

 

[Julian Tracy]

So what's up with the whole European upside-down jigsawing anyways?  How did that come about?

JT

 

[MAK]

Hi i have the cordless in 15v as i have a c15 to swap batteries. I  was told by fetool rep that there is no difference in power between 18v and 15v, just that 18v would last longer(bigger fuel tank) I fit alot of kitchens andfind a cordless jigsaw very handy. I had a makita 18v before and the festool is much much better. I've only used t for a month and have no quibbles. To be honest i don't cut alot of 40mm worktop as i use my ts55 for cutouts etc and just finish off corners with jigsaw. It is very good for cutting units for pipes etc and can do tight bends no problem with festool blades though. When i tested with rep i used it on 40mm worktop and I was impressed, and it goes round corners and keeps a square cut.
I think its the best cordless jigsaw on market and will do a good job for a kitchen fitter.

 

[tiralie]

So what's up with the whole European upside-down jigsawing anyways?  How did that come about?

JT

Julian:
Not really a purely European thing to do, us Canadians do it too...it depends on what you are trying to achieve and what you are comfortable with. I worked with a trim carpenter who used a Bosch jigsaw to cope molding and he used his jig saw upside down. Depending on the blade you are using I believe it helps with chip out on the finished side.

 

[Roadkilled]

Hi i have the cordless in 15v as i have a c15 to swap batteries. I  was told by fetool rep that there is no difference in power between 18v and 15v, just that 18v would last longer(bigger fuel tank) I fit alot of kitchens andfind a cordless jigsaw very handy. I had a makita 18v before and the festool is much much better. I've only used t for a month and have no quibbles. To be honest i don't cut alot of 40mm worktop as i use my ts55 for cutouts etc and just finish off corners with jigsaw. It is very good for cutting units for pipes etc and can do tight bends no problem with festool blades though. When i tested with rep i used it on 40mm worktop and I was impressed, and it goes round corners and keeps a square cut.
I think its the best cordless jigsaw on market and will do a good job for a kitchen fitter.

Thanks for the review. Very handy to know you like it. So the 15v is the same power, that's something to think about, cheers

 

[jmbfestool]

Hi Roadkill

There is no 15v or 18v jigsaw. It's the same jigsaw which runs 12v up to 18V the only difference is batteries.

 I would go with the 18v batteries if I was you especially cutting 40mm worktops.  I have some 18v batteries and 14.4 (15v) batteries which I use with my carvex and I cant telly any difference in power at all but I can see a slight increase in run time but as of yet it has not WOWED me but it's not been tested fairly as some times I could be cutting a lot of 18mm and then do some 40.  I need to be doing all 18mm or 40mm with both batteries to compare the run times.  

Any way you do need a good blade at all times to avoid draining the battery as much.  As of power the carvex has power you think it's corded when your are using it.   Like mentioned above I do my cut outs with the TS and the corners with the carvex so I don't do a lot of cutting 40mm on a long run I see no need if you own a TS.   In my opinion if you was cutting alot of 40mm long runs I would say you might drain the batterie quickly.   I'll do a video maybe 2moro I'll charge both 15 and 18v and cut some work top see how far they go ok?  

Any way talking about collecting dust well my corded jigsaw is collecting dust!  I actually dont put my corded jigsaw on my van any more as I always get my carvex out instead.

Jmb

 

[Pdevore]

Thank you for that. I know what you mean about the 30 day no quibble but I don't really like to do it.

I totally agree with you, I have never returned anything myself, but understand that the reason FESTOOL put this policy inplace is exactly for people like you that want to make sure the product is EVERYTHING they want.

Pete

 

[Roadkilled]

Hi Roadkill

There is no 15v or 18v jigsaw. It's the same jigsaw which runs 12v up to 18V the only difference is batteries.

 I would go with the 18v batteries if I was you especially cutting 40mm worktops.  I have some 18v batteries and 14.4 (15v) batteries which I use with my carvex and I cant telly any difference in power at all but I can see a slight increase in run time but as of yet it has not WOWED me but it's not been tested fairly as some times I could be cutting a lot of 18mm and then do some 40.  I need to be doing all 18mm or 40mm with both batteries to compare the run times.  

