Another Kapex Bites the dust. Again.

[Arthur444]

Well mine bit the dust after only 13 months. The saw only has a 58% 5 star rating on Amazon and a lot of posts from people who had blown motors. I purchased a Makita LS1019L for 517$ and it does everything the Kapex does with a 15 amp motor. Unfortunately I think the cat is out of the bag per quality issues as I can't even sell mine. I've had mine on Craigslist almost a month and it's not going anywhere.

 

[semenza]

Clearly there have been a number of legitimate Kapex problems posted on FOG.  If people want to continue spending their time debating the topic in this thread and other Kapex problem threads they are free to do so. Personally, barring something more from Festool, I would be inclined to spend my time discussing something else.

Seth

 

[Oldwood]

"barring something more from Festool, I would be inclined to spend my time discussing something else."

I think the fact Festool has said nothing and looks like they are not going to is a large part of the discussion in these threads. [tongue]

 

[Steven Owen]

"barring something more from Festool, I would be inclined to spend my time discussing something else."

I think the fact Festool has said nothing and looks like they are not going to is a large part of the discussion in these threads. [tongue]

That may or may not be true.  There’s some wacky corporate laws around the world.  It’s likely Festool’s legal team will always be extemely cautious about anything being posted online.  A lot of companies around the world are ridiculously cautious these days.  They know comments made online and in social media have come to bite them in the butt when they least expect it.

Realistically there should be a recall.  A lot of companies prefer to do recalls without admitting legal fault whenever possible.

Most companies procrastinate on recalls until their 99.9% sure they have a working solution in place. 

 

[Greg M]

I keep visiting these threads so that I can get feedback on possible replacements for the Kapex. I would have kept the Kapex forever but it’s obvious that it doesn’t last as long as other miter saws. So these threads continuing are beneficial.

It took a while to sell it on Craigslist but it did eventually sell.

 

[Naildrivingman]

My Kapex came back this past Wednesday.  Total time gone was three weeks and one day (including two weekends).  My vendor had an internal problem getting in touch with the correct department at FT, so the saw didn’t actually leave my vendor’s location until on week ago this past Tuesday.  That means in 8 days time the saw was shipped from MN to IN, unpackaged, inspected, repaired, repackaged and shipped back.

I have been somewhat vocal in my criticism of the Kapex failures.  I now need to be complementary to FT and my vendor for getting my saw resolved.

WELL DONE!!!

 

[Steven Owen]

Has anyone ever figured out what’s causing the failures?  Is a case of the motor overheating?  Is a mechanical issue?

 

[harry_]

Has anyone ever figured out what’s causing the failures?  Is a case of the motor overheating?  Is a mechanical issue?

Your tea leaves on the subject are as good as ours  [scratch chin]

 

[cash_23]

My company added one to the blown up list, thankfully it was during the warranty period. I Sent it back Thursday, Hoping for quick return and no further problems. We'd certainly hate to join the unfortunate ones that have had multiple problems with same saw. Also praying my personal Kapex doesn't go up in smoke too. Fingers crossed!!!

 

[antss]

I have a KAPEX and mine is going strong!

Is yours a 110v version ? 
This seems to be a favorite counterpoint for our Euro and Australasian friends who overwhelmingly have 230v versions.  The ones that don't go poof after a few years or after cutting a truckload of thin material.  [tongue]

I'm now convinced that the KAPEX is fine apart from a number of statistically acceptable failures

Another counterpoint from those that don't have a saw just out of warranty facing a repair bill approaching 40% of a new one.  And remember, this is pretty much the most expensive saw on the market - so customers expect more than a few gee wiz features and saw that cuts straight.  And that their friend's saw still works.

"barring something more from Festool, I would be inclined to spend my time discussing something else."

I think the fact Festool has said nothing and looks like they are not going to is a large part of the discussion in these threads. [tongue]

I think they need to be held accountable for this poor behavior.  Saying you'll do something and then not following through is a cardinal sin in my view.  This venue is just as good a public billboard as anywhere to get out the message . 

Perhaps it would be more effective for those with broken Kapex saws to air the issue on Facebook or Twitter ?

 

[peter halle]

I have a KAPEX and mine is going strong!

