Kapex ( Greek for Spending my Childrens Inheritence)

[ririmarqueverte]

Riri, what is height of your extensions? Maybe Pat can measurer his Kapex and give you an idea if he thinks they will work.

My extensions are adjustable in height so that i can easily set them at the height of the MFT + KAPEX.

riri

 

[ririmarqueverte]

Still no news from Festool regarding my Basis extensions ???. Seems like a long time for them to determine whether these extensions do fit on the Kapex or not! Monday i should give them a wake up call! As far as i am concerned i am more and more convinced that it will fit. The design is exactly the same and these aluminium profiles are pretty standard in their construction ( REXROTH i believe ). 

riri

 

[Mr Jones]

The Festool extensions can adjust in height to allow for uneven ground, the legs can be spread slightly. The aluminium extrusion is very high quality, i.e. heavier than the MFT sides and extendable, and the crown moulding extension matches the Kapex base, so I guess they are magnesium, they also fit in the grooves on the cms.

The tape measure is in mm which does not bother me, but might upset imperial planners. If you had to use the extensions at non MFT levels you could clamp the extension arm plates to standard feed roller stands or rest them on sys1. The extra price for the kit in the UK is ?500 odd from dealers, so ?200 for the MFT which is a usefull piece of everyday kit and ?300 for the heavy duty extensions with tape measures that can be height adjusted and the crown moulding plates it's a fair price for the highest quality product.

 

[Forrest Anderson]

To recap, Riri asked whether the extension for the BASIS would fit the Kapex...

On Forrest's sketches it looks like the extensions of the basis could fit with a T nut ( if it wasn't for a question of height which can be easily fixed ). Like i said i have been using these extensions on the basis for a number of years and i have to say they are billiant: rigid, stiff and yet light. The tape measurer is great. Can someone tell me ( please ) they will fit onto the Kapex!

I posted an exploded diagram of the BASIS extension (Basis KA 100/200) and the Kapex extension (KA-KS 120), and they looked remarkably similar. Riri agreed, and said he's ask Festool...

I have to agree that the two extensions are indeed very similar and i can't see why they could not be interchanged ( apart from height ). Thank God there is thus some hope for me ;D!!! I'll take the matter up with my reseller ans i will keep you posted.

Unfortunately, it appears that Festool are being rather quiet on the matter...

Still no news from Festool regarding my Basis extensions ???. Seems like a long time for them to determine whether these extensions do fit on the Kapex or not! Monday i should give them a wake up call! As far as i am concerned i am more and more convinced that it will fit. The design is exactly the same and these aluminium profiles are pretty standard in their construction. 

Thanks for the update, Riri.

Tonight I decided to look for a parts diagram for each, in the hope of finding out how many parts were common between the two kits. If all the parts in the Kapex extension were the same as all the parts in the BASIS extension (same part no, same quantity), then then the two kits would be considered identical, and Riri could happily use his existing BASIS extension with the Kapex. Although they look the same in the exploded diagrams I posted, the length of the legs has always been a question mark. The Kapex extension should come with legs to make it level with the cutting table of the Kapex (presumably mounted on top of the MFT), whilst the BASIS extension should come with legs to make it level with the work surface of the BASIS. Since I believe that the working surfaces of the BASIS and the MFT are the same height above the ground, the legs for the Kapex extension would need to be longer by the height of the cutting table of the Kapex (which has been designed to be the same height as a Systainer).

OK, enough of the recapping - what did I find...?

I tracked down the illustrated spare parts diagrams for the BASIS and Kapex extensions at www.festool.co.uk and have shown them below. You will see that the diagrams and details of the parts are indeed very similar, but there are a few differences which I have highlighted in yellow:

BASIS Extension:

Kapex Extension:

You will see the following differences:

The order number of the tape measure has changed
The legs have different order numbers
The Kapex has a Stop Angle assembly, which the BASIS doesn't have (Part 31)
The Kapex has an extra "featherkey" (aka T-nut) and extra "DREHKNOPF D.34" (aka thumbscrew)

And that's it! The two extensions seem to be identical, apart from above differences, and we have the answer to the question about the legs. The Kapex extension *does* have different legs (if you measure them in the diagram, they are longer than those of the  BASIS).

In summary, I see no real reason why Riri's extension for his BASIS can't be used with the Kapex, so long as he gets round the difference in leg length. He could order some additional parts from Festool (new legs, additional thumbscrew and t-nut, Stop Angle assembly), but I think I'd be tempted to improvise in order to save money.

Forrest

 

[Brice Burrell]

Forrest, nice detective work, you seem to have gotten to the bottom of this little matter. Or should I call you Sherlock Holmes. 

 

[ririmarqueverte]

Thanks Forrest,

As i said the height of the legs is not a problem for me as i modified the existing ones so that i could have a variable height. Between you and me i imagine Festtol would be happier selling new extensions rather than admitting that the "old" Basis ones would do. Tomorrow i give them a call.

riri

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Forrest, nice detective work, you seem to have gotten to the bottom of this little matter. Or should I call you Sherlock Holmes. 

Thank you for your kind words.  Sadly my woodwork skills aren't as good as my research skills!

Forrest

 

[Forrest Anderson]

As i said the height of the legs is not a problem for me as i modified the existing ones so that i could have a variable height.

Can I ask how you did that? Perhaps some larger-diameter tubes which slip over the originals?

I believe that limited adjustment is done by varying the amount of leg that is inserted into the socket of the extension at the top end of the leg (the "Bushing", item No 7 in the diagram below). However the amount of travel can't be very much, and might not compensate for uneven ground. If I had one, I'd also try to come up with a more adjustable levelling system.

Between you and me i imagine Festtol would be happier selling new extensions rather than admitting that the "old" Basis ones would do.

