Buying the kapex tomorrow and blaming fog for the purchase!!

[Mahomo59]

Picking up the kapex 120 and ug stand with extensions tomorrow... I'm holding fog responsible! Due to all the good feedback.
I've had the dw12 for 7 years and whilst I've just about managed with a small bladed saw, the dust just drives me mental! Recently bought ts55 and midi and love it, so do my customers when they see how little dust it produces. I know the midi is not idea for the kapex but it's what I have and can't afford another extractor yet. I currently have a run of handmade kitchens to install so I thought I'd upgrade as I feel the homes I'm working in deserve festool I feel I need help already as the slope is slippery and I'm heading towards the GREEN! Why did I join this site...

 

[Louis84]

Congrats on taking the plunge.

I imagine I too am not far behind you in terms of the kapex purchase. Ive found myself reading the same reviews for around 3 weeks now. Holding off for no reason what so ever! I love the anticipation!

 

[peter halle]

Congratulations!  Now if you really want to maximize your dust collection start looking for a 36 mm hose.  Whether it be a Festool hose or another brand, it will improve the cleanliness.

Peter

Happy Kapex owner since 2010.

 

[Stone Message]

I spent ages doing market research, which included many hours on the FOG, before making my mind up to buy my first bit of Festool kit - it too was the Kapex 120.

This was closely followed by the TS55, CTL26 and RO90. At that stage the doctors had no clue what was wrong and my wife was slow to figure it out.

By the time I was diagnosed as a Festool junkie I had already bought the rest of my kit. I am having treatment but it is terribly cruel. It mainly consists of being sent to woodworking stores without cash or credit cards. Try doing that for 4 weeks in a row and you will understand the pain.

I now spend my time either in the workshop or sitting on a rug at the entrance to our shopping mall  - begging with my Parf Dog by my side. It helps to pass the time (that's for you Ron-Jobsworth). I hear that there is a new wonder drug just released on the market - the Sys MFT. I am sure that it will do me good and stop me wanting anything bigger.

Peter

 

[Mahomo59]

Awesome! Can you recommend a 36 hose? Easy enough to do?

Cheers

 

[TomGadwa1]

I have all the above that you mentioned. The MIDI will work perfectly fine with the KAPEX!! The trick is to make sure that you use a 36mm hose that is cut to proper working length. I built a shelf that is fitted to my UG cart for the MIDI extractor. Then I ran a 36mm hose straight up to the KAPEX. This way the rig is compact as possible and also quite efficient.
[attachimg=#1]
The KAPEX on the UG cart with the CT MIDI below on its custom shelf.
[attachimg=#2]
The shelf before the MIDI is placed on it.
[attachimg=#3]
Custom cantilevered castor plate for shop use of the UG CT MIDI KAPEX combination. This enables the ability to move the KAPEX MIDI UG combination around the shop without having to tip or mean back the saw thereby reducing the possibility of the saw tipping over due to balance issues and clumsy owner issues! Also the castors can be locked to prevent movement. For a small shop as I have this works out great as I find myself constantly moving the saw out of the way and have peace of mind knowing that some idiot (ME) will not tip the saw over when shuffling it around!
[attachimg=#4]
Top view of the castor plate. Can be removed in minutes for field use of the UG stand.
[attachimg=#5]
Side view showing the cantilever support arms.
[attachimg=#6]
All together and ready to cut or be moved! I hope you will enjoy your KAPEX as much as I enjoy using mine.

 

[MAK]

Hi, I like u started with a ts55 and midi, then quickly got a kapex, now many others. I managed with a 27mm hose for ages. Eventually got a 36mm non antistatic hose with cleaning set in sys5. I don't see need for antistatic hose in uk, but that might open a debate.
You will see a difference with 36mm hose for better, especially on kapex and routing. It is a bit less flexible but you get used to it.  My dealer did advise to get planex hose which is 36mm and more flexible, maybe I should have.  But I am okay with what I got.
Customers and other trades are certainly impressed with the festool system. Nearly every job the customer remarks on how clean I work.
Yes, it improves productivity and makes work a pleasure.

 

[Bikeboy80]

You're Welcome! [big grin]

Believe me you will thank us all later!

It is such a pleasure to use the Kapex with the lack of dust. Every time I drag my old saw out everything is covered in dust and I wish I had taken the time to set the Kapex up.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I second the motion for the 36mm hose...it does make a difference.  You will still have dust, but it will be manageable.