Is yours a 110v version ? 
This seems to be a favorite counterpoint for our Euro and Australasian friends who overwhelmingly have 230v versions.  The ones that don't go poof after a few years or after cutting a truckload of thin material.  [tongue]

I'm now convinced that the KAPEX is fine apart from a number of statistically acceptable failures

Another counterpoint from those that don't have a saw just out of warranty facing a repair bill approaching 40% of a new one.  And remember, this is pretty much the most expensive saw on the market - so customers expect more than a few gee wiz features and saw that cuts straight.  And that their friend's saw still works.

"barring something more from Festool, I would be inclined to spend my time discussing something else."

I think the fact Festool has said nothing and looks like they are not going to is a large part of the discussion in these threads. [tongue]

I think they need to be held accountable for this poor behavior.  Saying you'll do something and then not following through is a cardinal sin in my view.  This venue is just as good a public billboard as anywhere to get out the message . 

Perhaps it would be more effective for those with broken Kapex saws to air the issue on Facebook or Twitter ?

I wonder if selective quoting will make it to the Olympics as a sport.  It seems to be fun, but then again how would you judge it?

Sorry for the distraction.

Peter

 

[rizzoa13]

I wonder if diverting a conversation away from anything negative about Festool will be recognized as a sport also.

 

[semenza]

"barring something more from Festool, I would be inclined to spend my time discussing something else."

I think the fact Festool has said nothing and looks like they are not going to is a large part of the discussion in these threads. [tongue]

I think they need to be held accountable for this poor behavior.  Saying you'll do something and then not following through is a cardinal sin in my view.  This venue is just as good a public billboard as anywhere to get out the message . 

Perhaps it would be more effective for those with broken Kapex saws to air the issue on Facebook or Twitter ?

    Hey, feel free to spend however much time you like discussing Kapex issues. Never said people had to stop. But , you know, it's not like it hasn't been talked over, and over, and over ,and over.  There is more to FOG than Kapex.

    Pretty sure there are several really big billboards on FOG relating to Kapex problems. They are not going away and will show as new / unread to anyone new, and have certainly been viewed a bajillion (guesstimate) times by anyone that has been here for a while. There is more to FOG than Kapex.

    I don't take the time to do the facebook and twitter thing, but I can't imagine that Kapex hasn't been talked about on those avenues. There is more to FOG than Kapex.

Seth

 

[semenza]

I wonder if diverting a conversation away from anything negative about Festool will be recognized as a sport also.

Hey, look over there!

Nope guess it didn't work because there is all this negative stuff about Festool on FOG. Oh well, there goes my chance for the Olympics. Then again I wasn't really trying to divert attention from anything negative about Festool. If that were the intention we could make life easy and just ......... delete it all.

Seth

 

[Naildrivingman]

I agree that there has been too much negative about the Kapex.  It seems that there is something wrong with the motor given the seemingly limited market of the tool (because of price) and the number of problems noted with it.  I do question some of the other comment’s validity on issues like dust extraction and quality of cut. I personally do not share those sentiments or experiences.  My Kapex has been repaired once and I am pleased with the turnaround.  I also am one of the Pro 5 owners who had to return the tool for service.  I am pleased with that experience as well.

I own the DF 500, TS 75, 1400/2700 rails, RO 150, Carvex, T15, T18, Centrotec, CT 26 and OF 1400.  All of the tools do what I need/expect if them.  Are they the best in the world?  I don’t know.  But they are the best I can afford and that is good enough for me.

 

[Holmz]

I noticed on the Tele last night that there was a Cheech-n-Chong movie on.
"Still smokin" was the title...
I has a slight smile and realised I was in a fog.

 

[cash_23]

I too hope Festool offers recall or longer warranty or something to remedy these issues. I just had company Kapex go up in smoke. I sent it back last Thursday and just got a call this morning that it's ready for pickup. So I think that is amazing turn around and I do appreciate that!  I'm hoping it doesn't happen again especially after warranty period is up like some have had happen. Or that my personal Kapex doesn't go up in smoke too. Here's to hoping and I'll be curious to see what if anything festool does to address the issues.

 

[tiralie]

Here's to hoping and I'll be curious to see what if anything festool does to address the issues.

It appears that they are replacing some units after they have been in repair once...

 

[antss]

Here's to hoping and I'll be curious to see what if anything festool does to address the issues.

It appears that they are replacing some units after they have been in repair once...

What is this based on?

JNComplete was charged for his third repair back on 10/8.

 

[Naildrivingman]

Not replacement, but I have heard of some repairs being covered by FT outside of warranty. I think this falls in to the warranty language of “at vendor’s discretion” or something to that effect.