Another Kapex Bites the dust. Again.

[ChuckM]

Guys, There is a much cheaper and portable solution to owning a Kapex without worrying about it: Print a full size poster of it (with the Kapex 60 in the background perhaps), and hang it behind your cheaper chop saw -- the one that you do use, or bring it (framed) with you to the job site. Problem solved!

Sounds like Festool might just as well hand out free posters to save you the trouble ... on April 1st! [big grin]

 

[DeformedTree]

Guys, There is a much cheaper and portable solution to owning a Kapex without worrying about it: Print a full size poster of it (with the Kapex 60 in the background perhaps), and hang it behind your cheaper chop saw -- the one that you do use, or bring it (framed) with you to the job site. Problem solved!

Sounds like Festool might just as well hand out free posters to save you the trouble ... on April 1st! [big grin]

If you pull the poster from the wall is there a hole in the wall? A big pipe your money went into straight to festool?

 

[DeformedTree]

Well the nice thing about the Kapex is, if you set it up properly and never use it....it will never fail...what's not to like about that?

This is similar to the Elio car company approach. People put down a $1000 deposit and never have to pay a cent more to operate their Elio. Of course, they do not actually have a Elio in their possession, but that seems like a trivial point.

Nah, they just convert your deposit to their crypto currency and I'm sure the gains will not only pay for your car, it will come with a bag of money in the passenger seat when they drop it off.

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.

Sounds like Festool might just as well hand out free posters to save you the trouble ... on April 1st! [big grin]

If you pull the poster from the wall is there a hole in the wall? A big pipe your money went into straight to festool?
[/quote]

Poster owners will have a choice about the hole: it can be either 27mm or 36mm! [tongue]

 

[DeformedTree]

Snip.

Sounds like Festool might just as well hand out free posters to save you the trouble ... on April 1st! [big grin]

If you pull the poster from the wall is there a hole in the wall? A big pipe your money went into straight to festool?

Poster owners will have a choice about the hole: it can be either 27mm or 36mm! [tongue]
[/quote]

With either size they will complain that the old money hole was superior.

 

[Cheese]

Now, I really would love to give the Kapex 120 a shot but, even with the latest model, I haven't seen or heard anything that can eliminate the nagging doubt I have about a possible issue?

I would almost certainly choose a 240 volt version, as although I've heard of cases with both voltages acting up, the 110-120 volt seems the higher percentage?

Good news...bad news Jiggy.  [smile]

Festool finally released the EKAT parts list files for the new REB version of the Kapex.

For the GB versions in 110V, 230V and 240V all the field coils and armatures listed for the REB have been used before in previous models.  [sad]

For the US version in 120V the old field coil is listed but with a NEW armature part number. Could this be the moment?    [popcorn]

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.
For the US version in 120V the old field coil is listed but with a NEW armature part number. Could this be the moment?    [popcorn]

Half glass full here: Could that mean if you ever burned up your motor just once and had it replaced by the NEW armature, you'd then have an ever-lasting happy life with the saw thereafter? [blink]

 

[DeformedTree]

Now, I really would love to give the Kapex 120 a shot but, even with the latest model, I haven't seen or heard anything that can eliminate the nagging doubt I have about a possible issue?

I would almost certainly choose a 240 volt version, as although I've heard of cases with both voltages acting up, the 110-120 volt seems the higher percentage?

Good news...bad news Jiggy.  [smile]

Festool finally released the EKAT parts list files for the new REB version of the Kapex.

For the GB versions in 110V, 230V and 240V all the field coils and armatures listed for the REB have been used before in previous models.  [sad]

For the US version in 120V the old field coil is listed but with a NEW armature part number. Could this be the moment?    [popcorn]

I would be looking at other parts.  Mainly the parts supplying the power to it.  I'm not a big believer the armature was the issue, but more of a victim of something else.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Now, I really would love to give the Kapex 120 a shot but, even with the latest model, I haven't seen or heard anything that can eliminate the nagging doubt I have about a possible issue?

I would almost certainly choose a 240 volt version, as although I've heard of cases with both voltages acting up, the 110-120 volt seems the higher percentage?

Good news...bad news Jiggy.  [smile]

Festool finally released the EKAT parts list files for the new REB version of the Kapex.

For the GB versions in 110V, 230V and 240V all the field coils and armatures listed for the REB have been used before in previous models.  [sad]

For the US version in 120V the old field coil is listed but with a NEW armature part number. Could this be the moment?    [popcorn]

Deep joy!, so, the smart money is on a 120 volt version that is destined accross the pond! Otherwise it’s business as usual!  [blink]

 

[oldcountrywoodworks]

My Kapex went up in smoke twice. First warranty, second time labour only.

