Carvex question

[richard.selwyn]

OK, I have a Carvex, early model.  I admit I don't like the carvex, don't like my Trion, but am a VERY loyal festool customer with 3 vacs, 9 sanders, 3 track saws, 3 routers etc etc.

It's been back to festool twice as it won't cut straight. My dealer says its one of many. My question, before I send it back for a third time is this: is it normal for the shaft into which the blade is fixed to move backwards and forwards in an almost sloppy manner. Even when the setting for blade movement is at zero, the blade still seems to go back and forth as well as up and down. it seems to make it even harder to get a good cut.

Do I give up on it, accept it and use it for demolition, send it back yet again, buy a second Bosch, buy a Mafell, change jobs ???
Thanks in advance,
Richard

 

[woodguy7]

Richard, thank you for this post.  Exactly the same as mine.  It is with TTS right now for the second time & they called me to say they can't get it to cut squint !!!!  WTF ?

It's a dog !  PM windmill John, his had to go to Germany to get fixed properly.  He loves his now.

I don't hold much hope for it being any better when I get it back.  The guy at TTS asked if I was using splinter guards ?  I said no as I don't like them, they get scratched & obscures the vision & I don't feel you should need to use them to get a straight cut.  He then agreed, trying for a way out I think.  Supposed to phone me back 2 days ago, still waiting !  Will keep you updated.

 

[richard.selwyn]

Mine is even worse with the splinter guard. Since the blade starts twisting it starts fighting the splinter guard.
Unfortunately my dealer reckons the Mafell is no better.
Richard

 

[Michael1960]

I purchased a Carvex PS400 last month and have used it for a few hours.  So far it has performed to high expectations ($$ outlay!).  With this in mind I would not give up on having the issues resolved.  It's an excellent jigsaw.  Festool must know whats required to rectify the problems.  If a local service agent can't fix it perhaps it needs to go back to Festool HQ.
Regards, Michael

 

[Timtool]

say if one were to buy a new carvex right now, what would you guys recommend to check at the store before buying? Is it like if you can wiggle the blade about, you got a bad one and should leave it there?

 

[woodguy7]

From what I've read the new models are very good.  It's us poor folks that jamp on it straight away that are getting punished.  I mean Festool, come on.  You know there is a problem with the early ones, just man up & fix them instead of dancing around it !!!!

 

[richard.selwyn]

So did your blade slop back and forth? I still can't cut a straight line with it. I think I might go to the dealer tomorrow and ask to see another one to compare. What were your carvex problems exactly?
Richard

 

[woodguy7]

Yea, the blade did have a fair bit of movement.  That is my main gripe, try to cut a square cut & the blade wanders all over the place.  The base was slack also, you could wobble it with your hand but that seems to have been fixed on its first trip back. 
If I were you I would ask to see another one cut something.  Then if it cuts ok I would ask to swap  ;D

 

[windmill man]

Mine went back to TTS Germany (long story)  when it came back it had a modified clamp for the bases and all new bases and they had modified/replaced parts or all of the blade shaft. Would have to look at the enclosed letter for all the bits that had been sorted.

Mine now cuts straight (even in thick stock) and cuts fantastic tight curves (even in thick stock) and  square. It is very very good.

As i keep saying if you can t get satisfaction get on to Festool Germany and complain , Complain about the saw and complain about the service and the lies and excuses that you are being given. I would not give up on letting TTS Uk get away with doing nothing and lying through there teeth, got it sorted . It took time and effort but if I can get a result so can you, If all else fails take it back to your dealer and tell them to produce cuts as seen on the video . If they can ask for a replacement or refund as it is not as advertised.

Festool should recall ALL these saw and get them put right, You have paid enough money for them and should not put up with substandard performance.

Don't give up get stuck into them !!!!!!!!!

John [big grin]

 

[richard.selwyn]

Took it back this morning. The reseller was very good - he says I'm not the only one to have trouble.He still sells Trions.
He cut a straight line with it but still agreed to send it back for the third time. I'd also like to be able to turn off the strobe light as you can on the new ones. I feel that Original 2010 Festool Carvex is a poor product and I wish I'd never bought it. I wish Festool France read this thread and would do something about it. If I had more work at the moment I'd just give it away and buy a new one ( assuming they really do work out of the box now. I still feel the lack of real blade guidance is suspect)
Richard

 

[woodguy7]

Mine came back today & did a quick cut to check it but still squint !!!! WTF

Only did one cut but will get a chance to really try it out tomorrow.  I can see an angry phone call to Festool coming up !

Will report back.

 

[richard.selwyn]

Can we not lobby Festool to lend us Shane for 1 day a month? You shouldn't have to be calling Festool - they should be calling you with a courtesy call to check if they solved your problem.

 

[Glenn in Shailer]

say if one were to buy a new carvex right now, what would you guys recommend to check at the store before buying? Is it like if you can wiggle the blade about, you got a bad one and should leave it there?

...I would whip it outa the box, and cut up anything in sight.
Bring your own timber offcuts and I know you will be disappointed
I bought the psion 300 and hate it.
It doesn't cut straight, circular cuts aren't perpendicular...
Just gotta find time to send it back in.
I love my Festools, but not this one.

 

[hockey_magnet]

What's a psion 300? Have you considered the possibility of user error?

 

[green fever]

hey woodguy7 , i put a post on when my carvex was sorted out by tts and only just started to use it again as its not my daily jigsaw well i think it will be going back soon,  as the blade ejects when it feels like and the eject button flies off when you try to eject the blade, also the pendulum where the blade inserts doesnt always line up to eject the blade , and dont get me started on splinter guards, my dewalt 18v cordless may not cut like the festool but it spends more time working than not and its given five years trouble free, i do have many festool products but cant say this 18 month old is up there on my fav tools. also on your other post i am sure you stated festool would give you a new carvex if your present one failed again, well i shall be giving tts a call very soon, all the best.

 

[woodguy7]

Hi Green.  Sorry to hear about the trouble you are having.  I have yet to send mine back, just been too busy.  I think if they do replace it with a new one I will sell it straight away, not even try it.  Prob get the new Bosch !  Will let you know how I get on.

Woodguy.

 

[green fever]

thanks woodguy i shall be posting on here what tts do to the carvex for the second time ,  now one of my kapex 120s gone into self destruct mode arghhhh.

 

[woodguy7]

Funny you should say that, my Kapex will be going back at the same time as my Carvex  [sad]

 

[woodguy7]

Well, my Carvex went back yesterday.  Let's hope the good folks at TTS do the right thing  [blink]

Will report back when it returns.

 

[richard.selwyn]

Festool France are offering to take back my Carvex for the FOURTH time. Is it really worth the bother? Will it ever work? It messed up so badly on site the other day that I nearly threw it in the river where I was repairing a sluice. What if they have it back and then it messes up again ......
Do people out there really own Carvexes that cut straight. The guide looks incapable of holding the blade straight.
Richard.