Kapex & Dewalt Stand

[Jay Evans]

The other thing to keep in mind is that the DeWalt stand, without any of the attachments or supports is the exact same height as a MFT1080 or 800.  Very handy to know if you just want to bring our one of the old MFTs and work with long or very wide pieces.

Cheers
Jay

 

[mwildt]

If one uses the kapex/mft3, and puts it next to the mft3 will the holes in the mft3 lineup such that one can use those holes to hold an extended fence ? I like the idea that the mft3 is at correct height to the kapex/mft3 but it would be ideal if one could put a fence on the mft3. That way you would get like a 'half' saw helper, sort of.

I still see the sawhelper page working so I emailed them to see if they're still in business.

Michael

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Works good like that but, not fun to set up all the time if you are moving the saw around.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

My plan is to mount the Kapex and the Festool extensions on the DeWalt stand rather than on the MFT Kapex!

To be more specific:

1. Attach the Kapex to the DeWalt mounting brackets, either directly or using spacing pieces as per Chris's photos

2. Clip the Kapex and the DeWalt mounting brackets onto the stand

3. Attach a table widener/crown moulding stop bracket to either side of the Kapex

4. Take the left and right Festool extension arms and remove the legs and leg brackets

5. Attach the extension arms to the table widener/crown moulding stop brackets, as per Festool instructions

6. Lay the table extension arms on the DeWalt support posts. The support posts will support the Festool arms and the end of the timber, and the undermount supports on the arms will stop the timber sagging.

(Sorry I don't have a pictures at the moment, but hopefully the above will be clear).

The advantages of this are:

-  The whole contraption can be lifted and moved around the place as one single unit

-  Since there are four points of contact with the ground compared to eight with the Festool system, levelling this Kapex/DeWalt system on undulating ground is much easier.

-  The Festool arms (which each extend out to about 2.4 metres) are very solid and well designed, and you can position the flag stop at any point along them and use the included scale to cut the timer to the desired length. You can buy additional stop flags if you are constantly cutting to different lengths.

-  The Festool arms include an undermount support for very floppy workpieces, and also a support for tall lengths of skirting board/baseboard. You can slide these supports anywhere along the arm and buy additional supports as required.

I realise that it would be quite possible to mount the Kapex and the Festool extension arms to other similar mitre saw stands, but the DeWalt seems to be nicely engineered and gets good reviews. The addition of wheels to the stand would be a useful addition, so that you could just lift one end of assembly and move it around the work area.

I can supply detailed photos of the Festool extensions if anyone needs them, but I don't have the DeWalt stand yet!

Forrest

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Forrest, I would love to see some detailed photo's of the Kapex extensions.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Forrest, I would love to see some detailed photo's of the Kapex extensions.

Certainly. Here are some I took a few minutes ago.

First, here's a stock photo which gives an overview of the parts (with my own unofficial names). Note that several of the items are now black:

Here is the right-hand extension arm in use, showing the components and a length of 44x18mm pine, ready to be cut with outer stop flag set to 800mm. Note the small clamp and knob at the left-hand end of the extension fence, which secures the end of the tape measure and stops it retracting. The tape sits in a groove along the top of the fence, and can be zeroed to the blade by releasing the clamp. The undermount support slides in a T-slot in the bottom of the fence, and is secured by a knob (not shown). The support projects 138mm from the fence. Additional supports can easily be added for long material.

Close-up of stop flag. It slides in the T-slot in the top edge of the extension arm, is secured by the knob at the top, and has two adjustment screws at the back (not visible) which reduce the "wiggle" of the stop in the T-slot. There is also a ball bearing that engages in one of the holes of the flag to hold it into the down position (the main photo above shows a second stop flag in the raised position, and the ball bearing is visible).

This is the tall material support. It slides in the same T-slot, and is 90mm high and 63mm wide. The total support height, from the bottom of the extension fence to the top of the support, is 143mm, which is taller than the Kapex can cut.

Tomorrow I'll take photos of the far end of the fence, showing the tape measure and how the fence is actually made up of three parts to allow it to extend to full length (about 2.4 metres).

Forrest

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Does the extension get in the way of the tall fence on the Kapex itself? 

Looks like you can not remove that fence section with the Extensions installed.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Does the extension get in the way of the tall fence on the Kapex itself? 

Looks like you can not remove that fence section with the Extensions installed.

That is correct. The Kapex's own tall fence (the one with the green lever) will slide on the top of the Kapex's fixed short fence approx 1" to left and right with the extension installed. However the right hand end of the tall fence will not move beyond the right-hand end of the short fence if the extension is installed.

Having said that, the process of removing the tall fence can be done in only 10 seconds - I timed it just now! My suggested method would be to loosen the large knob that holds the table widener, push the table and extension fence to the rear, slide off the Kapex's tall fence, and then reverse the process.

Forrest

 

[mwildt]

Works good like that but, not fun to set up all the time if you are moving the saw around.

