The Good, the Bad and the ugly of the Festool jigsaw

[@phillong420]

First off, the shape of the jigsaw is really old and is the most common form on the european continent that professionals use. It's because it's the best form to cut from underneath to avoid tearout on top. In your case it would have made sense to actually get the Carvex with the D grip as you can hold it like a barrel grip jigsaw, but also like a classic D version. It has a classic speed trigger with a lock mechanism in the D handle, plus the 2 on/off switches. I also found the switches on the side a bit awkward to use when turning the machine off and that it takes some time to get the blade guides adjusted properly. The Carvex for sure works best with the golden Festool blades. There is a reason why they put the name Carvex on those blades.

[@danbianca7045]

A carpenter for over 50 years Bosch jig saws are king

[@rudolfappel7236]

I have worked for 2 years with a similar Festool jigsaw from 1993 through 1995 and first thought that it was a strange jigsaw. Till I handled it myself. It literally felt like I was one with the machine. Such direct control made cutting literally anything a breeze.

[@RpR_Makes]

Thanks for the video. Love the design of the Carvex but agree with you on the on/off buttons, almost wants to be a paddle on the top that your palm rests on, as you release pressure the blade slows and stops. Would love to see you do a how to on fitting the blades. Your videos are like velvet, you are one cool dude.

[@workshopdojo]

😊 thank you 🙏🏽

[@maxbee4460]

I got rid of my carvex corded jigsaw. It was to replace my old Bosch one. I like the pistol grip type, so thought the Festool would be the right choice.WRONG. The switch is in the wrong place, impossible to reach if using single handed. Cutting curves was awful, even had the Festool rep out to find out what was going on with the blade guide setup. As I said, got rid of it and continue with my old Bosch, now 30 years old. Wouldn’t recommend at all.

[@workshopdojo]

I’m starting to think the pistol grip is better

[@markjarman7819]

I’m ahead of you I only ruined one blade😁 I totally agree the on off buttons should be higher on the machine. There’s a lot of haters out there with the carvex. I find festool is mostly adjusting and doing it differently from anything else. The kapex is another with it odd handle. The carvex gave me a very welcome view on what can be accomplished with a jigsaw if set up correctly and many fail to do this. I have made many cuts with mine now and it still performs perfectly. Only thing I will knock it on is that on and off method. You sound totally in love with the festool world just like me😊. I’m totally enjoying all my festool tools and after all the brands I have used found home forever.

[@workshopdojo]

I think I’ve become a collector! I don’t know how that happened 🤣😂

[@Trooper266]

I couldn't agree more. I love my Carvex. I also really like the strobe light.

[@workshopdojo]

👍🏽

[@didanoff]

Picture and sound is just perfect!!!

[@workshopdojo]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@michaelpayne8102]

Nice review, IMO it all comes down to the blade setup. There seems to be a lot of hate for the Carvex especially in the UK. I’m not sure if this is tied the use of the saw inverted as this seems to be another theme in the UK. At any rate once you get the saw setup down and stick with it, the saw has been a pleasure for me to use. Blade setup even if swapping the same blade, open jaws, pendulum set to max, insert blade, pull/push blade back to the roller, tighten jaws until blade is pinched, back off the jaws 1/8-1/4 turn.

[@workshopdojo]

I agree, this is a great jigsaw

[@FlyinTrapezious]

I have used jigsaws extensively for 43 years building tradeshow displays. My go to saw has always been the Bosch 1587 with a D handle . I suggest you try Bosch blades instead of the Festool. I know that would be considered taboo to hardcore Festool aficionados . I have tested Festool and Bosch blades side by side cutting solid woods, ply, mdf,melamine, aluminum and steel. I find that Bosch makes superior jigsaw blades.

[@rollovaughan]

I agree. Maffell or hilti make good blades if you’re feeling flush.

[@workshopdojo]

Nice points

[@stephenhone7229]

Turning the saw off becomes easier the more you use it, I don't even think about it now. It's all about training your muscle memory. Great vid bye the way.

