Kapex Laser - not visible in daylight

[cneville101]

Two questions for all of the Kapex owners... 

1.  Do you use the Kapex outside or in direct/indirect sunlight?

2.  If yes to #1, are you having difficulty seeing the laser lines?

I have my Kapex sitting just inside my garage door.  When the door is closed, the line is very visible.  With the door open (in daylight), I can't see the laser lines. 

I have to wonder how you guys who use the Kapex on a jobsite deal with this.

Thanks

Chris

 

[Eli]

I have used it outside, you can see the laser, but it depends what material you're cutting, how bright it is out, etc.

Can't always see it, but that's no different from any laser outside.

You can wear red glasses, that helps quite a bit.

I generally deal with this by touching the saw blade to the wood first (old school method), to see where it's going to cut.  ;D

 

[honeydoman]

all lasers well 99% are not very visable in direct sunlight unless you wear red sunglasses as mentioned.

but I have been able to see it faintly by lowering it down to the wood and it shows up..  but that is just lasers.

If you wish change your cutting hours to late evening!  ;D

 

[mantonuc]

Chris,

  I have been using it extensively outside for the last two weekends in Atlanta...  In direct sunlight, it is not visible with the naked eye and as someone else suggested, I revert to the old method of precutting the wood too big and then sneaking up on the line.  That is what I did for ever before I owned the Kapex and what I still have to do in direct sunlight.  I even tried the red glasses and it certainly makes it more visible but I still find it hard to see with the glaring sun.  I know this is not the most efficient use of a helper, but if I have them stand in the path of the sun such that it cast a shadow over the miter saw, it really does help...  That shadow is enough to help make the laser more visible, especially with the red glasses...

  That being said, with even a little cloud cover, the lines show up very nicely.  I have not tried any other SCMS with lasers in the sun so I can't compare it to anything else...

Matt

 

[Les]

How about wearing a sombrero? Or many use the Fast Cap Chop Saw Hood. It's on sale at Woodworkers Hardware for $125.

 

[honeydoman]

another method is to buy a 10' x 10' pop up tent, like you see at the swap meets.  they run about 100 to 130 bucks and work great, also keeps most rain out and protects your stuff and keeps the sun out.  I have one and it works great the times I use it.