Hi all new to festool and this forum, just bought a ps400 carvex jigsaw from an ebay auction, tried it out on 9mm mdf and the blade wanders all over the place tried it on 40mm maple and the same again im using festool blades, is there anyway of returning it to festool as its been bought in an auction and i dont have the warranty, also what does the level on the left side labeled 0-3 do?
PS400 Carvex problem
- Thread starter lee1984
- Start date
Lee, first of all welcome.
This is a very common problem. It's funny you should post this just now as I called TTS about 1 hour ago to arrange collection of mine for the exact same problem. This will be the 3rd time it has been back to them. I told them I was reluctant to give it to them again but they said if it is the same problem for the 3rd time they will give me a new jigsaw. We will see. It appears it is the early models that have this problem. Phone TTS & they will tell you if it is still in warranty.
It is a well documented problem & don't let them tell you otherwise.
Rant over, this is a bit of a sore point with me [mad]
Woodguy.
This is a very common problem. It's funny you should post this just now as I called TTS about 1 hour ago to arrange collection of mine for the exact same problem. This will be the 3rd time it has been back to them. I told them I was reluctant to give it to them again but they said if it is the same problem for the 3rd time they will give me a new jigsaw. We will see. It appears it is the early models that have this problem. Phone TTS & they will tell you if it is still in warranty.
It is a well documented problem & don't let them tell you otherwise.
Rant over, this is a bit of a sore point with me [mad]
Woodguy.
green fever
Member
- Joined
- May 26, 2012
- Messages
- 174
hi to one and all, my first post so here goes i had a problem with my 400 where it was burning the rear of the blades just below the bayonet area and around 25mm/ 1inch down this was also wearing a small section out of the blades, i contacted festool UK and explained the problems , no problem as its only 18months old so under warranty , festool arranged for a courier to collect it from me i wrapped up the saw and enclosed one of the damaged blades , festool not only fixed it but also sent me out a pack Of twenty new blades now that's why i buy festool, parts they changed were gear cover and roller retainer, i just wondered if as you said some early ones had a few problems , cant fault the service very fast indeed.
jonathan-m
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- Joined
- Apr 4, 2012
- Messages
- 329
The Carvex... [bite tongue] [censored]
Timtool
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- Joined
- Mar 13, 2011
- Messages
- 1,011
I bought mine a couple weeks ago with cramps in my belly because of all the bad things you hear about it, but i must say it is the best jigsaw i have ever used.
Initially it is awkward because it is so light and slim and when cutting thick hard stock it required more pressure to be stable. But once you get over that it is great.
I sold my Bosch GST135 for it, it was good, but the base was crooked from new and it could simply not make square cuts. had allot of weight and guts though but totally ineffective DC.
the automatic cut mode of the carvex does seem to live a life on it's own, its' not very predictable so far. but it works.
Initially it is awkward because it is so light and slim and when cutting thick hard stock it required more pressure to be stable. But once you get over that it is great.
I sold my Bosch GST135 for it, it was good, but the base was crooked from new and it could simply not make square cuts. had allot of weight and guts though but totally ineffective DC.
the automatic cut mode of the carvex does seem to live a life on it's own, its' not very predictable so far. but it works.
Davej
Member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2012
- Messages
- 630
i've had mine for a few months and as Timtool says the lightness takes a bit of getting used to ( i had a makita but got fed up of wobbly blade syndrome in thick worktops ) my carvex is excellent at taking thin ,straight slices off worktop but you do need to use the fsg blades as they are a lot stiffer , i also have the base for the guiderail but you have to push it into the rail or it can wobble as there is a bit of slack and as the base is just moulded plastic you cant adjust anything .
Hi all, am new to the FOG. I received my carvex PS400 yesterday and used it in anger today laying oak flooring. I had been looking forward to using it but I must say at the end of the day I'm, at the moment, unimpressed. I own a few festool tools and absolutely love them but this carvex might be the first festool I try and send back.
The carvex was to replace my DeWalt XRP jigsaw. Admittedly I've gone for the different grip with the carvex over the DeWalt and am finding it a bit awkward to reach the on/off switch. What does surprise me though is I'm finding the dust collection is worse (connected to CT midi) than the DeWalt. I appreciate your never going to get good dust collection with a jigsaw but I just assumed the festool wood be better in that respect. I have found the blade can wonder around on scribe cuts too, but that might be me getting used to the saw.
It's such a shame because the jigsaw feels (as all festools) so well engineered and I really want to love it, but after 1days use Im feeling it's not worth twice the price of my old jigsaw, and I have to buy an angle base separately...
The carvex was to replace my DeWalt XRP jigsaw. Admittedly I've gone for the different grip with the carvex over the DeWalt and am finding it a bit awkward to reach the on/off switch. What does surprise me though is I'm finding the dust collection is worse (connected to CT midi) than the DeWalt. I appreciate your never going to get good dust collection with a jigsaw but I just assumed the festool wood be better in that respect. I have found the blade can wonder around on scribe cuts too, but that might be me getting used to the saw.
It's such a shame because the jigsaw feels (as all festools) so well engineered and I really want to love it, but after 1days use Im feeling it's not worth twice the price of my old jigsaw, and I have to buy an angle base separately...
Sorry to bring up an old topic, has anyone had the issues with the ps400 carvex resolved by sending it away for repair, I only ask as mine is currently away for a second time to TTS. The first time they replaced the electronics which solved one issue but the jigsaw still won't cut properly and they have said they can't find an issue with it. The blade still wanders and doesn't cut plumb. It's being sent to the local rep to bring it back to me and run through some things with me.
Quick update on this. its still not resolved festool uk are hopeless and my local rep doesnt seem to be much better will try sending it to them for a third tiime and hopefully a miracle will happen and they might actually solve the issue with the machine.