Kapex life span

Steve-Rice said:
I think Kev brings up a good question.  I'm wondering why no one from Festool has weighed in on this discussion.  It seems we would all like to know if the current Kapex has been improved.  I'd hate to think the lack of a Festool response is an acknowledgement of a faulty product...

Hi
Following and reading with interest - and as no one else has then I will.
To my knowledge nothing has been changed on the Kapex since launch 06/07 - I can ask the question but cannot guarantee I will get the information.
rg
Phil
 
galwaydude18 said:
Hi Phil I'd like you to ask the question as I am sure many many other member would as well.

Hi
ok, I will email and ask. It can take a bit of time to get a reply, so be patient
rg
Phil
 
Phil Beckley said:
Hi
Following and reading with interest - and as no one else has then I will.
To my knowledge nothing has been changed on the Kapex since launch 06/07 - I can ask the question but cannot guarantee I will get the information.
rg
Phil

Probably nothing major, but I'm sure some things have changed.  Still, the burned up motor problem has been an issue in N. America pretty much from the beginning.
 
Just thought I'll give you all an update.

My dealer as you all know picked up my kapex the other day (See post #57, 11th Feb)

I called my dealer yesterday to see what's happening.

I was informed that festool have not picked up the kapex yet because they have ran out of kapex transport boxes. 

I was also told a loan kapex was being sent out for me to use while mine was being sent off but because they have no transport boxes they can't send me a loan kapex out.

That is all
 
jmbfestool said:
...
I was informed that the festool have not picked up the kapex yet because they have ran out of kapex transport boxes. 
...

W..T...F...?
[eek]
 
jmbfestool said:
I was informed that the festool have not picked up the kapex yet because they have ran out of kapex transport boxes. 

I was also told a loan kapex was being sent out for me to use while mine was being sent off but because they have no transport boxes they can't send me a loan kapex out.

Wow...there seems to be a major run on the olde Kapex Transport Box.  [eek]

This development doesn't bode well for the present & future Kapex owner.  [dead horse]

Actually this is a rather macabre situation, plenty of armatures in stock but a shortage of shipping boxes. ???  [popcorn]
 
I know!! Festool are not doing them selfs any favours

Annoying thing is I LOVE THE KAPEX!

I have looked around tried other saws in store.

Size, weight, ease of use,the portable stand  non can compare to a kapex.

If I wasnt going to transport the chopsaw then I would 100% never buy a kapex again untill they fix the motor problem maybe.... Doubt full.
I would highly recommend any other chopsaw for workshop only.

However for transporting its the best on the market and I need to transport it.

Aaaaaaaahaaahhh
 
That's a huge bomb of info jmb.  Sorry about the issues, luckily I don't know what I'm missing so I'll continue to sit on the fence and watch.
 
Well been round to my dealers to get some stuff.... just popped the question about my kapex hopefully it is going to be picked up today.....  [huh]
 
@ jmbfestool, Is that motor something you can keep on the shelf and easily replace the motor in your Kapex when it breaks down?

In my biz experiences, when I have a piece of machinery that I really need every day, or nearly every day, I keep a spare.  If i need a mower every day, I have two.  If I need two mowers every day, I keep three.  And so on.  When I was in construction, I operated the same way.  If I needed one tractor/loader, I kept two.  If I needed one ladder, I always had three.  I always did more with less labor than most of my competition and did not lose days because of breakdowns. 

I am sure the answer to my original question is that the motor cannot be easily replaced.  If that is so, but you are more profitable with using a Kapex than you are with any other SCMS, then go with the Kapex and look for a less expensive back up saw to keep you going should the Kapex fail.  If it is not fixable to your satisfaction, then look for the next best replacement and still keep a less expensive SCMS on hand.  That might even work to your advantage for the times when you need to do two different set ups for one project or operation on several pieces.

Even tho I am a oneman operation and sort of phasing myself out of biz (it'll be awhile yet, I am only 39 you know), I still keep two mowers operational.  Two weed whackers.  Two hand blowers (backpackers kill  my back) Three heavy wheeled blowers. Two extender hedge trimmers.  And etc-etc-etc...........  I just accept the fact that machinery will break down.  I can make more money with a lot less hastle when my method for repair is to keep working at what i do well and let somebody else do my machinery repairs who do that work a lot better and more efficiently than I ever can.  If they can't do my repairs, it is still cheaper for me to find somebody else to make the repairs.  Because I have spares of nearly everything, I just keep going, and going, and going.  Maybe when i get to be 40, I will get rid of the spares.
Tinker

 
Tinker said:
@ jmbfestool, Is that motor something you can keep on the shelf and easily replace the motor in your Kapex when it breaks down?

In my biz experiences, when I have a piece of machinery that I really need every day, or nearly every day, I keep a spare.  If i need a mower every day, I have two.  If I need two mowers every day, I keep three.  And so on.  When I was in construction, I operated the same way.  If I needed one tractor/loader, I kept two.  If I needed one ladder, I always had three.  I always did more with less labor than most of my competition and did not lose days because of breakdowns. 

