Kapex KS 120 - Videos

[Stone Message]

Hi Everyone

I have been asked many times to do something about the Kapex. I am sorry that it has taken so long. I now realise how I have been taking this cornerstone of my workshop for granted for so long.

The Kapex was my first Festool purchase 3 years ago. I could buy it for less today than I did then but I do not regret the purchase. Everything comes together square and true every time - thanks in most instances to the Kapex.

Here are the links:

Kapex KS 120 - Part 1:



Kapex KS 120 - Part 2:



I will be building a new Kapex work station later in the year and will do a video about it. I will also makes the plans available free of charge (as I do with all my construction projects).

Peter

 

[Stephen B]

[size=14pt]

Informative as always Peter.

I want one! [eek]

[size=10pt]
Just two points - hearing protection, and could you upload to UTube at a slightly lower quality. This would help us in the antipadies with our lower broadband speed.

 

[Stone Message]

[size=14pt]

Informative as always Peter.

I want one! [eek]

[size=10pt]
Just two points - hearing protection, and could you upload to UTube at a slightly lower quality. This would help us in the antipadies with our lower broadband speed.

Many thanks.

The dB ratings are in the spec on the Festool web site and yes, we all should use ear defenders most of the time in the workshop. I cannot talk to the camera with ear muffs on - I end up shouting!

A while ago I was being given a hard time by several subscribers saying that full HD was essential. Rather than go the whole hog I upload at 720 hoping to keep everyone happy.

Peter

 

[david fielding]

Peter

Having owned a Kapex for over a year, I was blown away at the "additional" knowledge I gleaned from this video.  GREAT JOB..

 

[Stone Message]

Peter

Having owned a Kapex for over a year, I was blown away at the "additional" knowledge I gleaned from this video.  GREAT JOB..

Hi David,

I left a lot out but I know that the brilliant US Supplemental Manual will have every other bit of useful information that you might need.

Reviewing a tool that you have owned for a long time is harder than one might think - complacency, taking things for granted and a dash of bad memory lead to some things being missed. I made (at least) one mistake by saying that the casting is aluminium when it is a magnesium alloy - a YouTube person alerted me to this.

I have done my best in all of my other videos to mention or demonstrate the capabilities of my tools. I do mention the Kapex quite a bit but sometimes I make a general remark, full of surprise, that everything comes together square first time thanks to Festool. That usually means Kapex and Domino.

Many thanks.

Peter

 

[Billedis]

Many Thanks Peter for an excellent demo of the Kapex, probably my next purchase.  Bill

 

[Stone Message]

Many Thanks Peter for an excellent demo of the Kapex, probably my next purchase.  Bill

Hi Bill,

I have always been a careful woodworker but have had the issues with lack of squareness. I know that a poor carpenter might blame his tools but when the Kapex came on the scene everything changed, almost over night. I feel as though I have upped my game by several notches - maybe a good carpenter is allowed to praise his tools.

The quality of the cut face is astonishing - almost like a polished surface with absolutely no indication that there was ever a rotating circular blade anywhere near it.

Many thanks.

Peter

 

[CarolinaNomad]

[size=14pt]

Informative as always Peter.

I want one! [eek]

[size=10pt]
Just two points - hearing protection, and could you upload to UTube at a slightly lower quality. This would help us in the antipadies with our lower broadband speed.

Untidy Shop, try playing the video again, but change the settings at the bottom right corner of the video.  The icon looks like a gear.  I hope this helps with the broadband speed.  I would be interested in knowing if it worked.

 

[Len]

Peter, the trick on how to cut small, narrow pieces is brilliant.  I never would have thought of that in a million years.  Thanks!

 

[SittingElf]

One of your best reviews yet! [big grin]

Keep 'em coming!

Plan to purchase my Kapex on my next return from Africa in late August.  Who knows... there "might" be a sale! [tongue] (Got all my Dominos on THIS sale)

Cheers,

Frank

 

[Stone Message]

Peter, the trick on how to cut small, narrow pieces is brilliant.  I never would have thought of that in a million years.  Thanks!

You are welcome - I met a guy who took a chance and regretted it and so I knew I had to ensure that it could not happen to me.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

One of your best reviews yet! [big grin]

Keep 'em coming!

Plan to purchase my Kapex on my next return from Africa in late August.  Who knows... there "might" be a sale! [tongue] (Got all my Dominos on THIS sale)

Cheers,

Frank

Hi Frank,

You have so much Festool kit that you are going to have to build a new workshop when you finally settle down in the US. I am amazed that you still do not have a Kapex - that was my starting point in my Festool journey.

