Does the Carvex have too many shortcomings?

[Brent Taylor]

I chimed in on a post about how bad the tiltable base is on the Carvex, granted it has it's shortcomings, it's not as good as Mafell, Bosch, PC or even  a Trion. I compared it's base to my old Makita's base (4304 BV ), half of the Carvex base equaled about the same surface area of that saw ( I'm only a carpenter/cabinet maker, so it's a rough estimate.), so I tried doing the angled circle cutout as showed in Bosch's ad and was able to do it freehand with no problem (which is a feat in itself with  as bad as my hands felt), granted I was only cutting 3/4" ply,I still was able to cut a penny sized hole with ease. Then someone said that you could not use the circle cutting attachment with the bevel base, this is true, but I though that I would try with a homemade jig. I know that it's possible to do, I have done it in the past when I made some table tops, I just did not like the finish that was left using the jigsaw, so I just used the router instead and saved a few steps. The jigsaw was good for roughing out ( as the Carvex would be also ). So I will trying it soon. I would not do an in the field cutout ( sink base or sphere )as that would be to dangerous with a jigsaw cutting at an angle.( a router is the only way that I felt comfortable doing this type of cut ) The Carvex changed the way that I use and think of a jigsaw, and I find myself finding new uses for it everyday. IMHO I think that too many people want things to do everything they want and it has to be now, or else it is a faulty tool or design. It takes time to learn what the tool can and cannot do, in over 40 years of using tool I still am learning who to use them in new and different ways. (rememb er it's fun,enjoyable and safe ) The Carvex is the most advanced jigsaw I have owned ( granted I have only owned 3 ) and I have only just tapped the surface of what this tool can do. The way I see it .it may have shortcomings. ( or I just have not found how to use it in the right manner) If so, sell yours and buy somethin else or add one of the others I talked about above. or take the time to find out how to make it work for you and shair it with the rest of us. Thanks in advance, B

 

[Drich]

I'm in the same boat as my bosch is 15 years old now and time for a upgrade. I love my festools that i have now but found this video on youtube and was shocked to see this happen to the carvex.

 

[Wuffles]

Hope you're wearing flame retardant underwear Drich.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

It's almost an unfair comparison to the mafell.

Mafell is more powerful ( about 1/3 more) twice the price and kind of hard to get support for here in the US. 

I would like one, but I can't justify 700 bucks for a jig saw.  The carvex and trion serve my purpose just fine, for everything else, I have a 36" band saw. 

I put a Collins coping foot on every jig saw I own. 

 

[DB10]

I saw that video a few months back and didnt read too much into it, A firm I worked for in the Uk used to use Mafell and they were excellent, pricey too. Like above says the comparison is pretty unfair, Mafell is fine in Europe, but for the rest of us, pricing and availability is a pain.

 

[Brent Taylor]

I wrote this piece to address the fact that far to many people expect that a tool to replace skill, time & learning. Times are far different now, when I started out most of the tools we take for granted did not exist, Bob Vila was not on the V & being a person in the trades was not looked down on. The internet is wonderful but it can not make up for real time spent with someone who is skilled or time learning how to do something, hands-on. Some of the things I read on this site scares the Hell out of me, the fact that more people have not been killed or hurt really surprises me. ( assume they don't post that stuff much) I bought my SawStop off a man locally that I believe trigger the braking system & I have had many friends remove fingers & other parts over the years, Tools are not toys, I wish I felt that more folks thought that way. When I read about them worried about the finish on the tool, over if it's safe to use floors me.

 

[tiralie]

I'm in the same boat as my bosch is 15 years old now and time for a upgrade. I love my festoons that i have now but found this video on youtube and was shocked to see this happen to the carvex.

Drich:
That video was the first video that these testers did.
After they were  shown how to use the Carvex the did another test.

Here it is.


Here is a link to the "lively discussion" on FOG when the first one was posted and the updated version.

Tim

 

[Grasshopper]

Every time I use my Carvex, I marvel at the clean glue ready cuts I get.  Puts a smile on my face for sure.

 

[peter halle]

Brent,

Thanks for posting your thoughts and feelings.  There is no such thing as a perfect tool and there will always be limitations or other tools that might do something better.  Personally I try to go with a tool which offers the best all around combination for me and I have always found that at Harbor Freight.  Just kidding on the Harbor Freight.

Learning your tools and their good and bad points based on what you do is really what the Festool 30 day return policy is about.  Kind of like those older than I would call a courting period.  See what it is like before you marry it.

Stay safe.

Peter

 

[fritter63]

I used (and purchased) a Carvex for putting up my pergola. Used the carvex to cut the corbel ends on the 4x6 timbers. It did "OK", but I still got blade bending. Don't know if I was feeding it too fast? The blade bent side to side, not like in the video above.

