Kapex miter table hard to turn or Scraping?

Here' my take on this. If I am missing something please correct me, but everyone is focused on the black plate attached by 2 torx head screws. But on the sliding table, underneath is a tang that is molded into it that the plate reacts against  when locked. Mine has no clearance as far as I can see. Problem #1 maybe tang is too long. Or #2, look under the miter scale, there are what I would call tits ( one of Carlins favorite "cute" words) , that holds the scale above the rest of that part of the casting. Perhaps these are too high and need to be shaved down.  Of course this is all speculation. Thoughts?
 
Tony, that's what I think, if you look at the pictures I posted this morning you'll see the "clamping tab" or what you call the tang is the issue, at least in part. The tab is scraping on the miter flange and the bottom where the "spring plate" contacts doesn't seen to be causing the problem.
 
Hey guys,

  I got home from work today and there was a Festool box sitting at my doorstep...  It was the much awaited Spring plate...  I installed it about 1/2 an hour ago...  Just before installing it, I noticed that the dreaded grinding was present...  After installing it, the miter angle can now be adjusted as one would expect.  With out being too scientific, lets just say that the adjustment seems to be more free-flowing than it was even when I first took the SCMS out of the box...

  I am not yet willing to declare it a "total-success" as the unit worked pretty good when I originally started using the saw for the first time...  What I can say with absolute certainty is that it is significantly better than it was just before replacing the spring plate...  I will be using the saw a good bit this weekend (in the sun again) and will have a better feel for if it is corrected or not by Sunday evening...

  Thanks Festool for getting me the part (and throwing in a Torx screwdriver to boot)...

Matt
 
Brice, it is certainly possible the upper tang is contributing, but since it is not a part that moves relative to the miter plate (at least up and down) it doesn't seem to explain how this problem comes and goes. That sounds more like a moving part problem, hence the flat plate underneath. Or, most l;ikely it is a lack of total clearance between the two when in an unclamped state and the relative position of the miter plate to either. I know my logic is rather circular, sorry. A thought. If it is the upper tang, there should be some amount of undesirable drag with the bottom plate totally removed. What do you think?

Mark's post seems to point toward the plate. I do not have the problem so I am going to pull the plate and take some precise measurements of the relationship of the plate mounting surface to the locking surface. If my saw starts binding I will pull the plate and remeasure it. Nothing like before and after info.
 
Is this problem only on the USA version?
Has anyone from other countries have this problem?
How do i get the new part if i need it?
 
Just another piece of info, adding to my last post, I did pull the black plate off ( spring tab I think) and once I manipulated the table past the detents , I removed the lever assembly and still had scraping. Also, is gray the actual color of the material or is it powdercoated? It seems to me it is integral.
 
mastercabman said:
Is this problem only on the USA version?
Has anyone from other countries have this problem?
How do i get the new part if i need it?
Click to expand...

According to tallgrass, in reply #44 of this discussion, it has come up before in Australia, and other places.  I searched but couldn't find the references.  Maybe someone can find a link and we can see what they deduced in prior discussions.
Matthew
 
Greg, I'm at a total lose here, I don't know why the problem is intermittent. As Michael said it could be an issue with a nylatron part (like part # 130 or 131) swelling in the humidity. (I haven't taken my saw completely apart so I don't know what material those parts are).

Master, Matthew, I don't remember reading about this issue from over seas users. It may have come up, if it was an issue over seas it wasn't a wide spread problem are I would remember reading about it.

The good news about this problem is that we don't have to figure it out, Festool is taking care of the problem saws.
 
i set mine up today (my second one) in the direct sunlight all day.  the temp was 85-90 here in the charlotte area.  had no problem it worked great.  worked like a festool should.

so I will see again tomorrow it is supposed to be a little hotter.
 
Tall, I just checked out your links. They don't directly refer to this same issue. Only one person mentioned a grinding sound but this is the same guy that had 10 units?? I do remember this guy and I believe he was talking about the bevel making the grinding sound (I also remember no one really believed he had 10 bad saws).

