aknittel
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Location: USA Member Since: Apr 2012
Posts: 1
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« on: April 22, 2012, 03:23 PM » |
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I'm considering purchasing a KAPEX 120 and was in a store trying the transfer gauge. Is it just me? I can't understand how you can transfer and angle accurately (within 1/2 degree). I know you have to slide the gauge left and right against the fence to get the lasers to track the line and that is my issue. It seems to me trying to set the mitre with one hand and move the gauge (and keep it against the fence) all at one time is just too hard. Adding to this is the issue that the mitre adjustment is stiff and you can easily overshoot a degree either way. Also, you have to hold the mitre adjustment so that it doest accidentally fall into the detent for a 45 degree cut.
Is their a more productive way of working with the mitre transfer device and the saw so that this accuracy can be achieved on the first setting? I have a Bosch digital angler finder and it would seem just setting the saw to the 1/2 degree (or 1/4 degree) that reads once would be more productive?
What am I missing?
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mastercabman
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Location: norfolk va Member Since: Apr 2007
Posts: 1373
NORFOLK,VA
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« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2012, 04:14 PM » |
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I'm considering purchasing a KAPEX 120 and was in a store trying the transfer gauge. Is it just me? I can't understand how you can transfer and angle accurately (within 1/2 degree). I know you have to slide the gauge left and right against the fence to get the lasers to track the line and that is my issue. It seems to me trying to set the mitre with one hand and move the gauge (and keep it against the fence) all at one time is just too hard. Adding to this is the issue that the mitre adjustment is stiff and you can easily overshoot a degree either way. Also, you have to hold the mitre adjustment so that it doest accidentally fall into the detent for a 45 degree cut.
Is their a more productive way of working with the mitre transfer device and the saw so that this accuracy can be achieved on the first setting? I have a Bosch digital angler finder and it would seem just setting the saw to the 1/2 degree (or 1/4 degree) that reads once would be more productive?
What am I missing?
I also agree.I wish that it had a scale on it so that you just dial in the number.The accuracy is really all about you and how good your eyes are  I don't use it much.Only when i see a turn that is way off. |
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I don't understand!?! I keep cutting it,and it's still too short!
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MrMac
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Location: Coquitlam B.C. Canada Member Since: May 2010
Posts: 131
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« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2012, 04:17 PM » |
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wow I posted almost the exact same message about a year ago  what I have found is that it becomes easy to use the angle finder on the saw. You just put it on and figure it out- somehow it works pretty good. I can even see the lasers! and I'm red/green deficient. I was actually faster using my 12" Milwaukee digital readout saw. It swung fast, and the readout was really nice- 1/10 degree. I guess the only issue for some folks is if they don't know how to do the complimentary angle calculation. The beauty of the Kapex is that there's no math involved, you just set your finder, and then match that on the saw. Try it out! you will find that its a non-issue. |
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serving the greater Vancouver area.
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hockey_magnet
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Location: Canada Member Since: Nov 2011
Posts: 305
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« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2012, 05:14 PM » |
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I find it easier to use my digital mitre guage and split the angle than to use the Kapex angle finder for some of the reasons mentiond by the OP. The Kapex is a little "stiff" which I actually like but I think this is what causes my problems with the angle finder. If I just read the angle, do the math and set the saw, it seems faster
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Don T
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Location: Phoenix, AZ Member Since: Jan 2008
Posts: 609
Phoenix, Az
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« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2012, 11:49 PM » |
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I have found that it works good. It does take some fiddling to get the laser to line up but worth the time.
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RO150, C12, DF 500 Q, CT33, TS75, MFT3, Kapex 120, MFT3/Kapex, MFK 700, RO 90, ETS150/3, CT22, Centrotec Installers Kit
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b_m_hart
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Location: SF, CA Member Since: May 2008
Posts: 346
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« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2012, 01:55 PM » |
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I still am not a fan of how hard it is to set to non detent angles, getting it to move just a degree or a half, even, is like pulling teeth. This makes using the angle finder thing effectively useless at least for me.
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TS 55 EQ, ETS 150/5, RO 150 FEQ, OF 1010 EQ, DF 500 Q, C12, CT Midi, OF 2200 EB, MFT/3s, DTS 400 EQ, parallel guides, and seemingly growing by the day...
