Kapex Kickback

[rljatl]

Just last in line, and a comment...

While I think the kapex is a great saw, I've never been pleased with the stock blade.

I finally bit the bullet and had my Forrest Chopmaster blade sharpened and re bored for the Kapex,

and WOW!!!.... like night and day.

I had forgotten how great it really is.

The cuts in maple look like they were sanded with 220 grit sandpaper.

The Chopmaster will be used for fine cuts, the stock blade will be used for rough work.

This and one of the other posts regarding saw blades makes me think there something funny with some of the Festool Kapex blades.  Forrest will resharpen Festool saw blades.  Tell them you are having major problems with kickback.  They may be able to help.

 

[ajkelsey]

Just to clear things up, a saw throwing tiny cut offs is not kickback. 

I haven't use a miter saw that didn't throw tiny cut offs when I wasn't using a zero clearance.  Maybe the difference between the 12" Dewalt and Kapex is the blade diameter.  The Dewalt might be more likely to blow the pieces away without having the sucked back into the blade.  It could also be the opening in the fence.  Perhaps the Kapex has a smaller opening so when pieces are blown back, they hit the back fence and go into the blade.

As mentioned, blade quality could be at issue as well.  Having a saw sharpening service evaluate the blade won't cost very much money.  They will be able to check the blade for flatness and see if any of the teeth are out of set.  These are things you won't be able to easily check on your own.

 

[skids]

I had some trouble with kick back and also, even worse, some burning on one side of the cut. I used a straight edge to check the fence and the bed of the saw and found them to be "flat" - at least as far as I could tell. I was at my wits end.

Then I loosened the mounting bolts and, viola, problems solved.

I assume that the mounting bolts were too tight and the force twisted, tweaked, warped, bent - whatever - the saw just enough to make bad geometry and bad cuts.

Just a thought,

Joe

Now imagine spending 1350 on a saw and having this issue.

Didn't happen to me but seems prevalent enough amongst kapex owners. Horrible first impression if you ask me.

I love my kapex but it's not the end all..and I can't wait for a redesign. It's not without its flaws.

 

[toolpouchguy]

zero clearance insert

zci in the throat??? Drawing a blank here??

Sounds like something that makes it impossible to swallow  [laughing]    New type of diet device , maybe  [blink]

Seth

 

[Shannakae]

I bought my Kapex about 6 months ago... i thought that a 1500 miter saw would perform flawlessly right out of the box!  But i have had kick back every since i got it.  I called and they told me that i would have to send it in to get it repaired but i do not have another saw to use while it is out being repaired and i use it every day.  I have the most issues when i am cutting 4"x 4" boards or miters.  It is very scary and i am tense every time i make a cut... It has gotten to the point where i dread using it (not cool since is spent so much darn money on it!!!!).  I would think that it might be the blade but sine it has been happening right out of the box i dont think that is the issue.  it is not always possible to clamp pieces down due to the length (especially with miter cuts since the say is tilted above one side and it is often the side that i would otherwise be able to clamp).  Anyway, i am at a loss!!! I also bought the stands and love the set up and ease of use!  Sometimes i can tell my wood is somewhat warped or twisted and it seems that those also cause kick backs (but i have never had this issue with other much less expensive miter saws and i am sure there are tons of "imperfect" pieces of construction lumber being cut by miter saws every day without this issue).  Maybe i am just not strong enough? I am a female and maybe i am just not pushing hard enough (although like I have already said, i have never had this issue with other miter saws).    I would love to know what to do about this! 

 

[Shannakae]

One more thing... I think I am a bit confused as to what we are calling "kickback"... I think some people on this post are experiencing pieces flinging back or out after they get a clean cut.... I am talking about the saw bogging down at the last part of the cut and jumping back at me violently!  Scaring the hell out of me and everyone in my shop!!! Is this what ya'll are experiencing?  It really sucks and I am about done with it, extremely scary and frustrating. 

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I was thinking about this today when i was up on 3 flights of scaffolding cutting 16 and 18 foot long boards (miter bevels compound). I really never wait for the saw come to a stop before i let off and go.

I have had two kick backs, both times I knew it would probably happen before i started.

My saw is ugly, I use it and don't pay much care to it.  Been a good 6 or so years together.

 

[pettyconstruction]

One more thing... I think I am a bit confused as to what we are calling "kickback"... I think some people on this post are experiencing pieces flinging back or out after they get a clean cut.... I am talking about the saw bogging down at the last part of the cut and jumping back at me violently!  Scaring the heck out of me and everyone in my shop!!! Is this what ya'll are experiencing?  It really sucks and I am about done with it, extremely scary and frustrating.

it sounds to me,that the sides of your saw maybe higher than the center of the base. A blade pinch is what it sounds like to me.
Try and put a straight edge on the table and look for gaps.
Hope it helps,Chuck