Kapex KS 120 Cutting depth limiter - limitation of cutting higher workpieces?

[festoller]

Today I wanted to cut dados with my Kapex, but realized that the cutting depht limiter is somehow limited. In this case cutting a 70 mm workpiece (with 10 mm dado depht) was not possible, although it would have been possible to cut the dado deeper, but my design wanted 10 mm.

Did anyone overcome this problem?

 

[tbellemare]

I just tried mine, I had never tried it that high before...

It is limited to about 45mm above the deck.

Tom

 

[Frank-Jan]

I ran into that same problem when I built my cutting table for sheet goods. I tried setting up my kapex for the half-lap joints, but couldn't turn the limit stop high enough, so I used my CS70 instead.

 

[festoller]

It seems the lenght of the cutting depht limiter screw is simply not long enough to give you more than 45 mm. How about extending or exchanging the screw? Has anyone ever tried this or another kind of stop?

I guess this issue is probably design related, but for workpieces up to 88/120 mm, a 45 mm cutting depht limit seems to be rather small.

 

[Frank-Jan]

I guess it's a compromise, I think the cutting depth limiter of my old makita ls1013 can be set higher, but, it's harder to set up (a small turn on the setscrew is a big difference in cutting height) and it's a bit "bouncy" you have to be carefull not to push down too hard for it to be accurate enough. I think it has to do with the proximity to the swivelpoint of the sawhead.

When I realised I could much better use my cs70 saw for this (I can accurately set the cutting depth, because the height of the blade is the depth of the groove, and I don't need to use an auxiliary fence, because the fence is adjustable like the one on the mft3) I haven't tried finding a workaround for the kapex.

 

[festoller]

Very unfortunate since cutting longer workpieces is not that simple with the CS70 or CMS module. I really didn't think the Kapex would have such a limitation.

I guess it's back to the router table or MFT/ guide/ router.

I'll probably talk to Festool support next week and ask about a workaround.

 

[Frank-Jan]

Cutting long pieces on the cs70 isn't a problem, because you only have to support the piece, not move it like on the cms. That's why I like the kapex-extension, despite them being a bit akward to set up. I use the cs70 regularly to cut aluminum profiles to length, and as long as you don't need to miter the pieces it works very nice (bevel is no problem)

 

[justinmcf]

hi frank-jan.

i notice in your photo you have wheels attached to your table saw.
are these a festool product?

regards, justin.

 

[Frank-Jan]

Justin, yes they are link; I got them as for free as an extra when I ordered some other accessories (side-extensiontable, outfeedtable and the ripfence)
They work well to move the saw around if it's set up on even ground, especially handy if you got extensions installed.
I had a bit of trouble with the wheels when I first got them, because the installation instructions, that come with the set, show them facing the other way. But then the saw rests on the wheels instead of on the rear legs,  and they interfere when you fold the legs in. When they are installed as on the picture, the saw stands on it's own legs, but when you tilt the saw (lift at the front) the rear legs are off the ground and you can wheel it around. 

 

[justinmcf]

thanks for the reply frank jan.

i have had similar problems with festool manuals.

if theres one thing that lets their range of products down, it would have to be the festool manuals.

regards, justin.