Yep, that is true. I'm only in this for my hobby. I have very limited space why the whole festool line of products really appeals to me, since I have to setup and breakdown for each project. I'm working on getting a shed for the garden stuff so I can use the garage a bit more permanent. Don't think I'll get a dedicated wood shop anytime soon so the ability to pack it up is necessary. It is a royal pain, but it works.

I do not have a kapex not even a miter saw so I do not have a good idea on how much space it will take up and if I would be ok with just the mft/3 and the kapex/mft. I really like the mft/3 but is has its limitations which a kapex can cover. The mft/3 is more my all round work table.

If you have both would you mind snapping a picture so I can see how a fence, on the mft/3, could lineup with the kapex/mft ?

Ideally I like the Dewalt solution or the sawhelper (they are in business btw, got their pricelist). That would give good flexibility and also the ability to store it easily. But if I can get room, the shed solution, I could potentially use the mft's to make it a little more permanent. Why I'm still debating on what would be best.

Michael

 

[mwildt]

Forrest, I would love to see some detailed photo's of the Kapex extensions.

Certainly. Here are some I took a few minutes ago.

[Removed the rest]

Forrest

Would you mind snapping a picture of how the rail attaches to the kapex ?

Thanks
Michael

 

[Dan Clark]

...or the sawhelper (they are in business btw, got their pricelist).
...

Michael,

I sincerely hope you are correct.  However, I think what you got might be an automated response.    I sent a request to Tim with specific question - "When can I get the SawHelper Kapex brackets?"  I hope I get a real response with specifics about availability.  If so, I'll post here.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[Brice Burrell]

...or the sawhelper (they are in business btw, got their pricelist).
...

Michael,

I sincerely hope you are correct.   However, I think what you got might be an automated response.    I sent a request to Tim with specific question - "When can I get the SawHelper Kapex brackets?"   I hope I get a real response with specifics about availability.  If so, I'll post here.

Regards,

Dan.

Dan is correct, the price list is emailed out as an auto response.

 

[Dan Clark]

...or the sawhelper (they are in business btw, got their pricelist).
...

Michael,

I sincerely hope you are correct.   However, I think what you got might be an automated response.    I sent a request to Tim with specific question - "When can I get the SawHelper Kapex brackets?"   I hope I get a real response with specifics about availability.  If so, I'll post here.

Regards,

Dan.

Dan is correct, the price list is emailed out as an auto response.

I really HATE being correct on this issue! 

 

[honeydoman]

sawhelper went out of business last december, and who knows if they ever will start back up again.  so at this time there is no brackets available, unless you search on ebay .. but good luck as not that many were made.  I have a set, and had another but gave it to a friend early this year.

which is to bad as the brackets work great on the kapex.  they attach to the crown stop v groove.

you could have a shop make up something that you could attach to a the table top.

 

[kev carpenter]

for me the festool stand just wouldnt work i have very limited space, some times a chop saw alone is unpractical but the kapex is good because you can have it up flat against a wall [big grin] and due to nature of my work (home improvement and maintanence ) it would cost me money using kapex stand  but if i was wood working i would probably make a stand to my own spec.

even the festool rep said i should buy a dewalt stand over mft/k but whay ever works for you is the main thing and your making money [big grin]

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Works good like that but, not fun to set up all the time if you are moving the saw around.

If you have both would you mind snapping a picture so I can see how a fence, on the mft/3, could lineup with the kapex/mft ?

Michael

I can later today, this week is kind of hectic.  Why is it, that everyone always wants something done right now, this time of year.

I will tear-off and re-shingle about 60 square this week, ughhhhhh....  (then I could get the extensions [cool])

 

[mwildt]

Yikes, that would suck big time. I didn't consider the auto response, but the pdf sure is from 2008.

If I get time I'll try to give them a call just to check since their product sure looks interesting.

Michael

...or the sawhelper (they are in business btw, got their pricelist).
...

Michael,

I sincerely hope you are correct.   However, I think what you got might be an automated response.    I sent a request to Tim with specific question - "When can I get the SawHelper Kapex brackets?"   I hope I get a real response with specifics about availability.  If so, I'll post here.

Regards,

Dan.

Dan is correct, the price list is emailed out as an auto response.

I really HATE being correct on this issue! 

 

[mwildt]

Cool, thanks.

Michael

Works good like that but, not fun to set up all the time if you are moving the saw around.

If you have both would you mind snapping a picture so I can see how a fence, on the mft/3, could lineup with the kapex/mft ?

Michael

I can later today, this week is kind of hectic.  Why is it, that everyone always wants something done right now, this time of year.

I will tear-off and re-shingle about 60 square this week, ughhhhhh....  (then I could get the extensions [cool])

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Would you mind snapping a picture of how the rail attaches to the kapex ?

It would be my pleasure. I'm using the Kapex and extensions on a job tonight and I'll take some some photos of that aspect and upload them when I come back.

Forrest

 

[mwhafner]

Yikes, that would suck big time. I didn't consider the auto response, but the pdf sure is from 2008.

If I get time I'll try to give them a call just to check since their product sure looks interesting.

Michael

Please let us know if you get a response.  I think it was March or April since I heard from Tim.