Trion 300 or Carvex 420

[hemlock]

I was really looking forward to the Carvex coming out Sept 1; and had convinced myself that I would pick one up (visibility of blade, light, circle cutter, A speed).    The amount of questions being raised about it is giving me pause, though, and am now rethinking the Trion is a better deal and fit for my needs (personal "hobby" use: substitute for large band saw for cutting curves).  I am leaning Trion as I would get an angle base without spending 100 more; more powerful than Carvex; I could give up circle cutter and use homemade jig for table top sizes, I could cut from bottom or pull towards me if visibility is is an issue; and save $85. 

I know this sounds like I have talked myself into a Trion, but I haven't.  I am just trying to sort through the +/- of each.  So here is my question, I would appreciate any feedback from those of you who have used both saws now which you think is best given my thinking about each and my needs.

Many thanks.   

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I just picked up a Carvex yesterday and do not have more than 30 minutes of use so far, but I did really like the balance and feel and the improved visibility of the saw.  The circle cutter is the best I have seen on any saw and eliminates the need for custom jigs for this application.  The Trion is not necessarily more powerful than the Carvex.  Since the Carvex has a brushless motor it is more efficient.  Power between the two seems similar.  Cut quality between the two is also similar.  I like the lights and stop action of the blade...it allowed me to line up some accurate cuts.  The bases seem like a good idea and will allow me to make a variety of cuts in different materials with the right base.  The angle base issue is one weakness of the Carved vs. Trion in the example we have been discussing.  However, the ability to dial in different angles and cut inside and outside with the Carvex is nice.  I really like the Trion and the guide rail attachment for it seems better since you can adjust it to fit the guide rail.  I am going to do more testing on the Carvex to see if the loosed fit impacts cut quality.

I am sure others will weigh in on this too.

Scot

 

[hemlock]

Helpful feedback, Scot.  Thank you. 

 

[Frank Pellow]

I opted for the Carvex over the Trion as you can see in the thread: http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/festool-carvex-420-(both-mains-and-battery-powered)-comparisons/

You mention angle cuts and I think that getting accurate angel cuts is among the worse aspects of the Trion.

Would you like to purchase my Trion?

 

[festnoob]

I opted for the Carvex over the Trion as you can see in the thread: http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/festool-carvex-420-(both-mains-and-battery-powered)-comparisons/

You mention angle cuts and I think that getting accurate angel cuts is among the worse aspects of the Trion.

Would you like to purchase my Trion?

Don't you need an angle gauge to determine angles with the Carvex? You could do the same on a Trion by putting it against the blade and sole of base and then tightening down. Sounds like the same amount of work to me.

 

[Frank Pellow]

I opted for the Carvex over the Trion as you can see in the thread: http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-reviews/festool-carvex-420-(both-mains-and-battery-powered)-comparisons/

You mention angle cuts and I think that getting accurate angel cuts is among the worse aspects of the Trion.

Would you like to purchase my Trion?

Don't you need an angle gauge to determine angles with the Carvex? You could do the same on a Trion by putting it against the blade and sole of base and then tightening down. Sounds like the same amount of work to me.

You do need a gauge on the Carvex.  But, on the Trion, you need to fiddle with the bolt on the bottom, slide to base out, then measure with a gauge with the blade on one side and the plate on the side and the plate on the other. then tighten the bolt.  I have difficulty doing all this and getting accurate results.  In any case, it takes a lot of time.  Another benefit of the Carvex is that swapping out the angle base and swapping back in the flat base takes me about 15 seconds.  Restring the Trion to regular cuts takes me between one and two minutes.

 

[Holzhacker]

I've had a Trion for a long time and really like it. Actually need to either send it in to get it fixed or order the parts. The part that holds the blade is finally a bit mangled. The Trion is a great little jigsaw but it does have some shortcomings.
I've only played with the Carved at my dealer a few times so I don't have any use experience. The Carves clearly has a nice feel and some cool features. Personally, I'm waiting to find out if there are any more problems with the new one before looking at it seriously.
If a friend were to ask me this question, I would say buy the Bosch over the Trion; or try out the Carvex and get that. As much as I prefer all things Festool over other tools, I'm on the fence about the Bosch versus Trion issue.
I you have stores nearby go play with all first.

