Kapex any good or no power

[Locks14]

I have evaluated my comments, they are within the forum guidelines and if you wish you discuss this further I would suggest or urge you to contact me via the PM system.

Peter

I have also evaluated my comments and I too don't believe anything I've said infringes any forum guidelines. Therefore, as gracious as your offer is, I don't see that there is anything further to be discussed or gained through further discussion via PM, that hasn't already been said.

 

[CrazyLarry]

In response to your first question, the reason someone might not want assistance is because these products in question are just power tools, not nuclear reactors. For the most part the use of a so called "expert" is not required. If my car has a flat tyre I don't need the engineer from Audi to tell me so, I have enough expertise to come to this conclusion on my own.

As for your second point, it's all about perspective. You feel I "whinge and whine", though what I contribute is purely based on observation. It's only considered "whinging and whining" by those who find it difficult to be impartial. I have no issues with Festool, I own some of their tools of which some I rate highly and some less so. What I don't do is unconditionally bestow praise on everything they produce, if this doesn't meet with your approval, I make no apologies.

Yes of course there are two types of tradesmen / users / consumers the ones who spend one minute / hour / year learning and know everything and the others who are always learning new tools new ideas new techniques (even ones that don't seem better ... just because options equal skill)

PtII you made your point (entirely anecdotally) so why repeat over and over trying to drown out any alternatives?
You've expressed your anti view why not let the OP make his own mind up whether to take the offer of a visit AND whether to stick with the kapex?

 

[Locks14]

In response to your first question, the reason someone might not want assistance is because these products in question are just power tools, not nuclear reactors. For the most part the use of a so called "expert" is not required. If my car has a flat tyre I don't need the engineer from Audi to tell me so, I have enough expertise to come to this conclusion on my own.

As for your second point, it's all about perspective. You feel I "whinge and whine", though what I contribute is purely based on observation. It's only considered "whinging and whining" by those who find it difficult to be impartial. I have no issues with Festool, I own some of their tools of which some I rate highly and some less so. What I don't do is unconditionally bestow praise on everything they produce, if this doesn't meet with your approval, I make no apologies.

Yes of course there are two types of tradesmen / users / consumers the ones who spend one minute / hour / year learning and know everything and the others who are always learning new tools new ideas new techniques (even ones that don't seem better ... just because options equal skill)

PtII you made your point (entirely anecdotally) so why repeat over and over trying to drown out any alternatives?
You've expressed your anti view why not let the OP make his own mind up whether to take the offer of a visit AND whether to stick with the kapex?

The OP did make his mind up. He politely refused based on the fact that he felt there was nothing to be gained from a visit. My response was in relation to a moderator criticising him for this decision.

 

[peter halle]

And to Locks14, despite what you think, whereas you decided to continue this publicly, I will again urge you to find time in your schedule when it is convenient to contact via PM.  Or not.

 

[Cheese]

[member=49749]Locks14[/member]
I think we need a reality check here pal...

 

[glass1]

Some kapex perspective.
I am currently on a trim crew building an 18000 sq ft house. The guest house is another 7000. There are dozens of carpenters both exterior and interior.  Multiple chop box set ups. Guest what, not one kapex. There are at least 8 to 10 hitachi c10fsbs, a couple of old c8's, one or 2 new makitas, a couple of dewalts, and one makita ls1211(me) and a 3 ridgid saws. I am sorry but in the regular construction-production carpentry world the kapex is a no show. if Festool is serious about putting the kapex on job sites it needs to do its homework.

 

[rizzoa13]

Some kapex perspective.
I am currently on a trim crew building an 18000 sq ft house. The guest house is another 7000. There are dozens of carpenters both exterior and interior.  Multiple chop box set ups. Guest what, not one kapex. There are at least 8 to 10 hitachi c10fsbs, a couple of old c8's, one or 2 new makitas, a couple of dewalts, and one makita ls1211(me) and a 3 ridgid saws. I am sorry but in the regular construction-production carpentry world the kapex is a no show. if Festool is serious about putting the kapex on job sites it needs to do its homework.

Your sample size is amazingly large and your opinion seems based off of vast experience with the kapex.... The internet is rediculous sometimes.

 

[Cheese]

Your Kapex perspective is only from a very narrow microcosm of the world in which you interact. It's understandable that there are no Kapexes on-site as it's an expensive saw to use in the rough framing/carpentry trade. I've owned multiple Milwaukee chop/slide saws through out the years and if rough carpentry/framing is the venue, I would say those saws are more than good enough for the task.

So I don't really think Festool is serious about making the Kapex the go-to-saw for the rough carpentry/construction trade. It's kind of like purchasing a Mercedes to plow a field. It could be done...however the indignity of the act...

 

[Jaybolishes]

The question was does the kapex have power or not?  Very respected and knowledgeable foggers have said it does lack power compared to other saws.  It's a trim saw by design from what I can see.  Yes it could do framing, and you could dig a swimming pool with a spoon.  Is it designed for framing given its power and necessity of waiting for the blade to stop?  Its  a very accurate, not the most powerful saw.  It may seem like the bees knees in your two bay garage, but builders do not use the kapex except for trimming out houses. I don't know one builder who uses one.  They all think festools freaks like myself are crazy. 

