Kapex cuts like crap

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jimabuilders said:
I have multiple videos showing the exact problem if anyone is interested.  There is another post on here that describes the exact some problem and he has posted a couple pictures as well.

I think we'd all be interested in looking at a video to see what the problem really is.  [smile]  The part that strikes me is 200 cuts in pine trim trashing the blade. I've never seen that before...something's wacky.
 
jimabuilders said:
I can see the emotional attachment many of you have to your tools.  My main purpose for posting is to prevent someone from making a $1,500 mistake.  Had Festool support been, well, supportive instead of immediately going on the defensive blaming everything under the sun for the poor performance of the saw instead of entertaining even the most remote possibility of the saw being defective.  To explain the issue further:  The kapex cuts very accurately on all miters and most bevel angles but, power seems limited compared to every other miter saw I've every owned or used.  That's not even the biggest issue as I only intend to use this saw for detailed interior trim work - not framing.  But, the real issue comes on the bevel cuts.  I doubt it's the motor and I'm on my second festool blade.  I'm only cutting 4" pine casing and some 3" crown.  Barely have 200 cuts on the blade and it's done this since day one on both blades.  Another poster mentioned the same issues and made the switch to a Tenryu which apparently solved the problem.  This would aggravate me even more since I would have spent more on blades alone then most miter saws cost.  The Kapex is great for ingenuity, bells/whistles and dust collection which was the only reason I purchased it.  Never had an issue with any miter saw as far as accuracy or power.  This purchase was simply to downsize the amount of tools on the job and take advantage of the festool inter-compatibility which I love.  I have multiple videos showing the exact problem if anyone is interested.  There is another post on here that describes the exact some problem and he has posted a couple pictures as well.

2 Questions

1) Did you call Festool service?
2) Do you know that you have 30 days to return the saw if for any reason you are unhappy with it?
 
With all of the complaints here you would think no one would buy a Kapex.
 
Well, not everyone has seen the news. 

Just the other day a recent FOG member commented he had not heard of the issue though he has been buying the tools for a while.

Also, some people are willing to assume the risk either because the risk is small, or the risk is warranted because the pros outweigh them.  Some people think the UG cart is the ne plus ultra of saw stands.

FWIW , I have noticed more of these saws for sale lately around here, on fleabay, and on craig's.
 
antss said:
Well, not everyone has seen the news. 

Just the other day a recent FOG member commented he had not heard of the issue though he has been buying the tools for a while.

Also, some people are willing to assume the risk either because the risk is small, or the risk is warranted because the pros outweigh them.  Some people think the UG cart is the ne plus ultra of saw stands.

FWIW , I have noticed more of these saws for sale lately around here, on fleabay, and on craig's.

I could only find 3 on UK ebay for sale by auction - hardly a rush on.

Peter
 
antss said:
Well, not everyone has seen the news. 

Just the other day a recent FOG member commented he had not heard of the issue though he has been buying the tools for a while.

Also, some people are willing to assume the risk either because the risk is small, or the risk is warranted because the pros outweigh them.  Some people think the UG cart is the ne plus ultra of saw stands.

FWIW , I have noticed more of these saws for sale lately around here, on fleabay, and on craig's.

I typed in Kapex on the Chicago Craiglist-2 came up.

Just checked eBay--1 used one is listed. A lot of dealer listings for new one.

Tom
 
Peter, being that the majority of your market's saws are not 110v versions - the issue is greatly reduced.

And it's seven for sale , as long as we're being factual  [wink]  Compare that to the nine sanders across eight models (not one) that are for sale and I think it might be a bit more of a rush than at first glance.

And in the last six weeks it's going on twenty of them.  And while that may not be a rush on either, it is fairly significant. Especially compared against the same time period a year ago and before.

I'll say it again. Nice saw.  But for the price ; the reliability issues (whether real or only perceived) will give any rational buyer pause.  It's great that yours is hunky dory , but how would you feel if you got one of the ones that won the lottery after four years ?  Some will  run out and buy another one they love it so much.  Maybe you are in this catageory.

