Kapex Fence Problem

[adrtree]

I am having an issue with the fence on the Kapex. My saw is only about a month old and hasnt seen much use. I am renovating a house we bought here in Norway. I am not a pro or a carpenter so your advice is appreciated as I'm way out of my area here.

I have read previous discussions on adjusting the fence. The fence is about .5 to 1mm out on the right side of the fence from nearest the blade to furthest.
In other words if I push a straight edge against the fence then I have a .5 to1 mm gap between the straight edge and the fence about half way down the right side starting closest to the blade moving right.
The entire fence being one piece I can tighten the left 2 bolts and then loosen the right 2 and push the fence backward until it bends into the proper position. I can then tighten it and it will hold for a day or 2 but then back to the same problem.

Am I being too picky considering its .5mm or should I take my saw back in for a fence replacement??? It makes it very difficult for me on particular cuts.

 

[ajones]

Hi adrtree

welcome to the fog

if its not right take it back and get it fixed.. be sure to let us know how you get on.

 

[adrtree]

Thanks, I hate to take something back in if it is within the acceptable tolerances. I suppose the better question for me to ask you guys is whether .5 mm out on the fence is something you could go ahead and expect out of a saw or not?? I know it is impossible for it to be perfect but where do you draw the line? My friends machine shop works in the thousandths so what do carpenters accept? Depends on the carpenter I suppose.
The Norwegian guy helping me doesnt want to use the saw for this reason.
He actually uses a Hitachi. As I said I'm no carpenter but every Hitachi product I've used has been garbage.
Recently purchased a Hitachi shop Vac and 2 weeks later I bought a new Festool 36 vac. I thought my wife might want the Hitachi one now but her home vacuum is better....

 

[Alan m]

welcome to the fog.
.5 mm is  a lot. thats well outside what i would consider acceptable. there should be able to machine that part to thousants of an inch tolerence.
send it back or ring festool , they might send you the part

 

[ajones]

the kapex is not some cheapo chinees junk and as such if you are not happy with take it back I'm sure the problem will be resolved.

yes the latest ct's are great

 

[otis04]

Is it only the right side?  Check the left as well because it may be the mitre scale tha tis off.  I check alignment by cutting a board, flipping it over and cutting a thin sliver, measure the difference between the 2 ends.  On my Kapex, it is .0005" out so the real error is half that.

 

[waho6o9]

Cut 4 miters off the fence in question and put together and see if the problem compounds. Post pictures if possible.
If your not satisfied with the 4 miters and there's gaps in them, take back the Kapex.
Good luck.  [smile]

 

[semenza]

Hi adrtree,

Welcome to the FOG!  [smile]

Here is a link to Rick Christopherson's website Waterfront Woods. There you will find some excellent supplemental manuals for some of the Festool tools including the Kapex. It contains very clear and easy to use instructions for checking all the settings and calibrating the saw.  It may be helpful in determining the problem with your Kapex.

Seth

 

[adrtree]

Well thanks for the welcomes and advice. To answer a few of you yes I'm sure it has nothing to do with the miter. Its just the fence assembly being bent in a tighter and off shaped "U" than it should be. Sorry if I haven't explained it clearly.
Here in Norway the prices on equipment are eye watering and the customer service is good. I'm sure they won't mind replacing it.
Now if only one of you guys could teach me how to build a Norwegian house.  I wish I had a better skill set for construction. Theres quite a bit of money in it here in Norway and the houses are simple compared to many in the US.
I have been a Tree Removal Contractor in America for 15 years so this is quite a change for me attempting to build/renovate houses here.

 

[ajones]

Adrtee

There must be good money in most things in norway its so expensive there its painfull

and you need to be handy with explosives if you build houses [big grin]

 

[adrtree]

Yeah building materials and tools are [scared]. The Kapex was 13000 KR/ over $2000 with the cheesy but handy one pole extenders. Its retail list price was 19000 KR which is well over $3000.
For Door trim packs it cost the equivalent of $100 Us dollars per interior door. Another $100 dollars for each interior door casing. Another $100 for each interior door blade. And then almost $100 for the door handle. So one bad cut often equals a $25-$100 mistake.
I do see builders and do it yourselfers  spending 400,000 US to build and then selling the houses for 800,000. Leaves room for a nice profit.. Alot  better than the 10 to 20% profit builders shoot for in the US. Its a great market for construction workers. Its nice to see a place where trade workers actually make a decent living. In America its gone real bad for working guys.
And Yes, foundation work here does normally involve explosives. Plenty of rock.

Adrtee

There must be good money in most things in norway its so expensive there its painfull

and you need to be handy with explosives if you build houses [big grin]

 

[Kev]

Yeah building materials and tools are [scared]. The Kapex was 13000 KR/ over $2000 with the cheesy but handy one pole extenders. Its retail list price was 19000 KR which is well over $3000.
For Door trim packs it cost the equivalent of $100 Us dollars per interior door. Another $100 dollars for each interior door casing. Another $100 for each interior door blade. And then almost $100 for the door handle. So one bad cut often equals a $25-$100 mistake.
I do see builders and do it yourselfers  spending 400,000 US to build and then selling the houses for 800,000. Leaves room for a nice profit.. Alot  better than the 10 to 20% profit builders shoot for in the US. Its a great market for construction workers. Its nice to see a place where trade workers actually make a decent living. In America its gone real bad for working guys.
And Yes, foundation work here does normally involve explosives. Plenty of rock.

Adrtee

There must be good money in most things in norway its so expensive there its painfull

and you need to be handy with explosives if you build houses [big grin]

Relative costs are similar in Oz ... but the typical home site doesn't need to be terraformed with explosives. (Actually a lot depends on whereabouts in Oz, there's a lot of it)

 

[adrtree]

Kev how much does your average carpenter make per hour in Australia?? I've heard of a local Australian carpenter here in  my area now. Its about as unusual to see an Australian in Norway as it is to see an American. 

 

[Kev]

Kev how much does your average carpenter make per hour in Australia?? I've heard of a local Australian carpenter here in  my area now. Its about as unusual to see an Australian in Norway as it is to see an American. 

As woodworking for me is a hobby, I don't have exact knowledge. I would expect a skilled carpenter to attract better than $50 per hour - on average. A lot of independent contractors would do better than that, but someone like a door installer working for a discount door retailer may make a lot less.

In the building trades here, electricians and plumbers tend to make more than bricklayers, concrete layers, carpenters, etc.

A good locksmith makes a killing - after hours work, security, etc.

When it comes to furniture and cabinet making - there's a massive amount of flat pack and asian import here. I tend to feel that you need to be very well known and of premium quality to make a good living in that space (though I'm guessing we're not unique in having our fair share of "rip-off" kitchen and bathroom renovation companies).

Obviously income is relative to local cost of living - with property costs being a major component. Sydney property prices are just insane - but there's many places that are still reasonable in Oz.