Kapex blades

N

NJHW

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Joined
May 16, 2013
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I'm looking to replace my stock Festool 60t blade, any  recommendations ? I'm using it for mostly finish trimming ,should I stick with a 60t or 80t? from what I searched here Tenryu, Forrest are great blades anybody using Oshlun blades? just wanted to see what's the best blade working for you guys on the Kapex.
 
We only use Festool blades on the several Kapex at my custom cabinet shop.

The choice between the 60 tooth and the 80 tooth is based upon experience with the kind of hardwood and its shape.
 
NJHW said:
Thanks, I wish I had several Kapex saws and a custom cabinet shop.
Click to expand...

Possibly when you sign the pay cheques, you might not wish for a custom cabinet business.

However, since I have 6 master cabinet makers working for, all with support staff, to me it makes good business sense that none have to wait for someone else to finish using a tool vital to productivity. This is why I have Kapex permanently mounted on long benches on either side of the building and 3 others on rolling work stations with a dedicated CT22 which are positioned as needed. Over the years we have figured out which Kapex blade makes the best cut for the species of wood and the shape of the part.
 
Ok, so you haven't tried any other blade other than Festool? It just seems that my stock blade got dull too soon compared to the Freud blades in my other saws that my guys are using cutting the same type of wood.
 
NJHW said:
Ok, so you haven't tried any other blade other than Festool? It just seems that my stock blade got dull too soon compared to the Freud blades in my other saws that my guys are using cutting the same type of wood.
Click to expand...

Where did you get the idea I have never tried any other blades on my Kapexes or other Festool saws? It has always been my policy for the past 65 years to try as many brands of blades as will fit my saws.

In the case of the Kapex Festool designed a special blade, along the lines of the Festool TS55 and TS75 blades, which enhances the virtues of those saws. Still, I have spent significant money buying those other brands of blades in the hope some will provide me equal or better cut quality at lower cost of ownership. By the way, the retail purchase price is just one cost of ownership factor. All of my circular saw blades are sent to be sharpened before the cut quality deteriorates significantly and they have been cleaned as needed between sharpenings.

We make a lot of custom cabinets, so over a month we use virtually all the popular hardwoods and some less popular because of cost. I retain off cuts and scraps so when testing a different blade it has a fair chance. We also throw in some poplar, pine and Doug fir to be fair.
 
ccarrolladams said:
NJHW said:
Thanks, I wish I had several Kapex saws and a custom cabinet shop.
Click to expand...

Possibly when you sign the pay cheques, you might not wish for a custom cabinet business.

However, since I have 6 master cabinet makers working for, all with support staff, to me it makes good business sense that none have to wait for someone else to finish using a tool vital to productivity. This is why I have Kapex permanently mounted on long benches on either side of the building and 3 others on rolling work stations with a dedicated CT22 which are positioned as needed. Over the years we have figured out which Kapex blade makes the best cut for the species of wood and the shape of the part.
Click to expand...

Does every response have to be like this?  He asked about the blade not how many master cabinet makers it takes to cut a board.

 
I have a Tenryu, a Matsushita, a Popular tools, and a FS Tools, along with a 60T Festool blade.

I too find the stock Kapex blade dulls a bit faster then any of my other blades. 

They all cut well, but I usually keep the FS and Popular tools blades on the most. 

 
NJHW said:
Ok, so you haven't tried any other blade other than Festool? It just seems that my stock blade got dull too soon compared to the Freud blades in my other saws that my guys are using cutting the same type of wood.
Click to expand...

So did mine...I bought a Forrest for my kapex and couldn't be happier. The first time i used it i was impressed. - Like a hot knife through butter. No complaints whatsoever. I have had it almost 2 years and will send it for resharpening soon, but it lasted longer than the stock blade.
 
The stock blade seems to do a better job of dust extraction then an aftermarket one does.  That was a difference I noticed.
 
WarnerConstCo. said:
ccarrolladams said:
NJHW said:
Thanks, I wish I had several Kapex saws and a custom cabinet shop.
Click to expand...

