Kapex Base out of flatness

[rickets]

Has anyone found a way to adjust the rotating miter base to the frame base of the Kapex?  Unsure if it's called the base or its the bed, or whatever, but when I rotate it to set a miter, the bed/base goes a little out of square and a gap increases (there is already a gap of .010").  I'll try and get some pictures uploaded later, but is there a accepted tollerance, like .016" gap on one side between the two surfaces?  Like the pivot hole for the saw wasn't drilled perpendicular to the base.  Didn't notice it untill I straightened out the fence.  Had it since 2009.

 

[rickets]

Oh, and I did send out an email to festool, so this is more like if I can handle this problem myself, then all good.  Kind of attached to this particular saw (I get like that with my tools).

 

[Alan m]

festool will sort it out. the tool is still under warrenty. PM shane holland

 

[Brice Burrell]

This is a fairly common occurrence with miter saws and it is rarely problematic.  Proof of that is the fact that you haven't noticed it until now (I would bet it was like that from the beginning).  I doubt there's any way to adjust this yourself (I don't think Festool can either).  All the same it would be worth calling Festool, you'll get an immediate response that way.  Good luck.

 

[Ted Miller]

rickets, Is your saw bolted down? If so is the surface it is bolted down to uneven in anyway. This can cause your base to flex...

 

[rickets]

Alright.  First off, I placed it on the Kapex MFT.  Then I made sure it was level using Stabila levels.  Just by examination, I noticed some movement of the miter base from the saw base.  There are wear plates that the miter base rides on that are bolted to the miter base, to protect the the two.  But when the saw head is up and all the way back, there is a .006" movement to the back because of all of the weight.  BUT, when you lower the saw head down to cut, the .006" is elliminated (back to the original graditent).  What holds the two together is a bolt that compresses a spring washer to 'pre-load' the bases together without placing too much pressure on the sliding surfaces. 
Well, when I inspected the surfaces on my saw, I noticed that there was considerable amount of metal material in the grease, towards the back of the saw.  Cleaned it up and applyed a generious amount of engine break in lub (really good stuff).  Placed the miter base back on and checked for rotation smoothness.  Pritty nice, but when I separated them to check, I noticed that there was some metal powder in the grease again. 
So, when the miter base is rotated right or left, the miter section raises up .016" (with the head forward and down).  When in the 90 degree cross cut, the table is dead flat.  My impression is that the miter base sliding surface may be out of square and there may be a bit more material in the front than the back.  So, i'm going to polish the sliding surfaces, see if I can't get it square, and use grease with graphite in it.

Like I said before, the tools I get- I get really attached to them.

 

[rickets]

Ok, update to this.  I switched out the ss shims for new ones that the service dept sent to me on nothing more than faith.  Well, it didn't totally take out the movement of the saw's base, it did cause the two pieces to mesh much better and stay flatter.  When I pull the saw head forward now, completely flat throughout.  Everything is adjusted to right on and ever satisfied with how it's setup currently.

 

[peter halle]

I am glad to hear that you are satisfied with the outcome.   [thumbs up] I know others are waiting to see some of your work when you are ready!

Peter