Mafell P1cc Jigsaw

[Jalvis]

Hey @Jalvis,

I really laughed out loud when I read your post- it tickled my fancy, so to speak.

Well while we all wait patiently for @woodie to get some 'tool time' up so he can give us a report, I read with interest that you've been happy with your Mafell tools...

Care to share your experience?.....

Oh and BTW I have at least a half doz. jigsaws of various colours in the vans and shop, but only one with a coping foot... And it's very well used.... And it never comes off... And I've never cut a coping cut with it either.....  :grin. :clue... Think rolling bevels and you'll get the drift....

I didn't intend to be humorous but if you had a good laugh all is well.

Mafell is a 'no frills' kind of company and it shows in there catalog, website, and dealers.  Basically if you cant see the value simply by looking than you're not the target audience.  The tool line is industrial quality and intended to be used repetitively. 

Little things make big differences for me as a worker.  For example the MT55 has an amazing blade change function.  The entire side swings open and locks the blade making changes very fast and safe for you and the tool.  I also think the F style rails are far better than Festool rails.  Mafell rails have a quick connect system that stays on the rail and has perfect alignment in seconds.  I dont hesitate to add a rail for a single cut since it only takes a moment.  Those two functions alone are enough for me to buy the Mafell but there are more.  In the end I'm someone that needs functions to be simple and easy to use otherwise I will not integrate those options into my daily work.

I will elaborate more but Its time to get to work.  Fun to TALK about tools; more fun to USE tools.

 

[woodie]

So far I’m really impressed!

I’ve had a chance to make cuts in 3/4 MDO, 3/4 Apple Ply (similar to Baltic Birch), 7/8 thick Poplar and a 20mm Ikea desktop.  I’ve just been using various Bosch blades I had on hand.  As I mentioned earlier, I was really curious to see how well standard t-shank blades work.  So far every cut I’ve made has been perfectly square.  I’m still a little shocked that this can be done without blade guides?  Even in similar materials, I never achieved such consistent results with my previous saw (Bosch 1590EVS).

Dust collection is great.  The 27mm hose end fits Mafell’s dust extraction fitting, but it is a snug fit.  Although the front of the saw is open nearly all the dust was captured (on the top side of the work surface).  The built in blower also works really well, when not using an extractor, keeping the cut line totally clear.

The splinter guard is worth mention as well.  I’ve always found it difficult to follow a cut line with a splinter guard.  Mafell’s has a black line formed in the plastic that nearly extends to the blade.  The line is biased to one side making it easier to keep the blade against a pencil line instead of on it.

[attachimg=1]

Next up will be some cuts in thicker materials.  I’m going to try and capture these cuts on camera with clear views of the results against a square.

 

[jonathan-m]

Woodie, I'm glad to hear you like what you see so far I was a bit worried about the results using it with standard blades. (I personally only use the Cunix blades)
Looking forward to that video and the negatives once the honeymoon phase wears off.

Have you noticed the pendular action? I thought it was quite special. It doesn't come in, until you actually press up to the workpiece. With most saws, the rear roller pushes the blade forward. With this saw the entire head makes the pendular movement. A lot of the precision is achieved right there I think.

As to the dust collection, it's actually quite clever what they did. The saw doesn't just blow the dust "away".
There are 2 channels inside the baseplate. One on the left and one on the right. By blowing air from the motor through the left channel, a venturi (sort of suction) effect is created in the right channel.
So in short, the motor blows air through the left channel across the blade into the right channel where it actually sucks in the dust.
That's what makes the dust extraction so efficient. You can even see a little dust collection without a vacuum attached. (you can test this out with the additional dust shroud thingy and flip it upside down)

As a bonus the blade gets some cooling. That, in combination with the lack of guide brackets or rear roller results in the blades not heating up much and lasting A LOT longer.

There's a lot to be discovered and liked about this tool. I think you'll get many fun years of good use out of it.

 

[ScotF]

Looking forward to seeing some video clips of this saw in action and the resulting cuts.  Thanks for the info and reviews so far!

