The Carvex PS420 - A Quick Test in Thick Timbers

[jmbfestool]

Thank you all for replies, but if I put 18v carvex battery onto my TI15 will it damage it.

No you can't it won't let you clip the battery on it has a small lug which stops you. 

The drill if it's 14.4 you can not stick a 18v in it

 

[bellchippy]

Okay thanks

 

[Stone Message]

I went to the timberyard yesterday with the PSC420 in hand. They were selling off some green oak 'sleepers' very cheap (2.4m long and 240 x 120 mm section - just £5 each). On closer examination the reduction was because they were not uniform in section and one had a curved middle section profile.

I said to the guys, if I can demonstrate that this jigsaw can cut trough that oak will you give it to me? They thought it was a joke and even wanted to put money on it. They agreed the challenge for the oak and I drove away with two pieces of oak that I could only just lift on my own. What amazed the guys most was the quality of the cut - it was perfect.

Apart from party tricks like this it is really handy having the PSC420 to hand when at the timberyard.

Peter

 

[bellchippy]

Great video Peter.
I am toying with getting an 18v PS420, and was wondering if I can use batteries from my TI15 on the jigsaw and can I use 18v battery on my TI15, anyone no the answer to this.

Thanks

Took the plunge and bought a carvex 420 and t18 Combo kit. Just wanted to say how amazing the carvex is, puts all the jigsaws I have ever used to shame even surpassing my trion which I didn't think would be bettered. Anyone on the fence regarding purchasing a 420 carvex, don't be you won't be disappointed.

 

[rdebets]

hi Shane, looking at this thread it seems that we all have the opportunity  to look at the test from pip and peter both of which show different results , i myself have used the carvex 420 and i have had no issues with blade burn, sparks or bad cuts, if more people come forward on here who actually own a carvex 420 we would then know how this saw compares to it's predecessor the 400, only then will we find out how good the new 420 is and if it shows to be good or bad at least we shall know it was shown by end users like myself , i know it's still early days as the 420 is still relatively new in Europe so i guess this may take a little longer, still anyone not happy can within thirty days send the tool back and get a refund  surely that's long enough to know if it's any good ? , green .

Yes, it just took 10 minutes and a decent square to figure out things are not good on my new PS420.

I've read the famous jigsaw test so hotly debated here and, being a big fan of Festool,  still went ahead and bought the PS420 last week in Germany after being assured by the sales guy that the problems of the PS400 were no longer present in the PS 420.

I have both the PS300 and PS 400. Not being happy with the PS400, I was going to replace the PS400 with the PS420.

After adjusting the jaws (like on my PS300 which cuts perfect 90 degree cuts in thick timber) I tested the PS420 on 4cm thick softwood.
All the PS420 cuts came out 3-4 mm off on the 4 cm thick piece while the PS300 was dead on 90 degrees, using the same long sawblade.

4 cm is barely more than just two sheets of 18 mm plywood, I hope that doesn't count as overly thick.
The PS300 cuts 7 cm hardwood nice and sqaure, I'm not even going to try it with the PS420.
I can accept that the PS420 is not for cutting 7 cm thick material but two sheets of plywood it should cut without problems.

It's going back. Sad since it is the first Festool that I have to return (although in retrospect I should have returned the PS400 as well).
My PS400 went back to Festool last year and came back unchanged so sending in the PS420 is not an option.
By the time it comes back (holidays etc) the 30 days right of return are about to expire.

Next time, when Festool brings out a new jigsaw and tempts me into trying it, I'll just bring wood to the dealer, have him cut it.
If the cut is not up to spec just try another sample, and another sample, and another sample until we get one that is fine.
Seeing the discussions here, there must be perfectly fine PS420's around, right?

 

[bellchippy]

Sorry your having trouble so far mine is perfect.

 

[rdebets]

Sorry your having trouble so far mine is perfect.

That is actually what is so troubling about this. Some of the machines seem to be perfectly fine, and that is how I like mine to be as well.

My PS300 for instance is perfect so luckily I can exclude my handling/adjustment as being the cause of this.
Same wood, same sawblade changed over from PS300 to PS420. Conclusion: my PS420 does have a problem.

Since there are both good and bad PS420s out there, there must be some fluctuation in the manufacturing process.
For instance, I can imagine that a slight misallignment between the saw blade holder of the saw blade and the guide would cause this.
Such a misallignment would put an asymmetrical  bias on the blade which initially, when you start, doesn't affect the
squareness but gradually makes the blade go sideways. Or maybe when inserting the blade by turning the blade
doesn't end up dead-on straight because the end of the turning action is not so well defined as the clamp of the PS300.
Mine seems to always deviate relative to square to the same side.
Maybe my PS300/your PS420 happens to be well alligned and the blade can go up and down without stress,
thus staying nice and square throughout the cut.

