Kapex motor failure or other electrical failure

[Naildrivingman]

Thanks for your input. I am new to the discussion on Kapex problems and I was curious what other FOG members knew of either first hand or second hand.

 

[#Tee]

nice thread! interesting to see the results. seemingly when things are bad a thread is created asap. when things are going well we dont  create a appreciation thread. its like tech support lol

 

[Birdhunter]

Why isn't there a "None" vote option?

 

[RJNeal]

I'm agree with Birdhunter.
Ten years medium use. No problems. I ALWAYS use with 10 gauge cords if needed.
"Knot on wood"
Rick

 

[peter halle]

I didn't vote in the poll.

2010 Kapex. - Heavy usage ( but not by the definitions in the poll )  No issues.  Dust collection only when inside.  No laser.  12 gauge cords.  Trim, framing, pressure treated, PVC materials.

Peter

 

[Svar]

As previously suggested there must be a No-Problem option. You need to have some idea of problem/no-problem ratio.

 

[peter halle]

This is not meant to disrespect the OP who I feel was looking for real information, but polls were turned off previously for a reason.  We are looking into the software to honestly see how this poll was created.

Polls are great for collecting information if they are very carefully thought out and are impartial and seek specific information.

In this instance without the "No issue" choice and also not speaking to longevity versus hours per year (a huge spread in choices) the information gained might be interesting but that's it.  Won't prove or disprove a thing.

In the past when there were polls you would have the poll and then the majority of voters then also posted narrative in the thread.  The narrative was more valuable to content of the forum and thusly also to the readers.

Peter

 

[Brice Burrell]

If one is collecting data on saws that have failed then a "no issue" option is not useful. 

 

[Birdhunter]

I think the moderator did the right thing. There is an old adage that a cleaver engineer can draw any desired curve using only two data points. The only entity that can take action if there is a Kapex issue is Festool and I would think Festool already has very valid data without polls.

 

[Naildrivingman]

I have edited my poll to include "no problems".

As to the moderator's question as to how this poll was created, I went to the start a new topic tab and was given a choice a to start a topic or start a poll.  Since I wanted to know what other FOG members knew, I chose start a poll. I did not reverse engineer the software, I simply used the tools the software offered.

If this notion of a poll is controversial and if FT wants to remove this poll, I guess they can, but if they truly have nothing to hide, they will allow this poll to run its course.

 

[Naildrivingman]

I didn't vote in the poll.

2010 Kapex. - Heavy usage ( but not by the definitions in the poll )  No issues.  Dust collection only when inside.  No laser.  12 gauge cords.  Trim, framing, pressure treated, PVC materials.

Peter

Then please enlighten me as to your definition of heavy usage. Thx.

 

[Naildrivingman]

This is not meant to disrespect the OP who I feel was looking for real information, but polls were turned off previously for a reason.  We are looking into the software to honestly see how this poll was created.

Polls are great for collecting information if they are very carefully thought out and are impartial and seek specific information.

In this instance without the "No issue" choice and also not speaking to longevity versus hours per year (a huge spread in choices) the information gained might be interesting but that's it.  Won't prove or disprove a thing.

In the past when there were polls you would have the poll and then the majority of voters then also posted narrative in the thread.  The narrative was more valuable to content of the forum and thusly also to the readers.

Peter

Not interested in proving or disproving anything. Just interested in how many issues FOG members have heard of.

 

[semenza]

I have edited my poll to include "no problems".

As to the moderator's question as to how this poll was created, I went to the start a new topic tab and was given a choice a to start a topic or start a poll.  Since I wanted to know what other FOG members knew, I chose start a poll. I did not reverse engineer the software, I simply used the tools the software offered.

If this notion of a poll is controversial and if FT wants to remove this poll, I guess they can, but if they truly have nothing to hide, they will allow this poll to run its course.

Hi,

    Just a note, we realize that you just chose the start a poll option.  And we know that you didn't do any sort of software tricks. So no problem in that regard.

Seth

 

[nickao]

Its pretty simple in SMF,  Polls are disabled or not.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Doing the poll will not do any good.  Festool is silent.  Festool is willing to lose trust in their customers and potential customers over the Kapex issue.  Until Festool addresses the issues with the motors they lose trust in the brand.  I say this being heavily invested in the Festool system,  not a troll. 

 

[James Biddle]

This poll is useless.  It does not restrict it to voters actually OWNING a Kapex, voting only once, or any set of verification.  What are you hoping to get out of this other than bashing?

I've had a Kapex for 3 years and am one of the many having no issues.  I've read about those that have had issues and agree that maybe Festool hasn't been as forthcoming as we'd like, but come on.

I've got no issue with bashing Festool or any other company for product or quality issues, but this strikes me as piling on.

 

[antss]

I'm one of the more vocal critics of this saw and FT's handling of the issue - and I don't necessarily view this as piling on.

It's just one man's viewpoint about the issue.  Festool doesn't seem to want to add any clarity to the issue unless this is some veiled attempt.  I fully expect this poll to show an overwhelming majority of people have no problems.  Same thing as Festool's.

My biggest issue is that for where FT positions this saw and the price they charge for it they should have next to zero defects AND their motors should last longer than three or four years for EVERY saw that wasn't abused.  The parts they use are not 2-3x better than the competition and I have a hard time squaring the more expensive labor making up the difference.  Begging the question: where's xtra the money going? 

As I've said before,  we have never heard of PC router motors failing earlier than expected or Sawzalls either.  Bearings get worn after a million miles and casing crack from dropping saws on concrete from two stories up but we don't hear about their motors getting smoked. All on smaller budgets.

Especially on examples that are babied like a lot of Festools.

 

[semenza]

Its pretty simple in SMF,  Polls are disabled or not.

Yes, basically.

Seth

 

[Birdhunter]

I still think the Moderator acted correctly in this matter.

For any poll to be accurate, the sample size has to be significant ( a huge percentage of units sold) , the poll questions have to be thought out so as to provide definitive data and not bias the respondent. Then the data has to be honestly analyzed and reported. This is complex hard work to be done correctly.

Unless a poll is constructed so as to yield accurate and meaningful data to Festool engineers, it's just not truly useful.

My use of my Kapex varies wildly depending on the project from hours of cutting hard stuff like Ipe to trimming some soft pine. I've never had a problem, but if I did, I'd want to qualify my input to Festool based on how I was using the tool when the problem occurred. Without the background data, the failure data isn't useful.

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Do people actually use their saw for this many hours? Seems high to me, even for professional use. Likely bearings and brushes would go out and I never read that much about those types of issues.

No disrespect to the OP or this thread, just an observation. To me working with a saw does not mean continuous use and getting several hundred hours of use measuring time while the saw is cutting seems like a high number and would take several years. Granted I am not a professional so would love to hear others weigh in on that point.