So, if you have an overseas model Kapex did you have any issues like the ones we are having here?
 
honeydokreg said:
i set mine up today (my second one) in the direct sunlight all day.  the temp was 85-90 here in the charlotte area.  had no problem it worked great.   worked like a festool should.

so I will see again tomorrow it is supposed to be a little hotter.
Click to expand...

Thanks Kreg, keep us posted.
 
i live in s.cal usa. i just read other forums.  i seem to remember the topic i just have waded through all the threads to find out the exact analog. i will try too dig it up though. i am waitng for the fix before i buy mine. i can not wait.
 
Hi, everyone I just returned my Kapex to Woodcraft Baltimore and exchanged it.  I've had the same problems with the scraping and almost broke my arm trying to turn the miter.  It started of working fine and at different times of the day it went from fairly firm movement to grinding.  I got them to take the new one out of the box at the store and tried it there. It worked perfect, It got a little tighter when I got it home.  I just went out and tested it with a few turns left and right,  and its  ok at the moment,  76 degrees  11PM and fairly humid.  After reading these blogs and noticing it getting a little tighter this afternoon I don't think the problem is solved.
 
I just went out and checked my Kapex.  It is midnight and the temp in the shop was 78 degrees...  Movement is still silkie smooth after replacing the Spring Plate this afternoon...  So far so good - boy I hope that fixed the issue once and for all...

Matthew, I have a suggestion.  I have read every post since I started the parent thread about this problem (Played with the Kapex Today - thoughts/questions...)...  So, I am really curious as to just how many people have this issue...  Can you set up a pole so we can track how bad this really is?

Matt
 
Matt Antonucci said:
I just went out and checked my Kapex.  It is midnight and the temp in the shop was 78 degrees...  Movement is still silkie smooth after replacing the Spring Plate this afternoon...  So far so good - boy I hope that fixed the issue once and for all...

Matthew, I have a suggestion.  I have read every post since I started the parent thread about this problem (Played with the Kapex Today - thoughts/questions...)...  So, I am really curious as to just how many people have this issue...  Can you set up a pole so we can track how bad this really is?

Matt
Click to expand...

a poll would not do any good if your saw does not work right.  a lot of saws have issues, and festool is working very had to solve the problem and to make it right so your saw will be up to festool's standards.  how this happened, who knows, it happened and believe me lot's of money is at stake and it will be solved.  after all festools are designed to solve problems.  now it is the other way around we are helping festool solve a tool problem!

and if the poll says 5% 20% or 35% it does not matter,  becuase again if your saw does not work right, it must be made right!
 
Matt Antonucci said:
Matthew, I have a suggestion.  I have read every post since I started the parent thread about this problem (Played with the Kapex Today - thoughts/questions...)...  So, I am really curious as to just how many people have this issue...  Can you set up a pole so we can track how bad this really is?
Click to expand...

If you want, you can start a new discussion with a poll, then I can combine the two discussions.  But I don't want to start the poll myself.  It's up to you.
Matthew
 
My Kapex has gone down also.  After a few hours work yesterday, all seemed good.  I was actually using it in the sun on a fairly humid day.  I loaded it up and went home, confident I dodged a bullet.  This morning (about 75 f ) the saw is frozen, can't even move it.  Interesting, it seems just the opposite of what some of the other guys are experiencing.

For what's worth, Dan
 
I keep hearing Festool is working very hard from everybody except Festool themselves? 

They probably are working on the situation but let's not forget changes have to be worked in conjunction with Germany.
Currently much of Europe is on their 30 day holiday which really slows an already slow process. 

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
CSC SYS 50 Cuts Square, but not 45
Replies
5
Views
319
noahpurdy
N
onocoffee
Thoughts on a Table Saw Miter Gauge?
Replies
0
Views
117
onocoffee
onocoffee
S
Kapex center of miter angle rotation?
Replies
16
Views
719
smorgasbord
S
N
Domino Deck Rail Miter Repair
Replies
5
Views
276
rst
R
R
Best Flip Stops For Miter Saw For The Smart Wood Shop Made From Acmer 33 Watt Laser
Replies
0
Views
168
RickEstrada
R
Back
Top