KAPEX Mitre Adjust Improvement

[TomGadwa1]

In a previous post I had mentioned that I believe the bevel setting on the KAPEX has NO PEER. The mitre setting alas is not the same. If one needs to make a small movement or is near a preset the table is stiff to move and sometimes drops into a preset which can make a precision setting difficult. The way the bevel sets does not have this issue. Therefore for the new and improved KAPEX I propose that the mitre setting would function in the same exact way that the bevel setting does, just in the horizontal plane. If FESTOOL would do that then the KAPEX saw would essentially become the PERFECT COMPOUND MITRE SAW. Presets are nice but so is the ability to set the mitre angle easily and without the table jumping into a detent when trying to set an angle NEAR but not at the detent. If FESTOOL uses my idea I expect one of the new KAPEX to be hand delivered to my doorstep. Thank you.

 

[Jaybolishes]

I purchased the bosch axial glide a few months ago and it has the vey function you are describing.  You flip a lever with your thumb and it disengages the detents.   I himmed and hawed for months  about which to get, but I couldn't be happier with it.   It has seen its share of hard falls in the short time I've had it and it still cuts dead on.   If it was the kapex I would probably have been on my knees in tears.  The dust collection on the axial is awful, it also can only have one laser.  Both saws have their pluses.

Weight for me with the axial glide is no issue at all,  I move it around no problem.  But I'm in my prime and this may not be the case 15-20 years from now.

 

[hockey_magnet]

I found the way around the detent issue is to keep the release pressed while engaging the lock. I do think the Kapex mitre adjustment is a bit too stiff and not as smooth as I would like. When looking for a saw a took a good look at the Bosch but then tried lifting one. Weight difference was HUGE - The Bosch weighs 65 pounds vs 47 for the Kapex. If I was not always moving it, I would have given the Bosch a closer look, no question it has very smooth actions

Chris

 

[TomGadwa1]

Good points gentlemen but just imagine being able to PRECISELY adjust the mitre angle with a system such as used to adjust the bevel angle. I repeat the KAPEX stands above ALL OTHER saws in this aspect. If the mitre worked the same way there would be no other saw on the market that could come close to it setting wise and performance wise.
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As you can see it is just my two cents worth!

 

[Alan m]

i would like it to be like the incra moter gauges with all those detents. very acurate and repeatable.
repeatability is the problem on these saws, going back to an odd ball miter

 

[RC]

Would adding digital readout embedded into the saw help with repeatability once the mitre adjustment has been re-engineered to accommodate the gear driven fine tune setting with a quick release override with positive stops at the usual places that can be disengaged when switching to free form fine adjustment mode.

 

[DanAdams]

I just joined up finally, long and shamefully over due, especially since I've owned most of my Festool tools for two to three years. I came right to your suggestion because it is exactly what I was going to suggest! The perfect adjustment system right next to a not so perfect system, kind of like duh! I spent a lot of time trying to get that 45.6 degree setting etc. to lock in. You saved me a lot of typing.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Had mine for 3 years, never had issues getting to an of detent, odd degree.

I swing that table back a forth constantly.  My Kapex is ugly too, had a hard three years, but works just like new still.

 

[skids]

i agree, there is a large disparity in how smooth and functional the bevel is in comparison to the miter function. While they're at it, redesign the plastic miter guage that sawdust is so attracted to. That a simple enough fix that require little R&D that would make me very happy!

But yes, the bevel is so damn good I would love to see the miter function like that as well.