Not impressed with Festool Carvex

[leakyroof]

I should get around to selling my Carvex.
Prefer my Trion and Bosch. I put the Carvex near the stupid 65 planer. Not as bad as that planer but along those lines.

I've been on the Fence for years with my Carvex. I've never gotten rid of my 1990s Bosch jig saw as a result of my frustration with the Carvex. I went all in, bought the Barrel Grip version since it matched my Bosch. Bought the pricey accessory Kit with the Bases. Found the Barrel of the new Carvex was justtttt enough fatter than my old Bosch to be annoying.

Couldn't get the straight cuts as often as I thought I'd be able to. Considered going Mafell and selling the Carvex. Thought about trading the Barrel Grip version out for the Top Handle version. Never demo'ed a Cordless Version yet though.

 

[Packard]

I watched a video on the Carvex. I have a Bosch jig saw that was the top rated at the time I got it. The Carvex does not really tempt me. The Bosch saw is very nicely designed and very well made.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I watched a video on the Carvex. I have a Bosch jig saw that was the top rated at the time I got it. The Carvex does not really tempt me. The Bosch saw is very nicely designed and very well made.

I have a Bosch jigsaw that’s about 40 years old. At that time they made an inversion stand for the saw so you can mount it to the side of a workbench and then use the jigsaw like it was a scroll saw. Because of that I’ll never give it up and because I want it to last I’ll use other jigsaws for ordinary tasks.

 

[Packard]

I have a Bosch jigsaw that’s about 40 years old. At that time they made an inversion stand for the saw so you can mount it to the side of a workbench and then use the jigsaw like it was a scroll saw. Because of that I’ll never give it up and because I want it to last I’ll use other jigsaws for ordinary tasks.

I’ve seen that. Was there any blade guard included? I have a scroll saw that would not be much safer, but the foot pedal control makes it seem so. A Wen unit from Amazon. Cost: $12.00. Recommended.

 

[Michael Kellough]

No blade guard whatsoever. User beware. A foot switch is a good idea.

 

[rst]

Michael, I have that same Bosch saw and table. I've used the table sparingly also and have used it with Bosch carbide blades to cut glass, mostly for plastics. I have the water supply attachment as well and have cut glass and tile. It's one of those "don't need often", but perfect for odd ball situations.

 

[Packard]

No blade guard whatsoever. User beware. A foot switch is a good idea.

I would imagine the on/off switch is under the table. So it would be left running between cuts. The tip of a Bosch jigsaw could stab you, what? About 3,000 times per minute.

I think my scroll saw is no safer in terms of slicing off a finger, but is does not have the scary stabbing.

When I first started making the wood toys, I used my jig saw. But I could not trace the drawn line very accurately and I had to do a lot of filing and sanding. After some practice the scroll saw saves a huge amount of time filing and sanding.

 

[tjbnwi]

I own a corded and cordless Carvex, not a single issue with either of them. I do prefer the cordless to the corded.

99 times out of 100 I’m using the Carvex inverted so both are barrel grips.

Tom

 

[Michael Kellough]

Michael, I have that same Bosch saw and table. I've used the table sparingly also and have used it with Bosch carbide blades to cut glass, mostly for plastics. I have the water supply attachment as well and have cut glass and tile. It's one of those "don't need often", but perfect for odd ball situations.

Wow you have the whole kit! You cut glass with the carbide grit encrusted blade? You don’t use the water supply with the inversion table do you?

 

[Laminator]

After doing the pin modification, grinding the blade guides back so you can see the front of the blade without shadows, modifying the plastic dust collection connector, setting the light to "on", and adding some Sugru to the trigger, and using the plastic base made for the guide rails (with the guide rail part cut off), I'm very happy with my cordless D-handle Carvex.
As far as dust collection goes, I had to do a quick run in and cut a sink hole in a bathroom vanity top and did not want to unload the ct26. This was the first cut I have made in years without vacuum and it filled the room with billows of dust to the point I was chocking...I must say the dust collection is marvelous, even connected to a weak suction Makita cordless vacuum (which I didn't have with me that day).

 

[Crazyraceguy]

As I have always said, I don't use a jig saw for anything precise. I cut sink holes or lop off excess near a cutline before template routing. It's a mini recip saw, that has great dust control, and fits with the way I use the Plug-it system.
I was my first move toward barrel-grip and I was glad it worked out.