Kapex 120 and dust extraction

[stubbornmoose]

I'm taking delivery of my KAPEX today and want to make sure that I take excellent care of it and want to avoid any of the well discussed and argued motor issues.

My question is this:
The Kapex draws 1600W 13A
The CT36 manual states that "2. ) When the suction power adjuster [1-7] is adjusted to the lowest suction power (see page 12, chapter Settings - Adjusting the suction
power) the maximal rating of a connected power tool can be 9.1 Amps."

Should I not utilize the vac's tool activation and instead switch it on manually and could this maybe part of the motor burnout issue?

Thank you for your time.  You make excellent products and I just want to get the most out of them.

 

[Sparktrician]

I've been using the Kapex with my CT 22 and CT Mini and have never experienced any issues.  Remember that the Kapex is generally an intermittent use tool, and as such, never exceeds the limit that trips a breaker. 

 

[stubbornmoose]

I'm not worried that it will trip a breaker, I'm worried that it can't draw the amperage that it needs though the vac and that could potentially damage the electronics

 

[Birdhunter]

This is just a single user’s input, but I have been running my Kapex through my Festool vac for many years with no issues.

I do “baby” my tools. The Kapex always has a sharp blade. It’s always vacuumed and unplugged after the last use of the day. I never force it through a cut so it never bogs down. If I’m cutting through a thick board, I always make the cut about half way through the board, pull the head back and make a final cut all the way through the board.

I think of the Kapex as a precision tool and treat it as such. If I was slamming through a hundred cuts a day through gummy lumber, I would not buy a Kapex. That said, I’ve made a lot of Ipe (tough tough wood) benches using the Kapex. But, it was used with care.

The sound of the Kapex can tell you a lot about how it is doing. If it’s running true and fast, all is good. If it sounds like it is struggling, back off and figure out why.

I do highly recommend the short fat hose between the vac and the Kapex. Better dust pick up by far.

 

[ChuckM]

I, too, am concerned about my Kapex. No one knows if it helps, but I use this so the Kapex and the shop vac/dust deputy each has access to 15amp (or 30amp max):
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=63013&cat=1,42401,72660

So far as good...no smoking issue or what not. [tongue] I sold my CT26 before I owned the Kapex.

 

[stubbornmoose]

Chuck, I burned through 2 of those with my old shopvac.

 

[ChuckM]

Did you hook up the  switch unit to TWO separate circuits. Where did you get yours? Get an exchange for the bad units from where you bought them. (Shouldn't the built-in breakers in the switch protect the unit?)

I have two of those:

- One for Festool machines and shop vac/dust deputy, with the switch hooked up to two 15amp outlets (on separate circuits)
- Another for the SawStop PCS, and one dust collector and one shop vac (for the overarm dust tube), with the switch hooked up to a 20 amp outlet and a 15 amp outlet.

Running fine in those configurations. 

 

[RKA]

Festool warranties the Kapex used in conjunction with the tool activation plug on their dust extractors.  Use it as it was intended. 

Since Festool has not commented on the failures or root cause, any preventative actions taken may or may not limit your risk.  There can be no definitive statements about how end users might limit motor failures (other than not using the tool at all).

 

[ChuckM]

Despite all the speculations and exchanges in this forum, no one (except perhaps Festool) really knows what is happening, including how big or small the motor problem is, let alone what caused it.

The three-year warranty (five for us Canadians), if extended to 10 for the motor, would help alleviate some of the worries. I have not heard of any motor problem with any other brands, for the record.

 

[safety1st]

i have been following this issue as a concerned owner. my current understanding is that certain units have repeat failures, but others are fine. so if festool is not considering the repeat failures, it may be able to claim that only certain units (perhaps lower than their threshold) have the problem. if what i am saying is right, then it means a unit cannot be repaired (at least as it is being done now), it has to be replaced. there may be shades of gray here.

i hope the new festool USA chief (who has asked for feedback from certain members) handles this immediately. not that you need additional feedback to recognize this issue. it has been simmering on fog for a while.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I'm taking delivery of my KAPEX today and want to make sure that I take excellent care of it and want to avoid any of the well discussed and argued motor issues.

My question is this:
The Kapex draws 1600W 13A
The CT36 manual states that "2. ) When the suction power adjuster [1-7] is adjusted to the lowest suction power (see page 12, chapter Settings - Adjusting the suction
power) the maximal rating of a connected power tool can be 9.1 Amps."

Should I not utilize the vac's tool activation and instead switch it on manually and could this maybe part of the motor burnout issue?

Thank you for your time.  You make excellent products and I just want to get the most out of them.

Hi there, Although my tools are mainly used in a professional scenario, I look after them well but, I don’t “baby” or “nursemaid” them. Some might argue that an expensive tool should be wrapped in cotton wool? I’m of a different train of thought, yes, 100% take care of the saw and don’t abuse it or mistreat it.
Other than that, it’s business as usual, enjoy the saw but don’t be afraid to actually use it.

These saws are built for a wide range of use,and you are within your rights to put it to use, even at it’s full potential and scope.

The majority of these saws seem fine, If yours does develop a smoking habit or takes a dive, that is the time to be concerned.

If you pussy foot around, the doubt will creep in, and that is a hard thing to shake off.

Use the saw, enjoy the saw and do not worry about any issues. That’s the best and most sincere advice I can give.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Btw, The saw should be fine plugged into a CT’s power take off.

 

[harry_]

Hi there, Although my tools are mainly used in a professional scenario, I look after them well but, I don’t “baby” or “nursemaid” them. Some might argue that an expensive tool should be wrapped in cotton wool? I’m of a different train of thought, yes, 100% take care of the saw and don’t abuse it or mistreat it.
Other than that, it’s business as usual, enjoy the saw but don’t be afraid to actually use it.

These saws are built for a wide range of use,and you are within your rights to put it to use, even at it’s full potential and scope.

The majority of these saws seem fine, If yours does develop a smoking habit or takes a dive, that is the time to be concerned.

If you  foot around, the doubt will creep in, and that is a hard thing to shake off.

Use the saw, enjoy the saw and do not worry about any issues. That’s the best and most sincere advice I can give.

B R A V O ! ! !

 

[stubbornmoose]

Unboxed the kapex this afternoon and dialed it in (it was about a degree out of square on both axies, and the laser was way off). Great saw, really excited to see what it can do. I strapped a Bluetooth remote to the angle adjustment knob and have the saw on a separate circuit than the DC while in the shop. I'm not going to worry too much about it and I won't have an issue just plugging it into the vac when onsite. For those interested I have it mounted to the Bosch Gravity Rise and the FastCap Best Fence will be here on Monday!

 

[pettyconstruction]

Unboxed the kapex this afternoon and dialed it in (it was about a degree out of square on both axies, and the laser was way off). Great saw, really excited to see what it can do. I strapped a Bluetooth remote to the angle adjustment knob and have the saw on a separate circuit than the DC while in the shop. I'm not going to worry too much about it and I won't have an issue just plugging it into the vac when onsite. For those interested I have it mounted to the Bosch Gravity Rise and the FastCap Best Fence will be here on Monday!

That’s a great combo

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