HK/HKC 55 in Lieu of Kapex?

[onocoffee]

Interested to hear your thoughts on this.

I've got an old 10" Ryobi miter saw that I've had for well over 20 years. Used it for the random pine 2x4 work that the occasional homeowner rough carpentry might do. In modern times, I have it set up but almost never use it - not necessarily because I don't trust it, but more because I rarely have a need to use it. Meaning that replacing it with a Kapex is way down on the list of priorities.

A woodworking friend and I were talking today about the HK 55. He's got one that he's used for various projects and was telling me how it works with the FSK track - and it made me wonder: just how suitable would the HK/HKC 55 with FSK rail be for miter cuts instead of a Kapex. I could put together a kit for considerably less than the Kapex 60.

Thanks!

 

[luvmytoolz]

Granted I use a HK85 with the FSK rail so it's a much more cumbersome beast than the 55, but the nature of using the FSK track to me means that I may not got perfectly repeatable results every time, or even just perfect results anytime really.

With the Kapex I can set a stop and just chop away knowing every single cut will be perfect and identical. With the FSK I need to really focus on keeping the rail aligned and pushed right up to help reduce or stop any adverse movement.

For "z" frames for gates or more agricultural projects I'd be happy to use the FSK, for skirts, archs, picture frames, squaring chopping boards, etc, etc, I wouldn't use anything but the Kapex.

I do keep a couple older saws specifically for cutting pine and OB framing, etc, where dead accuracy is far less important, and the HK85/FSK get most use docking beams, treads, etc.

 

[woodferret]

I've been in a similar conundrum. Miter saw isn't used that much and is replaceable by most other tools. I tend to only use it for trim work where I need to do a lot of repetitive-sneak-angle cuts. If sneak is 1/8th (like luv said construction jobs) and it's a tool-to-the-wood job, then HKC sounds fine. I've so far settled on getting a small JP import Makita miter saw and potentially the HKC later if I end up doing more farm & yard projects. I guess the question you need to ask yourself is, do you envision ever needing to do repetitive-sneak-angle 12" precision cross cuts? (or standing trim for the KS120)?

edit: another plus side I'm having with the HKC is that I too only have a TS55. Having a cordless saw that I can use with cheap rails for sheet breakdown outside would be beneficial.

 

[luvmytoolz]

edit: another plus side I'm having with the HKC is that I too only have a TS55. Having a cordless saw that I can use with cheap rails for sheet breakdown outside would be beneficial.

I've been holding off buying a cordless for ages as I'm desperately hoping Festool release a TSC60K!

 

[woodferret]

Heh, me hoping for a HKC60 is also the reason I don't have the 55 yet

 

[peter halle]

In my world they are two different animals. A miter saw originally used for cutting trim precisely can be used for making framing cuts at a precision not usually required, but basically a circular saw can not effectively and reliably be used for cutting trim precisely. Yes the guide rails can get you closer and can effectively be used often times for miters on flat stock primarily for exterior work where the same precision is not normally expected as with interior trim. Each has their own place in my world.

Peter

 

[ChuckM]

+1. Just because one tool can do the job of another with some kind of hack, it doesn't mean the two are the same. Something has to give if you are having one but not the other.

I can do almost everything on my table saw that my Kapex can do -- with jigs and/or some elaborate setups. But that'd be totally inefficient for me, and so I've used the miter saw in 70 to 80% of my projects (the table saw close to 100%).

Btw, unless portability and budget keep it from happening, I'd recommend the Kapex REB.