Any way you do need a good blade at all times to avoid draining the battery as much.  As of power the carvex has power you think it's corded when your are using it.   Like mentioned above I do my cut outs with the TS and the corners with the carvex so I don't do a lot of cutting 40mm on a long run I see no need if you own a TS.   In my opinion if you was cutting alot of 40mm long runs I would say you might drain the batterie quickly.   I'll do a video maybe 2moro I'll charge both 15 and 18v and cut some work top see how far they go ok?  

Any way talking about collecting dust well my corded jigsaw is collecting dust!  I actually dont put my corded jigsaw on my van any more as I always get my carvex out instead.

Jmb

Thank you for your reply. Thats exactly what I was looking for, I do own a TS55 but to be honest never done a sink or hob cutout with it as I have always done them with a jigsaw and to be honest never thought of it do'oh. Will be doing that next week though

Going to my festool dealer on Tuesday as I think the laser on my kapex is faulty again!!! Will talk through my concerns with him and see what he has to say.

Thanks to everyone for there input it is greatly appreciated

Kind  regards, Jon

 

[jmbfestool]

Ha! My lasers on my kapex have disapeared but I think da is cus of all the dust! cus when I look up I can see red light but I cnt see any lasers shining on the wood!  So when I get time ill remove the blade and see if I can give it a clean. 

Like I said ill do a video ill do a demo on how I cut a sink hop out aswell.  I got a old work top and some old stuff from a kitchen I took out and replaced with new last week in my trailer which I need to get rid of in my skip! 

JMB

 

[Dan1210]

and maybe router a joint quick!  [wink]  i must admit i hardly ever use my jiggy now and always use the ts55 for sink/hob cut outs its sooo much faster, also i used to use my jiggy to cut off the excess worktop you know after you have made your first pass with the router to avoid stressing the bit too much? now i just cut 5mm away from that line sorted! this is much better for me as i find the psb 300 has a short stroke and when placed on top of a 12mm jig it wont cut through the top so i was having to buy the large bosch progressor blades.

 

[jmbfestool]

and maybe router a joint quick!  [wink]  i must admit i hardly ever use my jiggy now and always use the ts55 for sink/hob cut outs its sooo much faster, also i used to use my jiggy to cut off the excess worktop you know after you have made your first pass with the router to avoid stressing the bit too much? now i just cut 5mm away from that line sorted! this is much better for me as i find the psb 300 has a short stroke and when placed on top of a 12mm jig it wont cut through the top so i was having to buy the large bosch progressor blades.

LOL!

Its not a proper work top its one of those with a crappy wooden stuck on old style!    Suppose makes no difference really ill see what I can do!

About cutting the work top shy I never do that I always have it longer and cut the piece off with the router as the OF2200 doesn't struggle one bit.  I did learn not to have off cut piece 2 LARGE tho!  Normally only couple inches but once it was about 14inch I left and it dropped onto my foot I was only wearing trainers at the time!  Man it hurt I couldn't go work for a week my big toe was black I had to get my drill and drill through my toe nail to release the pressure which only works for so long so I had to keep doing it!

jmb

 

[Dan1210]

and maybe router a joint quick!  [wink]  i must admit i hardly ever use my jiggy now and always use the ts55 for sink/hob cut outs its sooo much faster, also i used to use my jiggy to cut off the excess worktop you know after you have made your first pass with the router to avoid stressing the bit too much? now i just cut 5mm away from that line sorted! this is much better for me as i find the psb 300 has a short stroke and when placed on top of a 12mm jig it wont cut through the top so i was having to buy the large bosch progressor blades.

LOL!

Its not a proper work top its one of those with a crappy wooden stuck on old style!    Suppose makes no difference really ill see what I can do!

h ha ha yeh ive done it mate i know what you mean! so thats why you bought that little makita! ha ha i must admit i always work in sneakers if the site manager comes round i stand in a box!

About cutting the work top shy I never do that I always have it longer and cut the piece off with the router as the OF2200 doesn't struggle one bit.  I did learn not to have off cut piece 2 LARGE tho!  Normally only couple inches but once it was about 14inch I left and it dropped onto my foot I was only wearing trainers at the time!  Man it hurt I couldn't go work for a week my big toe was black I had to get my drill and drill through my toe nail to release the pressure which only works for so long so I had to keep doing it!

jmb

 

[Frank Pellow]

So what's up with the whole European upside-down jigsawing anyways?  How did that come about?

JT

Julian:
Not really a purely European thing to do, us Canadians do it too...it depends on what you are trying to achieve and what you are comfortable with. I worked with a trim carpenter who used a Bosch jigsaw to cope molding and he used his jig saw upside down. Depending on the blade you are using I believe it helps with chip out on the finished side.

