Kapex Cord Reel - Okay to Remove to Save Space

[tjgaut]

I'm new to this forum with the purchase of my first Festool (Kapex / CT 36 after drooling for over a year). I have a small shop and plan to mount the Kapex on a mobile stand. Is it a dumb idea to remove the cord reel to shorten its foot print? I know its only a couple of inches but this would allow the stand to flush up against my workbench. The Kapex will be permanently mounted on the mobile stand so I don't need the built-in handle.

Regards,
Tommy

 

[Brice Burrell]

Welcome to the FOG Tommy!  I briefly looked at my Kapex and I can't tell if the cord reel/carry handle is holding any other parts together or not (without taking it apart).  You could try carefully taking it apart or a more conservative route would be to call Festool ask. 

 

[tjgaut]

Thanks for the suggestion. In retrospect, I think I'll be more conservative and leave it alone. I hate messing with a brand new toy, ahem, I mean tool.

Regards, Tommy

 

[Brice Burrell]

Thanks for the suggestion. In retrospect, I think I'll be more conservative and leave it alone. I hate messing with a brand new toy, ahem, I mean tool.

Regards, Tommy

I remembered I have some pictures of when I did take the back of my Kapex apart just to see how the bevel locking worked.  Looking at the pictures now it doesn't look like you'll wouldn't have any problem removing the reel.  However, there is a slight flaw in that plan.  There is a post sticking out for one of the screws that holds the reel on, and it looks like it would be in the way to prevent the saw from going back as far as you'd like.  You could cut that post off but that would probably mean you wouldn't be able to remount the reel.  Check out the picture I have to see what I mean.  

Still, I'd give it try without cutting the post and see what happens.

 

[festooltim]

Removing the wrap would not gain much because you still need space for when you flip up the bevel lock.