kapex 60 degrees to the right cuts the fence

[xylosorus]

Hello,
I have done some research and didn't find a post on this problem. I hope I didn't miss something.
I had to do a cut with my kapex with the original fences closes to the smallest aperture. The saw was turned to the max : 60 degrees to the right.
At the end of the cut, I was surprised to hear a strong noise and I realized that the blade had cut the tip of the left fence.
I am used to festool great ergonomics. So I was surprised that the fence has let itself go in a position that would allow this.
It seems such a big ergonomic flaw that I am wondering if my kapex has a default, as I would have expected that something (a stop) would prevent the fence to go in such a position.
Is it a known issue ?
Sorry for the bad english.
Best regards to all.
Yann.

 

[ajones]

bonjour [welcome] I don't have a kapex someone will have the answer for you shortly

 

[woodguy7]

Welcome to the FOG Yann

I just ran out to the workshop to check mine & you are right.  At 60 deg & the left fence pushed fully in, it will cut it.  I have never noticed that before & i can look out for that in the future. 

Cheers, Woodguy.

 

[xylosorus]

Thank you for the prompt reactions and also for the welcome  [smile]
So my saw is not the only one with this problem !
I think it would be a good idea for festool to solve this in the next updates of the kapex and also to issue a warning notice, because it is not good for the blade to go through aluminum ...
Yann

 

[ajones]

Hi Yann I agree, I would have thought it would have been covered in the instruction manual. Have you read it?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

While not specific, the Kapex manual does say to ensure safe operation, you should check the path of the saw blade for obstructions before making the cut.  The fence is adjustable and can be moved away from the center of the saw into a position that will prevent the possibility of contact with the blade.

From the Kapex manual:

8 Operation

Risk of accidents

- Before starting work, make sure that the
saw blade cannot touch the stop ruler,
workpiece clamp, screw clamps or other
machine parts.

 

[ajones]

While not specific, the Kapex manual does say to ensure safe operation, you should check the path of the saw blade for obstructions before making the cut.  The fence is adjustable and can be moved away from the center of the saw into a position that will prevent the possibility of contact with the blade.

From the Kapex manual:

8 Operation

Risk of accidents

- Before starting work, make sure that the
saw blade cannot touch the stop ruler,
workpiece clamp, screw clamps or other
machine parts.

I am not familiar with the kapex but I guess the fence is configured this way to increase practicability over all........ a good argument for making sure you are familiar with your machine.Whatever it is, I know I am guilty just plug it in... off you go... and have a read of the instructions a week later..Then its oh you can do this as well wow...

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Yann,
Welcome to the forum.

If you need support near the center and wish to cut a high degree miter, try a sacrificial auxiliary fence made from plywood or mdf.  The moveable aluminum fence has holes in it to accommodate an auxiliary fence.  I made a pattern and use that to make several at a time and dispose of them when they grow small.

Rick Christopherson's supplemental Kapex manual has helpful instructions on how to make an auxiliary fence, including dimensions.

 

[Rick Christopherson]

This is neither a defect nor something that should be redesigned. The fence needs to move inward close enough to support workpieces for normal cuts. If the fence position was limited to a clearance position for a 60 degree miter, it would not provide as much support for other positions.

With any tool, it is important to check your setup before making a live cut. Failing to do so is.......well.......normal.  [big grin] I am pretty sure my Kapex has the same shiny cut in the fence that yours does.  [tongue]

 

[ajones]

This is neither a defect nor something that should be redesigned. The fence needs to move inward close enough to support workpieces for normal cuts. If the fence position was limited to a clearance position for a 60 degree miter, it would not provide as much support for other positions.

With any tool, it is important to check your setup before making a live cut. Failing to do so is.......well.......normal.  [big grin] I am pretty sure my Kapex has the same shiny cut in the fence that yours does.  [tongue]

Yann it sounds as if you've joned an elite club [oops]

 

[Rob-GB]

Yann, while your fence is sporting a scar, fencing scar maybe [wink], do not worry about the blade teeth too much, they are much harder than Aluminium and if the cut was not made to aggressively, they will have survived nicely. Just do not do it every time. [wink]
In the past I have run Duralium and Brass through panel saws with carbide teeth.... up to 2.4mtrs long!

