Kapex Bevel Adjustment

[Petey83]

Really did not want to have to post this now given the recent Kapex problem threads but it's something i have not been able to figure on my own. I have purposely avoided commenting on the Kapex lifespan thread despite some worry it has caused me as I will wait to see what Phil comes back with - Plus my current issue is not related to the motor 

For the record i have had my Kapex about 4-5 months and its had minimal use. i am a hobbyist/DIY user who evidently has more money that sense at times hence the massive Festool collection (with some Fein, Mirka and Bosch blue thrown in).

When i use the bevel adjustment knob thats on the front of the rail to try and dial in an angle i find that the saw head slips off where i had adjusted it to when i let go of the adjustment knob and move to lock it up at the back. I am not knocking it and have even tested just adjusting it and letting it go and watching and can see it move under its own weight. I can try and post a video later if anyone feels it will be helpful.

Now in my head i think it should be nothing more than tightening something up that applies some additional resistance to the bevel mechanism but i have no idea how to do this or if i even can...? does it need to go back to festool?

thanks in advance
Pete

 

[Frank-Jan]

You need to hold it in position untill you have locked it with the lever. (It shouldn't be a problem to reach over to pull the lever down)

 

[ear3]

A video might be helpful.  Just to eliminate the obvious -- Is there any resistant being exerted by the hose or the cord?

BTW, I just got my Kapex back from service to fix a couple of issues.  One of the things I noticed is that the bevel adjustment on the saw is tighter than it was -- when I turn the knob I can feel more resistance.  I presumed this adjustment was done to address some deflection I was getting on left side bevel cuts.  What it suggests, though, is that there is a way of "stiffening" the bevel adjustment.  It's probably worth it to give service a call and talk to them about the issue, and see maybe if there's a fix you can do yourself.

Really did not want to have to post this now given the recent Kapex problem threads but it's something i have not been able to figure on my own. I have purposely avoided commenting on the Kapex lifespan thread despite some worry it has caused me as I will wait to see what Phil comes back with - Plus my current issue is not related to the motor 

For the record i have had my Kapex about 4-5 months and its had minimal use. i am a hobbyist/DIY user who evidently has more money that sense at times hence the massive Festool collection (with some Fein, Mirka and Bosch blue thrown in).

When i use the bevel adjustment knob thats on the front of the rail to try and dial in an angle i find that the saw head slips off where i had adjusted it to when i let go of the adjustment knob and move to lock it up at the back. I am not knocking it and have even tested just adjusting it and letting it go and watching and can see it move under its own weight. I can try and post a video later if anyone feels it will be helpful.

Now in my head i think it should be nothing more than tightening something up that applies some additional resistance to the bevel mechanism but i have no idea how to do this or if i even can...? does it need to go back to festool?

thanks in advance
Pete

 

[Petey83]

nope no pulling on the saw by the cord and i have tested with dust extractor disconnected. I had though it may need holding while i lock it up but I am sure i have seen a video review of this where the guy adjusted it and then just let go and it stayed...

 

[rek71226]

[member=57897]Petey83[/member]

I have the same issue as you  -> hobbyist/DIY user who evidently has more money that sense.  I believe I saw the same thing last night on mine, second time using it and that is why I was researching it today as I believe it should remain stationary.  I'm going to check again when I get home.  It is mentioned twice on the Kapex US site as a feature.
http://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/miter-saws/kapex-ks-120-sliding-compound-miter-saw-561287

Bevel Lock Knob
Use the Bevel Lock Knob conveniently located on the top of the Kapex to control the bevel positive detents and to lock the bevel angle. The counter spring balanced head on the Kapex allows you to position the bevel and let go of the saw with the head moving. Use the fine adjustment knob to control bevel angles in fractions of a degree. The bevel knob has three settings: positive detents at 0 and -45 degrees, free movement between -45 and +45 degrees and free movement up to ±47 degrees. Bevels can be made to the left or right and the bevel gauge appears on both sides of the saw.

Bevel Fine-Adjustment Knob
Use the fine-adjustment knob to control the bevel of the cut to fractions of a degree with extreme precision. The knob rotates and engages a rack and pinion to move the head. The head is counter spring balanced which means that once you set a bevel angle it will not move before you lock it. The bevel angle is very large and easy to read and the distance from the axis of rotation provides maximum accuracy.

I'm hoping someone with more experience will jump on this thread.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Doug S]

Don't know how to solve your problem but will confirm something not right because mine stays put when I set it. Must be an easy fix.

Doug

 

[rek71226]

Thanks Doug...  I checked mine when I got home and it appears to be working fine.  I did notice that if you turn the knob very fast, you might see a little movement as the spring/s (i think that is how it says it works) stabilize but not an issue and I think that is what happened yesterday.

[member=57897]Petey83[/member] maybe this was the issue you were seeing as well.

Robert

 

[Frank-Jan]

I just checked my kapex, and it only moves with the bevel lock unlocked in the 0-7 degree range when beveled to the right. (I've had the same saw since 2007).
I like the fact that the head is counter spring balanced, but only for the reason you don't have to hold weight of the head when adjusting the bevel. I wouldn't trust it to remain in position when setting a precise bevel and walk around before locking it.

I've also read about people having issues that the bevel moves with the bevel lock locked (in combination with transport with the UG cart) That would bother me. (so I won't get a UG cart, although it seems practical)

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

Quote: I've also read about people having issues that the bevel moves with the bevel lock locked (in combination with transport with the UG cart)

Yes it does. Mine is always at about 4* to the left every time it is set up even though I always leave it at 0*.