Festool Kapex KS 120 EB cutting issue

[Serge]

I bought a brand new Kapex 120 EB 2 weeks ago.
Straight out of the box the bed was not flat, so it was returned and I got  a new one.

When I make cuts with the Festool standard crosscut tooth blade (60T) on the left,  the cutting surface is smooth.
When I make cuts on the right the cutting surface has a lot of tooth marks.
Everything on the left gets a smooth cutting surface and what's on the right of the blade is rough.
I also used a 80T blade, the cutting roughness is less but still there.

Is the shape of the tooth's causing this ?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Are you letting the blade come to a complete stop before allowing the saw head to return to the upright position?

Are you making a chop cut or sliding cut?

Have you tried using the hold down on the opposite side of the saw to see if the results are the same?

Just gathering more information...

 

[Serge]

Crosscut and the blade is completly stopped before pulling up.

There is no difference between clamping left or right, when I cut something in half
the wood on the left side of the blade has a smooth cut surface, the wood on the right side of the blade
has a rough cutting surface.
At 45, 90- 45 the cut on the left is always smooth and on the right side rough

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I'd recommend you inspect the teeth on the blade. Do you have another blade to try?

 

[drbwoodworks/Dan]

I hate to say it but , we switched to Forrest blades ,made a big difference . I was disappointed with the cut my saws produced . Though I would like to say that the blades for the T-55 have always been good , even after tons of sharpenings. Have been a loyal Festool owner / user since 2001 when they were introduced to our market in Ct.

 

[Serge]

Before calling your problem the blade, (I do like the Forrest Chopmaster signature series for the Kapex,too.) ...I would try a series of things first: Clean the blade (face and teeth) with mineral spirits or some kind of citrus solvent. Then I would check for level, starting with your blade (to see if it's bent), then check for level:  the floor, stand, feeds, and table. If all this doesn't work. Send in the blade to be checked out and serviced (sharpened) while trying a new blade (you might want at least two, anyway. I have three. Some guys have more than that!) Try the Forrest or get another Festool. I wasn't impressed with the Tenryu for 8/4, but it's probably OK for thinner material. Hope this helps.

The saw and blade are new, so it was clean when the problem started.
I did some more tests and the blade bents to the right when cutting the hardwood.
I did a visual check but the blade seems ok.
Before I buy other blades to try I contacted Festool about the problem and they will investigate it and contact
me soon what to do.
As soon as I get an update I will post again.

 

[Serge]

Festool recommended to swap the saw for another new one, but it will be available half february [eek]

 

[Serge]

Last week the new Kapex arrived at the Dealer, so I was happy to swap the machine's.

But straight out of the Box I checked the bed and it was not flat from left to right , a height difference of 2 mm  [eek]

I just send an E-mail to a quality manager at Festool Germany because I'm now starting to get annoyed about the Kapex.

 

[woodie]

Last week the new Kapex arrived at the Dealer, so I was happy to swap the machine's.

But straight out of the Box I checked the bed and it was not flat from left to right , a height difference of 2 mm  [eek]

I just send an E-mail to a quality manager at Festool Germany because I'm now starting to get annoyed about the Kapex.

After a few years of being on the fence I finally decided to buy a Kapex. The first saw I received had a concave table so I requested an exchange.  Second saw had both a concave table and fence. I was able to straighten the fence with Lester's help and was told the center part of the table would raise up with use. Sadly it did not, so the saw got returned  [sad]. 

 

[Serge]

My Kapex returned from Festool Germany where I sent it with some Intsia Bijuga wood samples for them to test.
Test results from Germany were, the machine is good, only the standard 60T and the 80T Blade are not usable for the hardest woods. Festool send the saw back with the special 64 Tooth blade with the carbide tooth, and after severall tests this
blade cuts the intsia bijuga very good, so I'm happy the Kapex can now do the job. [big grin]

 

[jaymon5]

Happy to hear that things worked out in the end.  Can you provide more detail on the 64 tooth saw blade.  This is something I would like to have.

thanks

 

[Serge]

http://www.festoolusa.com/power-tool-accessories/miter-saws/blades/solid-surface-laminate-64-tooth-saw-blade-495386

On the USA site this should be the blade, but the description and picture are wrong.

In Germany this is the blade :
https://www.festool.de/Produkte/Zubehoer-Verbrauchsmaterial/Pages/Detailansicht.aspx?pid=494606&name=Spezial-Saegeblatt-260x2-5x30-WZ-FA64

 

[jaymon5]

thanks for the information Serge.  enjoy the saw.  it is a amazing