Looking to buy a barrel jigsaw need help

[ScotF]

Anyone that suggests a Trion simply never used a Bosch, its a joke really. I have both sitting here on my table, the Trion is no better than the 160.00 Bosch  JS470EB. The better 240.00 Bosch JS572 is very near the saw the Mafell is for over 400 less money. So just buy Bosch or Mafell when it come to jigsaws, nothing else comes close, IMHO.

I will say I almost favor my older Bosch verse the newer Bosch 572.

I am not sure I would agree with the JS470EB - that saw has no blade support whatsoever and I would not expect great cuts. I do agree with the you on the JS572, though, and think it is one of the best values out there. I also have the Mafell and it is the absolute best saw for what I do. I think that the Trion is OK and you can adjust it to make good cuts and it is a pretty smooth running machine. But I have sold off my Festool jigsaws as they just do not seem to offer anything much better than what else is out there. I wanted to like the Carvex and thought the circle-cutter was a really great innovation, but it just was not for me, no matter how much I tried. It is really the only Festool that never exceeded my expectations and so I sold it and have no regrets.

The Bosch can cut square with the thicker Carvex blades or Bosch blades with the "DP" after them. Dovetails brings up some great points on the D handle. I have really come to like my Barrel grip saws, but I have had need on my most recent project to turn the machine on and off and have a trigger switch would make it much easier...so I am thinking about adding one for the versatility.

 

[Holmz]

... and the barrel grip carvex is my least favourite but it's still way better than my old Makita ...

...

... Not sure if I've been any help ...

If you have the model number of the old Makita then we could have a data point.
And/Or how old was the old Makita?

By the way my p1cc is better than the wife's 20 year old Black-n-decker... Not "way better" in terms of cutting sheets, and I still use for PVC/ABS in the dirt. I could quantity how it is better; but I think that is probably more important for the Bosch to Carvex comparisons. since that is what the thread is about.

 

[NHSP759]

Chris could you tell me where you purchased the Makita jigsaw from.
Thanks
Curt

Absolutely....
KMS Tools in Canada. I would add, I would buy it from Axminster any day though. KMS did not cover any additional fees and I ended up paying some import fees that were unexpected. I've bought several tools from Axminster and have not paid any fees outside of shipping.

 

[curt boyer]

Thanks for the info Chris! I'll price out both options.
Cheers
Curt

 

[tsiawdt]

thank you all for the input  I am still doing research

 

[Jak147]

If you have the model number of the old Makita then we could have a data point.
And/Or how old was the old Makita?

Sorry I don't have the model number, it was around 6 years old, I bought it just before they changed the shape of the housing to the current design

 

[Longhair]

I've had the Bosch about 15 years and bought a second when I had to repair the first. A working partner just bought the carvex and his complaint is that without a vacumn, his cutting line is blind. I have problems with it's grip.  I love the Bosch.

 

[mrrhum]

I bought a Trion several years ago to supplement my middle of the line Bosch. (Sorry, I'm out of town and can't check the model number. It's about 20 years old.) The Bosch now has a coping foot on it and I use the Trion for everything else. It's a pretty nice saw, but if I were doing it again I would give the top of the line Bosch a serious look. I do miss the blower feature. At $700 the Mafell would have to be one hell of a saw to be worth it to me.

Sent from my SM-T330NU using Tapatalk

 

[waho6o9]

I like and use my Hilti and Carvex both are good jigsaws.

 

[Poindexter]

thank you all for the input  I am still doing research

It isn't that hard a decision.  Jigsaws are mostly the same.  Your decision steps are:

1)  Grip/handle... you made that decision already
2)  Corded/Cordless
3)  Dust collection... if important, go Festool
4)  Blade ejection yes/no... I recommend yes because blades can get quite hot
5)  If Festool, you'll have an extra adjustment when changing blade size.  Many people consider this a negative, but it isn't that bad of one.

Along with dust collection, some added benefits of going Festool are:

A)  If you have  Festool guide rail then you can use it with your Festool jigsaw
B)  Festool jigsaws have a simple-to-use circle jig
C)  You get a systainer... if that's a benefit to you

 

[JimD]

I don't know much about the Carvex but I really like my Bosch barrel grip.  I have a cast aluminum table for it, not sure if they are still available but I've never seen one for another brand.  It is occasionally.  I also have a Collins coping foot, not sure what other saws that will work for.  I have the rip guide which also doubles as a circle jig.  I have the little plastic inserts for the base that reduce splintering on the top surface.  I don't have one but Bosch also makes a special base piece so you can use a vacuum.  But blowing the dust out of the way works pretty well.  Jig saws do not throw dust like circular saws or CMS or even a sander.