[@workshopdojo]

Thanks Steven, I'm trusting you on this

[@yanduspandus]

mate. always sleek videos and the analysis that makes sense. thanks. So, I agree with your views. it is the purchase from festool that I still question myself. I bought the set with all the accessories. great blades but yeah had the SAME issue and it was smoking! melted one pad too. haha, yep it requires some fiddling. Another major issue is the fact that the alignment of the cut to precisely know when to stop, sometimes hard to see through 2 layers of plastic. There is one major thing that just pissed me of though (I obviously bought it for the dust extraction) but the dust tube does not work on the accessories! 😱

[@workshopdojo]

No way!! I didn’t know that.. thanks for pointing that out, I’m going to look at that this afternoon

[@didanoff]

Thanks for your videos. Very interesting. Please continue :)

[@workshopdojo]

👍🏽

[@Pieter2360]

Great video. I don’t own this jigsaw (yet) so can’t speak from experience, but I saw someone switch off the saw at the end of the cut with his left hand while continuing to keep his right hand wrapped around the body of the tool. Looked like a very smooth and natural flow of operations. Would that be a technique which overcomes the issue you describe?

[@workshopdojo]

To be truthful, I’m really not sure yet the jury is still out

[@timfowler4901]

Well I agree with everything you said. I purchased the corded version of the Carvex model. And I wish I would have went cordless. I am still learning. I have used Festool for years and have their MF3 table, track saw, miter saw, Router, domino 500, 2 vacuum’s, bloom arm, 3 sanders, drills, KAL 1 and 2 lights. Love everything they make. Thanks Tim in USA

[@Tool-Meister]

Regarding hand fit, I went for the “D” handle version. My single gripe is the “feel” of the trigger. Way too sensitive! Regarding blades, I’ve used Bosch blades since way before I purchased my original Trion barrel style Festool jigsaw. With regards to blades, I disagree with the other writer. I prefer most of the Festool blades over Bosch, by the slightest of margins. In the absence of Festool blades, I’d happily use Bosch blades. Bosch might offer a cost advantage but Festool is virtually perfect for their saws. I wish I could afford both styles of Carvex saws, but since I can’t, I’ll continue with my mix of Trion and Carvex. Don’t forget the dust extraction that actually works…

[@workshopdojo]

Almost almost a year, after using this regularly I am beginning to think that I want to try the D handle again, but let’s see

[@MsAleksandar111]

Hello, buddy. I own 4-5 machines from Festool, I like their tools and I was satisfied until I bought the PSC 420. I couldn't try it on, I couldn't even pick it up, I bought it online, which ended badly for me 😁 It doesn't fit in my hand at all, it's too high, the on/off buttons are placed far away. It is a thick machine in itself and not practical for me to handle. The biggest problem with my machine is that every time I turn it on and start to cut something, the blade goes "back and forth" and shakes a lot, so I can't see exactly where the blade will start to cut. I have packed the machine and am not using it, I am very disappointed with it. Did you have that problem? When I was watching your video, I thought I noticed it happening to you too. Greeting

[@workshopdojo]

I absolutely did have a problem and I ended up selling it. I did make a video. If you check my new videos you’ll see

[@johnhughes3963]

Awesome information mate!!

[@poconojoe90]

Sorry, too many disjointed thoughts, digressions, pauses, and inflections. It just makes it difficult to listen to, and made the video twice as long as it needed to be.

[@workshopdojo]

That’s me to a T 😂

[@didanoff]

Will it works with 3.1A battery?

[@workshopdojo]

Good point, I will check

[@davohbg1996]

Hello, Thank you for this honest personal review of this tool. I ordered last week a replacement for my old Bosch (approx. 30 years old) and I believe I made the right choice. From my point of ov view, there is no perfect tool in the world because there are so many individual requirements. Noone can fullfil them with one tool. Anyhow, your review is helpful to me, especially the hint for changeing the blades. As you mentioned at the end of the video, here is a perfect supplement to your review: Festool Live Episode 08 - Carvex Jigsaw => kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJLCnWmbqqdjbcU Again, thank you and have a nice day. Stay safe. Andreas

[@workshopdojo]

I absolutely agree

[@brunodeluca7486]

The receptiveness in this was painful, should have been a 5 minute video.

[@workshopdojo]

☹️

[@Bibblebabbler]

Does this guy build anything or just look at tools like a serial killer???

[@workshopdojo]

😂 very good point! I was thinking the same thing, I’m working on filming some projects as we speak.

[@andre1987eph]

I don’t think I have EVER seen the term “serial killer” in the comment section of a tool review video. And I have watched about 500. 🤷‍♀️

[@AutodidactEngineer]

Festool is the ugliest most childish looking brand out there surpasing the ridiculous Ryobi look 🤣🤣🤣

[@workshopdojo]

😳😂

[@trishdecorating]

It's rubbish, I don't like it. Just bought one

[@workshopdojo]

I hear you! Its like marmite, you either love it or hate it