First Kapex blade change - stubborn arbor bolt

[lawhoo]

I'm trying my first Kapex blade change, and I'm having a devil of a time loosening the arbor bolt.  I've been putting so much torque on the hex key that I was afraid of breaking something.  Not likely, I realize, but I never dreamed it would be this hard (the first time, at least) to change a blade.  I suspect that it's fine once the bolt has been removed once and re-installed by a human being.  Are there any tricks to doing this so I don't break my knuckles or something worse?

 

[jmbfestool]

Even after first time it can still get tight it has done with me any way!!!

I called festool when I was a virgin at removing the blade.  They told me stick a pipe over the Allan key to give you more leverage.  Dead easy then!!  They assured me I wouldn't break anything.

Jmb

 

[Rick Christopherson]

It's a left-hand thread, so make sure you are turning it clockwise to loosen.

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[lawhoo]

Thanks, guys.  Yes, I was trying to turn it clockwise, but JMB's advice did the trick.  I used a piece of 8020 extrusion, and the bolt turned easily.  Amazing.  I love the FOG!

 

[Integrity_Construction]

Mine always seems to be really tight, and used to get really nervous applying that much torque !

 

[sean_hogan]

On that picture above right next too the mans thumb there is a plastic thing that looks like it swivels up and down, I do not have that on my kapex, what is it ? And my dust shoot is black

 

[peter halle]

That black piece swivels to cover the arbor bolt.  The rubber piece is usually black.  Rick's Kapex may have been a pre production model.

Peter

 

[sean_hogan]

Mummy I definetly don't have it and I've had my saw since new, oh well lol
Thanks anyway

 

[jmbfestool]

Sean

The swivel thing is a USA model!  you think England is bad for health and safety USA is ridiculous.

It's to stop the arbor bolt coming off during use which is impossible but some reason the USA models have to have them on.

So don't worry its not something your missing out on.

Jmb

 

[johne]

A hex bit in an impact driver will do the trick as well when it's really stuck.

 

[Laminator]

The only safety I can figure is so someone can't leave the allen wrench in the bolt as they try to make a cut.   Something that might actually happen among some carpenters I've known.

The bolt on my Kapex is always VERY tight whenever I go to remove the blade.

 

[jmbfestool]

The only safety I can figure is so someone can't leave the allen wrench in the bolt as they try to make a cut.   Something that might actually happen among some carpenters I've known.

The bolt on my Kapex is always VERY tight whenever I go to remove the blade.

That would mean your saying the safety feature has a switch so the kapax will NOT power up untill its in its correct place.

I don't know if it has or not but I recon it hasn't??  If it doesn't then some one can still leave the Alan key in aswell as not replacing the cover over the arbor bolt

Jmb

 

[peter halle]

There is not a safety that is over ridden by inserting the allen wrench back into its storage space.  I think what was trying to be said was that the small rotating piece is designed to prevent someone from leaving the allen key in the bolt if that piece is in the proper position.

Peter

 

[jmbfestool]

There is not a safety that is over ridden by inserting the allen wrench back into its storage space.  I think what was trying to be said was that the small rotating piece is designed to prevent someone from leaving the allen key in the bolt if that piece is in the proper position.

Peter

I wasn't referring to the Alan key being in the correct place sorry I meant the cover.

I said the cover might have a safty switch
"That would mean your saying the safety feature (sorry should of said safety cover) has a switch so the kapax won't power up"

So what I was saying was if laminator was saying the only thing he can see why festool have added that feature was to stop people leaving the Alan key in but if that wa true festool would of added a shut off feature onto the kapax if the safety cover was not put back in place.  

If people are going to forget to remove the Alan key they will forget to put the cover back in place that's what im getting at meaning the cover is not their to prevent people forgetting about the Alan key.

Jmb

 

[Laminator]

I just made a wild guess as to what purpose the arbor bolt cover thingy could possibly be for.  It would be interesting to me to know why it is there, meaning what does it accomplish that makes the saw "safer".    Curious minds just like to know.

I do remember someone leaving the chuck key in a drill press chuck after tightening it onto a drill bit.  That happened about 20 years ago and even though it didn't hit me (or my shop window)when it flew out, it put a good dent in the plywood wall.  It hasn't happened since.....

This memory prompted the thought of the allen wrench in the kapex arbor.  God help anyone who happened to do this lol.

 

[tbellemare]

I haven't done the measurements but it is common on turning things that can cause damage and are secured by bolt(s) that the bolts are trapped from removing themselves of their utility. In other words, the bolt can't back out enough to be useless for the function of holding the dangerous turning thing in the event of some disaster.

A clever example is airplane propellers... If you've ever tried to remove or replace one, you'd know that it can't be done without backing out the bolts that hold it on and then backing out the entire propeller/hub assembly a little. After that, you have to back out the bolts further and back out the entire propeller/hub assembly a little further - repeatedly.

I think that is what they are trying to achieve.

Tom