Scot

 

[GregBradley]

Between the info jonathan-m sent me in a message a few months ago, and woodie's info here comparing it to his Bosch 1590 using Bosch blades, I can see a P1cc coming my way.

Let's see, if I sell my Trion and four 1590s, I can get the one P1cc as long as I don't need any attachments.

 

[woodie]

Woodie, I'm glad to hear you like what you see so far I was a bit worried about the results using it with standard blades. (I personally only use the Cunix blades)
Looking forward to that video and the negatives once the honeymoon phase wears off.

Have you noticed the pendular action? I thought it was quite special. It doesn't come in, until you actually press up to the workpiece. With most saws, the rear roller pushes the blade forward. With this saw the entire head makes the pendular movement. A lot of the precision is achieved right there I think.

I got a chuckle from the "honeymoon phase" comment. I suppose there may be some truth to that  [big grin].

Great points on the orbital action and dust collection too! 

 

[woodie]

Between the info jonathan-m sent me in a message a few months ago, and woodie's info here comparing it to his Bosch 1590 using Bosch blades, I can see a P1cc coming my way.

Let's see, if I sell my Trion and four 1590s, I can get the one P1cc as long as I don't need any attachments.

Thankfully the angle base is the only optional attachment.

 

[jonathan-m]

GregBradlley,
I'm not sure I'd get rid of all of them just to buy 1 new one. Unless I'm absolutely no longer satisfied their performance or condition...
The P1cc is a good tool, but it's not like the rest have suddenly become junk.
Anyway, if you do decide to get one, I'd like to hear your impressions though.

 

[Cane94]

I sent back the festool trion jig saw after reading multiple reviews where it sounded like the product was not much different than your run of the mill jigsaw. 3 way guide mechanism, blade guide, etc... I love my festool Sanders and would not trade for anything, but the jigsaw was disappointing. So I took the plunge and bought the mafell p1cc.

Incredible product. I cut intricate corbels in 4" white oak planks and it was like using a bandsaw. Easy blade install, powerful motor, clear line, blade never got dull...worth every penny!

 

[festnoob]

This thread has me second guessing my Festool commitment. I have sold my Trion ps300 and pre-ordered the Carvex, but i'm so conflicted right now. Found this video on YouTube.

Mafell Jigsaw P1cc

 

[jonathan-m]

elimelech12, here's another video that gives a bit more info about the mechanics of the machine.

 

[festnoob]

[eek]Wow that is impressive! The carvex design looks strangely similar.

 

[jonathan-m]

 

[woodie]

One of my favorite P1cc clips.  The P1cc portion starts at 3:10.

 

[Paul G]

Very interested in this saw but am wondering about the compatibility with Festool guide rails. Can any owners comment on that?

 

[fidelfs]

Same here.  Brand loyalty doesn't mean anything to me.

I bought a Bosch jigsaw a few years back, when I read the Trion shortcomings.  I thought the Carvex will be a superior jigsaw, reading some posts from our European friends is not.

I decided to stop the pre-order and I will order the P1cc.  My TS55 EQ will be in Ebay pretty soon and I will get the MT55.

I have already a mix of brands, I will buy what makes sense for me.  

Check this same post, there are some pictures using the festool rails.  The MT55 can also use the rails.

 

[Steve Hiscocks]

I agree, i got the carvex when it first came out in the uk. It went back to festool a couple of times! Never could get it to cut nice and the blade release lever kept falling off.  Then my dealer took Mafell on and let me trade the Carvex in for the P1cc. Far better saw.

 

[Paul G]

Mafell needs a broader dealer network in the US, if there is a repair needed does it go back to EU?

 

[festnoob]

Until yesterday I had only heard about Mafell. After researching I could find only great reviews about the tool, but not much on the company or, as mentioned above, service. Makes me question Festool's claim on their jigsaw website about being "the best" jigsaw. There is no comparison showing Mafell although the usual suspects (dewalt, Bosch, etc.) are mentioned.

 

[woodie]

Very interested in this saw but am wondering about the compatibility with Festool guide rails. Can any owners comment on that?

I shot this yesterday morning. Be forewarned I'm a total noob at videos...