Kapex blade

[Worm Drive]

How is the cut quality of the sixty tooth blade, that comes with the Kapex? I will be using it mainly for cutting hard and soft wood moldings and some cabinet grade ply. Would I be better off picking up the eighty tooth? Thanks

 

[Bigchasbroon]

I just got the kapex today and had a set of piranha pine facings (door trim in americanese I think) 5 inches wide and 2 at the thickest they're pre finished in stain and laquer the standard blade gave perfect cuts.

 

[ccarrolladams]

I was lucky to use a Kapex when it was first being demonstrated in Europe, so I pre-ordered one as soon as I returned home to California. Let us say that I have made a whole lot of cuts with many Kapex since then.

With my first Kapex I bought a spare 60 tooth and two 80 tooth blades. Virtually all I saw with a Kapex is hardwood, so generally I use the 60 tooth blade. I switch to the 80 tooth usually when the wood is thin, or for crown or molding.

In my shop the primary Kapex in the door and frame department is kept with a 60 tooth, with a second Kapex close-by with an 80 tooth. That is the Kapex used for cross-cutting drawer stock.

 

[Worm Drive]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'll figure on picking up an 80 tooth also.

 

[semenza]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'll figure on picking up an 80 tooth also.

    I'll be interested to hear about your 60 / 80 tooth comparison. I have only tried the 60. Results have been good enough that I have not bothered to checking out an 80. But I am curious.

Seth

 

[Worm Drive]

I'll let you know, Seth.

 

[Kevin D.]

I'll be using mine to cut some Ipe for a large deck.  Should I use the 60 tooth stock blade?  Wondering how quick it would dull as well and whether I should have a second one handy.

 

[LarsL]

I use the 60 most of the time but do have an 80 that I use to cut hardwood furniture components to final length.  The 80 tooth blade leaves a smoother cut on end grain and requires less scraping/sanding to finish.

 

[Birdhunter]

I built 8 complex Ipe benches making lots of Kapex cuts. I used the 60 tooth blade. It seems to be still sharp enough to make very smooth cuts in some oak.

 

[Bob Gerritsen]

I'll be using mine to cut some Ipe for a large deck.  Should I use the 60 tooth stock blade?  Wondering how quick it would dull as well and whether I should have a second one handy.

Hi Kevin,

I've done an Ipe deck last year and was very glad to have a spare blade as the Ipe is nasty tough. IMO, stick with the 60, the 80 is overkill for a deck and more expensive to sharpen.

 

[Neathawk Designs]

I've had my kapex for about 4 months now - the cuts with the 60 tooth are awesome.  It just so happens that I recently did an Ipe deck for my Mother in Law (5/6 x 6" boards) - and it really seems to have dulled it.  The deck was relatively small (about 17' x 14' if I remember correctly).  I did cut both sides of every board, but I cant tell you how many cuts I made (it wasn't a whole lot).  I was honestly quite surprised because 2 years ago I did a 3000 square foot ipe deck and used a single cheap diablo blade ($35 rough cut 12" blade), and I never changed it once on the entire deck (on my cheap ridgid saw).  I was cutting 5/4 x 4" on that particular deck.  Regardless of that - I'd still use the kapex, if not just for the dust extraction.

Anyway - I would highly recommend getting the combo pack (60 and 80 tooth blades for about $200) - then you get to decide for yourself and save some money on the second blade.  That's what I just did a few weeks ago.  I'm using the 60 tooth blade right now (sent my old one out for re-sharpening).  The 80 tooth is still hanging on the peg board. 

 

[Benjamin]

one that should be considered is the Tenryu Blade for the Kapex.

its very impressive for a fine blade , and its supposed to be better engineered then the 80 tooth Kapex blade
( supposedly less flex  on miter cuts.)

and yes back to the point, the 60 tooth festool blade is a amazing blade for regular stuff.

http://www.atlas-machinery.com/products/Tenryu-MP-26080AB

 

[Dan Clark]

one that should be considered is the Tenryu Blade for the Kapex.

its very impressive for a fine blade , and its supposed to be better engineered then the 80 tooth Kapex blade
( supposedly less flex  on miter cuts.)

and yes back to the point, the 60 tooth festool blade is a amazing blade for regular stuff.

http://www.atlas-machinery.com/products/Tenryu-MP-26080AB

I agree about the Tenryu and Festool 60T blades.  IMO, the Festool 80T is not a contender.

In 2009, I did a review of those three blades plus the Forrest ChopMaster (with pics): http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/festool-reviews/2836-kapex-saw-blade-review.html

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Worm Drive]

Thanks for the info, Dan. Just ordered the Tenryu 80 tooth.

 

[Worm Drive]

I got to compare the 80 tooth Tenryu to Kapex 60 tooth blade. Certainly nothing scientific, just playing in the shop. The Tenryu has a little smoother cut and a little less tear out the Kapex. I feel the Tenryu is better suited for material 3/4" or less. I will use it mainly for moldings, trim and plywood and use the Festool 60_tooth for thicker stock. The Festool 60 tooth is still a very good blade, the best stock blade I've ever seen. The Tenryu blade does have a slightly wider kerf, than the Festool.

 

[Birdhunter]

Does Forrest make a blade for the Kapex?

 

[Worm Drive]

Not specifically, it has to be rebored. Read Dan's review, posted above.

 

[jacko9]

Forrest seems to be aware of Festool and has advertised blades for the Kapex:

http://www.sliversmill.com/product_674_260mmx90T_Forrest_Signature_Line_Chopmaster_Blade_for_NEW_F.html

Jack

 

[Worm Drive]

Oops, my bad. Thanks for the info.

 

[Kevin Stricker]

Just got my Forrest Signature Chopmaster from Sliversmill on Monday.  I have been using it on pre-finished alder crown and miter returns on 5/4 x6" alder trim.  It gives much cleaner cuts than the stock 60 tooth blades that I have been using for the last 4 years and is only $26 more than the Festool 80 tooth.  Sliversmill had free shipping and I got the blade 3 days after ordering.  Seems like a good deal, and as long as it performs like my other Forrest blades over the long run I think a decision I will be happy about for a good long time.