Kapex head will not plunge properly

[gates559]

Hi, could someone please give me a close up of the other side of the roller bearing, Opposite of the arrow. I think I have a piece of plastic just under the roller that is chipped and making the head jam up and not plunge properly. It seems that the arm is not being held up all the way.[attachimg=#]

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Mike,

I would suggest you contact our service department and speak with them. They can troubleshoot the issue and help get whatever issue you're experiencing resolved. Sorry that you're having trouble. Glad to have you make your first post. Hope to hear more from you.

If I can do anything to assist you, please feel free to contact me personally via PM or email.

Canadian Service Center: 613-363-0169

Thanks,
Shane

 

[jmbfestool]

Thats how a lot of people start on this fog!  [embarassed] that's how I came across fog and started on here  [embarassed] as I was looking for reviews to see if other people were havin the same problems as I had wiv my festool tool.

Jmb

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Mike,

Not sure if this helps. Maybe I should have taken a photo from behind the saw to better show that area. It's hard to see the actual roller from the other side because of the dust extraction port. Does this help at all? I'm home playing Mr. Mom with a sick 9-year-old today and starting to feel a little off myself. It was challenging to hold the saw head down and snap photos at the same time by myself.

Shane

 

[gates559]

Sorry Shane, the pic I need Is the same side as the pic shown. I need a close up of around the area where the power cord is. The power cord in the pic I just posted has the letters "TA"  on it. I need the close up of behind those letters.
It is just in front of the roller bearing. If that makes any sense.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Mike, see if any of these help out. The photography's not my best work...

 

[gates559]

Thanks, Those show what I needed, The piece of plastic  I thought was broke isnt.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Mine started doing that, had it fixed.  Started doing it again a few weeks later.

I think it needs some exploratory surgery now.

 

[gates559]

I was thinking if I got it fixed it would just be a matter of time before it happened again.

If you hold up on the metal arm everything works great. Also if you push up on the metal roller on the blade guard everything functions properly. There must be a part that is worn and letting the arm settle down to far.

I think Festool needs to do better field testing on new products before bringing them to the market! There is a lot of design flaws with this saw. For example,
When making a bevel cut the fence is in the way and hits on the motor.

When making a miter cut the angle finder is in the way, so it needs to be moved each time you change miter angles.

The blade guard doesn't extend back into position to cover the blade all the way every time.

I need to tighten the nut that allows the carriage to turn about every 3 weeks. If you tighten it to much it is hard to set the miter and dont forget the nasty grinding sound, if its to loose the saw is sloppy.

The head not plunging properly, There are plenty of posts about this problem, so I know I'm not the first.

I would think that some of these problems would have been found if there was much field testing. I use my saw everyday in a professional environment and I would not recommend it to anyone! Maybe I expect to much for $1644.00

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Mike, I certainly understand based on your comments why you'd be frustrated. Festool spends, on average, about 5-7 years bringing a tool to market. I suspect this is above the average.

I would urge you to take advantage of our warranty and give us the opportunity to fix the issues that are causing you grief. I understand that it's going to be inconvenient to send it in for repair, but is it more inconvenient to deal with the saw not working properly?

Again, I'm very sorry for your negative experience with the Kapex. However, we are a very service-oriented company.

I had suggested you contact your dealer to see if they would be willing to loan you their demo unit. Many dealers offer this courtesy to customers.

Shane

 

[gates559]

I know Festool has great service and would fix whats fixable with my saw.

My dealer is on the other side of the country, so getting a loaner isnt going to happen. I will eventually send it in, but I am busy now and buying another saw to use while mine gets fixed doesn't sound appealing to me.

I would not be so bitter if it was only my Kapex giving me problems. I have an ETS 125 collecting dust in the corner because it leaves swirl marks so badly I wont use it. My Rotex leaves swirls as well in orbital mode but I don't really expect it to be a finish sander. Before you say its my technique or the vac settings it is not. My Dynabrade works great.
The shaft lock on my OF 2200 doesn't work about 75% of the time, It needs to be cleaned to get it to work.

The combination of all these problems is making me not want any more festools. I do have several other Festools that work great but I expect them all to for the price paid.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Stuff happens was all I was saying.

You could maybe use the phone number on the tool and get it sorted out. 

I usually don't toss a 800.00 router in the corner because it needs cleaned or lubed.

I am pretty hard on tools but, I still realize the need for a little bit of maintenance.

You know like changing your oil every 15,000 miles whether it needs it or not. [big grin]

 

[gates559]

"I usually don't toss a 800.00 router in the corner because it needs cleaned or lubed." 

I would, in fact if I am stressed that day I will through it half way through the wall in the corner. The router doesn't just need to be cleaned and lubed. It gets saw dust in it and jams up regularly. I wouldn't call cleaning a tool everyday maintenance. Its annoying to go get the air line and blow it out every time I need to change bits.

 

[Brice Burrell]

....I would, in fact if I am stressed that day I will through it half way through the wall in the corner....

I think we now know why some of your Festool tools are having problems. [tongue]

 

[gates559]

Nah... I take care of all my tools, but they get used. I buy the best and I expect them to work properly and give me the performance I need, when they dont, they cost me money and have no place in my shop.... Except the corner [laughing]