Blade Guard Loose and Laser Guides out of focus

[Buckaroo]

My Kapex works in a real shop that mainly does historical reproductions of various architectural elements from matching existing raised panel wainscot to knee braces.  I also make furniture and sometimes jigs for other shops.  The Kapex is a great tool with only one (now two) serious flaws.  This saw gets worked very hard and has proven to be very robust.
Except for the fact that the blade guard will not stay on its little roller bearing so I took it off along with that arm that is supposed to control its movement.  Mine was always in the full down position, now it and its parts are in a drawer.
Recently and related to no particular activity, the lasers are both suddenly too fuzzy to use.  The plastic lens seems clean and it certainly get dirty suddenly.  One moment crisp lines, the not.

My original concerns included the tool's toughness.  Of all the other brands I have owned, I have never seen a guard fail so readily.  I had the saw about a week and a half.  But the saw itself is a wonder.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Put the guard back on, that might solve the fuzzy lasers.

I have scratched my lase cover a couple times.

 

[jmbfestool]

Well...

I agree the Kapex doesn't seem as robust as my Makita I think. What gets me when you grap the handle on the kapex and twist your hand you can feel the plastic move on the joint feels weak like my mates ryobi impact drill when you screw a screw with it and the impact kicks in feels like the drill is coming apart on the joints feels like its going to pinch your skin you know what I mean.

BUT

Like my mate noticed straight away the saw cuts lovely. Hes got Dewalt had a new blade and my makita did and my Kapex did and when we cut some skirting the Kapex cut through it like butter. Both of us thought how smooth it cut the wood and so easily it was strange really why the other two didnt even though they all had good blades in.  

I like the Kapex but also like the Makita but I must like the kapex more because I always get the Kapex out and the Makita is gathering dust so my brain is telling me get the kapex you love it really!

About the guard I only ever had on problem with it and thats when I was making wedges and one shot of and went up with the gaurd and jammed it right where the laser is and I couldnt get to it I had to get bit of wire and fish it out apart from that never had a problem with it. I would of kept the guard on and contacted festool and maybe their was a fault with the roller or something not having a guard is pretty dangerous really and thats coming from me! Im not the health and safety type of person.
I have used companies shop saws and wood has got stuck with the guard and I haven't realised and almost cut my arm because I went and grapped the off cut timber on the other side from under the saw and felt a draft on my arm because of the spinning blade and I have once even touched the blade with my knuckle scary! [eek].

About the laser going fuzzy well I havent heard of it some one els might of on this forum but I haven't the best thing you can do it contact festool and they will sort you out.

JMB

 

[jmbfestool]

Put the guard back on, that might solve the fuzzy lasers.

I have scratched my lase cover a couple times.

Why would the Guard make the lasers focused?!?!? Sorry if im being stupid I havent got the Kapex here with me so I cant just look Ill have a look tomoro but I am just taking it from memory what it looks like where the laser is.

The only thing I could think of if the clear plastic infront of the laser has fallen out maybe?!?!?!? Which I assume is their to protect the laser and maybe focus the laser

JMB

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Put the guard back on, that might solve the fuzzy lasers.

I have scratched my lase cover a couple times.

Why would the Guard make the lasers focused?!?!? Sorry if im being stupid I havent got the Kapex here with me so I cant just look Ill have a look tomoro but I am just taking it from memory what it looks like where the laser is.

The only thing I could think of if the clear plastic infront of the laser has fallen out maybe?!?!?!? Which I assume is their to protect the laser and maybe focus the laser

JMB

I was thinking that without the blade guard, it would let the laser cover get dirtier faster then if the guard was on.

Kind of like doubling up when the lady friend's history may be in question. [big grin]

 

[Buckaroo]

Put the guard back on, that might solve the fuzzy lasers.

CAN'T USE THE SAW WITH THE BLADE GUARD FIRMLY IN THE DOWN POSITION.  USING A WEDGE TO HOLD IT UP SEEMS CONTRARY TO THE CONCEPT OF A $1300 CHOP SAW!