That would mean that trying several PS420s in the shop would make a lot of sense, so you pick
the one where the factory managed to allign things perfectly. The shop can then either sell the slightly less perfect
PS400/PS420 to people who don't care about cutting square or return them to Festool.

 

[Stone Message]

Sorry your having trouble so far mine is perfect.

That is actually what is so troubling about this. Some of the machines seem to be perfectly fine, and that is how I like mine to be as well.

My PS300 for instance is perfect so luckily I can exclude my handling/adjustment as being the cause of this.
Same wood, same sawblade changed over from PS300 to PS420. Conclusion: my PS420 does have a problem.

Since there are both good and bad PS420s out there, there must be some fluctuation in the manufacturing process.
For instance, I can imagine that a slight misallignment between the saw blade holder of the saw blade and the guide would cause this.
Such a misallignment would put an asymmetrical  bias on the blade which initially, when you start, doesn't affect the
squareness but gradually makes the blade go sideways. Or maybe when inserting the blade by turning the blade
doesn't end up dead-on straight because the end of the turning action is not so well defined as the clamp of the PS300.
Mine seems to always deviate relative to square to the same side.
Maybe my PS300/your PS420 happens to be well alligned and the blade can go up and down without stress,
thus staying nice and square throughout the cut.

That would mean that trying several PS420s in the shop would make a lot of sense, so you pick
the one where the factory managed to allign things perfectly. The shop can then either sell the slightly less perfect
PS400/PS420 to people who don't care about cutting square or return them to Festool.

You have only just joined the FOG and you did this especially to tell us about the problems with the Carvex. Well done. If you have the 300 and the 400 why did you buy the 420? If you have had problems with the 400 why did you not ask for your money back? What was the name of the dealer in Germany and what was the name of the sales person at the shop?

Peter

 

[jmbfestool]

Sorry your having trouble so far mine is perfect.

That is actually what is so troubling about this. Some of the machines seem to be perfectly fine, and that is how I like mine to be as well.

My PS300 for instance is perfect so luckily I can exclude my handling/adjustment as being the cause of this.
Same wood, same sawblade changed over from PS300 to PS420. Conclusion: my PS420 does have a problem.

Since there are both good and bad PS420s out there, there must be some fluctuation in the manufacturing process.
For instance, I can imagine that a slight misallignment between the saw blade holder of the saw blade and the guide would cause this.
Such a misallignment would put an asymmetrical  bias on the blade which initially, when you start, doesn't affect the
squareness but gradually makes the blade go sideways. Or maybe when inserting the blade by turning the blade
doesn't end up dead-on straight because the end of the turning action is not so well defined as the clamp of the PS300.
Mine seems to always deviate relative to square to the same side.
Maybe my PS300/your PS420 happens to be well alligned and the blade can go up and down without stress,
thus staying nice and square throughout the cut.

That would mean that trying several PS420s in the shop would make a lot of sense, so you pick
the one where the factory managed to allign things perfectly. The shop can then either sell the slightly less perfect
PS400/PS420 to people who don't care about cutting square or return them to Festool.

You have only just joined the FOG and you did this especially to tell us about the problems with the Carvex. Well done. If you have the 300 and the 400 why did you buy the 420? If you have had problems with the 400 why did you not ask for your money back? What was the name of the dealer in Germany and what was the name of the sales person at the shop?

Peter

You can't hold just joining FOG to complain about something against him as ALOT of FOG members including me  found and joined FOG because of this very reason to complain about a festool tool

 

[mouppe]

I agree with JMB's point of view, but I am however, a little wary about new Dutch members posting about the Carvex given the recent thread issues a few weeks ago.

If the post is genuine, then fair enough, he felt he add something to add on the topic and he has a history of owning Festool jigsaws which make his opinion worth hearing. Don't see the point of asking why he bought the tool or where he bought it- it's not relevant to his problems with it- unless this is a rehash of the old thread.

 

[ajones]

Peter it is customery to welcome  new members and not give them the third degree I know what tree you are barking up and it is not for you to make any premature judgments 

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

JMB complain about something?!  [blink]  [poke]

I would only like to say that there is little chance of a fluctuation or variation from machine to machine in the manufacturer process. Anyone who has visited the manufacturing facility would agree. Precision is paramount and there are many safeguards against such variations or defects. We have very, very (almost insanely) high requirements for our components providers.

