New barrel jigsaw: Trion or Carvex?

E

Ed Bray

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Joined
Dec 29, 2014
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411
I am seriously thinking about buying a powered barrel jigsaw purely to use with a Collins coping foot.

I can't seem to make my mind up to go for either the Carvex or the Trion. Prices here are not too different, with the Trion at £210.49 and the Carvex at £254.49.

What are the main differences?

The Trion is more powerful but cheaper, the Carvex has had some bad press.

TIA.
 
Ed

DONT TOUCH THE CARVEX WITH A BARGE POLE

Triton or Bosch  but not the CARVEX , I have both ,the CARVEX is very a substandard machine by festool' normal standards

John
 
I have the Carvex and while some people have had problems I have not. I have used both Bosch and Festool blades, results have been very good with both in various materials.
 
Got 18v carvex 400 in barel grip - absolutly hate it, i have probably got over 20 festools, (need to have a count up) and this is the worst and will be going on ebay soon, as i have ordered a 110v trion the other day.
 
msc said:
Got 18v carvex 400 in barel grip - absolutly hate it, i have probably got over 20 festools, (need to have a count up) and this is the worst and will be going on ebay soon, as i have ordered a 110v trion the other day.
Click to expand...

Or you could sell it to the OP??
 
I had the Carvex with  the top handle, which  can be used as a barrel grip  ( I need it because of arthritis and nerve damage in my  hands ) , I have had no problems and I use it in a professional setting daily.  This is the first Festooned jigsaw I have owned, prior to that I had a Makita for 25 years. If I had to get another for any reason I would get another Carvex. I like the new Makita and the 7.2 amp Bosch, but  both are too heavy and I have a need for the accessories that the Carvex offers. I use my tools hard, but I take great care of them. Most of my tools are 25 to  35 years old and  I hope my kids will still be able to use them long after I'm dead.     
 
windmill man said:
Ed

DONT TOUCH THE CARVEX WITH A BARGE POLE

Triton or Bosch  but not the CARVEX , I have both ,the CARVEX is very a substandard machine by festool' normal standards

John
Click to expand...

You're a nice guy Ed, heed this advice. I'd even nudge towards the Bosch as I was put off by the Carvex so much I'm not convinced I could trust a Festool jigsaw going forward.
 
msc said:
Got 18v carvex 400 in barel grip - absolutly hate it, i have probably got over 20 festools, (need to have a count up) and this is the worst and will be going on ebay soon, as i have ordered a 110v trion the other day.
Click to expand...
That's a shame Im thinking of selling my as new trion 110v. I've had it a couple of years and haven't really used it much so its still like new.

I bought it but most of the time I still use my old bosch jigsaws.

RE the carvex I recently bought the 420 battery one and so far its been great.
 
I have the 110v carvex in a barrel grip I really like it does what it's meant to it cuts perfect 90 degrees in worktops, 4x2  anything really I haven't had the issues bother people have had. I previously had the makata jigsaw in the d handle shape it wasn't a bad jigsaw either but it wouldn't cut work tops as good as the carvex. Most of my cuts are under material cuts so I thought I would get the barrel grip I really like it. Al I would say is give it a try with the 15 day policy
 
I had the trion and changed to mafell p1cc. Awesome. They now have the collins for it as well although stock might be limited.
 
jimbo, I don't think you're 'allowed' to post a Mafell link on this site. Your link is dead, unless it's just me? - I think the site automatically changes it.
 
jimbouk said:
I had the trion and changed to mafell p1cc. Awesome. They now have the collins for it as well although stock might be limited.
Click to expand...

I ordered one on Friday/Thursday.
According to Mr Collins they did a run of 100, after someone send the directly them.
But you have to call in as it is not on their web site.

Not sure what I will use it for, but hand-coping baseboards (skirting-boards) has always seems a bit of a time sink, so I figured I would see what all the fuss was about.
 
Linbro said:
jimbo, I don't think you're 'allowed' to post a Mafell link on this site. Your link is dead, unless it's just me? - I think the site automatically changes it.
Click to expand...
Oh well. Theres a great thread on the mafell users forum about it for the p1cc. Tom i think contacted collins and they then made a foot to fit the jigsaw.
 
Quick question, what are you cutting where you have to be so precise with a jigsaw.  There are so many  ways to get a better cut easier with other tools. I would cut fancy raftertails on timber frames with a portaband and a router. Or trim work with a table saw.  I like the Mafell, but you could farm the work out for the price of the thing, and make more money doing so.I build for a living and have  for nearly 40 years,  so I was just perplexed with the type of work your wanting to do. 
 
Thanks all for the replies.

I already have the standard Collins Coping Foot and it is a direct fit to the Trion (albeit with the use of a supplied shim).

I have a Metabo STEB105 (D shape) which I have had since the late 90s and it is a very good jigsaw, but with the coping foot fitted it leaves a gap where it is easy for the blade release mechanism to catch your fingers when working with the blade up. In its standard configuration it has great dust extraction and it is not dissimilar to that provided on the Trion/Carvex models, again, when used with the Coping Foot this feature is lost (as it is again on both the Trion and the Carvex).

I also have a Ryobi One+ 18v R18JS Jigsaw (again a D shape), which is also very good, but obviously uses battery power, and for use with the coping foot it is recommended to use a corded model. It has no dust extraction so when used with the Coping Foot nothing is lost.

So, I am looking for a barrel jigsaw for use purely with the Coping foot, and at the moment the Trion looks to be the one I will choose. Cheaper, more powerful and does not see to lose much to the Carvex, for me and my proposed use it seems that it will fit the bill.

I am going to the Axminster Power Tools 'Festool Demo Day' on Wednesday so will have a play with the Trion then.

Brent Taylor said:
Quick question, what are you cutting where you have to be so precise with a jigsaw.  There are so many  ways to get a better cut easier with other tools. I would cut fancy raftertails on timber frames with a portaband and a router. Or trim work with a table saw.  I like the Mafell, but you could farm the work out for the price of the thing, and make more money doing so.I build for a living and have  for nearly 40 years,  so I was just perplexed with the type of work your wanting to do. 
Click to expand...

If this was aimed at me, I never mentioned the Mafell, too rich for my blood for an occasional use tool.
 
Ed Check out the Bosch stuff

The trion  very good solid, agricultural (in comparison to newer tools , well it is a very old design)heavy dependable jigsaw . Get the guides set up correctly it wont be beaten. My trion is in the workshop , its kept there because when I need a jigsaw it does what it is supposed to, no messing about wandering, cuts at 90 deg etc. The Carvex is in the van, for doing down and dirty stuff on site . I should sell it but would not like the buyer to suffer the disappointment , it is the original carvex though . Let us know how you get on with the coping foot , I am tempted to try one (the elbows are not what they used to be  [sad])

Regards John
 
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