Kapex Base Busted!

[jimmylittle]

So, I'm driving home from the job site, and a strap hook broke in my van.  The Kapex slid of it's shelf onto the floor.  It wasn't a far drop at all (just over the wheel well, maybe 10-12").

The base cracked.  Big time.

I bought it off Amazon a couple of weeks ago, and they are taking it back.  They say a drop like that shouldn't crack it, so they assume a manufacturer defect and are replacing it.  I do have to pay shipping ($198!!), but that's not TOO painful to get my saw back.

I was wondering - if this happened a month or two from now, and I couldn't exchange it, what would the cost be for replacing the base?  Has anyone had to do this?  Would the saw need recalibrated with a new base? 

I made a few test cuts when I got back to my shop, and it still cuts square and true, it just needs a little prop on one side where the foot broke off.  I'll continue using it until I get a replacement, then ship this one back in the original box. 

[attachimg=1]

 

[peter halle]

Right now the base part is $218.40.  It is can umber is 470617.

Peter

 

[semenza]

I'd look into that shipping charge. Sounds excessive to me. I know oversize can get pricey but that seems wrong based on similar  size things I have shipped.

Seth

 

[copcarcollector]

I'd look into that shipping charge. Sounds excessive to me.

Seth

Agreed!  (And sorry that your saw broke, that sucks--)

 

[builderbob]

I've sent my Kapex in to be repaired once and I believe shipping was around $60-$70 one way from Connecticut to Indiana. I didn't check where you're shipping from but that sounds pricey.

 

[rnt80]

I shipped mine from AZ to IN and it was approximately $100 with insurance.

 

[jimmylittle]

I just entered the info into my FedEx account. I'll try to get a better deal, Amazon will let me ship with whoever I want.

That being said, I'm pretty impressed the saw still cuts balls-on accurate. Also, I'm going to revisit my previous thread of building a crate for this thing.  I just finished a set of extension wings using Kreg top track and production stops. They clamps into the V-grooves and sit on Fastcap third hand tripods. Very portable and terribly useful, all for less than $200.

 

[builderbob]

Those are really nice wings!  That's cool that you made them to fit either side so you can swap l/r when you need or want to

 

[AlexThePalex]

They say a drop like that shouldn't crack it, so they assume a manufacturer defect and are replacing it. 

They are being very nice to you. A drop like that can easily crack the base of a Kapex, as proven. 21 kilos on a cast magnesium alloy base is not meant to be thrown around. No manufacturer could desing cost effectively against that.

Shipping charges seem outrageous though. I can ship the Kapex across the world for only €105.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Jimmy,

Sorry about your accident.

Is that a 27 mm hose you are using with the Kapex? If you can get one, the 36 mm will give you way better dust collection.

Just me interfering !

Peter

 

[jimmylittle]

Alex - yes, they are being very generous with the exchange, which is why I don't mind paying shipping.  I suppose I could have been a jerk about the whole thing and told them it arrived broken (I'd only had it a few days), but I believe honesty pays off.  And apparently, it does.

Bob - Thanks for the Kudos on the wings, I use them daily and they are becoming indispensable.  I've now routed a matching V-groove in to the wooden top on my drill press, and I can move them there if I need to! 

And Peter -, I do have a shortened 36mm hose I use, but it was in the truck and my shop is on the 2nd floor in a Brooklyn warehouse, so I used what was already here.  Lazy, I know, but I was just making a few cuts
;D

 

[jerrym303]

Wonder if it would be worth trying some good 24 hour epoxy and clamps to just fix it.  I get my poxy form Miller Stephenson, but if you don't need a quart, Golfsmith has some good epoxy.