Kapex 120 Spotlight
- Thread starter Thadayus
- Start date
Hi Thadayus. I have not heard of anyone doing that. Not sure why you would want to. I find the LASER system on the Kapex to be far better than shadow lines for all aspects other than adjustment. I have two DeWalt saws with shadow lines. There is no comparison to the Kapex. The LASER's are more visible in bright light and the fact that they wrap around profiles of moulding's I find invaluable. I'm a professional finish carpenter and cabinet builder and have used both systems extensively. Once setup carefully (this is key) and you spend some time getting use to it, I think you will find it a better system. The shadow line is accurate and useful only when the the blade is almost touching the board. The LASER shows where the cut will be even when the blade is all the way up. No comparison in my book, one of the best features of the Kapex. Just my 2 cents. As always YMMV. Good luck.
MikeGE
Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2019
- Messages
- 675
To each his or her own. I wish the Kapex 120 had the LED shadow line instead of the LASER. I replaced my DeWalt DWS780 with the Kapex 120 and really miss the shadow line. I cannot stand the LASER and wish Festool offered a version of the SL-KS 60 for the KS 120.
FestitaMakool
Member
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2019
- Messages
- 1,491
I tend to agree with you Mike. But:
There’s one setting that I’ve found the laser helpful, and it’s when I’m using the supplied angle finder. I clamp or hold the wing of the angle finder to the fence, and move the mitre angle of the saw aided by the laser. When the laser lines dots align and “disappear” in the black markings front-to-back on the angle finder - I lock it.
Makes those non detentions settings a little bit easier than having to constantly drop the saw head to check.
There’s one setting that I’ve found the laser helpful, and it’s when I’m using the supplied angle finder. I clamp or hold the wing of the angle finder to the fence, and move the mitre angle of the saw aided by the laser. When the laser lines dots align and “disappear” in the black markings front-to-back on the angle finder - I lock it.
Makes those non detentions settings a little bit easier than having to constantly drop the saw head to check.
Shadow line or laser is fine for me as neither can provide the kind of precision that is required for my type of work. The line or laser feature is however useful for various tasks as such trimming one end square, preparing stock slightly oversize, etc.
Stefan Kawalec
Member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2023
- Messages
- 6
I've just retrofitted Kapex KS 120 REB with Makita XGT LED module.
Of course all this kind of modifications void warranty.
Excuse my poor English.
What you need:
Makita LED circuit, part number: 620F05-6
Adjustable Step Up Voltage Regulator: MT3608
In order to install LED circuit, you will need to remove both lasers from Kapex. They are expensive AF, so be careful not to damage them.
Remove upper plastic cover from the motor (5 Torx T15 screws).
Remove green push lever for around speed dial, disconnect brown, black and white wires from the motor.
Gently rise the electronic module from its place until you see two small, white sockets; disconnect them.
Now take out electronic module. At the bottom there are two identical connectors for both lasers. Disconnect them.
On the right side, underneath the motor unscrew one silver Pozidriv 2 screw (it retaining translucent laser cover). Push in front of the laser cover and pull it out.
Remove left plastic blade cover (T15 screws and 1 hex bolt). In order to get to the hex bolt pull the plastic bumper out. Dust port has 2 screws - unscrew only the one closer to the handle and the whole dust port with cover comes out.
Underneath the cover there are 3 springs, so be careful.
Unscrew 2 small hex bolts holding the lasers.
Remove galvanised metal bracket.
Cut the plug from one of the lasers.
Solder the plug to a 20 cm/8 inch long piece of 0,5 mm2/20 AWG twin-stranded wire. Use red/black wire. Red is "+", black is "-".
Solder the wires with the plug to the IN side of the voltage regulator. Soldier + and - correspondingly.
Cut the plug from Makita LED circuit.
Solder Makita LED circuit to the OUT side of the regulator. Solder + and - correspondingly.
Plug the newly created module into the Festool main electronic module. Test it.
If all works correctly, put Festool electronic module into its place.
Connect all the cables that you disconnected. Remember about proper cable management.
Festool lasers were placed on two rods.
Put heat shrink tubes on these rods.
Position the LED module on these rods so that a small hole and a notch in PCB are directly above saw blade.
Glue the LED circuit into place with two drops of CA glue.
Test the shadow line. If OK, use some elastic adhesive to fasten it permanently.
Alternatively you can use plastic spacers on the rods to position the LED circuit.
Screw in two small HEX bolts at the end of the rods.
Put the cover back.
Enjoy your new mitre saw.
Of course all this kind of modifications void warranty.
Excuse my poor English.
What you need:
Makita LED circuit, part number: 620F05-6
Adjustable Step Up Voltage Regulator: MT3608
In order to install LED circuit, you will need to remove both lasers from Kapex. They are expensive AF, so be careful not to damage them.
Remove upper plastic cover from the motor (5 Torx T15 screws).
Remove green push lever for around speed dial, disconnect brown, black and white wires from the motor.
Gently rise the electronic module from its place until you see two small, white sockets; disconnect them.
Now take out electronic module. At the bottom there are two identical connectors for both lasers. Disconnect them.
On the right side, underneath the motor unscrew one silver Pozidriv 2 screw (it retaining translucent laser cover). Push in front of the laser cover and pull it out.
Remove left plastic blade cover (T15 screws and 1 hex bolt). In order to get to the hex bolt pull the plastic bumper out. Dust port has 2 screws - unscrew only the one closer to the handle and the whole dust port with cover comes out.
Underneath the cover there are 3 springs, so be careful.
Unscrew 2 small hex bolts holding the lasers.
Remove galvanised metal bracket.
Cut the plug from one of the lasers.
Solder the plug to a 20 cm/8 inch long piece of 0,5 mm2/20 AWG twin-stranded wire. Use red/black wire. Red is "+", black is "-".
Solder the wires with the plug to the IN side of the voltage regulator. Soldier + and - correspondingly.
Cut the plug from Makita LED circuit.
Solder Makita LED circuit to the OUT side of the regulator. Solder + and - correspondingly.
Plug the newly created module into the Festool main electronic module. Test it.
If all works correctly, put Festool electronic module into its place.
Connect all the cables that you disconnected. Remember about proper cable management.
Festool lasers were placed on two rods.
Put heat shrink tubes on these rods.
Position the LED module on these rods so that a small hole and a notch in PCB are directly above saw blade.
Glue the LED circuit into place with two drops of CA glue.
Test the shadow line. If OK, use some elastic adhesive to fasten it permanently.
Alternatively you can use plastic spacers on the rods to position the LED circuit.
Screw in two small HEX bolts at the end of the rods.
Put the cover back.
Enjoy your new mitre saw.
Stefan Kawalec
Member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2023
- Messages
- 6
