Kapex life span

[OttawaP]

I don't know why people excuse the performance of these tools at times. I don't own a kapex but the saw obviously has either a design or quality control problem. It shouldn't fail under normal working conditions ever and last at least 10 years.

 

[waho6o9]

If a Kapex doesn't last 15 years with heavy use it's a waste of resources and I feel

we're purchasing a name and not a well made/designed piece of machinery.

 

[Holmz]

...I feel we're purchasing a name and not a well made/designed piece of machinery.

^This^

 

[KRKWW]

...I feel we're purchasing a name and not a well made/designed piece of machinery.

^This^

If this is true for others, then we need to change our behavior and stop doing this so Festool realizes we are serious. As one already shared, "vote with your wallet."

 

[Holmz]

...I feel we're purchasing a name and not a well made/designed piece of machinery.

^This^

If this is true for others, then we need to change our behavior and stop doing this so Festool realizes we are serious. As one already shared, "vote with your wallet."

We cannot change our behaviour easily, because our behaviour comes from our belief systems.

We need to change our beliefs, and become dispassionate by trying to evaluate our selection of tools based upon facts.

On the otherhand... if people get emotional joy just from having a tool, then maybe that is the end goal.

 

[vwdave]

The problem is what saw do you buy to replace a kapex for field use. In a shop I don't see many issues with other saw brands. But for me the kapex is compact, lightweight, has an amazing stand, very accurate even after all these years, great dust collection, soft start so the handle doesn't jerk out of your hand and many more reasons. I thought about the Bosch but it's huge, even the 10". I do think the kapex as well as the ts55 should be made more powerful but the features they pack make it hard for me to give them up.

Dave

 

[Jozsef Kozma]

The problem is what saw do you buy to replace a kapex for field use. In a shop I don't see many issues with other saw brands. But for me the kapex is compact, lightweight, has an amazing stand, very accurate even after all these years, great dust collection, soft start so the handle doesn't jerk out of your hand and many more reasons. I thought about the Bosch but it's huge, even the 10". I do think the kapex as well as the ts55 should be made more powerful but the features they pack make it hard for me to give them up.

Dave

There is none that comes even close to it
I own 5 sliders and 3 chop saws my partner owns a Kapex
The Kapex is on an other level with the things you mentioned
So with all that said I am going for a Kapex next week ,replacing a 10" Hitachi slider
Yes I will hope my will perform as my partners

 

[Nigel]

Blimey this thread has to be the longest on the FOG and no credible response from Festool!!! Come on there is obviously a problem here. Performance might be great but without reliability it doesn't doesn't mean. Ducati had great performance back in the day but they fell apart. I was all set to buy a Kapex - not now!!

 

[Kev]

Blimey this thread has to be the longest on the FOG and no credible response from Festool!!! Come on there is obviously a problem here. Performance might be great but without reliability it doesn't doesn't mean shiiiit. Ducati had great performance back in the day but they fell apart. I was all set to buy a Kapex - not now!!

[member=6152]Nigel[/member]

Keep in mind the vast majority of KAPEX issues have been 110v. JMB's 240v KAPEX failure is a little different in nature and I'd guess far less frequent.

My Aussie 240v KAPEX hasn't missed a beat. Hoping it stays that way!

 

[Doug S]

My 240v UK Kapex failed at 18months old.

Doug

 

[glass1]

Attention Festool.  I imagine this thread is uncomfortable but many here like what Festool is all about high quality made by people who could afford to hire the people who use the tools for a living. That being said, hey Festool if you go out on a limb and figure out what's going with these motor failures and/or just back them up with a real extended warranty I bet most would stand with you.

 

[MGB]

8 years not too bad, my trusty hitachi is the same age. If it went at this point I don't think I'd be mad.

Did you pay $1450 for it?? [huh]

Hah, I was going to raise that point, but I thought there was enough negativity in this thread.

It cost me $550 cad with the hitachi stand. Kapex here is $1920, and I won't touch it with a stick  [wink]

 

[rizzoa13]

Second that. It would be nice to hear from someone affiliated with festool on whether or not they think 4 years is acceptable for a tool at this price point. (Fat chance for obvious reasons).

Don't let this die. The deflection and obvious neglect when it comes to this issue is getting annoying and is making me want to start a campaign for a response.

 

[peter halle]

I am sure that Festool on both sides of the ocean is reading this thread.  That being said let's make sure that posts stay polite and within the forum guidelines as this thread continues.

Peter

 

[mwahaha]

On the issue of warranty's, personally I try to buy good quality tools that I think will last a long time with proper care/maintenance, therefor I think the purpose of a warranty is to safeguard against manufacturing faults which usually are found within a year on a tool that gets a lot of use and maybe 3 years on a tool that is only used intermittently.

So i think increasing the warranty on the Kapex is pointless because it would have to be 10-12 years to be meaningful (what i consider an appropriate lifespan for a SCMS with normal trade use) and that is never going to happen, and is a little ridiculous.

Manufacturing faults happen from time to time and no manufacturer is immune no matter how many processes they put in place to prevent them. What matters most is how they are dealt with when it becomes apparent there is a problem.

 

[Stephen B]

On the issue. . . . . . What matters most is how they are dealt with when it becomes apparent there is a problem.

[size=14pt]This is how I intend to deal with it later this year. And around $A700 less, which may be spent on a HSC55 or PDC.

[attachimg=1]
________________________________________

 

[Kev]

On the issue. . . . . . What matters most is how they are dealt with when it becomes apparent there is a problem.

[size=14pt]This is how I intend to deal with it later this year. And around $A700 less, which may be spent on a HSC55 or PDC.

[attachimg=1]
________________________________________

[size=10pt]And yes, in responding here I am well aware of my Reply #159  on this Thread but since then the topic has broadened somewhat.  [embarassed]

[member=19746]Untidy Shop[/member]

Metabo even make an induction motor version that has my interest (but only as a 254mm blade version). The DC on these is supposed to be pretty good too. When I have space and want to set up a permanent SCMS station I'll probably get a Metabo 315mm and keep the KAPEX lean on use with the hope of maintaining a long life!!

...

Ahh .. just noticed you have the pic of the induction motor version [embarassed]

 

[nickao]

I want an induction motor slider in the US, somebody link me up.

 

[Holmz]

Attention Festool.  I imagine this thread is uncomfortable but many here like what Festool is all about high quality made by people who could afford to hire the people who use the tools for a living. That being said, hey Festool if you go out on a limb and figure out what's going with these motor failures and/or just back them up with a real extended warranty I bet most would stand with you.

Where do you get the information as to the place of manufacture, or %-age, being listed?

 

[Kev]

I want an induction motor slider in the US, somebody link me up.

[member=3373]Dovetail65[/member] UK/Europe will be your best bet, but I don't think Metabo make an induction motor 110v version. Nothing 110v is typically sold down under.