Greasy Kapex

[LandonJW]

Hey Fesdudes.

I just got my new Kapex a couple days ago.  Prelim test cuts say, "Heyo!  I'm a sweet saw!!" 

I ordered it from Acetool, NY.  I'm up is Saskatchewan, Canada.  The box was beat to heck.  No big deal, I'm not a saver of boxes.  The saw had some scuffs as a result, but nothing I can see that would compromise performance.  I WAS expecting it to be double boxed as I've seen over my months of researching mitre saws, but alas it was not. 

Two concerns I need appeased by my new Fesbros...

I've cut 2x4, oak trim, MDF trim, and some other scraps I had lying around to test the new saw, and found it to produce more whirly saw marks in the cuts then I was expecting.  This occured with both the universal 60 toother and the 80t.  Noooooot baaad, but I was expecting it to be better.  I`m being picky about this because I`ve been using an old Rockwell as a trim saw that does cleaner cuts than the Kapex.  But that`s the only good thing about that particular saw.

Second.

The greasiness comes from oil lingering around the motor housing.  Specifically the `gear box`seam, magnesium meets magnesium, just above the arbor on the right side.  Is that normal for a new Kapex.

The saw is just awesome though.  It`s rediculous how square and tru it cut right out of the box. 

Thanks for the feedback!  Nice to be part of the group.

 

[Alan m]

[welcome]
that not aceptable. the quality of the cuts should be better . is the oil dripping out or is it on the plastic parts

 

[festooldude]

hey,

I'm curious about that to.. I also recentley(2 months ago) bought a kapex, and mine also had some greasy (yellow gewy stuff) spil at the
exact same spot!

looking forward to hearing an answer about it!

welcom to the FOG [welcome] btw!!

 

[LandonJW]

First day on site with the Kapex!

So I'm not used to a mitre saw with speed controls.  I did some testing with different speed settings and found that slowing the saw down from full on '6' seemed to give me cleaner cuts in the MDF trim I was installing.  Neat!  It doesn't make practical sense to me why a slower speed would reduce saw marks.  Maybe the saw produces a weird vibration at a certain RPM.  I don't know.  I'm impressed that a simple adjustment like that worked, though.

As for the oil...
I cased 15 doors and around 7 windows with the saw.  I was monitoring the oily seam, and it did not get any worse.  It's not dripping or gushing fluid, simply a bead of oil right in the seam.  I was just initially surprised (and worried) to see oil at the saw's gear box.  Might be a good idea to get ahold of Festool direct to see if it's something to worry about.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Yes call Festool, I remember there are a couple of other guys posting about this issue.  I really can't remember if it was a simple fix or not.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Sorry, I meant to respond to this thread after talking with the service department this morning. I would recommend that you give them a call if you're experiencing this problem. From what it sounds like, it's nothing to be concerned about, but they can better assess the issue over the phone with you.

Shane

Edit: the number for service is below on my signature and on your tool.

 

[LandonJW]

Sounds good, I'm going to call tomorrow.

There wasn't an instruction manual in the box, either, so maybe they'll send me one!  OR I guess I could just print it off their website...

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[durango]

Gotta say my experience with a "recon" Kapex was entirely different.  Ordered it the last day of the promotion and received it double boxed,  and as new shortly thereafter.  Only the blade offered any clue that the machine had ever been used.  You could find some residue if you searched closely enough.

No leaks, scratches, dents...   After a few clean and apparently accurate cuts in Maple and Sapele I did the four cut accuracy test.  Both times it came in at .04 well below the .16 standard in the supplementary manual.  My DeWalt round arm 1080 radial arm saw, circa 1958 is now officially up for sale...    

 

[Ken Nagrod]

I've had tools, mostly ones that don't get very much use since new (non-Festool) that ooze out "oil" as seen on the tool and inside the case like my Milwaukee Super Hawg drill.  It's very normal due to the fact that it sits and the oil within the grease in the tool separates and finds its way out.  Also tools that are new are sometimes over-greased from the factory and are meant to spew out a little over initial break-in.

 

[rxe]

I wouldn't stand for "whirly marks".  Mine cuts extraordinarily smoothly, almost a "sanded" finish. 

Not teaching you to suck eggs or anything...but is the work clamped down hard? 

 

[LandonJW]

Yeah, totally clamped down a couple tests.  Get the same results either way.  (I KNEW someone was going to ask me that!) 

Another thing that I noticed, maybe huge, when I opened the box (forgot to mention it untill today).
The plastic inserts in the bed where the saw plunges into were damaged at the edge where the blade teeth were located!  Why?  I thought imediately that the head was torqed somehow and enough to cause the teeth to carve out some of the plastic.  Not something nice to see on a new saw.

I love this saw sooooo much!  I hope Festool can help me fix these little probs.  I tried calling today, but 3 o'clock my time doesn't jive with their regular business hours.