In support of what Tim says, I frequently use a jig saw for upside down cutting.

 

[Frank-Jan]

Ha! My lasers on my kapex have disapeared but I think da is cus of all the dust! cus when I look up I can see red light but I cnt see any lasers shining on the wood!  So when I get time ill remove the blade and see if I can give it a clean. 

Before you take off the blade, it might be just the lense (the little transparant cover) that's dirty. It's easily removable to clean it, undo 1 screw on the righthandside of the saw (located a bit below the trigger); then you can remove the thing by pushing it from the front, so it drops a bit, and slide it out.

 

[jmbfestool]

Ha! My lasers on my kapex have disapeared but I think da is cus of all the dust! cus when I look up I can see red light but I cnt see any lasers shining on the wood!  So when I get time ill remove the blade and see if I can give it a clean. 

Before you take off the blade, it might be just the lense (the little transparant cover) that's dirty. It's easily removable to clean it, undo 1 screw on the righthandside of the saw (located a bit below the trigger); then you can remove the thing by pushing it from the front, so it drops a bit, and slide it out.

Cheers Ill have a look! Most likely is the plastic cover I tried to remove it but it wouldnt come off I didnt know der was a screw holding it cus it looks like a clip on piece but clearly I was wrong lol.

JMB

 

[jmbfestool]

I only had 1 attempt as that was the only decent size piece I had!  So I couldnt really do a trial run first!  

Any way I already marked out for the cut out for a hob (the tile is the hob lol)  Normally I use masking tape and mark with a pencil line but I couldnt find any so I used the edge of some normal tape for my cut out!

I know you can see alot of dust kicking out doing the bolt holes so you might think why use an extractor!  Well the dust is even worse and it helps cutting out the bolts as it keeps it clear so you can run round with out any dust trapping you which I find happens when your go to fast with no extraction ALSO  them bolt plates have hex screws and if you dont use extraction they get full of dust and when you try to use a screw diver to loosen them you cant because its full of compact dust which you then have the scrape out first.  So using extraction prevents this as you can see I moved one of the plates along easily with out unclamping.   Also im pretty sure the blade life is ALOT better when using extraction properly keeps it cooler and keeping the dust away makes it alot easier for the cutter to cut!  

Oh and its not a new blade I have used this blade for 3 joints and 18 bolt holes!  So still not doing to bad!

I have ordered another plate as I often do 3 bolts so makes sense have 3 plates but the jig only comes with 2!   Im just waiting to buy a tool I want and my dealer will send me the plate with it save post and packaging!

I was rushing a little jigsawing and made me bounce OOPS lol  

I fast forward some parts bit boring watching me clamping stuff lol

Any way next video is seeing how long the 18V and 14.4V batterie run time is!

Worktop using festool

 

[Roadkilled]

I only had 1 attempt as that was the only decent size piece I had!  So I couldnt really do a trial run first!  

Any way I already marked out for the cut out for a hob (the tile is the hob lol)  Normally I use masking tape and mark with a pencil line but I couldnt find any so I used the edge of some normal tape for my cut out!

I know you can see alot of dust kicking out doing the bolt holes so you might think why use an extractor!  Well the dust is even worse and it helps cutting out the bolts as it keeps it clear so you can run round with out any dust trapping you which I find happens when your go to fast with no extraction ALSO  them bolt plates have hex screws and if you dont use extraction they get full of dust and when you try to use a screw diver to loosen them you cant because its full of compact dust which you then have the scrape out first.  So using extraction prevents this as you can see I moved one of the plates along easily with out unclamping.   Also im pretty sure the blade life is ALOT better when using extraction properly keeps it cooler and keeping the dust away makes it alot easier for the cutter to cut!  

Oh and its not a new blade I have used this blade for 3 joints and 18 bolt holes!  So still not doing to bad!

I have ordered another plate as I often do 3 bolts so makes sense have 3 plates but the jig only comes with 2!   Im just waiting to buy a tool I want and my dealer will send me the plate with it save post and packaging!

I was rushing a little jigsawing and made me bounce OOPS lol  

I fast forward some parts bit boring watching me clamping stuff lol

Any way next video is seeing how long the 18V and 14.4V batterie run time is!

Worktop using festool

Great video, can't believe how fast that cutout was with the TS. You've done that a few times I can tell, think I'll take my first time a lot slower