Looking to purchase a jigsaw

[DIY WoodWerx]

Looking for barrel grip recommendations for a jigsaw.  Prefer something with dust collection if possible.  Considering Carvex but want to know what other possibilities are as good or maybe better as carvex seems to have mixed reviews.  Will be using primarily in cabinet work and trim work.  Don’t see myself sawing rough thick lumber any time soon.
Please provide model number if possible.

Thanks

 

[Linbro]

#1 - Mafell P1cc. The best that money can buy. Great saw, but expensive.
#2 - Bosch...someone else will have to help with the model #
#3 - Festool Trion. Much better than the Carvex, IMO.

 

[ScotF]

What Linbro said...and in that order, IMHO.

 

[grobkuschelig]

I think the Mafell is the best out there.

But I went for the Carvex. My main decision points:
- Cordless was a must (to be able to make a quick and if necessary curved cut „in the field“, at the lumberyard or on a rooftop)
- did not want a new battery platform

So Mafell (corded) and Bosch were out.

I got to say, I do not regret my purchase. After a quick learning curve and an upgrade to the wrench that sets the blade guides, I get excellent results and have all the features I was looking for.

Make sure you analyze your needs and use cases and take the decision from there.
Might lead you to a totally different decision.

 

[bobfog]

Mafell is the undisputed best, but very pricey if a fairly low use tool.

Bosch GST 160 CE (EU Model number) is the best combination of performance and price.

Trion is the best of the Festool, but a bit long in the tooth in terms of design and features.

Carvex is just a badly designed waste of money.

Personally I'd either go for the Bosch (which I actually did) if it's an occasional/low use tool, and spend the extra on the Mafell if you'll use it every day and/or you do accuracy critical work with a jigsaw.

 

[dicktill]

... and an upgrade to the wrench that sets the blade guides, I get excellent results and have all the features I was looking for.

[member=63474]grobkuschelig[/member]: Could you please share what your Carvex wrench upgrade was?

Thanks, Dick

 

[Cheese]

I own both of the corded Festool jigsaws and about 6 months ago purchased the Mafell. After using all 3 jig saws, I'd rate them as:
1. Mafell P1 cc

2. Trion
3. Carvex

The Mafell really is in a class of its own. Everything about it is exceptional from the way the blade is captured to the manner in which the base is used to collect sawdust...and all points in between.  [big grin]

 

[ben_r_]

Check out and do some reading on the Bosch JS572 series.

 

[grobkuschelig]

[member=63474]grobkuschelig[/member]: Could you please share what your Carvex wrench upgrade was?

Thanks, Dick

Hi Dick,

This:

The ergonomics make it a breeze to set the blade guide, at least for me. I never like the small Allen wrenches that come with any tool and have a habit of „upgrading“ the wrenches and screwdrivers to something proper..

Back to topic. [emoji56][emoji51]

 

[dicktill]

[member=63474]grobkuschelig[/member]: Could you please share what your Carvex wrench upgrade was?

Thanks, Dick

Hi Dick,

This:

The ergonomics make it a breeze to set the blade guide, at least for me. I never like the small Allen wrenches that come with any tool and have a habit of „upgrading“ the wrenches and screwdrivers to something proper..

Back to topic. [emoji56][emoji51]

Ah yes, much better!

Thanks, Dick

 

[jimbouk]

In what ways does a Trion better the carvex? I’m interested in adding a jigsaw for certain tasks. Already have a p1cc. Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ScotF]

In what ways does a Trion better the carvex? I’m interested in adding a jigsaw for certain tasks. Already have a p1cc. Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had all 4 of these jigsaws for a few years and used them all and ended up selling my two FT versions. I might get a cordless Carvex since I see appeal in field work and lumberyard, etc... But, I thought the Trion was very smooth and felt solidly built. It cut better than the Carvex and the blade guides work the same. It was a really nice jigsaw. No where near Mafell quality IMHO, but pretty good. I never really liked the Carvex - it was light weight, I did not appreciate the strobe and turned it off and I had a hard time cutting straight with it - each person is different and others find the Carvex to be awesome - for me, that was not the case.