 

[ldmillar1981]

After all the who ha early on about the so called 420 problems I was slightly put off buying the 420,but after Peters review I felt reassured!
I have had my 420 for a few months now and it is a wonderful jigsaw.
I got it was the accessories systainer and the core cutting attachment exceeds the festool recommendations, I have cut a few port holes in fire doors without issue, dead square and saves me the time of setting a router up.
I am currently making a media unit and the shelves are curved 30mm oak faced plywood (6mm oak on either side with a ply core) and no problems there!

The only downside to any of my festools which are growing in number, is the cost of them. But I see them as an investment.

Peter your reviews are excellent! On the back of them I have purchased the 420, ts55r, and just ordered the mft/3,  Any chance of you reviewing the cxs? I am interested but wonder if it can do the occasional 35mm hinge recess, which would be a done deal!

Regards
Leigh

 

[peter halle]

That other thread left a bad taste in many mouths.  A recreation of that situation is not going to happen.  Let's remember that it is acceptable to ask questions, give answers, agree and disagree, as long as it is done civilly.  

Peter

 

[jmbfestool]

JMB complain about something?!  [blink]

I would only like to say that there is little chance of a fluctuation or variation from machine to machine in the manufacturer process. Anyone who has visited the manufacturing facility would agree. Precision is paramount and there are many safeguards against such variations or defects. We have very, very (almost insanely) high requirements for our components providers.

Haa haa if I like something I will say you know it!  I have yet to comment on the carvex 420 since I recieved it I have not used it enough to fully comment and not had time to play around like I normally do hence the lack of videos.   I did say when I had a little play with the new carvex 420 I noticed a big improvement.

 

[Lbob131]

I have the Trion PS 300 EQ plus  for several years  now.
When I'm cutting  thick material I leave the pendulum action  off  and the  blade  runs  nicely  in the tungsten guides. Makes perfect cuts. I keep  the guides adjusted  tight for no play.
The  tungsten  guides  are separate  from the  pendulum  lever arm and I think  the new 400 and 420  have these  components  combined together.

So maybe more room for error  in the new machines?
Are the guides adjustable  in the new machines?

Anyway  I  won't be changing  the 300  anytime  soon. Superb machine. I liken it to a portable bandsaw.

 

[rdebets]

Sorry your having trouble so far mine is perfect.

That is actually what is so troubling about this. Some of the machines seem to be perfectly fine, and that is how I like mine to be as well.

My PS300 for instance is perfect so luckily I can exclude my handling/adjustment as being the cause of this.
Same wood, same sawblade changed over from PS300 to PS420. Conclusion: my PS420 does have a problem.

Since there are both good and bad PS420s out there, there must be some fluctuation in the manufacturing process.
For instance, I can imagine that a slight misallignment between the saw blade holder of the saw blade and the guide would cause this.
Such a misallignment would put an asymmetrical  bias on the blade which initially, when you start, doesn't affect the
squareness but gradually makes the blade go sideways. Or maybe when inserting the blade by turning the blade
doesn't end up dead-on straight because the end of the turning action is not so well defined as the clamp of the PS300.
Mine seems to always deviate relative to square to the same side.
Maybe my PS300/your PS420 happens to be well alligned and the blade can go up and down without stress,
thus staying nice and square throughout the cut.

That would mean that trying several PS420s in the shop would make a lot of sense, so you pick
the one where the factory managed to allign things perfectly. The shop can then either sell the slightly less perfect
PS400/PS420 to people who don't care about cutting square or return them to Festool.

You have only just joined the FOG and you did this especially to tell us about the problems with the Carvex. Well done. If you have the 300 and the 400 why did you buy the 420? If you have had problems with the 400 why did you not ask for your money back? What was the name of the dealer in Germany and what was the name of the sales person at the shop?

Peter

Hi Peter,

I was a lurker for a long time on this forum, reading and learning.
I'm posting because I hope to contribute to a solution to the problem.
By shutting up and returning the PS420 nothing is gained.

Thank you for your interest in where I bought the PS420. The shop is Scheins in Aachen (in business since 1880 or so)
and I have been buying my tools there for the last 35 years and trust them more than anybody when it comes to tools.

All my woodworking tools are Festool and I have been buying Festool since 1995.

Maybe you missed my first message: I bought the PS420,because I don't like the PS400 and assumed that Festool fixed them in the new and improved PS420.
Blade holder didn't always retract so you couldn't eject the blade, blade would jump out of the lower guide, cutting not square, etc.
During the first 30 days I had no application PS400 where it had to cut more than 18mm plywood. Bummer.
Until the PS400 everything I bought worked as expected, no, let me correct that: better than expected.
So when I finally started using it seriously, I found out that it sucked. Too late to get your money back. Bummer.
I send it in, no improvement. Bummer.

Let's just say that with the PS400 I learned my lesson.
I didn't post back then because, given the excellence of the other Festool tools, I considered it a hick-up by Festool.
I bought one of the first PS400 available in Germany so maybe it was just that.  It can happen.

