Kapex is destroyed

[TetonStorm]

I finally made the jump to a Kapex after owning many festools. I love the saw after two weeks of owning it. I'm a high end finish/trim carpenter and this morning while cutting a miter with the non drop side clamped and moving slowly as I always do there was a serious kickback which threw the drop piece into the blade guard and wedged it inbetween the blade and guard. In the process it took out the guard retractor mechanism and broke the housing near the dust extraction scoop. I'm at a loss right now with what to think or do. I bought the saw from Amazon LLC are they the dealer I need to contact? I've been doing this for 20+ years and have NEVER had this type of thing happen. Thoughts on what I should do or who I should contact. I called customer service and the repair guy at festool said its on me. This is just not acceptable. I took all the normal precautions for kickback and I'm super bummed at this point.

 

[SittingElf]

You need to contact Festool Service directly. Forget Amazon.

Their number is 888-337-8600

Good luck,
Frank

 

[TetonStorm]

That's who I called. He wanted to connect me with an "application" guy who would go through the steps of how to use the tool correctly. I don't need a tutorial. I need my $1450 saw fixed under warranty no questions asked. Like I said in the OP I took all precautions for kickback and now it looks like my fault but there is no way I can make tens of thousands of cuts over my career and this happens to me.

 

[SittingElf]

Well, it seems to me that you are still within your 30-day, no questions asked return policy.

I think Phil (oops... BRENT) may get involved in this thread pretty soon.

Cheers,
Frank

 

[TetonStorm]

Thanks Frank.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

I'd sort of like to see pics.

I did the same type of thing on a bandsaw once, but I think I only broke the blade.  [crying]

 

[Brent Shively]

TentonSorm,
I'm sorry to hear about your Kapex.  I understand how frustrating this can be.
As Frank mentioned you are within the 30 day guarantee.  You have the option to contact Amazon to exchange the unit.
We can also send you a return label to get the saw in here to get a better look at things.
PM me if you would like to go this route.

Brent

 

[Brice Burrell]

This isn't the first time we've heard of this happening on here.  I don't know what Festool will do now that you've posted here, but, they have already told you it on you.  I believe it was the same for the other guys, meaning no warranty coverage on this kind of damage.  I can see why too, this is an accident, not a fault in workmanship or materials of the tool.

Someone will come along and say you should have used an auxiliary fence.  Well, maybe, but I don't want one on my saw, since there are drawback to them.

Anyhow, sorry you had this happen.  The bad news is that it could happen again anytime in the future. 

 

[John H]

No - I am pretty sure Amazon will come through for him

I would tell Amazon it is defective and have them ship a replacement or better yet - save some money and buy something else...

 

[TetonStorm]

Here are some photos of the damage. The spring hanging there is snapped and the plastic retractor units are also deformed.

 

[TetonStorm]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm sending it back to Amazon for a replacement.

 

[MavDog]

Once I lowered the blade slightly using the adjustment on the saw I no longer have any kickback issues like that. There is. Thread here I believe on how to adjust it. It was a night and day difference once I made it. Won't help you now but will on the new one.

 

[chrisrosenb]

Could someone explain how this is a warranty issue?

 

[SittingElf]

Did you lift the blade out of the wood before it stopped?

There are numerous instructions to wait for the blade to finish braking before lifting the arm once through the cut.

My issue wasn't with kickback as much as slivers of end wood falling down below the zero clearance panel and having to be fished out! [embarassed]

Just saying as a possibility.

Cheers,
Frank

 

[SittingElf]

Could someone explain how this is a warranty issue?

It would be a warranty issue if the end user was operating the unit as appropriate, and there was a flaw in the unit that allowed for destructive kickback when operating the saw as designed and following the user manual.

Frank

 

[promark747]

Could someone explain how this is a warranty issue?

I don't understand...based on the info provided, it sounds like the OP did nothing wrong in making his cut.  Where did he err?

 

[Slartibartfass]

Once I lowered the blade slightly using the adjustment on the saw I no longer have any kickback issues like that. There is. Thread here I believe on how to adjust it. It was a night and day difference once I made it. Won't help you now but will on the new one.

[member=8632]MavDog[/member] can you provide a link to the thread by any chance?

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

Could someone explain how this is a warranty issue?

The saw had multiple parts break from a small wedge of wood created by cutting with the saw. One of the main uses for miter saws is to cut accurate and clean angle on the ends of boards, which will inevitably create small wedge shaped pieces of wood. The saw therefore failed within two weeks of purchase by using it for exactly what it was intended for. The festool warranty is three years and should cover tools that were damaged be used as intended.

 

[MavDog]

Took some searching but found the thread I was looking for.  http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/kapex-%27depth-of-cut%27-adjustment/

 

[TetonStorm]

Thanks again for the replys. The wedge of wood was most likely sucked up by the dust collection and got caught by the blade which is when the damage ensued. I guess I wouldn't even consider it a kickback. Once the drop came up and was within in the blade and collection area all hell broke loose.