Kapex died 19 months old

[drbwoodworks/Dan]

I waited a few years before I bought the Kapex for the shop , something about the saw never sat right with me , but I finally bought it . The Kapex is used in a professional cabinet/millwork shop lasted 19 months . 12-26-14 the saw died ,dropped it off at my local festool dealer he packed it , shipped it and offered me a loaner saw until this one came back . The saw came back on 1-08-15 . I was very pleased how fast it was repaired . No cost . No shipping . Out of all the festool tool I have gotten since 2001 , this was the first time there was a problem that we did not cause. Though I was disappointed because I have lots of other saws that lasted years longer with much more abuse I am happy they stepped up and fixed it . It was the armature , brushes , and bearings . And for some reason they removed my Betterly zero-clearance table insert and put the original one back in . By the way everyone should buy that Betterly insert.

EDIT> fixed quote box

 

[FinishingCanuck]

They gave you a loaner saw? Lucky you. When mine quit I asked both festool and lee valley and they both said no. I went 2 weeks having to use a dewalt I had to borrow. If it happens again I'm going to buy another kapex just to use as a loaner then return it

 

[Jim Green]

I felt I needed to chime in here. First of all I do like Festool products so please don't take this as a personal attack.. I have a Kapex that has been repaired 3 times(you can probably guess for what). It seems like it will we going in again. It is only used for trim, inside, with ct plugged directly to a socket. Of the many Festool tools I own this is the only one which has needed service. The Kapex clearly has problems. This is the only Festool product I own that I would not recommend. Again I do like and use many, many of there tools(heck I even like my Ti15) but the Kapex is not a reliable, long lasting tool. Sorry if I have ruffled some feathers.

 

[Pixel]

It is a problem with 110V Kapex saws, my 110V was always being repaired yet the 240V versions were no problem, were still running after 8 years of use before I sold them

 

[Iceclimber]

After using a 15 year old hand me down Makitta for a additional 10 years then a yellow saw for nearly as  long only replacing the yellow saw with a $1800 Kapex because i wanted to treat myself and splurge ill be really ticked. Even more somipas i have read so many of these threads and yet i still purchased the saw.

What a lesson it will be to lear yet again. My guess is it will be a problem right around the 3.25-4 year mark for me being i use my Kapex mostly for hobby in my shop and my yellow saw for job sight work 99% of the time.

 

[Dunn wood]

Use my Kapex all the time on sites, bought it when they first came out, only issue I had was the fence was not straight. Mind you it is only me using it. Seems like when there is more then one using tools they always break [eek].

 

[serlokas]

I hate when someone touches my Kapex. First thing you hear when they're at it is "How does it work" No no no. Ya dont know how it works then ya dont touch it.
If my kapex goes under aged It will be the last festool i have ever bought. For that price i expect the tool to last.

 

[FinishingCanuck]

I'm the same way. No one touches my saw unless I know they know what they're doing. When mine quit I was in the middle of a large baseboard job. I made a dozen cuts just fine then the next time I pull the trigger the blade would only spin about 100 rpm. There were no signs what so ever that it was about to fail. I can't even tell you how pissed I was that day

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I let anyone try it if they want to.  Mine has been used an abused for 6 years, had stuff fall on it in my trailer, left out in the rain a few times, been up on a couple roofs, on top of 4 flights of scaffolding, has paint and stain stuck on it, blood stains, etc. 

Still cuts like the day I took it out of the box. 

It's a tool, it gets used as such.

 

[duburban]

I'd consider a Kapex when a new version comes out that clearly addresses these issues. Its not cool to pretend like its not an issue.

 

[Iceclimber]

I kinda feel the same exact way yet i own one. Probably was not the smartest decision i ever made.

I sure do enjoy using it though  ;D

I'd consider a Kapex when a new version comes out that clearly addresses these issues. Its not cool to pretend like its not an issue.

 

[peter halle]

Personally I stopped worrying about 4 or 5 years in the future a few months ago.

My Kapex is approaching 5 years without letting me down.  And it is not pampered.

Peter

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I'd consider a Kapex when a new version comes out that clearly addresses these issues. Its not cool to pretend like its not an issue.

Except i have never had one issue with it. 

Only tool i had a problem with was my ras115.  Burnt two up in a row.  Third one has been perfect for 5 years.