 

[Stephen B]

I spent ages doing market research, which included many hours on the FOG, before making my mind up to buy my first bit of Festool kit - it too was the Kapex 120.

This was closely followed by the TS55, CTL26 and RO90. At that stage the doctors had no clue what was wrong and my wife was slow to figure it out.

By the time I was diagnosed as a Festool junkie I had already bought the rest of my kit. I am having treatment but it is terribly cruel. It mainly consists of being sent to woodworking stores without cash or credit cards. Try doing that for 4 weeks in a row and you will understand the pain.

I now spend my time either in the workshop or sitting on a rug at the entrance to our shopping mall  - begging with my Parf Dog by my side. It helps to pass the time (that's for you Ron-Jobsworth). I hear that there is a new wonder drug just released on the market - the Sys MFT. I am sure that it will do me good and stop me wanting anything bigger.

Peter

Oh dear!!

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Yes, that is funny, Peter.  I guess for me, it appears like I'm a real junkie for using my tools! Yes, there is a certain good feeling when a new tool arrives...I finally got it...now this job is going to be easier and faster than before! ...but, I have become a real junkie for using the tools.  Right now, I'm starting to have the D.T.'s because I can only work M-F and it's only early Sunday morning, here. [doh] [drooling]
 

 

[barnowl]

Very happy owner of a Kapex.

I can't stress enough how very important the zero clearance inserts are, both in the carriage and on the back fences.

See the specifications in Rick Christopherson's supplemental manual.

 

[RKA]

Bosch has a 35mm hose that should fit for $31 on amazon.  Read the reviews from the festool-a-holics.  They also have an anti static version for $90 if that's what you need. 

 

[festooltim]

Had mine since the day it was released in NA and really like it. I eventually bought a finer blade for it and do prefer it over the stock blade. I think it works better for small moldings less chance of sending a piece flying. I guess I should make a zero clearance fence just never got around to trying it. I use an off brand 36 mm hose can't remember the name but got it at Woodcraft and it's orange. The end fits perfect on the Kapex. It's long so you can cut it shorter if you want.

 

[jonny round boy]

Congratulations Mahomo!

I bought a 3.5m 36mm hose for mine & cut it in half, added some extra fittings to make 2 1.75m long hoses, and sold the second one on eBay. Details Here.

 

[barnowl]

Had mine since the day it was released in NA and really like it. I eventually bought a finer blade for it and do prefer it over the stock blade. I think it works better for small moldings less chance of sending a piece flying. I guess I should make a zero clearance fence just never got around to trying it. I use an off brand 36 mm hose can't remember the name but got it at Woodcraft and it's orange. The end fits perfect on the Kapex. It's long so you can cut it shorter if you want.

I also changed the blade, to the Forrest Chopmaster 80 tooth.

Made a world of difference.

You really should do the fences and zero clearance...as they also make a world of difference.

The rear fences take just a few minutes, and the onlt part that takes any time is the zero clearance for the carriage,

as it has to be planed to thickness, and drilled precisely.

But it's worth it.

Make sure you remove it when you make a bevel cut.

And don't forget to open the fences when you make a 45 or any angle cut.

Don't ask me how I know that.

[crying]

 

[Mahomo59]

Cheers all, thanks for the link Jonny and all the others with the 36 hose suggestion. I'll look into it and do it when I get spondulies Bach up together
...unless any one has made one and its for sale. Or if someone wants to slit the cost etc

 

[john5mt]

Had mine since the day it was released in NA and really like it. I eventually bought a finer blade for it and do prefer it over the stock blade. I think it works better for small moldings less chance of sending a piece flying. I guess I should make a zero clearance fence just never got around to trying it. I use an off brand 36 mm hose can't remember the name but got it at Woodcraft and it's orange. The end fits perfect on the Kapex. It's long so you can cut it shorter if you want.

I also changed the blade, to the Forrest Chopmaster 80 tooth.

Made a world of difference.

You really should do the fences and zero clearance...as they also make a world of difference.

The rear fences take just a few minutes, and the onlt part that takes any time is the zero clearance for the carriage,

as it has to be planed to thickness, and drilled precisely.

But it's worth it.

Make sure you remove it when you make a bevel cut.

And don't forget to open the fences when you make a 45 or any angle cut.

Don't ask me how I know that.

[crying]

You too? *cry*

 

[Mahomo59]

[big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin] [big grin]

 

[MAK]

I guess you got it then