Kapex 120 Motor Issues - is it mainly on US & 110V Versions?
- Thread starter Maximus
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DrD
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[member=63019]Spiff[/member]
I'm down in you can't get here from there Mississippi; just got mine back from Festool; sent in for 1) stalling out on miter cuts and 2) readjustment of lasers. Mine never just totally quit working, just stalling out. Service replaced armature and calibrated lasers. In talking with service, I learned a few things; if I recall correctly:
1. the issue of motor quitting is mainly with US 110v units;
2. the issue seems to occur in instances where there is less that required power (I am not a EE, so maybe [member=1146]Brice Burrell[/member] can step in as well) like when using long &/or under-rated extension cords. AND the saw is being pushed too hard thru whatever is being cut;
3. most of the time it is ok to plug directly into your dust extractor provided, a) extension cords are not used, circuit into which de is plugged is adequate: i) 20 amps, and ii) other high amp devices are not plugged into the same circuit;
4) if cutting hard woods or things like 4 x 4s, plug Kapex directly into circuit - no long, extension cords;
5) apparently plugging into a generator is not a sterling idea.
I'm not trying to speak for Festool Service; I love the ways those guys have taken care of me and my tools. I'm just trying to related what I understood from a couple of different telephone conversations. And if anyone has anything to add or CORRECT please do so.
Thanks, Don
I'm down in you can't get here from there Mississippi; just got mine back from Festool; sent in for 1) stalling out on miter cuts and 2) readjustment of lasers. Mine never just totally quit working, just stalling out. Service replaced armature and calibrated lasers. In talking with service, I learned a few things; if I recall correctly:
1. the issue of motor quitting is mainly with US 110v units;
2. the issue seems to occur in instances where there is less that required power (I am not a EE, so maybe [member=1146]Brice Burrell[/member] can step in as well) like when using long &/or under-rated extension cords. AND the saw is being pushed too hard thru whatever is being cut;
3. most of the time it is ok to plug directly into your dust extractor provided, a) extension cords are not used, circuit into which de is plugged is adequate: i) 20 amps, and ii) other high amp devices are not plugged into the same circuit;
4) if cutting hard woods or things like 4 x 4s, plug Kapex directly into circuit - no long, extension cords;
5) apparently plugging into a generator is not a sterling idea.
I'm not trying to speak for Festool Service; I love the ways those guys have taken care of me and my tools. I'm just trying to related what I understood from a couple of different telephone conversations. And if anyone has anything to add or CORRECT please do so.
Thanks, Don
Brice Burrell
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DrD said:
For the record, I'm not an electrical engineer. Maybe Rick Christopherson can add more.
Glad that your Kapex is back in operation!
Peter
Peter
Maximus
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DrD said:
Thanks DrD [smile]
I didn't realise the laser isn't user adjustable! Seems like an odd design decision [blink]
Your comments are very informative and seem to support my suspicion that it's high current situations that kill the motor. I'd be interested to hear feedback from any dealers or 230V users here. If I'm correct then the failure rate on these machines ought to be a lot lower.
My 240v UK Kapex died at 18 months old, needed new armature etc, that was over 2 years ago and no problems since.
Other users on here have had problems with 240v model but does not seem as common as 110v problems, although if you look on eBay there are sometimes burnt out 240v Kapex for sale (amazed how much they go for).
You can adjust the lasers yourself, it's quite easy.
Doug
Other users on here have had problems with 240v model but does not seem as common as 110v problems, although if you look on eBay there are sometimes burnt out 240v Kapex for sale (amazed how much they go for).
You can adjust the lasers yourself, it's quite easy.
Doug
I bought a Kapex back in 2007 when they were first introduced into the UK and I believe I was the first to review it back in the old Mathew FOG days. I kept the saw for 3 faultless years, cutting lots of wood in two and it performed superbly every time. It never stuttered, never smoked and the blade produced accurate and glass like finishes each time I used it. I had it resharpened twice.
I sold it as work commitments meant that it was gathering dust whilst I was away and I had done 90% of the projects I bought it for.
I bought another two months ago from Frank Howard as I needed an accurate saw again and the price was as right as any Festool price can be.
Nothing has changed since my first one. It cuts superbly, is built like a brick outhouse and I am again delighted with what I always thought was the best sliding mitre saw on the market. I say sliding as I still have my indestructible little SYM70 which cuts fag paper slices off wood.
