Kapex mounted on workbench ideas?

[Marc2010]

Hi all..I went to a Festool demo at our local Tool haus in Gladwin Mi today and ended up leaving with a Kapex.  I am currently redesigning my shop and have built all new cabinets and countertops and now at a stand still until I get this figured out. My thought is to lower a section between two base cabinets and have the top be the out feed table.I would like to have the measuring tape and stops built in on both sides and keep the dust hose attached. Do I need to have a back fence? maybe a fence with a top track?  I would like to router some t tracks into the top if needed to help.

Does anyone have any pictures of their set up or any good ideas??

Sure could use some help!
Thanks
Marc

 

[builderbob]

I think you're on the right track about lowering a section between two base cabs. My setup is totally portable since my time is split between my shop & field work. I use the UG mobile base and my own home made outfeed/wings with the crown stops integrated. Good luck to you, but I think you're wise to keep everything on the same plane!

Bob

 

[ccarrolladams]

Mark,
Although I do not yet have photos of my own Kapex and miter saw set-up, this one Chris just shared is similar. I assume that is a radial arm saw to photo right of the miter saw.

My original Kapex sits on a custom made stand with a typical chop saw dust collection shroud behind it. As I face the Kapex 6 ' to my right is my 18" radial arm saw, also on a custom made stand. A Hitachi 10" miter saw is on its custom stand 6' to the left of the Kapex. All of those stands are carefully adjusted so that the in & out-feeds of all saws are at the same height. They are bolted in place so the same back fence line works for all three. The bench to serving as the feed table extends 10' beyond the RAS and the Hitachi, so when using the Kapex a 16' length of stock is fully supported either side of the blade, Beyond the RAS there is space to temporarily park an expanding roller stand if we are breaking down long pieces on the RAS.

On the top of the back rail to either side of the Kapex I have installed sticky backed tape measures carefully adjusted to the blade in normal position. The tape is both metric and Imperial. I do not have permanent tape measures installed for the RAS or Hitachi because it is easier to simply measure each cut on those, which seldom need to be as precise as with the Kapex.

On the other wall, the Kapex for the face frame department, while on a custom stand and with long in and out feed counter tops, uses actual Festool back stops. Those also are carefully adjusted. They are in constant use with the Festool flag stops. For both of those Kapex the dedicated CT22 is parked below the bench top to the operator's right with just enough slack in the 36mm AS hose the CTs can be pulled slightly outward for bag and filter service without disconnecting anything. The CT and the Kapex are plugged into separate outlets on dedicated 20a 120v single phase service. The CTs can be turned on and off with a foot switch. Normally we find no disadvantage to letting them run continuously when using the Kapex, but a touch of a foot will shut them off as needed. All of those saws have another foot switch on the left of the operator to activate their DC system blast gates. A detector is wired to the power outlets so if we forget to close the blast gates a couple of minutes after no power is being used the gate closes. The RAS uses 480v 3 phase, so it is hard wired to a disconnect switch. The Kapex and Hitachi plug into 120v 20a grounded outlets on dedicated circuits.

You have the right idea. A lowered cabinet is what I did although I do not have a Kapex for in the shop yet.
I also have a back fence that I can put a stop on.

 

[Eli]

There's a good portable plan in FH #218, but the plan *w/ measurements* is members only online, which really pissed me off.  [mad]

 

[Corwin]

Here's one you just have to see:  tF: Shop Kapex Setup

 

[barnowl]

My previous saw was a Hitachi, and I built this cabinet/work station to accommodate it, and other tools.

There is a "big gulp" mounted behind the saw, for dust collection.

When I built it, I mounted the center section so that it could be removed in the future, to facilitate any saw depth.

The Kapex bed was 9/16" too high:

So, I removed the center section, and lowered it just under an 1":

And fabricated 3/8" shims to mount the saw on:

The "big gulp" is still there, but topped off with 1/2" plywood. It's still serviceable for fine cleaning.

Hope that provides some ideas.

 

[lambeater]

Although I don't have a Kapex yet this work area with Kreg system and fold up end should work well.

Lambeater

[attachimg=#]

[attachimg=#]

 

[Marc2010]

Wow ..you guys are great!!!  Many ideas there and your shops look nice.  what fence would you recommend with stops & ect..
More pics  more pics.

 

[gbruzze1]

Builderbob,

I just ordered my Kapex and the UG stand.  I am also planning on integrating my homemade extension wings on the system, but wasnt sure how I was going to mount them yet.  Can you share some details, pics, of how you have yours set up??

Thanks in advance,

Gary

 

[Marc2010]

Hi Builderbob
I'm getting a lot of ideas here (above) Corwin has a sweet set up. Thats kind of what i'm looking for but, am looking at the others also.  Many great shops out there. 
I'm turning my 30/40 pole barn to 3/4 shop and 1/4 park show car (if crappy out) I want it very clean and sleek. Form and function is a must. I have built my cabinets out of 3/4"black melamine along the 40' wall and working my way around the corner. Laminated counter tops with t tracks is for sure. I'm not sure how many base cabs will have drawers or just doors. all my cabinets are 48" wide, 2 are 8' tall with shelves. Ill put up some pics but for warning its a mess, when I started 2 weeks ago it was 50 degrees out with no snow. now it is 30 degrees max with 6" of snow so there is a lot of moving stuff around to build but i know what the end picture will be.[attachimg=#]/Users/marcker/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Masters/2011/03/23/20110323-152542/photo 4.JPG

 

[Marc2010]

Here are some pictures of before and during. Keep in mind its a mess because i can't put anything outside due to Michigan snow last week.
I will insulate and drywall the end wall this week before setting cabinets on that wall which is where I will put the MFT table.

Morning[attachimg=#]
afternoon
[attachimg=#]
Night
[attachimg=#]
Lay out
[attachimg=#]
Now that side... UGGG
[attachimg=#]
Long day but, I'm getting there
[attachimg=#]

 

[Timtool]

here is my setup,
[attachthumb=#]
it is somewhat as you described, nothing too fancy.
4 cabinets of identical length lined up, the first two are for short wood storage, right at the saw where you need it.
the third serves for storing my tablesaw accesories and the last has doors for storing shaper tools.
the second one is lowered to accomodate the Kapex, and my mortiser uses the same rail. verry handy.

above is a wood rack again to have the wood at hand where you need it.