The second time I took the motor apart myself to see what I could find.

My conclusion is because the motor is upright with the brushes at the top, the dust falls down. There is an extraction slot at the bottom. But before the dust gets there it accumulates at the top and bottom of the magnets re welding itself into a ring. When it gets to be about one mm thick it breaks off and PUFF.

My plan now is to disassemble the motor once a year and to clean that crap out. Hopefully this will solve the problem.

It is a one to two hour job.

Take pictures of the wiring at the top, there is not much room to get it right.

 

[ChuckM]

Sounds like a possible measure to keep the chances of "smoking" the Kapex to a minimum (other than not using it [tongue] [big grin]). Is there a way to suck out the dust with a shop vac or dust extractor without any disassembly? I would take a look next time I am in the shop.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

My Kapex went up in smoke twice. First warranty, second time labour only.

The second time I took the motor apart myself to see what I could find.

My conclusion is because the motor is upright with the brushes at the top, the dust falls down. There is an extraction slot at the bottom. But before the dust gets there it accumulates at the top and bottom of the magnets re welding itself into a ring. When it gets to be about one mm thick it breaks off and PUFF.

My plan now is to disassemble the motor once a year and to clean that crap out. Hopefully this will solve the problem.

It is a one to two hour job.

Take pictures of the wiring at the top, there is not much room to get it right.

Hi there, well it certainly sounds plausible. I wonder if a fine mesh would stop any debris getting in?

 

[glass1]

Finally some rational discussion on this topic after post after post of bs. And to think many of the moderators have chided me and not all the crap   on this thread.

 

[peter halle]

This thread has always been about reported issues and theories of what might be wrong with the Kapex.  It continues to be traveling along that avenue.

Moderation hasn't been necessary as far as I remember.

Peter

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I agree Peter, I think the thread has been honest and to the point without malice.
I have spoken to a good few Kapex 120 owners now, and read and heard of quite a few of the unfortunate tales of smoke appearing from the motor housing, or sudden power loss, and failure etc.
However, I constantly hear and read about many more positive reviews from very happy owners. So, I like to be open minded about these sort of things.

Currently, I am seriously chomping at the bit to buy one now, as we do need another miter saw, and I’ve fancied one for a while.
I can’t deny I still have doubt, and at the back of my mind, I sort of hope that Festool found out what was causing some of the saws to fail, and have remedied it with the latest model. Albeit still denying or recognising an issue.

Personally I have given up trying to work out if there is any pattern connected to the failures. Simply because I know of cases with both voltages, and with saws that get used in all capacity, even mistreated regularly, and some that are “shelf queens” or wrapped in cotton wool.

The voltage or amperage fluctuations sound plausible but, I would of thought a premium tool such as this would have the relevant protection built in?
So, personally I haven’t a clue, at this stage I’m more concerned about the odds or percentages, and it still seems that any failures are in a very small percentage.

I have to make a decision pretty soon now, between the Makita LS1019L or Festool Kapex KS 120 REB  [unsure] [scratch chin]

 

[Doug S]

Go for Kapex and UG stand, it is an awesome combination and I would be amazed if Festool have not sorted out the problems by now.

 

[kevinculle]

Go for Kapex and UG stand, it is an awesome combination and I would be amazed if Festool have not sorted out the problems by now.

$2,435 US with extension wings...amazed might not quite be the perfect word here!

 

[Cheese]

Currently, I am seriously chomping at the bit to buy one now, as we do need another miter saw, and I’ve fancied one for a while.

Well Jiggy, just to make your decision more painful... [poke]...I absolutely love my Kapex. It's a fantastic saw and the accuracy is unbelievable. Five years later and I'm still impressed when cutting miters. I owned 3 different Milwaukee miter saws before the Kapex and while they were all tough as nails, they seldom cut accurate 45º miters before they'd go back out of misalignment.

If my Kapex goes up in smoke, I'll fix it and if it goes up in smoke a 2nd time, I'll sell it and then buy a new Kapex.  [smile]

 

[ChuckM]

Five years later and I'm still impressed when cutting miters.

Accurate bevels too. As I see it, there are only two solutions to the "pain" problem:

i) Go get a Kapex (and worry about it (if you choose to), but no pain)
ii) Take a pain killer everyday while agonizing  if you should get a Kapex.  [tongue]

 

[Michael Kellough]

I’ll join the pile-on.

If anyone is a good candidate to buy a Kepex it’s you Jiggy.
The questionable longevity is really only an issue (in terms of cost effectiveness) for occasional users.

Once you get used to the Kapex the temporary loss due to repair (if it occurs) will have a bigger emotional impact than financial, since you are a professional.