Kapex 120 REB (new model) uneven base?

[yangwoodworking]

This is my second Kapex within a month. The first one was the older model from hartvilletool.com. The base was not flat and the gap can fit a couple utility knife blades. Those pictures were posted in this forum a few weeks ago. After I returned it, I figured maybe I should buy a new model somewhere else to see if I have the luck.

Here is the new model one I received. The base is better than previous one, but still not flat. I have never own any Kapex before. I am wondering if this is within Festool spec. Basically, (I do not know how to call those parts) the stationary base is about 0.01" lower than the rotational base. Please see the photos.

Now the question becomes should I return and make an replacement?

 

[peter halle]

To the best of knowledge Festool has never published flatness specs.  You may want to contact them directly via phone on Monday.

Peter

 

[ChuckM]

I would do some test cuts to find out if or how that uneven base affects the cutting results, which should guide you whether you should replace the saw.

Even if the complete base is flat and even across the tables (left, centre and right) at right angle, does it mean when the centre is rotated to a different angle, the flatness and evenness will stay?

Other than the table, other components (motor head, skills, lumber/stock condition, etc.) also affect the quality and result of a cut on any mitre saw. Ya never know until you give it a spin....

 

[MF Custom]

The new Makita miter saws solve this by making the full base rotate as one piece.

 

[peter halle]

I know I wrote that you should contact Festool earlier.  That was the Moderator in me talking.

As a guy who has used tools for decades I will offer my personal opinion that first - you will probably not find a perfectly flat base based on a dial indicator, secondly you are talking about 1/100 of an inch.  I sincerely doubt that you will notice that in your work.  The miter saws are made of parts that are manufactured and assembled.  We aren't talking about a table saw top that is made and then ground.

Only offered as an opinion - not criticism.  You have every right to ask Festool and then decide on what you want to do.

Respectfully,

Peter

 

[MF Custom]

Problem is when you invest about 3 times the money of what every other miter saw cost to buy a Kapex your expectations for quality and exact tolerances are very high...

 

[petar73]

The rotational base must be higher than the rest of the base and the table if you use one otherwise you could jam the wood you are cutting. It is a great tool, but too many people spend too much time measuring it than using it.

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.
As a guy who has used tools for decades I will offer my personal opinion that first - you will probably not find a perfectly flat base based on a dial indicator,
Respectfully,

Peter

Even if the table is dead flat, it does not guarantee the cuts will come out as expected as I pointed out in my last post that other factors come into play.

I own a SS PCS and the cutting quality is super...after assembly of the saw, I've never ever checked it using a dial indicator or the sort. I used test cuts to verify that it cut straight and square, etc. Same for my close to 4 yrs old Kapex which I tuned up using the 5-cut method upon receiving it. No dial indicator or whatnot ever used. The mitre saw is a tricky (& sensitive) animal, and many users don't realize that the technique side is equally important.

 

[AlexThePalex]

.01 inch is so small it has no influence whatsoever. We're talking about a wood cutter here, not high precision metal works.

 

[Cheese]

.010” = the thickness of 3 hairs.  [smile]

 

[harry_]

The rotational base must be higher than the rest of the base and the table if you use one otherwise you could jam the wood you are cutting. It is a great tool, but too many people spend too much time measuring it than using it.

[thumbs up]

 

[hemlock]

.01 inch is so small it has no influence whatsoever. We're talking about a wood cutter here, not high precision metal works.

Agreed.

In the Festool supplemental Kapex manual, factory calibration threshold for miter is +/- 0.16 degrees; and +/- 0.5 degrees for bevel.  Both Kapex I bought, including the one I returned that had an uneven table (I returned the saw for a different reason), were well within (below) those values using the method described in the manual. Note the manual uses an arcsine function to express error in degrees unlike most 4 or 5 cut methods on the internet.

 

[CumminsDiesel]

The new Makita miter saws solve this by making the full base rotate as one piece.

And in the same way make it very poorly engineered to mount crown stops!
The stops actually attach to the moving table.
Attaching at a fixed point would've been nice,set it once and forget,just like DeWALT did with crown stops.
Now with each cut,you'll have to take the stop out and move it to the right attachment point,EVERY TIME you make a different angle cuts!!!  [scared]
What did the engineers think about...I have no idea!  [eek]

Plus (in addition to other issues),the biggest issue is ALUMINUM! detent plate,which is easy to wear while using the saw.
DeWALT  use stainless steel detent plate,and does not have this problem.

See:=135