The good, The bad and The ugly

[Bikeboy80]

The good, I was installing hardwood flooring this week and being able to set up the Kapex inside the home saved so much time. [big grin] I had both the painters and my customer looking at me crazy when I set up in the living room. I think I caught both of them with their mouths hanging open after I made a few cuts with very little dust.

The bad, I tried out my Recon Trion for the first time....if I could return it I probably would. The dust collection: While it is better then my Dewalt cordless it still left much to be desired. The cut quality: Even with the splinter guard in place it wanted to chip the wood. Ease of use: No matter what way I tried to view the position of the blade I still felt like I was cutting blind! One positive note: I did find the parallel guide to be very useful.

The ugly, the heat outside! Mid 90s here all week! But my Festool's kept me in the A/C [smile]

Now if I could just see that cut line [blink]

 

[RonMiller]

My experiences too. Last floor job was with Kapex inside and given heat/humidity index was over 100 then, it was welcome! The amount of dust left over for bamboo flooring was minimal. Really love the Kapex with cart and wings.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Flip the Trion upside-down and do your cut.  Much more accurate, easy to see the cut, dust collection is better, and to me safer since no blade is able to cut fingers under a board.  Try it on some scrap; you'll be happy.

 

[Bikeboy80]

Flip the Trion upside-down and do your cut.  Much more accurate, easy to see the cut, dust collection is better, and to me safer since no blade is able to cut fingers under a board.  Try it on some scrap; you'll be happy.

I'll give it a try, thanks!

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

Flip the Trion upside-down and do your cut.  Much more accurate, easy to see the cut, dust collection is better, and to me safer since no blade is able to cut fingers under a board.  Try it on some scrap; you'll be happy.

Really!?!?  I'm gonna try it too...when you think about it , it makes sense. Plus the clean cut would be on top.
Thanks for tip, Paul

 

[sancho57]

I cut upside down to. it takes a little getting used to.But I feel I can control it better and definitely have a great line of site on the cut lines.

Seeing how festool is a euro company, and from what Ive seen here at FOG I believe that is how festool designed the saw to be used.

 

[3PedalMINI]

All my festools didn't keep me out of an attic today, I must be doing something wrong [blink]  [big grin]

 

[PaulMarcel]

You can see how I do it in this video starting at 2:20 (it'll start there).  I wasn't really cutting to a line; just separating parts, though some places had just a kerf width between the parts. Very accurate if you are on a line, though.

No Comment #2 @ 2:20

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I think that the barrel grip was designed to be used upside down...or maybe if you run it on the sole that is upside down... [scratch chin].

I have so far not had any issues with cutting straight with the Trion.  The little pointer on the anti-splitter has worked so far and this thing cuts really well with the guide-rail stop for straight cuts. 

Scot

 

[festooltim]

Does anyone have any videos coping base with Trion. Do you use it upside down or top.

 

[sancho57]

You can see how I do it in this video starting at 2:20 (it'll start there).  I wasn't really cutting to a line; just separating parts, though some places had just a kerf width between the parts. Very accurate if you are on a line, though.

No Comment #2 @ 2:20

Hey Paul,

Once I get this festool stuff down, will I be able to work that fast? [big grin]

 

[sancho57]

Does anyone have any videos coping base with Trion. Do you use it upside down or top.

Not with the Trion per se, but you can use the collins coping foot with the trion



http://www.collinstool.com/collins_coping_foot.htm

 

[P2P]

All my festools didn't keep me out of an attic today, I must be doing something wrong [blink]  [big grin]

Dude.  You need to stop working Saturdays!

Oops!  Just realized you posted that yesterday. 

 

[mastercabman]

and from what Ive seen here at FOG I believe that is how festool designed the saw to be used.

I don't think it was design that way.What if you can't use the saw upside down?
Beside any jigsaw can be use upside down.I have done this many,many years ago with my old bosch jigsaw before festool was here!

 

[sancho57]

Understood,

But if you take the line if sight into consideration, meaning like others have said that its difficult to see your cut line rightside up.

Which started tis conversation to begin with

That leads me to believe yes you can use it right side up.

But I think it was designed to be used upside down.

 

[peter halle]

Dust collection on a jigsaw is difficult.  Your blade is depositing debris on both the bottom and top sides.  At least it isn't blowing around the room.  You could always cut over a 5 gallon bucket.  Viewing the cut line has always been commented on with the Trion with some being ok with it and others not.

I am waiting to see how the new Carvex works out for me.

The heat wave sucks.

Peter

 

[mastercabman]

But I think it was designed to be used upside down.

I find that hard to believe
I mean yes you can use it upside down but any jigsaw can be used upside down!
The trion has really no good design(top handle) to hold it while cutting upside down.Maybe the barrel grip version.
Cutting short distance upside down is ok but what happen when you have to reach pretty far and trying to keep an eye on the cut line?
I do lots of sink cut out on counter top and cutting from under the top is pretty awkward.There's no way to keep a good grip and keep an up  pressure while trying to see where the blade is cutting.

 

[sancho57]

Thats why I use the barrel grip jig saw.

I find it easier to control.

 

[Bikeboy80]

This is my first barrel grip saw, I was worried about the placement of the power switch but have found the ergonomics to be perfect!

I realize dust collection on a reciprocating blade is probably tough but seeing how well the other Festool's are with it I was still a bit disappointed. 

 

[vrasilla]

I had a barrel grip trion years ago and sold it.  I was not happy with it and fidgeting with the guides was more trouble than it was worth.  I have never been happier than with my old Bosch 1587 top handle.  I also found the trion barrel grip to get uncomfortable hot in my hand after prolonged use. 

I am probably just more comfortable with a top handle since that's what I learned on and grew up with.  I find that technique is just as if not more important at mitigating blade sway than more rigid guides.