Kapex hitting plastic insert

[regulator95]

Hello

I received a Kapex last week and it is cutting fine but I just needed to cut some chair rail on a 45 degree bevel to the left. I noticed that the blade hits the plastic insert when beveled. Is this normal?

 

[Rick Christopherson]

That's the reason why the insert is made of plastic. However, you shouldn't really be cutting in to it either. Doing so is probably a sign that you are inadvertently biasing your saw sideways while making a bevel cut. Be careful to keep your hand pressure in-line with the saw carriage (sliding rails) and not downward.

 

[regulator95]

Rick thanks for the response. I have not cut into it but the side of the blade essentially rubs against it. Definitely not pushing down on the head of the saw. Just curious if anyone else noticed rubbing. I will be making a new insert out of wood soon

 

[Rick Christopherson]

I have an insert on my saw. It's the same one shown in the manual, and was made specifically for the manual (and personal aesthetics).

One thing I want to point out is that I've read on the forum here that quite a few saw owners put a little too much stake in the insert. On a tablesaw, the zero-clearance-insert helps reduce tearout on the back side of the cut. However, on a miter saw, the ZCI does not serve that same purpose. It doesn't impact tearout. What it does do, however, is help prevent tiny offcuts from falling between the blade and the insert. That, plus it just looks nicer.

A zero-cleance fence will impact tearout, but that is a different matter.

[attachimg=1]

 

[jacko9]

I agree and my insert was made from some left over Ipe wood.  However that damn stuff is so hard that it chipped two inserts in my Shelix planer cutting head.  I guess that's why Shelix gives you a box of replacement inserts.  The Zero clearance insert does look mighty fine and those nasty offcuts flying around are sure a pain in the butt.

Jack

 

[Birdhunter]

I've found flying cut offs result from lifting the Kapex head before the blade comes to a complete stop.