Good thing we like the "rustic" look....

Now I have to say.. the lumber I got was some of the toughest doug fir I've ever seen. I've been burning (or trying) the scraps in the wood stove and they don't even want to burn completely. I even had a tough time cutting it with the chain saw.

 

[Throwback7r]

I really don't think it has many shortcomings. I don't use the angle base for anything, so that might change my outlook on some things.

 

[Drich]

Thanks for the link. I love to read about everything before I buy.  I'm waiting for the local woodcraft to have demo day to play with one.
Also has the carvex changed now from when the text video was made?

 

[Luzzy]

I have owned the Carvex and Mafell P1CC. Here's what I can tell you. The Carvex IS a capable saw. I agree with Peter and Brent. For years I was content using a Bosch jig although always frustrated when the blade cut out of square .The clamping mechanism in both the Carvex and P1CC are light years ahead of those older saws. The cut results are something I never thought I'd see in a portable jigsaw. That being said , they require a certain amount of skill and knowledge to produce professional results. I have to think the Carvex , in capable hands , can produce fine results. I bought the Mafell because I liked the fact that the blade can be reversed (for cutting upside down and the tilt base also can work in either direction and is wide enough to really support the saw. It has ridiculous power and with the right blade you'd have no issues using it in a 6x6. It does lack a light which is something that bugs me since it's rare that theres adequate lighting on a jobsite.

One other thing , as far as pricing and availability and support for Mafell - Like Festool , they are premium tools. Timberwolf Tools in Maine IS the only distributor in the US. They are outstanding in terms of support,knowledge and service. If I wanted a Mafell tool , I would not hesitate to buy one.( i didn't)

I also would not hesitate to buy the Carvex. Festool has a great 30 day trial AND an amazing 3 year service policy.

 

[Jwtoolpig]

I love all of the Festool offerings except the carvex.  I took advantage of the 30 day return policy just a couple of days before the time expired. I just could not get it to produce clean cuts. I know how the clamping system works. I tried tightening until there was no play I tried loosening it up just a fuzz where you might be able to slip a piece of paper between the guide and the blade. I tried it loose. I could get clean cuts on top of the work piece but they were not as square as I could get with my Bosch 6.4 amp 1590? I think is the model number.i The onethat has the red button for adjusting blade tension. It's not the newest Bosch but pretty recent. The carvex just feels clunky when cutting. Like it's coming apart. I expect this from dewalt but not Festool. Recently I had to cut some raid uses in 4x poplar. I thought the carvex would ace this job but the cuts were terrible. The Bosch was so much better and made for a lot less sanding than the carvex cuts. I sent the Festool back and ordered a Mafell. I can't wait to try it out . I will never get rid of my 1590 or even the 1587 with the Collins coping foot. The reason I bought the carvex was for dust extraction ability but if it can't at least keep up with the Bosch on quality I'll just go outside or hook up the Mafell to the extractor. Sorry Festool. Time to rethink your jigsaw again.

 

[Benjamin]

Don't get me wrong I'm a big fan of all different tool companies
so I'm not biased to Festool ( as I have also owned many jig saws) but I've had only great success with the Carvex so it's strange to hear such poor reviews ?

I renovated a entire house and pulled it out over and over and never had
a problem with it.

I made sure to secure the blades and use the appropriate ones for the appropriate
work ,  the splinter guards  make clean cuts and the dust collection is great so it's just
strange for me to hear all the moaning lol.

Also I love the new lighting system and the changeable bases.

Any ways best of luck with what your going to use .

 

[andvari]

I have a Bosch 1591 and a Carvex 420. The Bosch is my best non-Festool power tool. However the Carvex is noticeably more refined and is what I reach for first.

 

[Paul G]

The Carvex has served me well except for two shortcomings:

1: The lack of a traditional angle plate- Some cuts are simply not possible, those that are you you're left with 1/2 the support surface.

2: the cast base plate had an unsightly speck, it was the first thing I saw when opening the case, almost tossed my lunch. At that price point I expected much better, only casting that would make NASA proud. /sarcasm

so that makes it one shortcoming, that bizarro angle plate. About the only advantage it offers is the ability to cut the same angle from both directions, which is nice at times so I wouldn't scrap it, just make a regular angle base and add it to the accessory kit.

 

[gkaiseril]

Collins Manufacturing and others make a coping foot the Carvex.

 

[Grasshopper]

My Carvex paired with Bosch t-shank blades make splinter free cuts that always make me smile!

I have a Bosch 1591 and a Carvex 420. The Bosch is my best non-Festool power tool. However the Carvex is noticeably more refined and is what I reach for first.

 

[Linbro]

Every time I use my Carvex, I marvel at the clean glue ready cuts I get.  Puts a smile on my face for sure.

Glue ready cuts, from a jigsaw - not sure I follow?