Kapex calibration question

[iosifM]

I just got a brand new Kapex 120 to replace my old Craftsman and before using it I thought its a good idea to check the calibration, following the instructions from the Supplemental User's Manual. Miter, bevel and laser to find out to my disappointment that only the bevel calibration was right out of the box.
I fixed the miter calibration. I have to fix the laser calibration too, but I have a hard time thinking that I'll have to punch through the decal to get access to the screws. I assume the reason for the adjustment holes to be covered by the decal is because this is not supposed to be a calibration the user should have to do and also to keep dust out.
I guess my question is: is it ok for a brand new expensive tool not to be fully calibrated out of the box or is the legendary Festool quality going down?

 

[ChuckM]

I, too, had to calibrate my EB to get what I wanted for the square cut/miter and laser settings (the bevel was dead-on). I don't think dust will be an issue because of the holes -- and those holes can be easily taped over, if desired.

For such an expensive miter saw, yeah, the process for the factory settings should be tightened. I recently bought a Dewalt thickness planer; its factory settings were spot-on. I also did nothing to get supreme results from the SawStop PCS when it arrived, and it has stayed so all these years. Perhaps, Festool can learn a thing or two from the SawStop people since they're a family.

 

[iosifM]

I checked all my other Festool I own and they are all made in Germany, the Kapex is the only one made in the Czech Republic, it seems like they have a quality control issue over there.

 

[peter halle]

Forgive me if I don't automatically fly the quality control issue banner for calibration issues on a tool that has travelled thousands of miles in unknown conditions, let alone placing blame on one specific facility.

Others' opinions may of course differ.

Peter

 

[iosifM]

I'm just stating the obvious, and blaming the shipping for this kind of issues is like saying everything else is made right there in the store.

 

[ChuckM]

I had given thought to the possibility of shipping and delivery as a reason for poor factory settings or QC deficiency, but come to the conclusion that that might not be the prime cause for the setting issues some new owners have experienced (Gary Katz of THISisCarpentry has even made videos on how to do calibration on the Kapex). Most imported machines, including some bigger and heavier ones, are subject to the same risk and, like the Dewalt thickness planer I have, their factory settings seem fine on the whole.

Furthermore, if delivery and handling is identified as the culprit, that problem deserves some intervention.

 

[iosifM]

Problem solved. Fortunately the instructions on the supplemental user's manual are very good, but unfortunately the side of the saw now looks like something bought at a garage sale and not like a brand new expensive item I bought a week ago.

 

[SoonerFan]

Problem solved. Fortunately the instructions on the supplemental user's manual are very good, but unfortunately the side of the saw now looks like something bought at a garage sale and not like a brand new expensive item I bought a week ago.

Glad you got it fixed.

 

[many-things]

I just tried to think of it in terms of 'getting to know my machine', and calibrating it carefully myself was part of that process, and so also means I know how to recalibrate it again later.

I agree it was dissapointing I had to puncture the decal to do it, I feel like they could have pre-punched holes themselves, or at least partially pre-punched, or made the bigger label in two parts so the place you need to make the holes can be pre-cut where the holes are (and aligned more easily by the person sticking the decal on).

But in the scheme of things, I'm still very happy with the machine.

 

[Crispy]

I did not know about the supplemental manual running you through this.
Ive always used a magnetic digital bevel box for the vertical alignment, and have had to lock the saw vertically off of centre, from memory a degree or 2..
Ive known you could adjust the lasers, i want to narrow it down a bit, but have been too lazy ( and puncturing the sticker holes ...) to do it
This gives me more things to do this weekend

 

[iosifM]

I just tried to think of it in terms of 'getting to know my machine', and calibrating it carefully myself was part of that process, and so also means I know how to recalibrate it again later.

I agree it was dissapointing I had to puncture the decal to do it, I feel like they could have pre-punched holes themselves, or at least partially pre-punched, or made the bigger label in two parts so the place you need to make the holes can be pre-cut where the holes are (and aligned more easily by the person sticking the decal on).

But in the scheme of things, I'm still very happy with the machine.

It's all about expectations, years ago when I bought my Craftsman I started by 'knowing my machine', it was like they expected the customer to check and calibrate it, as much as possible.
Festool on the other hand is an investment and before I bought it I did a lot of research, everyone was bragging about how perfect the machine is out of the box so I expected it to be.
The issue is not that I had to calibrate it, that was just disappointing, the issue is how it looks after I had to punch through the decal, it's a mess.

 

[MikeGE]

Both of the LASERs in my saw needed adjustment right out of the box. As @peter halle wrote above, I have no idea what tender mercies the shipping companies might have shown my saw before it arrived at my house. The rest of the saw was perfectly aligned.

I really don't care how the label looks, as it doesn't affect the operation of the saw and I'm no longer competing in the Kapex of the Year award.



If the condition of the label is a problem, replacements might be a few mouse clicks away.