Btw I still want one but will forever hold out for a more powerful 12" version.  If that doesn't happen then oh well I love my Bosch axial

 

[Cheese]

Well...I've traded my Milwaukee slider and chop for a Kapex. For better or for worse, the Kapex is now my only mitre saw. So it works well for me for rough framing, and that's what I mostly do, I've not had an issue in 2 years with it. When it comes to precision cutting, however,...it's a world away from my previous saws. Once tweaked for preciseness, it will churn out mitred angles of +- .1 degree all day long.

 

[jools]

Same as [member=44099]Cheese[/member]. Kapex is my only saw and its on site from start to finish. No problems from framing to second fix. Travels every day in the van, 5 minutes to set up ready for work. Good dust extraction, sharp clean blade are key to good performance. We all have different expectation, preferences and views on tools. Use the 30 days and find out for yourself. I love my Kapex. Now ask me about my carvex [big grin]

 

[Stone Message]

This is a stupid argument - if someone thinks that there is a design weakness or corporate lack of this, that or the other then it cannot be compared to a flat tyre.

If I were given the opportunity to have a Festool expert visit then I would jump at it and I would not mind if Rolls Royce attended to my puncture. In both cases there would be some "value added" and the offer by Festool via Phil Beckley is extremely generous.

Peter

 

[skinee]

This is a stupid argument - if someone thinks that there is a design weakness or corporate lack of this, that or the other then it cannot be compared to a flat tyre.

If I were given the opportunity to have a Festool expert visit then I would jump at it and I would not mind if Rolls Royce attended to my puncture. In both cases there would be some "value added" and the offer by Festool via Phil Beckley is extremely generous.

Peter

peter I may be wrong but I have not seen you use the wings in any of your videos,i believe you have made a mobile cart for your kapex and use the crown extensions(which although I do not have them,seem to me to mount a little more robustly and are by their length not subjected to the same lateral forces),the bracket/set-up for mounting the wings is not a complicated feat of engineering,a little study and experimentation will soon exhaust all variations of possible 'mis-mounting',at the risk of repeating myself ad nauseam others such as fastcap have reached the same conclusion regarding attachment security,it would therefore seem pretty pointless to have a site visit as no amount of technical expertise  would change what is in my opinion a design flaw.
locks 14, I thank you for your defence,peter halle,i think I have explained my position,on a general note I would echo what others have said here recently,FOG has become a cold place for those who will not zealously tow the party line, criticism can be constructive,if only the 'yes men' and cheerleaders voices are heard there will be no  proper evaluation of the tools which would lead to improvement.

 

[Darren1972]

Jeez louise ive opened a can of worms here ask a simple question get a not so simple answer ha ha by the way ive ordered one anyway

 

[Darren1972]

Have you looked at the HKC55 saw Darren ? If its just first fixing you're doing you don't need a kapex. HKC does all angles and is very portable

I own a tcs 55 plunge saw and i have a dewalt circular saw for rough cuts just wanted somthing stable i could set up a length stop up to cut multiple legths os 6 x2 and other 4x2 and 3 x2 for my roofing needs and the odd back mouldings and skirting board jobs thanks any way

 

[jacko9]

Jeez louise ive opened a can of worms here ask a simple question get a not so simple answer ha ha by the way ive ordered one anyway

Good for you, I hope your exceptionally pleased with your purchase.

Jack

 

[AIPDX]

Guys, as I was reading through the posts in this tread...

One can only compare two different saws to determine which is more "powerful" if you use the same blade. It can be brand new blades of the same make and model on both saws, or the same blade moved from one saw to the other for the purpose of testing.

Since Kapex uses a different diameter of arbor than US saws, such "apples to apples" comparison is not possible (or maybe possible in Europe). We all know very well that different blades cut with different kerf, different speed, and different precision (cut quality). A blade can account for a lot of difference in impressions from a saw.

Underpowed in such content should be understood that with the blade which it is installed on the saw, it cuts through thick wood slower.  Maybe it is a difference in the blade and not the saw power?

 

[Brice Burrell]

.....One can only compare two different saws to determine which is more "powerful" if you use the same blade. It can be brand new blades of the same make and model on both saws, or the same blade moved from one saw to the other for the purpose of testing.....

Fair point.  Here's a counterpoint.  If the blades that are readily available for the Kapex are not adequate to efficiently cut think wood, what conclusion is one left to draw?   

 

[CrazyLarry]

.....One can only compare two different saws to determine which is more "powerful" if you use the same blade. It can be brand new blades of the same make and model on both saws, or the same blade moved from one saw to the other for the purpose of testing.....

Fair point.  Here's a counterpoint.  If the blades that are readily available for the Kapex are not adequate to efficiently cut think wood, what conclusion is one left to draw? 

That that wasn't one of the design criteria!

 

[NH-Engineering]

I find every Festool saw I've tried so far underpowered. TS55 at 1200W, AT65 at 1500W and the CS70 at 2200W.

Comparable saws of other brands with the same wattage are always way stronger. I have/had all 3 saws mentioned above and my 1500W DeWalt circular saw blows them all out of the water with great ease. That includes the CS70.

I have the CS70 EB I have set the speed setting of the motor at 5/6. I have used this saw a lot and I don't find it under powered, but that is of course dependent on how you use the saw. What do you exactly mean, does the saw rpm drop significantly when you feed the material into it?
What do you cut and how fast do you cut?