Kapex Appreciation

[KBJ]

So I have a 12" Dewalt SCMS that has always been a pretty good machine, however I really only use it for framing, fencing, decks, etc. these days. It does have gobs of power which is nice for big lumber.  I use my Kapex for trim, furniture, and generally higher precision work.  Well, For the past 6 or so months I've only been doing work that is more in the Kapex domain, until this last week. We did a house full of laminate floors and I have the Freud Pergo blade for the Dewalt so that was the saw for the job.  Firstly, I didn't realize how accustomed to the vertical grip of the Kapex I have gotten. The Horizontal Dewalt feels so awkward now. Especially Left handed!. Then we move on to dust collection. Oh my god! What a mess that Big saw left in the air and in the Garage. Now the Garage is yet to be cleaned, so I wasn't worried about making a mess in there. But I've gotten so used to the Dust collection on the Kapex I've become spoiled! 

I knew I liked the Kapex, but I didn't realize how much I've become a fan of that saw. (well, once I got it to cut accurately. grrrrr!)

I also grabbed a 5" Random orbit I own to do some sanding since I didn't have any of my Festool sanders with me.  Another realization of how darn nice the Rotex and ETS EC sanders are.  Now I truly believe craftsmanship is in the person, not the tools... But once you get used to owning really nice tools... It's sure eye opening when you go back to "regular" tools!

I know, it's a bit of a Festool love post... But this is The FOG after all!  Not many other people would get it! 

 

[deepcreek]

I know exactly what you're talking about!

 

[SS Teach]

Good golly Miss Molly, someone praising Festools on the FOG. Good for you. They make wonderful tools that work together in a system. The idea that you can sand, saw, rout, and still breath the air without living in a saw and sand dust bowl is outstanding. The ideas of "plug it cords", CTs, Dominoes, track saws, systainers, even the FOG are great. I could go on and on. Yes they cost, but then there is Mafell. Yes you can buy less costly tools, but you get the feeing something or maybe a lot is held back. So again good for you. 

 

[Tayler_mann]

I purchased my Kapex about 6 months ago and later the UG cart and extensions. I could not be a happier miter saw owner.

 

[waterloomarc]

I went back to my PC 333 sander briefly this weekend. Like you, I didn't realize how accustomed I'd become to my festool sanders! It was so rough and jumpy it made my hand tingle. I had forgotten about that tingly feeling I used to get sanding. 

 

[KBJ]

Hahaha. Yeah, I've gotten used to the Pad Brake on the ETS EC apparently. When I put the other one down it went shooting across the table! oooops! haha. 

 

[Hnnguyen85]

I also came from a Dewalt 12" slider to a Kapex. Although I've only had the Kapex for about 2 weeks, it's amazing how smooth the slide is compared to my Dewalt. Every time I walk pass the shop when leaving and coming home, I always have to slide the Kapex back and forth a few times before leaving. It's one of those tools that just put a smile on your face when you touch it.

I was helping my co-worker with a WW project over the past week and really miss having my ETS EC 150. He had a ridgid sander with the dust bag and it would create a dust storm/cloud every time he used it.