To Carvex or not to Carvex…

[mino]

Correction, my Metabo 140 base is fine. I thought it was off at 90 degrees due to the blade having a bend. The Festool blade looked brand new so I did not check it closely.

Also, like the Maffell the Metabo is set to get as close to a wall as the reciprocal housing allows without the need of base mods.

And the Carvex ...

I believe the point was the Maffel base sliding back allows to cut all the way to a low vertical "step" where the step is low-enough to fit under the upper body of the saw.

Normally that is not possible as the saw bases are aligned not to the "cut start" line but to the top of the saw overhang plane. With a sliding base or with a grinded/modified base in case of the Carvex such cuts become possible.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Thanks for that mino. I looked at the photo of the Mafell again and now see the advantage. The Metabo can’t do that. Another guy hoping for a cordless Mafell jigsaw.

 

[Coen]

Here's two videos showing the blade wobble. One is a slow motion while running and the other compares the wobble vs. the Ryobi.

Ryobi vs Carvex Blade Wobble

Carvex Blade Wobble SloMo

They weren't showing in your post here, but I copied the URLs and watched them.

That is some ridiculous stuff. Return that Carvex. Unless you really really want it, in that case; apply the grubscrew fix. Or maybe return it first a few times. Festool must really fix this.

What about getting the Trion. I have had the PS300 for over 10 years and it's a fine saw. None of this weird blade stuff.

 

[guybo]

One of the machine’s best party tricks, Rick. The whole baseplate will unclamp and slide backwards, putting the blade right at the front. Ultimate visibility for a critical cut, and also allows you to cut very close to a dead-stop vertical edge such as inside a kitchen cabinet.

Is that fix for the Carvex or for the Mafell that you show?  I had no idea the Carvex could do that.  I thought I had watched the Festool Live videos and I don't remember that being an option.

Well it is not quite the same but it has worked in a pinch [eek]

 

[tomktest]

They weren't showing in your post here, but I copied the URLs and watched them.

That is some ridiculous stuff. Return that Carvex. Unless you really really want it, in that case; apply the grubscrew fix. Or maybe return it first a few times. Festool must really fix this.

What about getting the Trion. I have had the PS300 for over 10 years and it's a fine saw. None of this weird blade stuff.

Thanks - I'm not sure what happened to the URLs but I have fixed them now by modifying them to youtube.com instead of youtu.be

In the interest of time I decided to move forward with the Carvex for now. I have a bunch of base coping I need to do this week and I really don't want to switch over to the DeWalt cordless jigsaw as I know that design will give me the same kind of problems as the Ryobi with the straight cuts. I reluctantly bought the M4-10mm ball point set screws and installed one tonight. With the limited test cutting I've done it's a night and day difference. I'll see how things go with the coping before I call this fixed. I still wonder about the durability if that ball point is rolling on each stroke of the blade.

 

[Cheese]

I still wonder about the durability if that ball point is rolling on each stroke of the blade.

So just consider it to be a consumable like a jig saw blade and replace it every now and then.

 

[tomktest]

I still wonder about the durability if that ball point is rolling on each stroke of the blade.

So just consider it to be a consumable like a jig saw blade and replace it every now and then.

Yep that is a good point. After all, I have 9 more of these in a bag that I'm about to lose. I better throw them into the bottom of the systainer.

 

[mino]

I still wonder about the durability if that ball point is rolling on each stroke of the blade.

That is a non-issue. The original design has the same solution. The ball is not (meant to be) really rotating - there is a friction connection between the ball and the shaft which is lubricated along the shaft itself. Plus there is minimum pressure as the real pressure is on the other directions.

At most, over time the ball creates a small dent in the shaft. And that is again a non-issue - it would only helps guide the shaft a boit sideways.

The only real "concern" is for the screw to get out over time from vibration like the original smooth rod did.

 

[blues]

The P1CC is in a class of its own. No comparison.
Yes there is no light.. but the airflow is designed to blow across the cutline and gets sucked right out if you have a vac..you always see the line even if you have minimal visibility.
The motor is a beast. Beautifully designed and the stroke is butter smooth. Might seem to get hot, but its designed that way.. its normal and will settle down.
The cunex blade while the cut is rough (have to use the splinter guard) provides stunning 90deg cuts every single time. Yes the base slides (great feature) once locked it 90deg even with any other blade. The tilting base is also great!
It's a joy to use the P1CC.. i reach for it evey single time.. even though i have a chordless makita that is fantastic.
Buy once.. buy the best..and focus on the build and not worry about the tool.

