Kapex blade guard

[bevans]

I need some advice with an issue with my blade guard. The probelm is that the last few times I have used the saw it has become more difficult to lower the saw without turning the saw on.Today when working with the saw I cannot lower it at all unless I slightly raise the guard manually. Is there an easy adjustment to the guard so it saw lowers without the saw running? I have blown compressed air in and around the guard and blade and there is nothing stuck in there to cause it to bind.

 

[peter halle]

When I have had issues with mine (purchased 2010) these are the areas that I look at and lubricate.  Others may have other suggestions.

Peter

[attachimg=1]

 

[bevans]

Thanks Peter, do you remove the guard or just spray a lubricant?

 

[peter halle]

The one outside the bladeguard that you can see from the right is the one that usually needs lubricate in my world.  Try that one first.

Peter

 

[bevans]

I don't think that I am going to be that lucky. When I lift the blade guard and pull the trigger I can hear a squeaking sound up near the trigger assembly when lowering and raising the blade.  I did spray a little WD on the area you mentioned and tried to let it work in and thought it might have worked but pulling the trigger switch and trying to lower the blade it hung up again. I will be very unhappy if I have to send this saw in for repair for an issue like this.

 

[Job and Knock]

It's maybe worth pointing out the WD-40 is most certainly NOT a lubricant. It's actually a penetrating oil compounded to free stuck components

 

[deepcreek]

It's maybe worth pointing out the WD-40 is most certainly NOT a lubricant. It's actually a penetrating oil compounded to free stuck components

You're right!  A quick Google search revealed this -

"WD-40 literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula. That's the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who developed the product back in 1953. The chemist, Norm Larsen, was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion—a task which is done by displacing water."

"The lubricant-like properties of WD-40 come not from the substance itself but from dissolving components and the effect doesn't last."

My step-father uses it to clean dried paint off his hands.

 

[Brice Burrell]

WD40 is mostly mineral spirits.  Would you ever try to lube anything with mineral spirits? [tongue]

 

[sancho57]

WD40 is mostly mineral spirits.  Would you ever try to lube anything with mineral spirits? [tongue]

Apparently I have, but not anymore  [doh]

 

[Svar]

WD40 is mostly mineral spirits.  Would you ever try to lube anything with mineral spirits? [tongue]

Mostly true. But about 20% of it is still oil.

 

[rst]

The fact that WD40 does not make a lasting lub is what makes it great for cutting, there is no long term build up of oil or grease.  I even use it as a cleaner to reduce greasy build up before using longer lasting lubes.

 

[Kuukkeli]

I was experience similar problems (and noises) with 120 Kapex plunge operation and i was able to fix this problem 90% by disassembling the blade guard and cleaning the thin metal band marked by red arrow in photo. There was quite sticky grease here with quite a lot of saw dust. I am unsure did somebody try to fix same problem before by spray vaseline or similar (bought the saw second hand) because i doubt this sort of grease would be used in Festool in their assembly line. Cleaning and leaving very thin layer of oil to parts made a huge difference to plunge operation in my Kapex. Hope this helps.

 

[harry_]

I was experience similar problems (and noises) with 120 Kapex plunge operation and i was able to fix this problem 90% by disassembling the blade guard and cleaning the thin metal band marked by red arrow in photo. There was quite sticky grease here with quite a lot of saw dust. I am unsure did somebody try to fix same problem before by spray vaseline or similar (bought the saw second hand) because i doubt this sort of grease would be used in Festool in their assembly line. Cleaning and leaving very thin layer of oil to parts made a huge difference to plunge operation in my Kapex. Hope this helps.

In my case it is a leaking arbor. I just blow it clean when I change blades and move on.