I'm getting a new jigsaw and was wondering out of these two jigsaws what most people would recomend. I've heard a few tales about the carvex that are putting me off getting one and going for the Mafell. The only problem is the Mafell is almost double the already expensive price of the carvex. Is it worth the extra amount ? Also a issue for the Mafell as far as I'm concerned is that when flipping the jigsaw upside down the scribe worktops the jigsaw goes the opposite direction the the conventional methods which i would think would be awkward and also the lead would be in the way. Does anyone have any experience using both that could shed some light it would be much appreciated.
Festool carvex or Mafell jigsaw?
- Thread starter Kealevans
- Start date
I have the Carvex and enjoy it for what it is - a jigsaw.
My prediction is that you will be getting oodles of posts proclaiming the Mafell to be the right choice for you. The nice thing is that you can try out the Carvex and see if it works for you no matter what I or anyone else says here.
[popcorn] [popcorn] [popcorn] [popcorn]
Peter
My prediction is that you will be getting oodles of posts proclaiming the Mafell to be the right choice for you. The nice thing is that you can try out the Carvex and see if it works for you no matter what I or anyone else says here.
[popcorn] [popcorn] [popcorn] [popcorn]
Peter
GhostFist
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You can reverse the blade on the Mafell so if you're cutting from underneath, pulling the saw towards you, you have full base support. Of course if you prefer you can have the blade in the standard orientation. The Mafell is expensive and you've only got one north American distributor so you're rolling the dice to see if it's worth the money to you. Festool you can get almost anywhere these days so you can man handle before you buy
Holmz
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I have the p1cc.
In the UK you may want the 230v version from Germany and then use a transformer.
But I am always confused with UK power...
Once you have a 230v transformer you pretty much have all the Eu tools available.
It is a great jig saw. Whether it is worth it depends on how much you use it and whether you use it where it particularly excels.
Getting one out of Germany without the 19% VAT was the limit of my $. I doubt I would own one if it was much more expensive, but I am glad I have it.
The dust collection is not great, but it does well for sawing.
I doubt I will need another jig saw, but I still use the ol' Black-n-decker when cutting plumbing pipes 1/2 in the ground. And the B&D does pretty good on normal sized stuff.
The p1cc excels when doing "the ridiculous" thicknesses.
At the same price I think it would be a no brainer. At double the price you would have to really use it lot or need to take advantage of the blades, power, or being able to put the blade in backwards..
In the UK you may want the 230v version from Germany and then use a transformer.
But I am always confused with UK power...
Once you have a 230v transformer you pretty much have all the Eu tools available.
It is a great jig saw. Whether it is worth it depends on how much you use it and whether you use it where it particularly excels.
Getting one out of Germany without the 19% VAT was the limit of my $. I doubt I would own one if it was much more expensive, but I am glad I have it.
The dust collection is not great, but it does well for sawing.
I doubt I will need another jig saw, but I still use the ol' Black-n-decker when cutting plumbing pipes 1/2 in the ground. And the B&D does pretty good on normal sized stuff.
The p1cc excels when doing "the ridiculous" thicknesses.
At the same price I think it would be a no brainer. At double the price you would have to really use it lot or need to take advantage of the blades, power, or being able to put the blade in backwards..
Winner, winner, chicken dinner! My crystal ball was clear on this one.
To the OP, don't pay attention to the info about only one NA distributor - that doesn't mean anything whereas you are in the UK.
Peter
To the OP, don't pay attention to the info about only one NA distributor - that doesn't mean anything whereas you are in the UK.
Peter
Kev
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Price of tools and value of tools is something that I fear people get wrong every time. You could pay $50, $500, $1000 for a jigsaw, but it really depends on which one is going to give you the most value.
Ask yourself what the Mafell does for you that the Festool doesn't and vice versa ... you never know, the Mafell features could be a game changer or the Carvex accessories could allow you to do stuff you can't today!!
Yes there has been a fair bet of negative story telling about the Carvex, but a fair amount has been related to people not taking care to learn the machine and specifically address correctly adjusting the blade guide for use. I'm very happy with mine. [member=40772]Holmz[/member] is happy with his Mafell ... I believe they're both good tools - each with some unique characteristics.
Ask yourself what the Mafell does for you that the Festool doesn't and vice versa ... you never know, the Mafell features could be a game changer or the Carvex accessories could allow you to do stuff you can't today!!
Yes there has been a fair bet of negative story telling about the Carvex, but a fair amount has been related to people not taking care to learn the machine and specifically address correctly adjusting the blade guide for use. I'm very happy with mine. [member=40772]Holmz[/member] is happy with his Mafell ... I believe they're both good tools - each with some unique characteristics.