 

[Cheese]

The Trion is really good and if I didn't have the Mafell, that would be the one I'd get. I'm actually surprised that it's still a 'current' tool, I assumed the Carvex replaced it.

Actually, the Trion has now replaced the corded Carvex's.  [scratch chin]  The Carvex is now offered as a cordless jig saw only...if you want a cord you need to move to Trion.  Who'd have seen that coming?  [jawdrop]

 

[Coen]

With or without cord, a Carvex with that blade wobble is horrible. I first encountered it with the Carvex my brother has. It made me happy to have bought a Trion. I didn't originally plan on buying a Trion when I did, but when the Carvex came out I was scared it would disappear. Funny it remains availble while the corded Carvex (2nd iteration already) is gone.

It's the obsession with cordless I guess. The Symmetric went cordless only too.

 

[Cheese]

When the Carvex was first released circa 2011/2012, it retailed for $350 while the Trion was $275. I figured the Trion was going to go away and sure enough, several months later some retailers were offering the Trion for $175...that's when I purchased mine.

Funny thing though, 13 years later and the corded Carvex is the dead end item while the Trion soldiers on for $315.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

Mafell P1CC.

Nothing else even comes close. If you absolutely must have cordless - it should be out sometime this year.

 

[Coen]

When the Carvex was first released circa 2011/2012, it retailed for $350 while the Trion was $275. I figured the Trion was going to go away and sure enough, several months later some retailers were offering the Trion for $175...that's when I purchased mine.

Funny thing though, 13 years later and the corded Carvex is the dead end item while the Trion soldiers on for $315.

The Trion also went DOWN in official catalog price.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

That's weird, I wonder why they did that?
I have the corded one and the base set. It has done everything I need it to do. I looked at the Trion, in the store, when I bought the Carvex. I was shocked by the weight difference. The Trion is a lot heavier, not just noticeable, a lot heavier. The strobe light and weight difference were the main factors in my purchase. I switched to a barrel grip model at that time too.

 

[Ebuwan]

I have the Carvex (was my first Festool actually, and i STILL came back for more)

Jigsaw use for me is 98% of the time "rough", so i've never felt the issues people bring up with the Carvex.

That said:

I did do the mod with the little ball bearing screw, and it no doubt improved the tracking on the blade and cuts are much more accurate.

But as mentioned, why should someone have to do that on a premium priced tool? I already owned it for a while before reading people's issues with it, so my warranty and return was way past, so i did the mod and all went well.

The zero clearance inserts work great, and I have the kit with all the different bases that comes in handy, etc.

I get the argument against it if buying new though, especially with the Mafell being so popular.

Other things for me that can dictate though is dang, the Mafell aint cheap (maybe cuz i'm in the US? Timberwolf tools its like $715 bucks). You also mentioned wanting cordless; are you invested in Festool cordless already? That would be another factor that could decide for me as well. The Cordless carvex with 2 batteries is $535.

 

[derekcohen]

Has anyone added a light to their Trion?

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[rmhinden]

I have a corded CARVEX (PS 420 EBQ USA 120V), looking MyFestool, I see the warranty expired last May.

I have been very happy with it.  I don't use it too often, but when I do, it does what I want.  I have been impressed with the accuracy and cut quality. 

My only complaint is I find the on/off switches a little awkward to use. 

Bob

 

[SoonerFan]

I have the corded Carvex and the base set.  Probably had it 8-9 years now.  While it a huge improvement from my previous jigsaw, overall I would say it is just ok.  To me it is lacking compared with my Festool sanders, saws (track, miter and oscillating), drills, Dominos, etc. I don’t use it much since I also have a band saw. Not sure I would buy it again

 

[mino]

The CARVEX is a fine .. jigsaw. As in, do not expect straight cuts from it.

The "problem" folks have with it is that it is not special in pretty much any way, excepting the quick-chnage bases which most folks do not need.

The Trion, on the other hand, is second only to the P1CC for straight/deep cuts. Even its guide rail accessory is better for these while the CARVEX use with a rail is almost an after-thought - after its circle-making job.

Trion was a pretty high bar to meet when Festool made the CARVEX ... and they utterly failed to communicate it is not /and never was to be/ an "upgrade" to Trion. If one looks at the tool, it was expressly designed to be as-flexible-as-possible. At the cost of sacrificing straight cuts capability and performance to be lighter. Not addressing the pins issues which are a nuisance that should have been long resolved indeed. But even without that, it is just a differently focused tool.

IMO Festool underestimated the importance of the "straight cuts with a jigsaw" market and the only thing keeping it on is the cordless version.