Others (and I suspect most) will not feel as charitable as you do.  Additionally , that group will feel even more put out if they find out they could have been warned about the possibility of future trouble.
 
Hi Tom

It just goes to show that you cannot believe everything that gets posted under the "Kapex Issues" range of subjects. There will be some people with genuine problems and they deserve to get things sorted out but there are a number of people who have no personal experience (ie with their own Kapex) of any problems but they just want to mix it.

Peter
 
Would be really good if the OP could give a lot more information what exactly is occurring along with some images or videos.

Something just seems a bit odd that when people have asked for some more details none have been forthcoming. Why would you not provide more details when people are trying to help you resolve an issue you're experiencing with a pretty expensive tool, just doesn't make any sense to me personally.

The Kapex KS 60 has got a few annoying issues which personally i think should have been easily identified & designed out of the product before release but its still a very good saw. Personally i do not think the Festool blades hold an sharp edge for as long as they should on the Kapex or TS55REQ (I have switched to Stehle on my tack saw) but they are certainly not so poor that a couple of hundred cuts in pine would dull them so rapidly, so something is definitely awry.

Maybe (just maybe) the OP or one of his colleagues forgot to slide the back fence back & cut into it which is very easily done when doing skirting with various angles all over the place & you're concentrating  on that & only realise when you hear that distinct sound of the blade on the metal (yes i will confess i have done this  [mad] [sad] & i did slap myself with an appropriate wet fish) but hey shit happens on site & just need to do what is required to resolve things.
 
My 240V KAPEX doesn't "cut like crap". It's extremely accurate and has been highly reliable. It has never let me down on power either.

People complaining about mitre saws seems to be a staple of the power tool industry. Over the years I've heard so many people complaining about deflection, accuracy, sawdust, etc, etc ... When properly adjusted and if working to manufacturer's 240V specification I simply cannot complain about the KAPEX.

Maybe there's a fundamental issue with some of Festool's 110V conversions ... but regardless, that wouldn't be a cut quality issue, it'd be power and reliability.

 
I think Peter hit the mark.

There are some people who get their thrill creating dissent regardless of underlying truth. Some people who unfortunately experience real issues and who work nicely with the Forum and with Festool to resolve them. There are some people who experience real issues and begun the discussions with Festool and the Forum in a Black mood. I, without any factual knowledge, believe the vast and silent majority of Festool customers are happy with their products. My Kapex has worked hard for years and cuts accurately. I bought a new blade a few months ago thinking it was about time. Still getting smooth fast cuts.

If I were to give advice to people having Festool product problems, it would be to approach Festool and the Forum with accurate information presented with honesty and politeness. I find rancor shuts off constructive conversation.

I was waiting in a lost bag line at an airport. The man ahead of me was yelling at the woman attendant trying to help. After enduring a few minutes of being yelled at, she told the man in a quiet voice “there are only two people in the world who care about your bag and I’m losing interest”.

There is a good lesson there.
 
FYI, Peter et al - I got one of the first Kapex units to roll into the USA.

People with looming problems deserve something too.  Soft pedaling the issue doesn't help get a resolution either.  Not having one of the saws yourself means you have no personal experience with the issue either.

FT could easily silence the mixers by saying something like : we've sold a thousand of these and have had 10 documented failures.  Even I'd agree that a 1% failure rate is better than industry average.

But no.......................they have said nothing   Which in and of itself would be ok had they not publicly said they'd look into the issue.  Almost two years ago now. 
 
Birdhunter said:
I was waiting in a lost bag line at an airport. The man ahead of me was yelling at the woman attendant trying to help. After enduring a few minutes of being yelled at, she told the man in a quiet voice “there are only two people in the world who care about your bag and I’m losing interest”.

Now that's funny... [not worthy] [not worthy]...what a great reply.  🙏
 
This thread has been locked due to the fact that the OP has not been back to provide more information and try to solve the problems and it has now morphed into some other sort of argument.

If the OP returns with more info or to take part we can reopen the topic.

Seth
 
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