Possibly when you sign the pay cheques, you might not wish for a custom cabinet business.

However, since I have 6 master cabinet makers working for, all with support staff, to me it makes good business sense that none have to wait for someone else to finish using a tool vital to productivity. This is why I have Kapex permanently mounted on long benches on either side of the building and 3 others on rolling work stations with a dedicated CT22 which are positioned as needed. Over the years we have figured out which Kapex blade makes the best cut for the species of wood and the shape of the part.
Click to expand...

Does every response have to be like this?  He asked about the blade not how many master cabinet makers it takes to cut a board.
Click to expand...

Lol...bro you are on a roll today!
 
WarnerConstCo. said:
I have a Tenryu, a Matsushita, a Popular tools, and a FS Tools, along with a 60T Festool blade.

I too find the stock Kapex blade dulls a bit faster then any of my other blades. 

They all cut well, but I usually keep the FS and Popular tools blades on the most. 
Click to expand...

Darcy,

What brand is Popular Tools?  For some reason I am not placing the brand.  Is there a model number you can reference?  Also, what tooth count do you like for SCMS blades for general work?  I would really like to find something that does not chip as badly exiting the saw.  I realize some of this might be technique, but I have read other makes might minimize this effect.  Appreciate your thoughts and do not want to hijack this thread.

Scot
 
WarnerConstCo. said:
The stock blade seems to do a better job of dust extraction then an aftermarket one does.  That was a difference I noticed.
Click to expand...

I haven't tried any other blades but if I do, that is well worth noting for those times when I am working in a customers living room.

Seth
 
I too wouldn't mind some advice on this subject. My kapex 120 gets used near enough every day for cutting pine and other materials, I do get chip out from the stock blade but that's to be expected at times. If there's any UK users, any chance of some recommendations on suitable blades? I did price up the 80 tooth festool blade and froze lol.

any help grately appreciated.

lew
 
elimelech12 said:
...I bought a Forrest for my kapex and couldn't be happier. The first time i used it i was impressed. - Like a hot knife through butter. No complaints whatsoever. I have had it almost 2 years and will send it for resharpening soon, but it lasted longer than the stock blade.
Click to expand...

I was never happy with the stock 60 tooth blade on the Kapex.

I was almost always getting tear out.

Built a zero clearance insert, a zero clearance fence, and while great for the bottom and rear of the cut neither of those helped with tear out at the top.

It only made sense, as that is where the teeth are exiting the stock.

So I'd make very shallow scoring cuts, then full cuts. Efective, but not what I wanted to do.

I finally sent my Forrest Chopmaster blade that I had on my Hitachi saw to be rebored and sharpened.

Man oh man....what a difference.

Like has been said, "Like a hot knife through butter".

Once I made the 1st cut, it reminded me of how great it was, and why I never really liked the stock blade.
 
Hi barnowl, thanks for the info on that, you mention the zero clearance inserts and adaptations to your kapex and Forrest for saw blades, Are Forrest available in the UK or internationally? if so, this could be useful. I prefer a cut to be as smooth as possible with minimal reworking but love my kapex for cutting perfect square cuts compared to my previos saw setup.

cheers for your feedback, it really helps.

lew
 
ScotF said:
WarnerConstCo. said:
I have a Tenryu, a Matsushita, a Popular tools, and a FS Tools, along with a 60T Festool blade.

I too find the stock Kapex blade dulls a bit faster then any of my other blades. 

They all cut well, but I usually keep the FS and Popular tools blades on the most. 
Click to expand...

Darcy,

What brand is Popular Tools?  For some reason I am not placing the brand.  Is there a model number you can reference?  Also, what tooth count do you like for SCMS blades for general work?  I would really like to find something that does not chip as badly exiting the saw.  I realize some of this might be technique, but I have read other makes might minimize this effect.  Appreciate your thoughts and do not want to hijack this thread.

Scot
Click to expand...

http://www.populartools.net/

My saw sharpener gave it to me to try.  Good blade for the money and US made too.
 
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