Recommendation on Saw Selection

[Hackwrench]

I am a hobbyist looking for a versatile power saw for various small projects around the house and am looking for a powered saw. I have a cheapo jigsaw now that cuts terribly, and so I am looking for something more precise. I understand that specific tools are for specific tasks but I have no plans to build a wood shop and so am mostly looking for a saw that is adaptable. Oh I live in an NYC apartment, so it is an issue of both budget and lack of room. Few projects in the works currently are; cutting a counter top to fit around a window, cutting and joining of wood picture frame, adding plywood sheets to the inside of garage. My priority in descending order are; precision, ease of use, reliability, speed.

I am considering purchasing a cordless 420 Carvex but am a bit concerned by the various negative reviews I found on the forum. Being able to cut straight and square on a guide rail will be an important feature since this will be my only power saw. The Mafell sounds nice but at $900 including the guiderail is outside of my budget. I also considered the TS 55 but the lack of room and flexibility is a concern.

Let me know what you think!

 

[Kev]

Sounds like you need the HKC55 to land !

[welcome]

 

[Staniam]

I really like my Carvex and I was in your exact same position when I purchased mine. It was to be my only/everything saw and it did all I asked of it. I picked up the cordless originally and later traded it for the corded as I am always near power. I still use it to cut 4x4's and 4×6's as well as just about any other type of cutting.

I recommend getting the accessory kit as well.

 

[Linbro]

If the Mafell is outside your budget, I'd get the Trion. Much better, in my opinion. And cheaper. From your projects, it sounds like you need a jigsaw and a circular saw.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

    Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

    The biggest hurdle with using only one power saw for the tasks listed will be the picture frame. That is going to be tough using a jigsaw.

Seth

 

[Hackwrench]

Sounds like you need the HKC55 to land !

[welcome]

Seriously! However it sounds like there are no current plan to bring it to the US.

 

[Holmz]

The Mafell p1cc (jig saw) can also be used on the rail.
I agree that they are not cheap.
But you could just about do most of it with only the jig saw.
I have ripped sheets in half, when I was too lazy to get the Mt55 out.

The picture framing may be easier with a miterbox by hand.

Some will use a chop saw or a sliding compound miter saw.
Others will use a sliding table saw.
I usually set the wood at 45 for a picture frame and cut across the edge with the track saw.

I used to think if you only had one saw it should be a circular saw... (Or a table saw)
Now I think it is a jig saw... You can cut thicker wood, and straight or curves, and metal, wood or most anything else.

 

[Hackwrench]

I really like my Carvex and I was in your exact same position when I purchased mine. It was to be my only/everything saw and it did all I asked of it. I picked up the cordless originally and later traded it for the corded as I am always near power. I still use it to cut 4x4's and 4×6's as well as just about any other type of cutting.

I recommend getting the accessory kit as well.

Could you share more details on your experience with it? was it finicky to setup and was it hard for you to get to a point where you can get consistent cuts? I am planning to get a guide rail first as one of the first project will be to scribe a 1 1/2" butcher block counter top to a window sill and a lot of straight cut would be needed. I am also planning getting the cordless, was it not worth the trouble juggling batteries?

 

[Hackwrench]

Hi,

    Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

    The biggest hurdle with using only one power saw for the tasks listed will be the picture frame. That is going to be tough using a jigsaw.

Seth

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!

The picture frame is probably not high on the priority list, since its small I can bring it to a friend's house whom have more tools. The power saw is needed mostly for large bulky item that are difficult to move. For the window counter project I considered renting a car, picking up the counter top, drive about 60 miles to my friend's house to get it cut, and drive it back. It would have taken a whole day and probably $120 just to rent car. Crazy I know, but city life I guess. Also, most project take place in my living room and the wife is a bit of a clean freak. So trying to convince her to let me setup a track saw rig would be pretty challenging.

 

[Holmz]

If you were in a Zombie movie, or on a job site with no power, or in Alaska in a cabin with a generator you run once a day then you absolutely want batteries.

If you live in New York in an apartment, you likely have power - so the cordless is a want more than a need.

----

I have a wife too.
She will tell you (maybe after the fact), that your first tool should be a vacuum.

 

[Staniam]

I researched jigsaws for about two months straight before I decided to purchase the Carvex. Setup and learning curve wasn't part of the initial experience since I had read and watched what seemed like everything available on the Carvex.

As far as cutting straight, the saw does a great job. I actually don't use it on the guide rail though, I just free hand. I have the rail and base but ever since I purchased the TS 55 I haven't needed the Carvex to cut long, straight lines.

The ergonomics of the saw are fantastic, to me. It feels great in the hand. The cordless is significantly heavier than the corded but then again it's got an 18v battery on its behind. The added weight at the back won't really matter though.

Ask away some more, hopefully I'm giving the info you want.

 

[ear3]

One thought -- if scribing the countertop is the main thing driving the selection of the jigsaw, why not spend a little less on a really good Bosch jigsaw, and then devote some of those dollars to what might be really ideal for your small space, which is an MFT and a tracksaw (something like the TSC55 would be perfect if you are not looking to invest in a vac just yet).  I thi9nk the general consensus on the Carvex, and what might be driving some of the kvetching on the forum, is that -- while a very good machine -- it is not that much better than some other top line brands, whereas a Festool sander or tracksaw is well beyond similar machines by other tool manufacturers (Mafell excluded).

Sure the Carvex cuts plumb, and can give you a relatively straight cut (though people sometimes have trouble producing a straight cut on the rail), but it's still nothing compared to a tracksaw + MFT, which give you precise, and more importantly, repeatable cuts at any angle or bevel.

If you do go Carvex, though, I would recommend going with the cordless, as the cord does get in the way when doing curves and circles.

 

[Hackwrench]

If you were in a Zombie movie, or on a job site with no power, or in Alaska in a cabin with a generator you run once a day then you absolutely want batteries.

If you live in New York in an apartment, you likely have power - so the cordless is a want more than a need.

----

I have a wife too.
She will tell you (maybe after the fact), that your first tool should be a vacuum.

This is very true, but I also thought of cordless as an ergonomic plus. Not having a cord to manage while you do the cut, I am thinking of getting a dust extractor soon after the jigsaw, which means I'll be tethered anyway, so perhaps the cordless isn't really that helpful. btw our wives should commiserate, I spend 6 weeks two years ago lacquering my ceiling, which was mostly sanding and I think she still have nightmares occasionally of all the dusts she had to deal with.

 

[Hackwrench]

I researched jigsaws for about two months straight before I decided to purchase the Carvex. Setup and learning curve wasn't part of the initial experience since I had read and watched what seemed like everything available on the Carvex.

As far as cutting straight, the saw does a great job. I actually don't use it on the guide rail though, I just free hand. I have the rail and base but ever since I purchased the TS 55 I haven't needed the Carvex to cut long, straight lines.

The ergonomics of the saw are fantastic, to me. It feels great in the hand. The cordless is significantly heavier than the corded but then again it's got an 18v battery on its behind. The added weight at the back won't really matter though.

Ask away some more, hopefully I'm giving the info you want.

Thank you! I do feel that I am going through the same thought process as you had and this is exactly the info I was looking for. 2 questions:
1. Why did you decided to trade your cordless in for a corded model? I thought of the cordless option was a plus for the Carvex since similar option is not available for the Bosch.
2. Now that you have a TS 55, do you still use the Carvex? If you knew what you know now, would you go straight for the track saw? Since I am also considering the option Edward suggested, which is to go for the Bosch and save to get a TS55.