Festool’s jigsaws are precision tools that save time and labor. You won’t have waste effort sanding and smoothing jagged cuts with these saws. Let’s take a look at them both to see which one will be the best for you.
Festool PS 300 EQ 6 Amp Jig Saw
The Festool PS 300 EQ is also known as the Trion jigsaw. The Trion name is based on its 3-part system for ensuring that each cut is straight and smooth.
There are three parts that control the blade on the PS 300 EQ. The pendulum rod, the guide roller, and the carbide plates keep the blade perpendicular, on course at the angle you set. That makes plunge, curved, bevel, and miter cuts all come out as expected.
It helps that this jigsaw’s grip is the perfect size for your hand. It also has a low center of gravity. Although it seems small, it puts out 720 watts of power. It’s fully capable of slicing through 3/8-inch of steel, ¾-inch of aluminum, or 4-3/4-inch thickness of wood.
The electronic soft start helps you have perfect control from the moment you start the cut. Then the four stroke settings let you choose the type of action you need for the job. You can work as fast or slow as you want, from 1000 to 2900 strokes per minute.
While you work, the built-in dust extraction keeps your work piece clear. There are dust channels in the non-marring base plate, a chip deflector, and a rear extraction port.
There’s yet another feature that ensures that your work turns out flawless. It’s the splinterguard that keeps cuts clean so you don’t have to go over your work again or deal with splintering and tear-outs.
Should you need to swap blades, you won’t need any additional tools. The PS300 has Festool’s Fast Fix blade change system. Simply open the chuck with the level to remove and replace the blade. If you have other Festool tools, the PS 300’s design allows you to change the Plug-It power cord quickly, too.
More features of the Festool PS 300 EQ jigsaw:
- Covered by a 3-year limited warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Comes with chip guard, two wood saw blades, a Plug-It power cord, the splinterguard, and a Systainer storage container
Festool PS 420 EBQ-Plus GB Carvex Pendulum Jigsaw
The Festool PS 420 EBQ-Plus is also known as the Carvex. It’s a faster jigsaw than the Trion, or PS 300. Part of this speed comes from its brushless motor, designed for long life and top power.
Although the Carvex has an electronic soft start like the Trion, its variable cutting speed ranges between 1500 to 1800 strokes per minute. Also like the Trion, it has a triple blade guidance system for smooth, tear-free cuts. And while it works, it has high-intensity LEDs to make the blade easy to see.
The Carvex saw allows you to change the base plate to suit the material you are cutting. For example, there are optional plates for wood, plastics, and metals like the butterfly-style angle base and the circle cutting base. The varying plates make it easier to follow curves and scrolls or make bevel and miter cuts.
The maximum cut depths in steel, aluminum, and wood are the same as what the Trion saw can achieve. This means the Carvex, while faster, doesn’t cut any deeper. But it manages clean, quick cuts while only consuming 400W of power.
Of course, like the Trion jigsaw, the PS 420 comes with a splinterguard, a removable chip-catcher, and a dust extraction system.
More features of the Festool PS 420 EQB-Plus jigsaw:
- Covered by a 3-year limited warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Comes a saw blade, a splinterguard, and a Systainer storage container
Recommendation
It’s a hard choice between these two jigsaws since their features are similar. But you may prefer the speed and lower power consumption of the Carvex PS 420. It’s also a lighter-weight tool. All of those benefits are perfect for the craftsperson who uses a jigsaw for many tasks throughout the day.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a reliable, powerful jigsaw at a lower price, you may find that the Trion PS 300 is a better match for your needs.
Click here to purchase Festool PS 300 on Amazon.com!
Click here to purchase Festool PS 420 on Amazon.com!