I could not justify having 4 jigsaws in my collection so I kept the two that worked the best for the work I do - but a cordless is another option and I think that the Carvex is the best cordless out there these days - so I might be back in the FT camp.

 

[jimbouk]

In what ways does a Trion better the carvex? I’m interested in adding a jigsaw for certain tasks. Already have a p1cc. Thanks

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had all 4 of these jigsaws for a few years and used them all and ended up selling my two FT versions. I might get a cordless Carvex since I see appeal in field work and lumberyard, etc... But, I thought the Trion was very smooth and felt solidly built. It cut better than the Carvex and the blade guides work the same. It was a really nice jigsaw. No where near Mafell quality IMHO, but pretty good. I never really liked the Carvex - it was light weight, I did not appreciate the strobe and turned it off and I had a hard time cutting straight with it - each person is different and others find the Carvex to be awesome - for me, that was not the case.

I could not justify having 4 jigsaws in my collection so I kept the two that worked the best for the work I do - but a cordless is another option and I think that the Carvex is the best cordless out there these days - so I might be back in the FT camp.

Thanks Scott, the cordless does appeal to me as a second to the p1.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cheese]

In what ways does a Trion better the carvex? I’m interested in adding a jigsaw for certain tasks. Already have a p1cc. Thanks

Like Scot said, the Trion just feels better than the Carvex. It's more solid and is very smooth cutting. I actually like the LED lighting on the Carvex, but that's the only thing I like.

I'd entertain owning a cordless Trion if Festool made one.  [smile]  Then again, if we're talking what ifs, it'd be interesting to see what a Mafell cordless would look like.

 

[PaulH99]

Of all the brands and models mentioned so far, I've only used a Carvex and I'm very happy with it.

 

[TXFIVEO]

Out of Mafell and Festool Carvex, I prefer the Carvex.  Easily. 

 

[Cheese]

Out of Mafell and Festool Carvex, I prefer the Carvex.  Easily.

Really...and why is that?

 

[ScotF]

Used my Mafell to cut profiles on some dining room table legs I am making and it made perfect cuts in 1.5 inch stock - perfectly square. I used my Bosch JS572 on two sets and the Mafell on two sets with the same blade (new Bosch 101DP) and the Mafell outperformed the Bosch in cut quality, accuracy and speed. The Bosch was good, the Mafell was better. Every time I pull the Mafell out I am super impressed.

Like I said before, in terms of Festool, the Trion cuts as well as the Bosch and it would be a jigsaw I recommend. The price is very good on it too considering the quality and what you get. I would have kept it over the Bosch, but I liked the Bosch steel overshoe for rough work, it had a light and was slightly more powerful - all good for construction-type tasks and rougher work.

 

[TXFIVEO]

Out of Mafell and Festool Carvex, I prefer the Carvex.  Easily.

Really...and why is that?

I have both and just like the feel of the Carvex better.  I can definitely feel and see the slight power increase in the Mafell, but it only saves me seconds in cut time.  I’m willing to sacrifice 5-10 seconds on a cut if for the better feel I get with the Carvex.  I have not experienced any of the issues others have apparently had. 

Anyways, like so many tools...to each their own.  And who knows...my Mafell might go up on the selling block...

 

[ScotF]

Out of Mafell and Festool Carvex, I prefer the Carvex.  Easily.

Really...and why is that?

I have both and just like the feel of the Carvex better.  I can definitely feel and see the slight power increase in the Mafell, but it only saves me seconds in cut time.  I’m willing to sacrifice 5-10 seconds on a cut if for the better feel I get with the Carvex.  I have not experienced any of the issues others have apparently had. 

Anyways, like so many tools...to each their own.  And who knows...my Mafell might go up on the selling block...

That's great and good to see more perspective. I agree that everyone is different and what works for one, does not necessarily work as well for someone else. It is good to have options and choices.