Carvex PSC 420 Li EB + ZH-SYS-PS 420 // Your opinion?

[six-point socket II]

Hi!

I'm getting a 18V Carvex delivered on Tuesday or Wednesday (basic: tool & systainer only). I couldn't pass on the deal, even though it lacks a major basic function in this version: angled cuts.

So now I'm thinking of ordering the corresponding accessories systainer.

Any users out there who can say a couple of words about it? Pro's, con's - general feedback - maybe some pictures? Especially regarding the angle table and core maker.

Thank you very much and kind regards,
Oliver

 

[rst]

I have both the corded (keptin shop) and cordless version and the accessory set.  I originally bought the corded and accessories but then bought the HKC with batteries and charger so I ordered the cordless basic and one of the newer batteries with the belt clip.  Used the belt clip first time out of the box as I was up on a ladder.  I know there are a lot of negative reveiws but I like mine, My personal opinion is that the folks haveng problems are not adjusting the blade guides properly.  I do not keep the accessory set in the van but I did buy the steel base as most of my work is cutting steel aor aluminum.  I do commercial/industrial work so the cordless makes me pretty much cord free 90+% of the time.  The only corded tool (except my CTL SYS)  in my van is my 30+ year old Milwaukee hammerdrill.  ALso, I keep a cordless Milwaukee vac on board also.

 

[Nat X]

I only wanted two of the bases that come in the full set, but the set was cheaper than buying a-la-carte. While I liked it a great deal overall, the "innovative" angle base kept letting me down in one way or another (either lack of precision, lack of a lock, lack of surface area, or inability to do anything that's not right on an edge due to the opposing foot). Once I found out you could mount a blade backwards in the Mafell, I traded up. Only thing I miss is the stroboscopic LED.

The tape trammel was really cool, but the markings weren't super accurate and the paint started flaking off of the thing almost immediately. I tend to use routers for cutting circles myself, so it was mostly just a novelty for me.

If you like the Carvex, I think the accessory kit is a pretty good deal, but you *are* getting a bunch of stuff you'll probably never use. If you don't care about precision on your angle cuts, just get a Collins foot instead.

 

[Jason Kehl]

I have the cordless Carvex and accessory kit. The saw is fine, good even; adjusting the blade guides has not been a problem for me.

The angle based  is garbage though. There are way too many times that it's goofy design makes the cut I need to do impossible. The rest of the accessories are not terribly useful for my needs. Due to the bad angle base design I would say think hard about your needs before buying the accessories. If you need an angle base regularly you might end up returning the saw for one that has an intelligently designed adjustable base.

With all of the complaints out about the angle base I'm surprised that Festool hasn't come out with a new base design.

j

 

[Staniam]

I had the Carvex for a few years before selling it on this forum and getting another brands flagship jigsaw. The Carvex is a wonderful machine, really. The blade guide system is the worst part of the tool, followed closely by the angle base design. I, in fact, did adjust the guides after every different blade change and the Carvex still struggled to produce square cuts. Maybe not noticeable to the average eye but to woodworkers and tradesmen/professionals, very noticeable. The angle base essentially cuts in half the amount of baseplate area supporting the machine during cuts
That isn't a good thing.

 

[Staniam]

All that being said, eventually I'll be picking up the 18v barrell-grip grip again as its the best 18v jigsaw available and I have the TSC 55 and PDC with plenty of batteries. For me, I use jigsaws a ton as they are basically my favorite tool and amazingly versatile so having a corded and cordless makes sense.

 

[six-point socket II]

Hi,

Thanks for the valuable input everyone!

I currently own a Bosch GST 135 CE and I basically want to replace it with the Carvex. That's also why I'm looking at the angle table/base as the Bosch can be set to any desired angle (as is) and I wouldn't want to miss that feature. That said, I have used it only a couple of times compared to the many, many quick cuts I use a jigsaw for. And those will be even quicker now as I don't have to bring out the extension cords... Also I can throw it in my car and break down a bar or two after buying them at the supply - that will be easier than using my small reciprocating saw (or the TSC) as I do now.

I don't need a super accurate, dead on type jigsaw - I need a quick cutter with some options/ aces up it's sleeve

But I guess I need to see this for myself in comparison to my GST 135 CE, if I can life with how the Carvex performs and if it's enough to give up the Bosch or if I should keep that, just in case. (I mean, when activated, precision control on the Bosch is great and very reliable - at least it was, the one time I really needed it while taking a 20mm thick and 600 mm long strip off a 75 mm thick bar...)

Thanks everyone and kind regards,
Oliver