Pendulum jigsaw TRION PS 300 Review

[Pax77]

I had a chance to use this tool for the first time the other day.  Before even turning it on I noticed some very good things.  This tool is solid.  No rattles, the blade sits in there nice and tight and you can even adjust the amount of side play to get it perfect.  Firing it up, it runs smooth even at the fastest speed.  As I began cutting my joy turned to disbelief though.  It's almost impossible to see the blade???  MAJOR FLAW!  You need to be pitched forward looking backwards to see if you're cutting on your line.  IF you're cutting straight with an edge guide this isn't an issue,  but cutting a curve trying to use the guide lines on the shroud is not accurate enough.  The blade is WAY too far back on the tool.  It should be near the front.  I had to remove the clear plastic dust shroud just so I could see.  I guess I'll get used to this, but I'm very disappointed.  I give this tool a 2 out of 5.  Doesn't matter if you cut 90 degrees when you miss your line.  More tool reviews to come...

 

[Alan m]

i have to agree 100% about the view of the blade. i usually take the plastice part off . on straight lines you can use the 2 little curved bits sticking out to follow the line but for curves its a nightmare.
it does cut perfectly thow.
i cut along a line with the grain on 40 mm thick teak (or knock off)  and it cut really fast and finish was great . i was shocked at how fast it was. it was faster than my portable tablesaw

 

[joiner1970]

I bought one this year and think its a great saw. Yeah the visibility is rubbish with the dust shield on but that would be the same with any jigsaw with a dust cover . You just take it off or cut a slot in it as discussed here many times .

 

[Greg in Memphis]

I use my Trion, blade facing up, all the time.

To cut a hole, just support the board you are cutting through on both sides and leave enough space for the Trion to turn full circle.
Drill a hole wide enough for the jigsaw blade to get through, and cut from underneath, cut mark facing up, blade facing up through the hole, following the cut mark with the blade.

If you are just making a simple cut, lay the board over a bench or a board with some overhang on some sawhorses, clamp it, and cut it.
With just a little practice, you can follow just about any line you can draw.

Hope this may help

Greg

 

[Michael Kellough]

I use my Trion, blade facing up, all the time.

To cut a hole, just support the board you are cutting through on both sides and leave enough space for the Trion to turn full circle.
Drill a hole wide enough for the jigsaw blade to get through, and cut from underneath, cut mark facing up, blade facing up through the hole, following the cut mark with the blade.

If you are just making a simple cut, lay the board over a bench or a board with some overhang on some sawhorses, clamp it, and cut it.
With just a little practice, you can follow just about any line you can draw.

Hope this may help

Greg

I prefer using the jigsaw upside down.
No tear out on the finished side even with an ordinary blade.
No scratches from the saw's shoe either.
No need to bother with the dust collection hose and still no dust in your face or covering the line.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Yeah the visibility is rubbish with the dust shield on but that would be the same with any jigsaw with a dust cover .

Same here. I haven't seen a jigsaw with good sight with the cover on. I always take them off.

 

[rdesigns]

When the material I'm cutting is small enough, I clamp the shoe (upside down) in my bench vise, and feed the material into the saw. Just don't let your fingers get too close to the blade. It's almost like using a scroll saw.

 

[Pax77]

I bought one this year and think its a great saw. Yeah the visibility is rubbish with the dust shield on but that would be the same with any jigsaw with a dust cover . You just take it off or cut a slot in it as discussed here many times .

I agree it is a pretty solid and well running saw.  To be honest it runs better than any I've ever held.  Maybe the Carvex is better, I don't know.  But this one has the WORST visibility of the blade.  I've used Bosch, Freud, and DeWalt jig saws and the Festool is the hardest to see with or without dust covers in place.  The blade is noticably further back than other jig saws, and it shouldn't be like that.  It certainly isn't a necessity for the tool to function well is it?  I'm hoping Festool corrects that flaw. 

 

[PiperMike]

I am on the fence on ordering this or not.  When you take off the dust covers, is it really that hard to see the blade?  I watched a video where the user would hold the saw by that pommel on top and pull it toward him.  Seemed to work well.  Thoughts?

 

[fastbike]

Works fine. Lots of different ways to deploy a barrel handed jigsaw besides the traditional. Sometimes "tradition" gets in the way.

I am on the fence on ordering this or not.  When you take off the dust covers, is it really that hard to see the blade?  I watched a video where the user would hold the saw by that pommel on top and pull it toward him.  Seemed to work well.  Thoughts?

 

[PiperMike]

Works fine. Lots of different ways to deploy a barrel handed jigsaw besides the traditional. Sometimes "tradition" gets in the way.

I did end up ordering one.  You are certainly right about the different ways to grip it.  I don't have a dust extractor yet, but I had no problems with my cut lines.  The grips people have about that I do not have. 

As a new hobby woodworker, I decided my first project was going to be a router table.  The Trion worked beautifully cutting out the void for my router plate.

 

[Alphasud]

I also have to agree with other members about the PS300EQ. I have owned mine for 7 years. Here are some suggestions Festool could consider if and when they revise or replace the current model.

1. Be an industry leader and find a way to
Move the blade forward so that its flush with the front of the saw. I often use the saw to finish a cut line in a tight area so this would be a blessing.
2. Design the orbital mechanism to lock the blade in the verticle position. Currently about 5 degrees which means you have to lift the heel to make a square cut. Not a huge issue unless you are cutting up to something.
3. Has to have a light to help with the cut line.
4. Incorporate a internal blower function when it's not practicle to use the vacuum attachment.
5. Shorten the unit. Find a way for the power cord plug to swivel up when cutting in right areas.
6. Relocate the vacuum attachment right over the cut line. Reason is the hose adds to much drag or resistance when cutting curves which makes it very hard to follow a cut line.

Some of these innovations might have found there way into the Carvex. I don't know. Nor do I know when or if we will ever get one. Like so many other FOG members I have spent thousands with Festool and I expect the best. No compromise.

 

[Alphasud]

Sorry for the previous post. I just read the Festool broshure on the new Carvex saw. Looks like Festool has read our concerns and redesigned the saw to incorporate just about every detail I asked for. I guess now it is just waiting to the fall to purchase.

 

[semenza]

I also have to agree with other members about the PS300EQ. I have owned mine for 7 years. Here are some suggestions Festool could consider if and when they revise or replace the current model.

1. Be an industry leader and find a way to
Move the blade forward so that its flush with the front of the saw. I often use the saw to finish a cut line in a tight area so this would be a blessing.2. Design the orbital mechanism to lock the blade in the verticle position. Currently about 5 degrees which means you have to lift the heel to make a square cut. Not a huge issue unless you are cutting up to something.
3. Has to have a light to help with the cut line.
4. Incorporate a internal blower function when it's not practicle to use the vacuum attachment.
5. Shorten the unit. Find a way for the power cord plug to swivel up when cutting in right areas.
6. Relocate the vacuum attachment right over the cut line. Reason is the hose adds to much drag or resistance when cutting curves which makes it very hard to follow a cut line.

Some of these innovations might have found there way into the Carvex. I don't know. Nor do I know when or if we will ever get one. Like so many other FOG members I have spent thousands with Festool and I expect the best. No compromise.

I once had a blade that looked sort of like a mini reciprocating saw blade. It was offset so that when mounted in the jigsaw you could cut flush to the front of the saw. How close to the front would depend on the saw. I think it actually cut a bit beyond the front in the one I was using. On the Trion you would not be able to use the dust shield and splinter guard with that blade.  I don't remember the brand of blade.

Seth

 

[joiner1970]

I've seen those blades Seth, the one I saw was dewalt branded.