I'd imagine they would too! It's rather like bits for cars, where manufacturers and dealers will try to sell you a complete module, when you only need one part. A friendly parts dealer, who knows his way round the system, is worth his weight in gold! However I must say that Festool is to be congratulated for making the systems so compatible with each other, which allows customers to attach bits from one system to another.

The BASIS system has now been superseded, but the CS70-KA (Order No 488556) extension for the CS50 and CS70 trimming saws (not available in the US market) is currently available, and also shares the vast majority of components with the extensions for the Kapex and BASIS. Once again the legs are different, so although all three trimming attachments are virtually the same, they all have different legs. I say this because there might be someone out there with a nice CS50 or CS70 setup, and who is thinking of purchasing the Kapex.

Forrest

 

[ririmarqueverte]

Hi Forrest,

Pretty simple really. I was not very happy with the standard legs mainly because i usually work away from my shed and found that the surfaces on sites are never flat. So i needed fast and easy adjustment for my extensions. By chance, at a fleamarket i came accross a couples of heavy adjustable aluminium legs which appear to originate from the soviet army ( holding guns or binoculars i suppose ). I bought them certain i was that i would have to fiddle something to use it on the Basis. Surprise, they were of the same diameter, as light or as heavy as the original ones and adjustable  for about 50cm just by turning one tube and holding the other one ( like you do on some pedestals for cameras ). since i have been so happy that i threw away the original legs!!!

riri

 

[ririmarqueverte]

Hi,

Festool sales rep came by today with a KAPEX to try my Basis extensions. As Forrest was implying, there is no problem whatsoever. It fits perfectly. At last a simple and straightforward answer! To me it is good news indeed, i have the extensions, now all i need is the KAPEX  ;D.

Thanks for yr help Forrest

riri

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Hi,
Festool sales rep came by today with a KAPEX to try my Basis extensions.

And where are the photos of this visit?  Members of the Festool Owners Group should always be ready with a camera in situations like this!

Matthew

 

[ririmarqueverte]

Oh Dear, i forgot my camera!!! so excited i was that my extensions were ok!!! . Next time i have a sales rep coming i promise i'll shoot him ( or her, one can always hope...) before i ask my question.

riri

 

[Forrest Anderson]

Festool sales rep came by today with a KAPEX to try my Basis extensions. As Forrest was implying, there is no problem whatsoever. It fits perfectly. At last a simple and straightforward answer! To me it is good news indeed, i have the extensions, now all i need is the KAPEX  ;D.

Great news that the BASIS extension fits the Kapex!    How much did you have to adjust your Russian machine-gun bipod legs to bring your extension up to the level of the Kapex?   

Oh Dear, i forgot my camera!!! so excited i was that my extensions were ok!!! . Next time i have a sales rep coming i promise i'll shoot him ( or her, one can always hope...) before i ask my question.

Whoa! You only said that you got the legs of the gun in the flea market - did you get the rest of the gun too?

Forrest

 

[mastercabman]

quick question.what size systainer does the kapex comes with?          ;D    lol ;D ;D ;D

 

[ririmarqueverte]

Hi Forrest,

I had to lift it by 11cm exactly ( from Basis' height ) which is the height of a systainer 1.

riri

 

[Forrest Anderson]

I had to lift it by 11cm exactly ( from Basis' height ) which is the height of a systainer 1.

Thanks for confirming that, Riri.

Hope you've started saving for your Kapex! I've seen one at a show, but not used it to cut anything. It looked very very nice 

Forrest

 

[ririmarqueverte]

Hi,

Of course, while the rep was there, he gave me a full demo of the Kapex. The tool has amazing capabilities and is quite easy to use without any efforts. It is a lot easier to use than the Symmetric ( which i love for its diabolical precision ) which i have always found to be too stiff ( the security latch ) and after a while your hand get tired. Here you could chop and saw all day without fatigue. I was just disapointed with all the plastic that comes with the Kapex. It does not look sturdy and i would definitely hesitate to lend it to one of my worker. It is a tool to be kept in private hands. Let us hope that it is not a trend for Festool tools. Also, sitting on my MFT 1080, my impression was that the Kapex requires a more stable platform.

That is my opinion ;D.

riri

 

[henry1224]

Here is a link to a portable work stand
http://www.htcproductsinc.com/mswc.html

 

[ririmarqueverte]

Here is a link to a portable work stand
http://www.htcproductsinc.com/mswc.html

Yes that seems to be the sort of stand that the Kapex deserves.

riri

 

[Llap Goch]

"I was just disapointed with all the plastic that comes with the Kapex. It does not look sturdy and i would definitely hesitate to lend it to one of my worker. It is a tool to be kept in private hands."

Riri

Me too. I do not like the clear plastic blade guard which is in marked contrast to the very substantial metal guard and ball bearing guide on the Symetric. I suppose that it is made out of the same stuff as aircraft windscreens but it does not fill me with the same level of confidence as the Symetric which is built like a brick s**t house.

But you have hit the nail on the head with your comment on the ease of use. The Kapex is a saw that you can use all day, every day, and never tire of. It is very easy to set up, precision like in use, has some wonderful features (some of which I will never use) and cuts with absolute accuracy.

I also agree that it is a one owner saw. It is ideal for a numpty like me or a self employed contractor who will look after it but I would never allow anyone else to use it. It is too expensive. I will have to see how it lasts but mine lives in a heated workshop, is only used by me (and Simou) and is cleaned and kissed before putting to bed. I am not sure how it would stand up to the rigours of site life or the back of a pick-up.

On the question of the MFT 1080. I have used it on both MFTs but I  prefer the MFT800. It feels more solid, is much more compact and is so much easier and lighter to carry into the house when I work inside. And it is probably why Festool supply the MFT800 as part of the accessory package.

Pat and the Llad