Steve-Rice
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I am very happy with my Carvex and I especially like the circle cutting attachment and the guide rail attachment. Admittedly, it's not a tool I use very often, but when I do use it, it performs very well. The dust collection is pretty disappointing, but let's face it, it's a jigsaw and unless your collecting dust from underneath the workpiece, you're going to have a mess on the floor.
Hello Kealevans,
The fact that you're comparing the two tells me that you're willing to pay for the Mafell - which makes the decision easy: get the Mafell. If you reconsider paying that much, consider the Festool Trion.
Yes, I 've used all three, owned a Trion, currently own a Mafell.
The fact that you're comparing the two tells me that you're willing to pay for the Mafell - which makes the decision easy: get the Mafell. If you reconsider paying that much, consider the Festool Trion.
Yes, I 've used all three, owned a Trion, currently own a Mafell.
Kev
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Linbro said:
I disagree fundamentally ... both tools are jigsaws, but their features and advantages are DIFFERENT as are the prices. The OP needs to get the tool that does the jobs he needs to complete - it's not about spending to the limits of his budget.
This saga has been played out so many times on the FOG and it's getting to be a bit of a broken record ... if you want a jigsaw that can cut through a tree then the Mafell is the closest thing you'll get. Let's be very clear, the CARVEX has features that the Mafell doesn't offer - no biggie if you don't need them, the Mafell has brute power that the CARVEX seems not to have and a potentially straighter cut in thick material.
This is a Festool forum but I'm not trying to defend the brand, I'm just trying to defend common sense!!!
yetihunter
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I'm pretty certain the consensus is that the P1cc is twice as good as a Carvex...at exactly twice the price.
It does come with an angle foot, however, whereas you have to buy the Carvex one seperately. It also comes with an accessory that serves as a parallel guide, circle cutter and guiderail adapter. Again, three additional things you'd need to purchase seperately. All said and done, you're only looking at about a $100 difference when you compare apples to apples.
In which case.... 8)
It does come with an angle foot, however, whereas you have to buy the Carvex one seperately. It also comes with an accessory that serves as a parallel guide, circle cutter and guiderail adapter. Again, three additional things you'd need to purchase seperately. All said and done, you're only looking at about a $100 difference when you compare apples to apples.
In which case.... 8)
Kev
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Here we go again ... price v's VALUE ...
Who cares if the Mafell costs ten times that of the CARVEX if it makes you an extra $20K a year. The issue is value. For the jobs at hand, is there more value generated by the Mafell than the Festool (or any other brand) ?? Then, based on that value, does the difference in cost and the other factors (service convenience, corporate reputation, etc) exceed that value or not.
The OP specifically asks about "worth" (ie: value) and wants to know if spending double will give him more value ... he's not quibbling about spending the money. Further, he's noting specific tasks that would appear harder with the Mafell for him.
Who cares if the Mafell costs ten times that of the CARVEX if it makes you an extra $20K a year. The issue is value. For the jobs at hand, is there more value generated by the Mafell than the Festool (or any other brand) ?? Then, based on that value, does the difference in cost and the other factors (service convenience, corporate reputation, etc) exceed that value or not.
The OP specifically asks about "worth" (ie: value) and wants to know if spending double will give him more value ... he's not quibbling about spending the money. Further, he's noting specific tasks that would appear harder with the Mafell for him.
Holmz
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The OP mentioned the corporate reputation of the Carvex was leaning him towards the Mafell, but maybe the Carvex has a great reputation?
One needs to weigh the great warranty with the expectation of needing it repaired. People have had p1cc(s) repaired, so it is not like all other manufactures are slack.
The lack of guides and guide adjustment on the p1cc may be factor of ease of use. This along with other ergonomics and emotive factors add complexity to the value equation... Which makes these decisions surprisingly difficult.
As I have not owned both I have to defer to those like Linbro who have and can contrast and compare.
...And we may be at the pointy end of quality where we are arguing the BMW is better than a Porsche.
One possible reason to sway the OP to the Carvex (or Trion?) is if the OP has FT rails and expects to use the saw on a rail.
One needs to weigh the great warranty with the expectation of needing it repaired. People have had p1cc(s) repaired, so it is not like all other manufactures are slack.
The lack of guides and guide adjustment on the p1cc may be factor of ease of use. This along with other ergonomics and emotive factors add complexity to the value equation... Which makes these decisions surprisingly difficult.
As I have not owned both I have to defer to those like Linbro who have and can contrast and compare.
...And we may be at the pointy end of quality where we are arguing the BMW is better than a Porsche.
One possible reason to sway the OP to the Carvex (or Trion?) is if the OP has FT rails and expects to use the saw on a rail.
wrightwoodwork
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Simpliest thing try them both then decide which way to go
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