I am sure the answer to my original question is that the motor cannot be easily replaced.  If that is so, but you are more profitable with using a Kapex than you are with any other SCMS, then go with the Kapex and look for a less expensive back up saw to keep you going should the Kapex fail.  If it is not fixable to your satisfaction, then look for the next best replacement and still keep a less expensive SCMS on hand.  That might even work to your advantage for the times when you need to do two different set ups for one project or operation on several pieces.

Even tho I am a oneman operation and sort of phasing myself out of biz (it'll be awhile yet, I am only 39 you know), I still keep two mowers operational.  Two weed whackers.  Two hand blowers (backpackers kill  my back) Three heavy wheeled blowers. Two extender hedge trimmers.  And etc-etc-etc...........  I just accept the fact that machinery will break down.  I can make more money with a lot less hastle when my method for repair is to keep working at what i do well and let somebody else do my machinery repairs who do that work a lot better and more efficiently than I ever can.  If they can't do my repairs, it is still cheaper for me to find somebody else to make the repairs.  Because I have spares of nearly everything, I just keep going, and going, and going.  Maybe when i get to be 40, I will get rid of the spares.
Tinker

I have another chopsaw and stand with it.

I just dont like it. Its heavy and not as easy to use in regards of beveling etc.

It has been used mainly for just cutting up pallets and scrap wood. Now im having to use it for fine work.  Not ideal.

Regarding having a spare motor wouldnt be a bad idea apart from festool wont repair just parts they only repair the entire tool.  So if a motor was to fail I couldnt send the other part to be repaired it would require the entire tool.

To make is easy to swap it would need the motor, motor housing and electronics. You can then swap these within in 15mins. However these total upto about £300+ i think sooooo doesnt seem worth it

Im just updating whats happening i feel disappointed.  Im disappointed the tool doesnt last long enough and when it does break down there is no urgency to get it sorted.
Im curious what the repair costs might be.  I dont think ill be excited about it.

Im disapointed ive not found a chopsaw i want to replace the kapex with yet i like.
Currently im left with repair costs or new kapex..... [sad]

   
 
A world of difference between festool uk and here in the US.  I sent a used domino in for repair and they were on the phone two days later walking me through proper operation and such.  Shipped it out and got it back in about a week.  I'd be proper pissed if I would have gotten the run around.
 
bub254 said:
A world of difference between festool uk and here in the US.  I sent a used domino in for repair and they were on the phone two days later walking me through proper operation and such.  Shipped it out and got it back in about a week.  I'd be proper ticked if I would have gotten the run around.

In the past the service has been good.

Im not sure if its dealer festool relationship which makes the difference regarding festool service. 

The dealer ive bought most my festools from i havent been in contact with for a while now because i havent been needing to buy any festools. When i had a problem his festool rep was hot on and sorted me out brilliantly.

It was when festool price fixed and he was able to give me good deals but also rapid delivery were as my local dealer took longer to get the stuff then this other dealer was able to get it delivered to my home adress. 
When festool got stopped by the EU for price fixing the dealer stopped stocking as much and so I had to wait. So I now use my local dealer more for everything as before I only used them for fixings,glue paint etc.

It was a while ago so maybe festool has slacked off abit regarding service....?

I havent had to do much my self regarding running around. My dealer came round to pick up the chopsaw from me within a few hours of talking to me about it.  Then it was left with them.

 
I find it's best to deal directly with Festool for repairs etc then you know exactly what is happening with things and you can sometimes push it along a bit. I stopped using my local dealer because everything took so long with him.

Doug
 
[member=5671]jmbfestool[/member]

I feel for you on this - Festool doesn't deserve you money if they can't support their premium promise.

Have you looked at the Metabo KGS 254/315 Plus models? I've only read about them, but on paper and for the price I'd give them a look.

(there's a few different KGS offerings, with significant feature differences - I think t's important to look at the "plus" versions, the others look at bit rubbish)


The induction motor version could be interesting .. a bit big and clumsy compared to a KAPEX, but they're an option!
 
bub254 said:
A world of difference between festool uk and here in the US.  I sent a used domino in for repair and they were on the phone two days later walking me through proper operation and such.  Shipped it out and got it back in about a week.  I'd be proper ticked if I would have gotten the run around.

......same service levels are here in the U.K as well. From when a machine hits the delivery floor it can be back out to the customer within 48hrs. Talking customers through the operation of a machine is a daily occurrence as well, I should know as I do it along with the End User Team who cover most of the U.K.
RG
Phil
 
Doug S said:
I find it's best to deal directly with Festool for repairs etc then you know exactly what is happening with things and you can sometimes push it along a bit. I stopped using my local dealer because everything took so long with him.

Doug

..........the whole process is simplified if contact is with the end user. However it can be part of the service from dealer partners to accept the machine for repair and then collection is arranged.
rg
Phil
 
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