Kapex leaking oil

[ladilday]

I have not used my kapex in almost 6 months with it stored in the collapsed position. I found a small amount of oil on the zero clearance insert directly below the motor shaft. It was a light colored machine oil. Has anyone experienced this?

 

[Linbro]

Mine always had a patch of oil, on the underside of the motor housing. Never enough to drip, but still a bit of a concern.

 

[aloysius]

I once had part-time teaching & T/A  positions at our local TAFE college.  All 7 of their Kapexes had oil leaking from the gearcases.  I expect they were crying for lack of kid gloves treatment!  Apprentices & VET students aren't known for care.

Surprisingly, although beset with different problems, my own Kapex shed nary a drop!

 

[Maximus]

Again, this makes me wonder if it's connected to the perceived high failure rate!

 

[bobfog]

What do you expect for the money? It's not like it's the most expensive saw on the mar.... oh wait!!

 

[peter halle]

Oil leakage - usually minor - is something that has been written about here numerous times.  If I recall correctly there are times that the grease will thin due to temperatures even in storage and there is the resulting seepage / leakage.  I do not recall reading about a saw failure due to this.  You might want to contact FESTOOL directly and discuss this with them.

Peter

 

[peter halle]

Again, this makes me wonder if it's connected to the perceived high failure rate!

Based on previous posts here it would seem that the "perceived high failure rate" concerns are centered on motor failures caused by unknown electrical issues.  Not oil seepage.

Peter

 

[ajones]

Again, this makes me wonder if it's connected to the perceived high failure rate!

It's the grease separating or splitting, so the lighter elements find their way out between the castings. Nothing to worry about. And not connected to the motors giving up prematurely

 

[RKA]

I have other tools (usually grinders and polishers) that seep oil when sitting for periods of time.  As mentioned above, it's the grease separating and the lighter stuff works it's way out.  Strangely enough, the one's that do this are of German origin (both Metabo actually).  It hasn't been a cause of concern yet.  I haven't seen this in my Kapex yet, but it gets used more frequently that the others and it stays upright on a horizontal surface which may help prevent the seeping. 

 

[glass1]

I thought this was a design feature, oil sprays out to seal all end cuts.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

Has anybody from Festool actually listed the specific type and manufacturers of the grease used in the Kapex, and/or other tools?

I don't recall the festool parts lists having a part number for the grease for any of their tools, and there are a number of types of grease that should not be mixed, or which are designed for very specific uses.

I know Flex Tools uses a proprietary  Renolit grease from Fuchs Lubricants, and that grease seems to have an issue with separating in certain circumstances.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

To see if the grease leaking might be a major problem for your saw, you might want to run the saw no load while you count to a hundred, let the saw stop, and then feel the area around the gear case. If the saw is really hot to the touch, there might be a problem. If it's only mildy warm I wouldn't worry about it. Most tools I've had have had with gear cases have had a bit of oil leakage, even when brsnd new.

 

[ladilday]

Thx for all the replays