I think with any product and any make, we tend to hear more about the ones that go wrong, than the ones that are bought and perform great as expected. Simply because if somebody were to go to a forum every time they bought something, and reported that it worked fine without fault and did exactly what it said on the tin or box, people would be wondering if the person was wired up properly! Lol!
I know from an experience of running a certain vehicle forum for many years, that these issues are very real, they’re not made up or rumours, they are characteristic issues with a certain product.
Sure you will get haters signing up on a forum, to simply stir the pot, or fan the flames of an issue but, the majority of the reported issues are real, often backed up with real proof.
I won’t mention the vehicles involved but, if somebody was buying that particular vehicle, I would instantly know what they should be looking for, and the chances are, there would be clear signs that the issues had been addressed.
We had a lot of dealing with the manufacturer and dealers of these vehicles. For a long time the issues were denied or not recognised, until more of the vehicles were sold, so the percentage of issues increased.
Sadly it was all coupled with media coverage, until eventually the issues were recognised and dealt with in an appropriate manner.
Cars, bikes, houses, tools, clothes and just about everything can and often does develop issues, it’s how the issues are dealt with that leaves an impression on customers right?
My thoughts are as follows, the Kapex carries a risk of developing a fault from when you first buy it, more so than other tools in the Festool range.
I have come to this conclusion, simply because i’ve read and heard from owners about a lot of these saws having the smoking/motor issue, unless they are all liars?
It’s not like we hear this on a fairly regular basis about other tools in the range, routers, sanders, circular saws, plunge saws, drills etc, the dust extractors apart from the flimsy tops are superb, the MFT type tables don’t have issues with legs falling off, or the tops breaking in half etc, etc. In fact most of the Festool range is heaped with praise, from pros to hobbyists right accross the board, and rightly so, they are superb tools.
The Kapex however, regardless of what the actual problem is, or the percentage that go west, does carry a risk of going wrong, and from the stats, much more so than any other tool in the line up.
It’s fine, and in reality, not a real worry apart from inconvenience and possible loss of income if a saw develops an issue, provided it’s still in warranty. If the saw is out of warranty, it’s a different story, and this for most of the owners that have experienced a Kapex acting up, is the real gripe.
So, some say Festool should extend the warranty, this then is like admitting there is a real risk with the saw. Also users of other tools would say why not extend the warranty accross the whole range, imagine the cost impact that would incur on the company?
I must admit that when I buy any new Festool tool or accessory, I have no worries or quibbles at all, apart from some of the prices, except the Kapex.
Whatever tool I buy nowadays, even more so for the workshop, would be Festool. The only exclusion I would have would be the Kapex. I don’t currently need a new miter saw but, if I did, it would almost certainly come from another manufacturer.
I would dearly love Festool to make an announcement, possibly with the new Kapex, and put anybody’s fears or worries to rest over the saw. Or at least reassure customers and potential customers, that there is no higher risk with buying a Kapex, than there is with any other tool in the range.
Is that too much to ask? Personally, I think not.