I think the situation with a Bosch jig saw is like a Festool track saw.  The accessories tend to favor both. 

It also does an excellent job cutting things, of course.  Mine is an older model you have to push a button down and turn the knob to change blades.  No plans to change.

 

[georvali]

I have the Trion, the Makita brushless, and the Mafell P1.  Get the Trion or the higher end Bosch ( which is more in Canada ).  The Mafell is overrated especially if you are not in the trades and using it for sink cutouts.  All the claims that one saw is superior to another is due largely to the choice of saw blade.... A lot of the glowing reviews of the Mafell is due largely to the very expensive CUnex blade.  Any other blade and this particular saw cuts no better than any other even with their guide.

 

[ScotF]

I have the Trion, the Makita brushless, and the Mafell P1.  Get the Trion or the higher end Bosch ( which is more in Canada ).  The Mafell is overrated especially if you are not in the trades and using it for sink cutouts.  All the claims that one saw is superior to another is due largely to the choice of saw blade.... A lot of the glowing reviews of the Mafell is due largely to the very expensive CUnex blade.  Any other blade and this particular saw cuts no better than any other even with their guide.

Not sure I agree with you on the Mafell - I never have tried the CUnex blade and get perfect cuts with mine with any blade I have tried - it tracks straight on the guide rail and cuts perfectly 90 degrees, every time. The Bosch 572 series is also good, but not as good as the Mafell in my opinion. The Trion is a nice saw too, but I sold mine as it was too fiddly with the adjustments and the Mafell cuts so much better. Never tried the Makita. I guess each person's experience is their own and it is good to hear other people's views on expensive tools. Yes the Mafell is pricey and might not be worth it to many, but I would buy another one in a heartbeat if something happened to mine.

 

[charley1968]

I have to second Scot there: i get acceptable cuts with the Mafell every time even though i don't use jigsaws very often. Compared to the Trion and a Makita i previously owned, the Mafell is in a different league. But that's from someone who's not very good with jigsaws, so ymmv.

 

[Holmz]

.... A lot of the glowing reviews of the Mafell is due largely to the very expensive CUnex blade.  Any other blade and this particular saw cuts no better than any other even with their guide.

It is pretty smart to have a thicker blade which makes it a lot stiffer.
You know it is a seriously important cut when the Cunex blade comes out.

 

[WWfarrier]

I found either type of Festool jig saw to be a let down. It its the only tool type I've used where Festool doesn't give a significant advantage. (I own many Festool) I stuck with my Bosch and returned the Carvex. To me it was just another Jigsaw but much more $.

 

[DrD]

I have a Trion, and if I had to thin the Festool herd, it would be the first to go: 1) with the dust collection shroud in place, it is difficult to impossible to see the cut line; 2) with dust collection shroud in place, dust collection is terrible; 3) Festool says you can't use the Guide Stop (the thingy that connects the saw to the guide rail) with any blades over, IMSMC, 2 1/2", yet when I bought mine, their catalog indicated "For best results, use with FSG blades—S 75/4 FSG (499 476), S 105/4 FSG (499 477) or S 145/4 FSG (499 478)" realizing that the last 2 are 4 1/8 and 5 3/4 respectively.

If I were to buy another jig saw it would definitely be the Mafel P1cc, based upon recommendations from woodworker I know who use them.

 

[waterloomarc]

I have the trion (Barrel) as well and agree with the chap above. It is impossible to see where you're cutting when the dust shroud is in place. Sure you can use the little pointer thing when making straight cuts but it's useless for curves; and if I were making straight cuts then I damn sure wouldn't be using a jigsaw

I actually do think it's decent for dust collection though with the shoriud and the splinter guard attached.

It's definitely among my worst festool purchases. I actually miss my old Freud jigsaw than I sold when I bought the trion. Shane on me for not testing the festool before selling it.

 

[McNally Family]

Thanks to reviews on the FOG, I avoided future regrets with my jigsaw purchase, and went straight to the Mafell, with no regrets.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

I just bought the Bosch JS572.  It's the best jig saw I have ever used.  I've tried the Carvex.  Have not tried the Mafell.  The Bosch is pretty amazing.