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Author Topic: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex  (Read 15069 times)

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Offline rrmccabe

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FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« on: May 20, 2014, 10:26 AM »
Fastcap has a new product out called zero clearance tape for miter saws. It works in the same manner as a zero clearance insert on a table saw. It's a hard PVC and self sticks.

I had to trim about 3/16 off one side to get it to fit. Apparently the Kapex is a little narrower than most miter saws. Comes in a package with 5 tapes.

It was designed to prevent tear out on the back side of the board but in my case I have also noticed it really makes laser alignment easy and keeps the small cut offs from falling down in the slot which drives me crazy.

It might end up helping dust collection but haven't used it enough to find out.  Also haven't tilted the blade either  as I have only been making 90 cuts. I would assume that it will widen the opening and reduce performance.

But if you are making straight cuts and getting tear out this definitively helps.  I was cutting 1/4" Birch plywood yesterday and the improvement was huge.

« Last Edit: May 20, 2014, 11:08 AM by rrmccabe »
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Offline gdjenkins10

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Re:
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2014, 12:39 PM »
I'm interested in outcome of your tests. The small cuts in slot bugs me as well. I was thinking about the zero clearance plate but now will wait to see how this works out.
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Offline bijeshj

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2014, 05:00 PM »
Quote from: rrmccabe on May 20, 2014, 10:26 AM
Fastcap has a new product out called zero clearance tape for miter saws. It works in the same manner as a zero clearance insert on a table saw. It's a hard PVC and self sticks.

I had to trim about 3/16 off one side to get it to fit. Apparently the Kapex is a little narrower than most miter saws. Comes in a package with 5 tapes.

It was designed to prevent tear out on the back side of the board but in my case I have also noticed it really makes laser alignment easy and keeps the small cut offs from falling down in the slot which drives me crazy.

It might end up helping dust collection but haven't used it enough to find out.  Also haven't tilted the blade either  as I have only been making 90 cuts. I would assume that it will widen the opening and reduce performance.

But if you are making straight cuts and getting tear out this definitively helps.  I was cutting 1/4" Birch plywood yesterday and the improvement was huge.



Looks good. I am too lazy to build one on my own. This seems to be an easy solution.
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Offline rrmccabe

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2014, 08:29 PM »
I used it all day for 90 degree cuts on 1/4 and 3/4" birch plywood. It really did make a huge difference. And NO small cuts fell through !

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Offline ibuilder2011@gmail.com

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2015, 11:50 PM »
Do u guys think the speed tape and a piece of wood  would be suitable for the rear zero clearance fance?
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Offline SRSemenza

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #5 on: March 16, 2015, 09:45 AM »
Quote from: ibuilder2011@gmail.com on March 15, 2015, 11:50 PM
Do u guys think the speed tape and a piece of wood  would be suitable for the rear zero clearance fance?

      Don't use the Speed Tape for that. It is basically super glue tape. You may have a lot of trouble and probably a real mess if you need to remove it.

    Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

Seth
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Offline rst

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #6 on: March 16, 2015, 11:29 AM »
I use 1/8" tempered Masonite for the bottom and backing.  I cut 3" strips 8' long and clip them to my fence.  After they wear I just shift them over towards the blade.  My sliding chopsaw does not have a laser, so an added advantage is I know exactly where the cut will be and if I need to sneak up I can see the offset in the gap.  I use 1/4" in the base and set the depth so that the blade just cuts off at the rear, that way it stays in one piece.
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Offline tjskinny

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #7 on: March 16, 2015, 12:32 PM »
Eric did a nice little review of the zero clearance tape.



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Offline BillyG

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #8 on: March 16, 2015, 10:51 PM »
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Offline Ed Bray

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2015, 02:56 AM »
I bought the Betterley one in the UK from the Betterly Importer, it cost £20 plus vat and shipping, total cost was £34 uk ($50) big increase from the US price of $20.

Having said that, it is really well made and I can recommend it. Betterly have included a good method of adjusting the insert so it fits flush with the bed of the saw, I suspect this is not the case with the tape version as it likely sits slightly proud (just my impression though I haven't actually used one).
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Offline ChrisK1970

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #10 on: March 17, 2015, 05:08 AM »
I've got the Betterly too and like it a lot. Easy to instal and has been working out very well for me the last few months.
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Offline Linbro

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #11 on: March 17, 2015, 06:16 AM »
Another fan of the Betterly here. I had to get it shipped from the US, well worth it though.
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Offline BillyG

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #12 on: March 17, 2015, 08:48 PM »
My order for the Betterly insert went through and then I received an email it is on backorder so I'll have to wait....

Billy
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Offline Birdhunter

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #13 on: March 18, 2015, 02:42 AM »
My Betterly zero clearance plate works great, but I put the original Kapex plate back in if I am doing beveled cuts. I swap out throat plates on my Sawstop as well. One for 90 degree cuts and one for cuts with the saw blade tilted. The beveled cuts open up the slot so ot is no longer zero clearance.
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Birdhunter

Offline jobsworth

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #14 on: March 21, 2015, 04:13 PM »
I made my own, took me about 5 mins. No biggie
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Offline ben_r_

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #15 on: January 02, 2017, 11:04 AM »
Anyone know where this PVC tape can be bought in a different color? Id like to find this same stuff in red for my Bosch GCM12SD saw.
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Offline Svar

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #16 on: January 02, 2017, 05:27 PM »
Why do you need zero clearance insert for a miter saw table? Saw teeth entering the material from that directions. If anything you'd want ZCI on top and back, not on the bottom. In table saw terms it's like placing ZCI on top of the stock.
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Offline Nat X

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Re: FastCap Zero Clearance tape for Kapex
« Reply #17 on: January 02, 2017, 08:47 PM »
Quote from: Svar on January 02, 2017, 05:27 PM
Why do you need zero clearance insert for a miter saw table? Saw teeth entering the material from that directions. If anything you'd want ZCI on top and back, not on the bottom. In table saw terms it's like placing ZCI on top of the stock.

I think this is one of those "if you have to ask you'll never know" moments.
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