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MrMac
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Location: Coquitlam B.C. Canada Member Since: May 2010
Posts: 131
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« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2012, 09:53 PM » |
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I still am not a fan of how hard it is to set to non detent angles, getting it to move just a degree or a half, even, is like pulling teeth. This makes using the angle finder thing effectively useless at least for me.
I had the same issue with my Kapex. I talked to a Festool Rep about this. There is a way to defeat the detent demon =- you hold the levers while you move the table, then push down on the bottom one. It doe's work, but I do find it awkward, especially since other saw manufacturers have an "over-ride" or some such device that you don't have to try to trick the detents. |
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serving the greater Vancouver area.
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hockey_magnet
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Location: Canada Member Since: Nov 2011
Posts: 305
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« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2012, 10:57 PM » |
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I still am not a fan of how hard it is to set to non detent angles, getting it to move just a degree or a half, even, is like pulling teeth. This makes using the angle finder thing effectively useless at least for me.
I had the same issue with my Kapex. I talked to a Festool Rep about this. There is a way to defeat the detent demon =- you hold the levers while you move the table, then push down on the bottom one. It doe's work, but I do find it awkward, especially since other saw manufacturers have an "over-ride" or some such device that you don't have to try to trick the detents. This does work for the detent issue but the combination of this technique and the relative stiffness of the Kapex still makes this usually a 2 hand operation for small adjustments near detente which does make the angle finder more difficult to use than would be the case if the Kapex table was smoother to adjust |
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b_m_hart
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Location: SF, CA Member Since: May 2008
Posts: 346
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« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2012, 02:46 AM » |
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I still am not a fan of how hard it is to set to non detent angles, getting it to move just a degree or a half, even, is like pulling teeth. This makes using the angle finder thing effectively useless at least for me.
I had the same issue with my Kapex. I talked to a Festool Rep about this. There is a way to defeat the detent demon =- you hold the levers while you move the table, then push down on the bottom one. It doe's work, but I do find it awkward, especially since other saw manufacturers have an "over-ride" or some such device that you don't have to try to trick the detents. This does work for the detent issue but the combination of this technique and the relative stiffness of the Kapex still makes this usually a 2 hand operation for small adjustments near detente which does make the angle finder more difficult to use than would be the case if the Kapex table was smoother to adjust This is what I'm talking about. I simply cannot adjust to 44 degrees (or 0.5) without much anguish and back and forth and magically landing on the right angle. Considering how easy it is to get the compound part of the equation set up, why isn't there some method of dialing in a more precise mitre? |
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TS 55 EQ, ETS 150/5, RO 150 FEQ, OF 1010 EQ, DF 500 Q, C12, CT Midi, OF 2200 EB, MFT/3s, DTS 400 EQ, parallel guides, and seemingly growing by the day...
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hockey_magnet
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Location: Canada Member Since: Nov 2011
Posts: 305
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« Reply #9 on: April 24, 2012, 12:09 PM » |
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I still am not a fan of how hard it is to set to non detent angles, getting it to move just a degree or a half, even, is like pulling teeth. This makes using the angle finder thing effectively useless at least for me.
I had the same issue with my Kapex. I talked to a Festool Rep about this. There is a way to defeat the detent demon =- you hold the levers while you move the table, then push down on the bottom one. It doe's work, but I do find it awkward, especially since other saw manufacturers have an "over-ride" or some such device that you don't have to try to trick the detents. This does work for the detent issue but the combination of this technique and the relative stiffness of the Kapex still makes this usually a 2 hand operation for small adjustments near detente which does make the angle finder more difficult to use than would be the case if the Kapex table was smoother to adjust This is what I'm talking about. I simply cannot adjust to 44 degrees (or 0.5) without much anguish and back and forth and magically landing on the right angle. Considering how easy it is to get the compound part of the equation set up, why isn't there some method of dialing in a more precise mitre? Yes, I love the Kapex but to me this is its primary weakness when you're on a big job and trying to work quickly where you have a lot of different trim angles to cut. I suppose if they release a new model at some point in the future, they will improve this area. |
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