What do you use your jigsaw for ?

[VW mick]

I've been expanding my 18v cordless range and am finding the basic sets and the price of the individual batteries working out well

I've bought in this order (one per month . That's how I buy my tools)

t18+3 set
BHC basic
1 battery
C18 basic
2 batteries
Now my question .I was thinking next to get the carvex

I've got a 110v barrel grip trion which is really good .i do a bit of curved work but over the last few months all I seem to use the jigsaw for is chopping offcuts down to fit in the incinerator

What do you guys think is the cordless carvex worth it ?

 

[grbmds]

I have been woodworking for quite a few years and own a Bosch jigsaw. I can't remember the last time I used a jigsaw; at least 10 years ago. However, I have other tools in my shop which I use and I don't do much curve work. Even if I did more curve cutting, the only time I'd use a jigsaw is if the piece I was working was too large to cut on my bandsaw. This is a general answer about jigsaws instead of just about the Carvex, but I would suggest trying to decide what you will do in the future and see whether that matches the functions of a jigsaw. Better yet, wait until you have a specific significant need for it and, in the meantime, spend the money on other tools you are already in need of. I'm sure the Carvex is a great jigsaw and I see many positive comments about it.

 

[Kev]

This question will get a lot of comments, many will be from people with anti CARVEX feelings that haven't even touched one!

Put simply, a jigsaw is best for cutting out shapes ... if cutting straight lines is your thing, you don't need one.

Last thing I was doing with a jigsaw was cutting out a pattern I upscaled for a plywood 8 foot boat. Perfect! Big arcs? Ideal with a guide.

The CARVEX does have some very good features, particularly the strobe mode for following lines, but there's mixed opinions on that too.

My suggestion is to find an appropriate project and try it [wink]

 

[Wuffles]

This question will get a lot of comments, many will be from people with anti CARVEX feelings that haven't even touched one!

Which will then turn into the usual bloodbath with Mods getting involved and the thread being locked.

To the OP, if I used a jigsaw once in a blue moon, I wouldn't be replacing an expensive jigsaw with a Carvex. Been there, done that.

 

[TheTrooper]

I do flooring so i use my jigsaw for cutting for floor receptacles and toilet flanges. When doing the small amount of cabinetry i use it for arched toe kicks and tops.

 

[Birdhunter]

I use both my Festool and Bosch jigsaws for the usual curved cuts, but the battery Festool jigsaw is used a lot to break down plywood sheets. I find it's faster to do a rough cut with the jigsaw and then a finish cut with either the TS55/MFT or on the table saw.

I also can take the Festool battery jigsaw where I don't have power and I need to trim pieces.

Overall, it's well worth the money.

 

[zapdafish]

To turn long boards into shorter boards before going through jointer/planner process. Sometimes I use a handsaw.

I have a bosch.

 

[MAK]

I love my Festool tools except my carvex! Sorry to say, I had the 400 carvex had it repaired 3 times, then I got Rep involved who got it replaced with the 420. OK to start with but had it repaired once so far and it's just starting to play up again. The blade keeps coming out especially when I start to do a curve.
Really want it to be a good tool, but totally lost confidence in it.

Looked at the metabo cordless one last week, heavy beast.
Lost without a jigsaw, don't know what to do.

 

[Wuffles]

I love my Festool tools except my carvex! Sorry to say, I had the 400 carvex had it repaired 3 times, then I got Rep involved who got it replaced with the 420. OK to start with but had it repaired once so far and it's just starting to play up again. The blade keeps coming out especially when I start to do a curve.
Really want it to be a good tool, but totally lost confidence in it.

Looked at the metabo cordless one last week, heavy beast.
Lost without a jigsaw, don't know what to do.

Bosch or Mafell if you use them a lot apparently.

 

[joiner1970]

I got the carvex a while back when the free battery vouchers were around. I keep reading a lot of people moaning about them but so far I'm happy with mine.

I'm similar to some of the replies above, I use it a lot to trim 8x4 sheets down roughly. I use it for scribing skirting, use it on roofs. Lots of jobs really and its so handy being cordless.

I've also got a 110v trion and 3 Bosch jigsaws but the carvex gets used most at the moment.

 

[waho6o9]

I use my Carvex to cut 8/4 walnut for bowl turning and I've had good results

with it.

 

[RussellS]

Unfortunately I own two jigsaws.  Bosch electric top handle model.  And Festool barrel grip electric model.  Have used the Bosch much more than the Festool.  But use neither very much.  I just don't do much work requiring curved cuts.  Both will cut curves fine.  But the finished cut is rough.  Its not a smooth cut like you get off a circular saw or table saw.  I'd lump jigsaws and reciprocating saws together for cut quality.  Both rough and not suitable as a finish surface.  Others have said they use jigsaws to break down wood before doing finished cuts.  Good job for jigsaws.

 

[Coliban]

I use my Mafell P1cc for cutting beams, 9cm, 3,5 inch and for small cuts. It cuts the beams square like butter, but i don't have a rail yet.

 

[Holmz]

A while back I was thinking about how much I hated using a jig saw, but I finally broke down and got a p1cc.

I do use it to break down pallets for the pot belly stove, as a circular saw once jammed and ruined the bearing.

Usually I use it for 2x4 or if I need to make noggin space for an acoustic wall that the 2 sides do not touch. So the inside noggins do not touch the outside studs.
Or for putting a stud against as a brick wall that is not straight.
And for the moulding over that wall.

Yesterday and last weekend it was 1.6-mm (1/16") metal sheet and 1/2" diameter tubing.
It jumped around a bit on pendulum 1, and speed 1 - but made it through. The fine toothed blade seems like it might have dulled up.

And I have used it for Hardie-board with the Hitachi fibreboard blade.

I actually like using a jig saw now. With the money I sawed I bought a blade diamond head lamp.

 

[mastercabman]

I use mine to cut wood.

 

[tiralie]

Coping and scribing, cutting curves for routing templates...
Tim

 

[ScotF]

All kinds of stuff -- from joinery to ripping, cross-cutting, breaking down larger material, curves, patterns, cutting limestone, steel, aluminum, plastic pipes -- you name it. I have four jigsaws and use them all including a Bosch JS572, Carvex, Trion and the Mafell. They all excel at certain things, which is why I keep and use them. The Carvex has the best circle cutter, the 572 is great for rougher work, the Trion is just all around good and solid feeling (I just like it) and the Mafell is my favorite -- I use it when super accurate, straight, perfect cuts are needed in thick stock.

 

[Holmz]

All kinds of stuff -- ... cutting limestone...

[tongue]
What blade does one use for that? and how think of limestone?

 

[Mahomo59]

Had the Carvex 240v and wasn't using it much. Now sold that, purchased the cordless Carvex. Like the Op I now own various 18v Festool swag, sds, T18, C18 and now Carvex. Couldn't be more happier with Carvex, especially with the Collins Coping foot for scribing.
Uses... Skirting boards, scribing plinths, end panels, cut outs (rear of units), roughly cutting stuff down, floor laying. Seem to find more uses for it now I've bought cordless. Zero regrets my end.

 

[Ed Bray]

I use my Carvex for scribe cuts using a Collins Coping Foot. I really like the Carvex and especially the quick change feet. I only have the corded version, but it does what I want it to.