The owner of my first saw still uses his every day and all he has replaced is a plastic blade guard, a spring and two blades. He thinks it is a grand saw and knowing how much work he has put through it, I can only agree.
The lasers are adjustable, you pierce the decal to get to the adjusters and the procedure is explained in the handbook or rather better in Ricks excellent guide.
As for longevity, I am fully aware of the problems some have had with motors and emphasise at the mixed responses from Festool. I have a 3 year warranty on my new one and hope that it lasts as long as my original one which continues to give sterling service.
If it doesn't I will employ my solicitors, Grabbitt and Run, to remind Tooltechnic, or Frank Howard as the sellers, of their obligations under the Sale of Goods Act here in the UK.
Simples. Just like me.
I sold it as work commitments meant that it was gathering dust whilst I was away and I had done 90% of the projects I bought it for.
I bought another two months ago from Frank Howard as I needed an accurate saw again and the price was as right as any Festool price can be.
Nothing has changed since my first one. It cuts superbly, is built like a brick outhouse and I am again delighted with what I always thought was the best sliding mitre saw on the market. I say sliding as I still have my indestructible little SYM70 which cuts fag paper slices off wood.
The owner of my first saw still uses his every day and all he has replaced is a plastic blade guard, a spring and two blades. He thinks it is a grand saw and knowing how much work he has put through it, I can only agree.
The lasers are adjustable, you pierce the decal to get to the adjusters and the procedure is explained in the handbook or rather better in Ricks excellent guide.
As for longevity, I am fully aware of the problems some have had with motors and emphasise at the mixed responses from Festool. I have a 3 year warranty on my new one and hope that it lasts as long as my original one which continues to give sterling service.
If it doesn't I will employ my solicitors, Grabbitt and Run, to remind Tooltechnic, or Frank Howard as the sellers, of their obligations under the Sale of Goods Act here in the UK.
Simples. Just like me.
Don't get me wrong, love my Kapex despite the problem I had. It does everything really well, feels solid and is fantastic when paired with the ug cart and wings.
I would buy another knowing what I know but think the issues could be handled better.
Doug
I would buy another knowing what I know but think the issues could be handled better.
Doug
I agree Doug, Festool sometimes suffer from the face buried in the nether regions syndrome which somewhat detracts from the ownership experience. But the Kapex is a great saw.
I did, all those years ago, have a discussion regarding the motor and why Festool couldn't use an induction motor. It went down like a lead Zeppelin!
It is a shame really as I still have my, Made in Germany, Elektra Beckum mitre saw fitted with an induction motor and it performs like it did on day one 20 odd years ago. Accuracy no where near as good as the Kapex but the motor is the dog dangles.
I did, all those years ago, have a discussion regarding the motor and why Festool couldn't use an induction motor. It went down like a lead Zeppelin!
It is a shame really as I still have my, Made in Germany, Elektra Beckum mitre saw fitted with an induction motor and it performs like it did on day one 20 odd years ago. Accuracy no where near as good as the Kapex but the motor is the dog dangles.
DrD
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[member=1146]Brice Burrell[/member]
Brice sorry for the confusion; in any event it is a safe bet you know far more about electricity/motors/power/draw that I. Again, apologies.
[member=63019]Spiff[/member]
Didn't mean to imply that laser adjustments must be done by Festool Service; I had no luck adjusting the right one (as you stand in front of the saw), so since I was returning the saw anyway, Service said they would take a look at it, and so they did, even replacing the decals which I had punctured in my attempt at fine-tuning.
One additional point to make: Festool Service only had my saw for a day and a half, so I was without it for a very minimum time. I consider that to be excellent turn-around.
Don
Brice sorry for the confusion; in any event it is a safe bet you know far more about electricity/motors/power/draw that I. Again, apologies.
[member=63019]Spiff[/member]
Didn't mean to imply that laser adjustments must be done by Festool Service; I had no luck adjusting the right one (as you stand in front of the saw), so since I was returning the saw anyway, Service said they would take a look at it, and so they did, even replacing the decals which I had punctured in my attempt at fine-tuning.
One additional point to make: Festool Service only had my saw for a day and a half, so I was without it for a very minimum time. I consider that to be excellent turn-around.
Don
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