Now awaiting the HSE brigade to come knocking  [doh]

Also your English is better than my two years of night school French.  ;D
Rob.

 

[jmbfestool]

This is neither a defect nor something that should be redesigned. The fence needs to move inward close enough to support workpieces for normal cuts. If the fence position was limited to a clearance position for a 60 degree miter, it would not provide as much support for other positions.

With any tool, it is important to check your setup before making a live cut. Failing to do so is.......well.......normal.  [big grin] I am pretty sure my Kapex has the same shiny cut in the fence that yours does.  [tongue]

YES!    I did a 45 degree compound mitre cut to day and cut into my fence just on the tip because I forgot to move it. I always made sure I move it before I cut but I forgot this time.!!!!     I knew it would eventually happen they should put a digital sensor and tell you your fence is in the position where the blade will catch it. lol   The most annoying thing is it didnt need to do the 45degree cut I was only showing the CLIENT how to do internal corners for skirting because he has been fitting them internal corners with mitre joints I told him its easier scribing them. So trying to do a good thing ended up a bad thing for me.

Its not a fault all chop saws can cut into their fence. The Makita one you can flip the right one over so its out of the way because it has a pivot and the right fence has to be completely removed which is a problem because neither can be adjusted to your piece or angle your cutting at. At least festool you can easily slide both sides to required position according to your cutting angle so you can keep maximum possible support JUST DONT FORGET TO MOVE IT LIKE ME .

I used the companies Dewalt and my mate moved the fence for his cut I didnt realise and I cut the fence right off just like it was butter didnt even know I did it till I removed the timber and saw this metal lying next to it. OOPS!!!!!!

 

[ajones]

This is neither a defect nor something that should be redesigned. The fence needs to move inward close enough to support workpieces for normal cuts. If the fence position was limited to a clearance position for a 60 degree miter, it would not provide as much support for other positions.

With any tool, it is important to check your setup before making a live cut. Failing to do so is.......well.......normal.  [big grin] I am pretty sure my Kapex has the same shiny cut in the fence that yours does.  [tongue]

Yann it sounds as if you've joned an elite club [oops]

maybe Not as elite as it was this morning [big grin]

 

[richard.selwyn]

Je les ai enlev?s il y a longtemps.  J'ai les guides suppl?mentaires, donc pour les enlever et les remettre c'est un cauchemar.  Mes excuse pour les faute d'orthographe, je suis un menuisier rosbif en Normandie.

Bonsoir,

Richard.

 

[jmbfestool]

English please

 

[ajones]

English please

well my french is not up to much nor my English for that matter something about a long time, supplementary guides, a nightmare, being a carpenter,and nit being goo at the written word, living in rosbif,
normandie France

Please correct me

 

[Brice Burrell]

English please

well my french is not up to much nor my English for that matter something about a long time, supplementary guides, a nightmare, being a carpenter,and nit being goo at the written word, living in rosbif,
normandie France

Please correct me

Okay, can someone please translate this English into English. [big grin]

 

[jmbfestool]

English please

well my french is not up to much nor my English for that matter something about a long time, supplementary guides, a nightmare, being a carpenter,and nit being goo at the written word, living in rosbif,
normandie France

Please correct me

Babel Fish not that good.

but its translates to this

I have them enlev? S a long time ago. J' have the guides suppl? mentaires, therefore to remove them and give them c' is a nightmare. My excuse for the fault d' orthography, I am a carpenter rosbif in Normandy

 

[Brice Burrell]

Not much better from Google:

I've removed? S long ago. I Supp guides? Comments, so to remove them and put them back is a nightmare. My excuse for misspelling, I am a carpenter roast in Normandy.

Good evening

Richard.

 

[ajones]

English please

well my french is not up to much nor my English for that matter something about a long time, supplementary guides, a nightmare, being a carpenter,and not being good at the written word, living in rosbif,
normandie France

Please correct me

I dont know what happened to my spelling on this [embarassed]..........................sorted