New Trion PS300 -- Impressed so far

[ScotF]

I just bought a new Trion PS300 -- my other brand jigsaw was just not cutting square, no matter what I tried.  I know the Carvex is out soon and I really wanted to wait, but I am in the middle of a project now and needed an accurate saw to get it done.  Well, after trying the new Trion I am impressed -- wow, had no idea a jigsaw could cut so accurately with minimal fuss.  I am impressed.  Awesome DC for a jigsaw and setting the blade in the guides took all of 20 seconds.  Perfectly square cuts in circles, straight cuts, you name it -- very impressed so far.  Also, there is very little vibration.  I really do not care about a light and while the different bases are cool for the Carvex, I cut 90 degrees 90 percent of the time and so for the rare occasion I need to tilt the base loosening a bolt is not that big of a deal.  Since this takes the same splinter guards as the Carvex and has the same blade guides, I do not feel like I will be missing all that much.  I think I can be very happy with this saw.  I only wish I had bought it sooner and skipped the other saw I bought...live and learn!  

Scot

 

[GPowers]

I was in the same boat over a year ago waiting for the new Carvex. While I was waiting Festool canceled the N. America release of the Carvex. So I bought a Trion, and love it.

 

[Frank Pellow]

Me too!  

I still have a working Festool PS2 E jig saw but was looking to upgrade to the Carvex a couple of years ago.  I was quite unhappy when Festool delayed the North American release a couple of years ago.  After a while, I settled down and bought a Trion PS300.  It, like its older brother, is a great saw.  Now, I am looking forward to adding their little brother (a Carvex) to the family.

 

[Paul G]

I hope I can limp long enough with my Dewart until the carvex arives. The light is worth waiting for IMO.

 

[sancho57]

Im happy with my PS300.

Does all I need a jig saw to do.

It does it well.

Thats all I care about.

I dont need the latest and greatest.

As long as it tows the line and does what I want it to do.

Im good.

 

[Kev]

Im happy with my PS300.

Does all I need a jig saw to do.

It does it well.

Thats all I care about.

I dont need the latest and greatest.

As long as it tows the line and does what I want it to do.

Im good.

When the 420 jigsaw arrives the 300 will just be a dinosaw [wink]

... couldn't resist it

 

[Frank Pellow]

'dinosaw'. corny but good [bite tongue]

But a Festool dinosaw is still a great tool.  As I said above, I have the  both the Trion and it's processor, the PS2 E, and (after almost 10 years of use) the PS2 E jigsaw still performs well.

 

[ScotF]

I love this saw and it has exceeded my expectations so far...I have tried it with different blades in different thicknesses of material and everything has been spot on 90 dgrees...AWESOME!!

Scot

 

[Ashton]

Overall, I agree with the smoothness and lack of deflection in cuts of the 300.

However when I get the guard, DC, and blade insert in together, I'll be damned if I can see my cut line for more than a few seconds after starting. The insert and guard will get a bit of dust on them, not much because of the DC, but enough to hide a pencil line. That doesn't even touch the issue of the sight lines to the blade.

On an amazing saw with good DC, I find I have to run without the guards and blade insert then view from fairly far forward or to the side to get a good look at my cut line. That is what causes me issues. I work around it and jobs get done, but at times I miss my old Bosch.

 

[sancho57]

Im happy with my PS300.

Does all I need a jig saw to do.

It does it well.

Thats all I care about.

I dont need the latest and greatest.

As long as it tows the line and does what I want it to do.

Im good.

When the 420 jigsaw arrives the 300 will just be a dinosaw [wink]

... couldn't resist it

Kev I really dont get p over the latest and greatest I dont use a jig saw all that much. When I do need one the PS 300 does what I need it to do, Thats not to say he Carvex isnt awesome as far as jig saws go, But I buy for need not for want. Im still building up my jig saw blade collection. I use the one that came in the kit. BBut I do need to create a kit. When I figure out exactly what blades I need.

 

[tbellemare]

This promotional jigsaw blade assortment is not a bad deal. You get 5 each of 7 different commonly used blades for $50.

Tom

 

[sancho57]

Tom,

Yer killing me but it is a good deal [scratch chin]

 

[ScotF]

Yep -- it is a good deal.  I am going to try and take some pics of different blade cuts and some measurements on the thicknesses of the blades as I use them -- this is information that could be useful for some people. 

Scot

 

[joiner1970]

I've got two of those sets, got one free with my ps300 then spotted a guy selling them on ebay. Managed to get another set for about £15 if I remember rightly ;D

 

[CumminsDiesel]

My first Festool TRION Jigsaw! LOVE this saw! Nothing compare to it,sold my Bosch now selling my DeWALT.

 

[ScotF]

I had a chance to use my Trion more yesterday and this thing is truly an amazing jigsaw.  I used to think that jigsaws were primarily rough cut tools and that it was difficult to do fine work with them.  Well, the Trion has proved me wrong on that front.  I was able to get some amazing cuts in cherry ply for the back of a bathroom vanity.  Yes, I could of (and normally wound have) used a TS saw for this application, but I wanted to see how accurate a cut I could make with the Trion and how good the cut was.  I will try and upload some pics later, but overall the cut was very good and using the guide rail attachment, I was able to get perfectly square and straight cuts.  If the Carvex is even better, then Festool really is taking jigsaws to a new level.

Scot

 

[missionman]

I have had a Trion jigsaw for many years now.  It is a great saw and I use for lots of different types of work from cutting wood to 1/4" mild steel.  But the squareness of cuts is not that great.  No matter which blade I use, and how slowly I feed, within a few inches, the blade begins to deflect and the squareness of the cut is out the window.  I know this and accept it and I move on...
Larry