Now that the PS420 is being advertised (and discussed here) as being an improved PS400 I figured I try it and this time round do the tests right away.
And now that, for the second time, they don't seem to get it right, I feel that it is time to post my opinion.

I assume that everybody on this forum (like me) is honest when stating their opinion.
It is consequentially inexplicable why the PS420s are so different.

Are the positive people just trying to promote the PS420?    I assume not. I'm happy with most of my Festool so I understand that other people are as well.
Are the negative people trying to talk the PS420 down?    I'm certainly not. I just have a bad saw. For me it is understandable that others may well have the same PS420 problems.

Peter, maybe we should just exchange our PS420s?

 

[rdebets]

I agree with JMB's point of view, but I am however, a little wary about new Dutch members posting about the Carvex given the recent thread issues a few weeks ago.

If the post is genuine, then fair enough, he felt he add something to add on the topic and he has a history of owning Festool jigsaws which make his opinion worth hearing. Don't see the point of asking why he bought the tool or where he bought it- it's not relevant to his problems with it- unless this is a rehash of the old thread.

I read the "Dutch review" back when it was unfolding
When considering to post my message now I was a bit afraid that my opinion would be discounted just because I live in the same country as those guys.

I don't know those guys, never bought anything from them, have only Festool woodworking tools, buy my tools across the border in Germany because I think the Germans give better and more honest advice than the Dutch dealers.

And above all else: in spite of the other "Dutch review" I went ahead and bought the PS420.

What else can I say?

 

[rdebets]

I have the Trion PS 300 EQ plus  for several years  now.
When I'm cutting  thick material I leave the pendulum action  off  and the  blade  runs  nicely  in the tungsten guides. Makes perfect cuts. I keep  the guides adjusted  tight for no play.
The  tungsten  guides  are separate  from the  pendulum  lever arm and I think  the new 400 and 420  have these  components  combined together.

So maybe more room for error  in the new machines?
Are the guides adjustable  in the new machines?

Anyway  I  won't be changing  the 300  anytime  soon. Superb machine. I liken it to a portable bandsaw.

Yep, my PS300 is also superb, no complaints there AT ALL.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Peter,

I was a lurker for a long time on this forum, reading and learning.
I'm posting because I hope to contribute to a solution to the problem.
By shutting up and returning the PS420 nothing is gained.

Thank you for your interest in where I bought the PS420. The shop is Scheins in Aachen (in business since 1880 or so)
and I have been buying my tools there for the last 35 years and trust them more than anybody when it comes to tools.

All my woodworking tools are Festool and I have been buying Festool since 1995.

Maybe you missed my first message: I bought the PS420,because I don't like the PS400 and assumed that Festool fixed them in the new and improved PS420.
Blade holder didn't always retract so you couldn't eject the blade, blade would jump out of the lower guide, cutting not square, etc.
During the first 30 days I had no application PS400 where it had to cut more than 18mm plywood. Bummer.
Until the PS400 everything I bought worked as expected, no, let me correct that: better than expected.
So when I finally started using it seriously, I found out that it sucked. Too late to get your money back. Bummer.
I send it in, no improvement. Bummer.

Let's just say that with the PS400 I learned my lesson.
I didn't post back then because, given the excellence of the other Festool tools, I considered it a hick-up by Festool.
I bought one of the first PS400 available in Germany so maybe it was just that.  It can happen.

Now that the PS420 is being advertised (and discussed here) as being an improved PS400 I figured I try it and this time round do the tests right away.
And now that, for the second time, they don't seem to get it right, I feel that it is time to post my opinion.

I assume that everybody on this forum (like me) is honest when stating their opinion.
It is consequentially inexplicable why the PS420s are so different.

Are the positive people just trying to promote the PS420?    I assume not. I'm happy with most of my Festool so I understand that other people are as well.
Are the negative people trying to talk the PS420 down?    I'm certainly not. I just have a bad saw. For me it is understandable that others may well have the same PS420 problems.

Peter, maybe we should just exchange our PS420s?

I think that you should get the machine sorted out by Festool. The PSC 420 is a brilliant machine and rather than you sorting it out it would serve the Festool community more if Festool themselves could look at it and learn from the process. That way, any improvements will be reflected by Festool and not lost on the FOG.

Trying to sort it out by remote control on the internet is not the best way forward.

I visit the Netherlands every year for cycling holidays (my wife and I have Gazelles recommended by Dutch friends) and I know the Aachen area well. My next trip will, unfortunately, be too late for a 30 day return but I would be quite willing to help either here on the FOG or in Aachen in the Spring.

Peter