Calibrating saw - dial indicator?

[MiterMaster]

I can't find a link the the supplemental manual either, can someone point me that way? 

http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/Kapex_KS120_R3_1.pdf

Calibration is on page 24 in the above manual. 

FYI, I did get in touch with Festool service dept and they will pick-up, re-calibrate, and re-ship the saw back to me at their expense, their customer service can't be beat - they stand behind their product, no questions asked!

I'm going to try to get it calibrated this weekend, if I can't get it perfected I will send it in for service.

Mike

 

[Steveo48]

Thanks for the link, I see now.  Silly me,  : I thought you'd be measuring the saw with it, not wood cutoffs.

A micrometer would work well too, might be cheaper, maybe I haven't bought one in years.  Might be easy to borrow one too.

 

[MiterMaster]

http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/Kapex_KS120_R3_1.pdf

Calibration is on page 24 in the above manual. 

Did anyone else do this calibration test?  I'm just curious what some of the numbers others are getting.  I've been working on calibrating the saw this weekend, just curious what some of the numbers other members are getting with their Kapex.

I have finally gotten mine dialed in pretty accurately, I'm getting #'s from -.004 to +.015.  Rick mentioned factory calibration threshold is ?0.16?, so from the #'s I'm getting, it appears mine is cutting pretty darn accurately.

But, I am finding the blade at times seems to be slacking through the cut, it's the factory blade so perhaps this is causing this problem?  I have a Forrest Chopmaster on its way to me, so hopefully the blade change will make a world of difference.

Oh, my above #'s were for the miter scale settings, I have not tested the bevel accuracy at this point, it's taken me all weekend to get the darn miter scale calibrated.

Mike

 

[Les]

http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/Kapex_KS120_R3_1.pdf

I have finally gotten mine dialed in pretty accurately, I'm getting #'s from -.004 to +.015.  Rick mentioned factory calibration threshold is ?0.16?, so from the #'s I'm getting, it appears mine is cutting pretty darn accurately.

Are you using the calculator in the manual? Reason for asking is you say you're getting -.004 to +.015. If you use the calculator it is giving a answer in degrees. You shouldn't have a variances of .020? IMO.

Since you said you haven't used a calipers before are you sure you are getting repeatable readings? Check the same piece several times to make sure you are getting good repeatable readings.

But, I am finding the blade at times seems to be slacking through the cut, it's the factory blade so perhaps this is causing this problem?  I have a Forrest Chopmaster on its way to me, so hopefully the blade change will make a world of difference.

What do you mean by slacking?

 

[MiterMaster]

Are you using the calculator in the manual? Reason for asking is you say you're getting -.004 to +.015. If you use the calculator it is giving a answer in degrees. You shouldn't have a variances of .020? IMO.

Since you said you haven't used a calipers before are you sure you are getting repeatable readings? Check the same piece several times to make sure you are getting good repeatable readings.

But, I am finding the blade at times seems to be slacking through the cut, it's the factory blade so perhaps this is causing this problem?  I have a Forrest Chopmaster on its way to me, so hopefully the blade change will make a world of difference.

What do you mean by slacking?

I'm pretty certain I"m using the calipers correctly, I've done this test a lot today, and after each test the readings are never the same.  One test might give me a reading of -0.004 and my next test might give me a calcuated reading of +0.015, after doing each test back to back, the #'s are never the same, should they always be exactly the same?  I am using the calculator in the manual and these are the figures I"m getting from it.

By slacking, I guess it seems to slow a bit, it's not a smooth cut, some of the cuts I make are like going through butter, just glides through perfectly smooth - some though it's not as smooth, does not glide - if that makes sense?

Mike

 

[Les]

How much variance are you getting in your caliper readings? To me, if you are getting this variance the saw is not repeating. Might help if you set a stop so you know if the saw is repeating on size or not. What kind of material are you using?

 

[MiterMaster]

How much variance are you getting in your caliper readings? To me, if you are getting this variance the saw is not repeating. Might help if you set a stop so you know if the saw is repeating on size or not. What kind of material are you using?

The material I"m using is poplar 1x12.  The variance was as I stated, -0.004 up to +0.015, these are miter scale readings.

The bevel seems to be more accurate, I wonder if the miter gauge is not being held in place firm enough?  I have the 3 screws tightened, but the miter scale does not turn very smoothly, I wondering if this is causing small shifts in the miter scale?

Mike

 

[Les]

If you have enough material, try setting a stop block at about 2" and cut 4-5 pieces trying to get the size to repeat. This should tell you if the scale is moving. Make sure everything is locked.

If you have a 1" or any other piece which is a known size, check it several times so you know you are getting the smallest reading on the caliper.

When you check the 2" pieces make sure you mark the front and the back (closest to you). Make sure you give me the actual caliper readings not the calculated reading. When measuring with the calipers, rock the caliper until you get the smallest reading. This will be the actual size. If the front and back readings are close to the same, w/n .002-.004 over the 12" length, you will be square.

According to the calculator, if the sizes are the same w/n .013 thousands, you will be w/n the .016? required. I would shoot for the .002-.004 personally. If the size is the same on the front measure, from piece to piece, then you are getting repeatable cuts.

Refer to the picture under step 10 on page 25 to see what I'm interested in checking.

 

[MiterMaster]

Les, you made a few good suggestions that I will try.  Weekends over, so it may take me a few days to get back to you with the #'s.  Actually, I've contacted Bob & Festool to see about replacing this one. 

Thanks,
Mike