I need a miter saw

[ChuckM]

Often, the Kapex in combination with the DF500 can produce the kind of precision work no other pairs of tools can (in terms of simplicity).

 

[Crazyraceguy]

  The handle position on the Kapex was designed that way on purpose. It's much more ergonomically correct than the horizontal handles like on my Bosch. Think of it this way, if you are hand sawing and wish to make accurate cuts, you align your lower arm and hand in the same plane as the saw blade.  Once you think of it this way, it makes sense, at least if you have much of a hand tool background.

    WRT the Bosch, I like mine but when I really want to make accurate cuts for furniture pieces, I sneak into the classroom at work and use the Kapex there. The cut quality is simply superior. IMO, one the best features of the Kapex is the hold down....I'd give a lot for something similar on my Bosch. In the end, they are just tools and whatever works for the individual will be what he or she chooses. That said, IME, showing a customer the cool features of a tool like the Kapex is just a lot of fun.

    BTW, Crazy, your point about blade deflection and wobble between a 12" and a 10" saw is spot on. As always, OALA, and YMMV.

Festo Joe
8)
Festool Specialist
Woodcraft of Chattanooga

I just can't get along with the vertical handle. It's a wrist posititioning thing. With the horizontal handle, it's a simple pull down with no flex to the wrist at all. The vertical hand position of a hand saw is a much different motion. Forward and back in a straight line is far different, where stability is the point, but that doesn't apply to a mitersaw.
There are times when I make hundreds of cut in a few hours on a mitersaw station that is very high by most standards, but works great for me. I never use the hold down, ever, with any mitersaw. I have the Kreg stop system on both sides of the saw, calibrated to be dead-on. I cut to measurements rather than marks to a lazer or shadow light line, so those would not be added value features for me.

 

[CeeJay]

I agree. The ‘pistol grip’ on the Kapex was a showstopper for me. I’ve got mild RSI in my wrist from too much gripping of hammer drill triggers 25 years ago and the Kapex grip did not work for me.

The horizontal Makita grip was much more comfortable.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[squall_line]

Ironically, a horizontal grip is what sent me in the direction of the Bosch simple miter saw that I bought 20-some-odd years ago to cut landscape timbers, because it felt much more natural for a non-slider chop saw.  I used that thing off and on over the last few years and was reminded during the Festool Live episode on Kapex Tenons that I even kludged together a blocker to cut tenons in 4x4s on that little Bosch jobber when I was building corbels for my old house.  I always thought my next saw would also have a horizontal grip, but now I have a Kapex. 

Time will tell if my body demands I go back to the horizontal grip some day or not, but my back and hips are more of a problem than my hands or wrists at this point.

 

[ChuckM]

I didn't encounter any problem transitioning from a horizontal grip (DeWalt) to the Kapex. I recall watching a "review" video in which the fellow named the Kapex's grip as the key reason why he wouldn't want the Kapex.

Many Kapex users employ a dead grip when they use it, which is totally unnecessary, and straining both the wrist and hand. It's a loose grip once the saw is started. I literally rest my hand on the handle when making cuts, going in like using a handsaw -- in a straight line. Unless I'm being careless, all my cuts are first-class. Look at the three-way miters. Those angled cuts were as demanding as any other cuts one can think of. 

 

[rmhinden]

I have been fine with the handle on my Kapex.  I guess it's what you are used to.  My previous saw was a Makita 10" Miter Saw that had a similar style handle.

Bob

 

[Lbob131]

Im happy  with either  vertical  or horizontal.
My next saw  is  the  Hikoki  C10FCE2.
In  woodworking  you  need  to be  versatile.
Like  a professional  footballer  who is  as  happy  kicking a  ball  with  his  right  foot  as  with  his  left  foot.

 

[Sci]

I have the Bosch axial glide and there is a screw that adjusts the glide action for more or less restriction.  Just fyi.