Kapex alignment

[hockey_magnet]

FWIW, I agree with Ken, March is 4 months ago and I can't see them providing a new saw. Valuable lesson I suppose re thoroughly checking a new tool within the 30 day period. I highly doubt Home Depot would replace a used $1500 power tool with a brand new one 4 months after it was purchased. An excerpt from Home Depot's current return policy:

"Most merchandise can be returned within 90 days in unused, like-new, 100% saleable condition and in the original manufacturer's packaging. Live goods and items that use flammable liquids or gases must be returned to one of our stores. Please see the complete list of details and exceptions below.
     
-   All damage and shortage claims should be made within 30 days of delivery"

So I doubt that they would have acted as favourably as you suggest   [unsure]

Having said all that, I certainly sympathize. I think the best option is to return it to Festool and let them do their ususal great job - the saw will come back in new condition. It costs you nothing to return it other than some time and their turnaround has been historically very fast.

 

[davee]

I can appreciate your frustration. I am fortunate to live close to Festool and was able to drop off my saw for repair. I was surprised and pleased to have it returned in only three working days. I recommendshipping it off to them.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I'm not there and I didn't see what happened, but from an outside perspective, in the amount of time this thread has been going on, the Kapex probably could have been picked up by Festool (call tag), fixed and adjusted and sent back to you.  They're that good.  Expecting a company to give you a new saw from March is pushing it.  Not that they wouldn't, but I wouldn't think they would do that.  It's under warranty.  Let Festool deal with it so you can get back to using it asap.

I think Ken is right on with his response.  You won't need to spend a half hour on the phone with Festool, nor will it take two weeks to repair.  I'd be surprised if Shane doesn't have someone call you tomorrow, if that doesn't happen give Festool a call in the morning.  Don't bother going through Rockler, that would probable only slow the process down. 

I've had numerous people ask my advice about the Kapex and I always be sure to mention one important thing.  That is, don't pay an expensive tool until you have the time/plan on using it enough to know if it's working correctly.  All to often you hear about guys buying Festool tools and not using them for months only to discover an issue beyond the 30 day return period. 

One other thing, if you really wanted a new saw, you should have spoken up.  I wouldn't be surprised if a small amount of pressure would have had you walking out the door with a new saw today.

Good luck, although, I'm sure you won't need any luck since Shane will be on this shortly.   

 

[cgmojoco]

Thanks again guys...

Not only are Festools AWESOME machines but if you have a problem, you get moral support from the community (even when you shame yourself by having a temper tantrum)!

I've come to grips with the fact that I won't have a miter for a week or so and time/effort/materials figuring out what was wrong; big deal.  My fault for not being smart enough to know what to look for and not bringing it back within 30; even then I could understand them wanting to send it back.

I didn't have the box, and Rockler sent it for me so +1 there.

To be fair, most problems I have had appear to have stemmed from the dealer including 'getting rubbed the wrong way' which is what led to my ranting.  They don't like to see tools come back and I understand that---and I don't like waiting over a month to get a tool and having to call every other day to get them straightened out so it actually gets ordered...I guess I was coming from that historical perspective...I'm sure this will be different turn time on getting my tool.

Shane if you ARE reading this, feel free to delete my rant and lock; one should never write while emotional..

You don't need anyone to call me or do anything special for me; I'm ok---maybe even spoiled already  8)

 

[peter halle]

Christopher,

Peter here - one of the moderators - you have mentioned deleting or being banned a few times in your posts.  That isn't the way that we operate here.  It is OK to have opinions, express frustrations, and ask for help.  You have done it civilly which is what we ask.  Thanks for that.

Your posts bring something to light and am am only using your situation - not you - as an example because we have thousands of members.  The Festool warranty is spelled out clearly and as others have said the customer service employees as well as the service employees take a huge amount of pride in doing their jobs well.  It is well documented here that they usually exceed expectations.

If members have a problem with a tool they should contact the manufacturer.  This forum offers a huge amount of knowledge and MAY serve as an additional pipeline towards getting an issue resolved, but especially when time is of the essence and it is a tool repair issue versus a question about "How Do I" do not hesitate to contact Festool directly.

Again, this isn't directed at you at all.  I am sure that once you get your Kapex back you will once again feel the glow.  If Shane, Seth, or myself can ever assist you with any questions please feel free to PM us.

Peter

 

[tiralie]

Christopher:
I am curious, are both the bolts in the fence as shown in Tom's photo here?

Hi Tim -

Yes all bolts were in.

Christopher:
Have you tried loosening those bolts (mentioned above) and lightly taping with a rubber mallet to see if the fence will move. Based on your photo's it won't take much to realign that fence so it's parallel to the straight edge.
Just a thought. Might save you more headaches.
Tim

 

[karbyen]

Some time ago I had a DeWalt 10" Miter Saw that had a similar problem only it was MY fault.  Somehow I got a board misaligned on the table and the spinning blade grabbed it and threw it against the fence with enough force to bend it.  I called DeWalt "Service Dept." and a nice lady listened to my problem and said this was not uncommon.  The fix was to loosen the 4 large screws(she sent me a special wrench) holding down the fence and clamp a strong angle iron to it and re-tighten the screws the next day.  Didn't work.  Sold saw to the FedEx delivery man (cheap) and bought a new Kapex.  We are both very happy now.  I suggest that you get at least a new fence.

 

[cgmojoco]

Got my saw back within 3 weeks.
Everything looks dead on accurate, and they even replaced the fence.
Couldn't be happier.
Rockler shipped it back to Festool for me and even put it in a box since I had thrown mine away.

My rant is over, and I am happy.

Thanks to those on the thread that confirmed I had a problem

Christopher

 

[TomGadwa1]

Glad to hear that you are pleased! And as you said before a significant part of the value of the Festool product line lies in this forum. The members are eager to lend each other a hand and I find that I learn very valuable knowledge too. I perceive the members on average to be much above average in intelligence and good natured personas. This to me makes a great companies tools even better. Thanks to all of my fellow foggers!!

 

[ghostofhoward]

3 weeks?!next time skip Rockler and ship it directly using the return label Festool will email you.I recently had to ship my 4 month old kapex in when the motor started smoking and grinding (and no it was not due to misuse or overworking it before you ask).I shipped it off on a monday and exactly one week later it was dropped off at my door.And I live 14 hrs away from the Festool repair facilities.Thats pretty amazing considering the amount of time it was in transit.

 

[cgmojoco]

Thanks.

To be fair, I was out of town for so long (part of that time was Festool training in Vegas)...so I don't know when it actually got back, but it was 'within three weeks'.

With my blood pressure back to normal, and in hindsight, I have nothing bad to say about Festool or Rockler...

Matter of fact, I'm thoroughly impressed by Festools service and the quality of their tools (I have a bunch) and the fellas at Rockler are pretty cool.

Kind thoughts-
Christopher