 

[hemlock]

Thanks everyone.   In the days since my original post i have been reading all the reviews and comments on the Carvex I could find.   I kept coming back to my original impressions that the light, blade visibility, ability to cut large circles, A speed and the dust collection were a unique package and festool quality.   Scotf your perspective on the circle cutter helped validate my thinking that the Carvex was the better option.  Frank your review was amazing in its comprehensive comparing and contrasting.   I felt it honest about the +/- aspects of it and the Trion; and that the Carvex was a better option.  

The only way I felt I could resolve my dilemma for sure (though now I was leaning Carvex), was as Holzhacker suggested, to go to the store.  I did today and compared both the Trion and Carvex.   I came home with the Carvex barrel grip (D-handle was temping as it does have barrel-grip like feel when you hold it through the handle though my hand and the saw movement felt too constrained using the D-handle this way--personal preference for sure but clearly had barrel grip feel).   Interestingly what struck me was the difference I felt in weight between the carvex and trion.  That roughly one pound difference was surprisingly noticeable.   The Carvex felt lighter and added to comfort of use to me.  

I am going to put it through some paces under the 30 trial and then pursue some of the accessories if I feel its a keeper.   I have honestly never returned a festool though...

Thanks everyone, I'll report back and welcome other perspectives as I test the Carvex out....

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Thanks everyone.   In the days since my original post i have been reading all the reviews and comments on the Carvex I could find.   I kept coming back to my original impressions that the light, blade visibility, ability to cut large circles, A speed and the dust collection were a unique package and festool quality.   Scotf your perspective on the circle cutter helped validate my thinking that the Carvex was the better option.  Frank your review was amazing in its comprehensive comparing and contrasting.   I felt it honest about the +/- aspects of it and the Trion; and that the Carvex was a better option.  

The only way I felt I could resolve my dilemma for sure (though now I was leaning Carvex), was as Holzhacker suggested, to go to the store.  I did today and compared both the Trion and Carvex.   I came home with the Carvex barrel grip (D-handle was temping as it does have barrel-grip like feel when you hold it through the handle though my hand and the saw movement felt too constrained using the D-handle this way--personal preference for sure but clearly had barrel grip feel).   Interestingly what struck me was the difference I felt in weight between the carvex and trion.  That roughly one pound difference was surprisingly noticeable.   The Carvex felt lighter and added to comfort of use to me.  

I am going to put it through some paces under the 30 trial and then pursue some of the accessories if I feel its a keeper.   I have honestly never returned a festool though...

Thanks everyone, I'll report back and welcome other perspectives as I test the Carvex out....

That is the option I went with and I agree that it is lighter than the Trion and I found that personally it feels like an extension of my hand when using it.  I think that Festool got just about everything right with the base Carvex with a 90 degree platform.  I think that the shortcomings so far are with some of the accessories, or lack of function with some of the accessories.  Not being able to adjust for any slop of the guide rail stop is an oversight and the angle-base discussion we have been having is another one.  However, I do think that there is a place for the angle base they did provide and it allows you to make some very useful/different cuts with a jigsaw.  I also think it is a very nice feature to be able to adopt the jigsaw to a particular task -- having a metal plate for metal cutting, for example, is well thought out.  Being able to easily buy replacement bases if you damage one for relatively less cost is another benefit as I have dinged up the bottom shoe before and that is an issue.  As I already mentioned, the circle cutter is really the best I have seen and being able to cut large diameters is a plus -- much easier, faster and less back-breaking to use a jigsaw to cut the circle than to move a slab tabletop through a bandsaw.  I prefer the jigsaw over a router too -- less noisy, less dust, less wood waste and arguably faster.

The good news with the base issue is that Festool or another manufacturer could easily manufacture a different tilting base, with dust collection, to allow for traditional angle cuts when you want the shoe covering the field for scribes, etc...  Maybe this base could be designed with adjustable slots for guide rail adjustment and incorporate the same circle cutter to allow for easier beveled edges on a circle...if Festool offered that then I think that the Carvex and accessories would be one of the best out there.  As it stands now, I think that the Carvex saw itself is very good, the accessories are very good, but the entire package is still lacking in a few areas and falls just a little short.  Most of my jigsaw cutting is at 90 degrees and so being able to have a 90 degree base on a saw that cuts perpendicular/square to the edge is the biggest factor to me of a jigsaw and the Carvex more than delivers on this front. 

Scot