 

[wow]

This issue concerned me greatly, but I bought one anyway. And I agree with whomever said that theirs will probably fail just  outside of the warranty period - but I bought one anyway.

If you've read many of my posts you know that I am certainly not a Festool fanboi. But let me make this observation:

First, I don't doubt the problem.

Second, the problem seems to be somewhat isolated, and those who have had the problem seem to maybe have had it more than once.

Based on years of 'troubleshooting' that leads me to wonder if there is something environmental that the Kapex doesn't like about the place where those people use their saw. I'm thinking something really unusual, like a floating ground or neutral, or a neutral and ground that aren't adequately bonded so there is a significant voltage difference between them, or something similar.

Of course, I could be all wet - but the incidents and repeat problems make me think the problem may be STARTING with a certain site condition?

Now just in case  you think I'm giving Festool a pass - I believe that the saw should be re-engineered so that this CAN'T be a problem. I WILL give them the benefit of thinking that they will address it once they figure it out. Should they find that it is a design defect, I would expect them to stand behind the saw FOR LIFE if affected by this issue. I don't, however, feel that it would be necessary to do a recall unless there is a safety component or significant numbers failing.

For now, I am satisfied that the numbers are small enough as to not likely affect me. Should that change, though...

I will scream like a howler monkey until mine gets fixed under warranty!

[wink]

 

[duburban]

I'd consider a Kapex when a new version comes out that clearly addresses these issues. Its not cool to pretend like its not an issue.

Except i have never had one issue with it. 

Only tool i had a problem with was my ras115.  Burnt two up in a row.  Third one has been perfect for 5 years.

For some its an issue and for some not. I'm impressed that yours has treated you so well.

 

[Gary in Texas]

This issue concerned me greatly, but I bought one anyway. And I agree with whomever said that theirs will probably fail just  outside of the warranty period - but I bought one anyway.

I will scream like a howler monkey until mine gets fixed under warranty!

[wink]

I think I would be screaming to have it fixed FOC even if past the warranty, this from the standpoint of hobbiest/shop only infrequent use.  I've read some posts here where some that use the Kapex infrequently have still had issues.  This troubles me.  If on a job site, used a lot, exposed to weather and transport, etc....I could understand if a Kapex needed an occasional service.

As much as I like the features on this saw, my simple yellow miter saw works very well for me.  That is what I will continue to use until  (hopefully) a new Kapex is released......

 

[John H]

I let anyone try it if they want to.  Mine has been used an abused for 6 years, had stuff fall on it in my trailer, left out in the rain a few times, been up on a couple roofs, on top of 4 flights of scaffolding, has paint and stain stuck on it, blood stains, etc. 

Still cuts like the day I took it out of the box. 

It's a tool, it gets used as such.

Correct me if I am wrong (maybe I am thinking of someone else) - but aren't you a paid spoke person or something for Festool?

 

[peter halle]

John,

Darcy is not a paid spokesperson.  He did appear in a video.  Darcy has posted about his experiences with his KAPEX for years here if you want to do a search.

Peter

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I let anyone try it if they want to.  Mine has been used an abused for 6 years, had stuff fall on it in my trailer, left out in the rain a few times, been up on a couple roofs, on top of 4 flights of scaffolding, has paint and stain stuck on it, blood stains, etc. 

Still cuts like the day I took it out of the box. 

It's a tool, it gets used as such.

Correct me if I am wrong (maybe I am thinking of someone else) - but aren't you a paid spoke person or something for Festool?

If something sucks I will say it sucks, if I have had no issues with something I will say it too. 

I don't care what anyone thinks either way. 

Apparently you have a problem with it, I find that amusing.

 

[gsdvorak]

I feel bad for you and the others that have had issues with your Kapex, but glad that Festool gave you a quick turn-around on the repair. 

As others have mentioned, I too hesitated buying this tool because of the price (in my case, almost two years since I first saw it).  However, after purchasing with the Kapex MFT, I'm really glad I did.  I get precision cuts at any angle and cannot be more pleased.  Mine probably doesn't take the abuse of carrying to job sites as it has always been in the furniture shop, although if necessary in the future I would not hesitate to do so. 

I do hope if I do have an issue with it, that I will get the service you did.

Regards,
Gerald