Take care on all of your foreign missions. I hope that the locals appreciate your work.

Peter

 

[Thistleman]

Peter,

Acquired my kapex a year into my festool journey.  I was staggered at the quality of the cut especially in hardwood, you would have thought the cut face had been sanded.  We often hear on the FOG how good Festools are but the blades/cutters/bits make the extra difference, although expensive I have not strayed from Festool consumables for two years and am still astounded by the quality of cut.

The videos as always are beautifully presented, clear and informative. I always look forwards to your posts

PS I would second your comments about the supplemental manuals, I keep copies of all of them in my workshop

 

[Stephen B]

[size=14pt]

Informative as always Peter.

I want one! [eek]

[size=10pt]
Just two points - hearing protection, and could you upload to UTube at a slightly lower quality. This would help us in the antipadies with our lower broadband speed.

Untidy Shop, try playing the video again, but change the settings at the bottom right corner of the video.  The icon looks like a gear.  I hope this helps with the broadband speed.  I would be interested in knowing if it worked.

[thumbs up]
[size=12pt]
I never new that feature existed. Tried it out and it certainly works.
Could solve plenty of viewing problems.
Thank you.  [smile]

 

[RKA]

I was staggered at the quality of the cut especially in hardwood, you would have thought the cut face had been sanded.

Is that really the consensus?  I've tried the Festool 80T blade and a Forrest 90T blade, both new, both leave saw marks I can see and feel.  It's not terrible, but there is no question a saw blade touched it last.

 

[Stone Message]

I was staggered at the quality of the cut especially in hardwood, you would have thought the cut face had been sanded.

Is that really the consensus?  I've tried the Festool 80T blade and a Forrest 90T blade, both new, both leave saw marks I can see and feel.  It's not terrible, but there is no question a saw blade touched it last.

I use the Festool blade that came with the saw. The cut face s look as though they have been polished. There is no evidence whatsoever of a rotating saw blade ever being anywhere near the wood. If you were to sand the cut face it would degrade the finish.

I did my best to show the cut quality in the video. If you are unable to achieve similar results then first look at your technique. Ensure the wood is held securely (I hold mine by hand) and let the blade come to a standstill before raising it from the cut.

The Festool blades are extraordinary as they have variable pitch. This keeps vibration and noise down which in turn makes for a smoother cut.

[added this]

It also pays to clean the blade from time to time. Carefully scrape off any resin build-up from the sides of the teeth and use some methylated spirit or neat alcohol over the whole blade to finish the job. If you are still getting bad results use the US Supplemental Manual to go through the setup for squareness.

Peter

 

[RKA]

Thanks peter.  I'll give it another go this weekend and see if I can get the kind of cut face you describe.  The blades were both new, but did have that oily coating from the factory.  I have some CMT blade cleaner, so I'll give them a good cleaning.  I did clamp the piece down to prevent movement and shaved a thin slice off the end in case the two fence halves were not co planer.  Blade is always stopped before raising and I did my best to apply consistent pressure as I pushed the blade through the cut.

 

[campbellcraft]

My skills lean toward home owner but the results with my Kapex are glass smooth. My blades are sharpened by Leitz. I don't have any suggestions you haven't heard but thought you might like to know that it can be done.

 

[Stone Message]

Thanks peter.  I'll give it another go this weekend and see if I can get the kind of cut face you describe.  The blades were both new, but did have that oily coating from the factory.  I have some CMT blade cleaner, so I'll give them a good cleaning.  I did clamp the piece down to prevent movement and shaved a thin slice off the end in case the two fence halves were not co planer.  Blade is always stopped before raising and I did my best to apply consistent pressure as I pushed the blade through the cut.

You might want to check the speed and maybe try cutting at several different speeds to see if it makes any difference. Also, try making the cut more slowly.

When I bought the saw, 3 years ago, I managed to get Axminster to throw in a spare blade. It has never been used and the original blade has never been sharpened. I do take a square ended pallet knife and carefully scrape off the resin build up from time to time. I cut a lot of wood, mainly oak, ash and maple. As soon as I see any degradation in the cut quality I clean the blade and so far that has worked. When cleaning has no benefit I will have the blade sharpened.

Peter

 

[wow]

Peter:

I've never watched one of your videos before, but I've gotta say I was impressed. I've also never seen a demonstration of the Kapex.

You, sir, are a bad influence - now I want one!!!