Kapex or not?

[Kev]

UG set for me is super simple and compact. Takes minutes to setup and put away. Plus it's light, so if you were moving it in and out of a vehicle (I don't) I think you'd appreciate it even more.

 

[Floorman70]

They are doing the bundle over here,with a saving of over £300 +vat

 

[Stephen B]

They are doing the bundle over here,with a saving of over £300 +vat

http://www.justtools.com.au/category507_1.htm

 

[Kev]

I even got a bonus Festool job site radio !

 

[City Properties Inc]

does anyone use the UG stand with theres if so want do you think of it ?

I like the UG. If we did more condo / elevator work I wouldn't think twice about it. Instead I have made a few dolly cart so all the tools custom fit along hardware and fasteners. I have to say there wings look a bit weak but sure they work for trim which is what the Kapex was primarily built for. I bought the plans from Ron Paulk. Modified a lil from his design. It's 8ft x 24" x 7" not 6.6" like his. It's built for shop use only. My Makita LS1013  10" fits in there perfectly so we can drop any of our miters and go to work. I am going to make another one out 1/2 ply 6.6 x 18" with modified extensions for long stuff. We have a couple of  jobs lined later this year that are going to require a dedicated station for about a month.
By the way probably the only miter that will rival the Kapex is the Makita LS1013. It's actually dead accurate, lighter, smaller and the DC is bout 75-80%.  I have them both set up on Dewalt mini miter stands in the field with 7ft saw helper extension.

 

[redbirdone]

How does the Makita LS1016 compare to the LS1013?  I currently have an older Bosch 10" slider that I am looking to replace and since I already have lots of green I have been thinking long and hard about the Kapex.  I would love to get a Kapex, but the price is keeping me on the sidelines for now.  If Festool offered a killer deal on the Kapex/UG station I would be sold.  I'm also interested to hear how the Makita compares to the Kapex from those who have used both.

 

[City Properties Inc]

How does the Makita LS1016 compare to the LS1013?  I currently have an older Bosch 10" slider that I am looking to replace and since I already have lots of green I have been thinking long and hard about the Kapex.  I would love to get a Kapex, but the price is keeping me on the sidelines for now.  If Festool offered a killer deal on the Kapex/UG station I would be sold.  I'm also interested to hear how the Makita compares to the Kapex from those who have used both.

I bought the ls1013 tested for 10min and returned it. A lot of play in the rails. I don't understand the dbl slider  / under over thing?? I'm talking sloppy like a 12" Dewalt sloppy. DC or should I say what DC. With the bag or vac 00%. Completely worthless. I was bathing in saw dust. About 8 or so lbs heaver the Kapex and good chunk bigger. I move around too much to bother with extra weight, bulk and mess. We run light and tight. The Makita 1016 is really an excellent saw next to the K. Nuts on accurate quiet slow start smaller and lighter then the K except for the rails the slide back. Not as balanced as the K when in transit but it's about 4-5 lbs lighter so it can easily be transported.    Overall I don't know what Makita was thinking or thinking? They have the capacity to make a really good saw with proper DC at a big box store pricing.

My go to #1 is the K
             #2 is the 1013. It's only #2 because of the shortage on DC.

I debated over the price for while before buying the K and then I decided to sell off a bunch of other tools that haven't been used in a while. For me it it was trade up.

 

[WoodWhisperer]

The answer is Kapex!!!

I've had mine for a couple wks now and I'm really enjoying it.  Its my 5th miter saw but my first slider.  If anyone can get past the cost. Or in my case talk the bosses into buying it for you, you will never use a diff saw!!!  Don't ask me how I talked the boss into it because I'm still shocked myself! The biggest surprise for me is the bevel cuts. I'm use to standing base or 1x on edge for miters.  The Kapex cuts bevels so square and accurate, you end up with a better miter fit every time.  On my old dewalt when cutting bevels on wide 1x, I would have to set the angle 1/2 degree off zero for it to be square.  Not anymore!!! The DC is pretty amazing also.

Sean

 

[alice]

didnt like the saw returned it after a few days.wasnt accurate left a rough cut wasnt in pressed for 1300.00 dollars.for price it should be flawless

 

[peter halle]

didnt like the saw returned it after a few days.wasnt accurate left a rough cut wasnt in pressed for 1300.00 dollars.for price it should be flawless

Welcome to the FOG!  Sorry to hear that it did not perform as well as you thought.  Glad to see that the 30 day return policy did.

Peter

 

[alice]

happy about return policy.I guess ill wait till my hitachi dies or try again in a year or so maybe something will change.Not that it matters but my old elu saw was awesome.

 

[peter halle]

happy about return policy.I guess ill wait till my hitachi dies or try again in a year or so maybe something will change

I waited for my Hitachi to die too.  I have had no regrets with my Kapex.  You might want to think about trying a different one.

Or not.

Peter

 

[alice]

I  will give it another try in the future.No harm intended about festool.Have track saw have nothing but good things to say about it

 

[toolpouchguy]

I have a new kapex that we don't use it is dangerous ,the saw rips wood apart,and when you swing it from 45 to 45 it grinds along the base.
was suppose to receive a new blade 2 weeks ago when i called today they haven't even shipped it.

everyone on my crew just leaves it in the shop and they grab the old saws.

we do small moulding sometimes and it just wont cut them
hoping a new blade will make it work better .its a lot of money to just have it sit there ,

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Sorry to hear about your issues with the Kapex.

The Kapex will "grind" if you don't unlock the miter lock and depress the tab as you turn it. If you've done that and it is still grinding then there's a problem.

What kind of wood are you cutting (dimensions and type)?

Of course, photos would be helpful too.

Did you contact us (Festool) for the blade or your dealer? If your dealer, I would suggest dealing directly with us for warranty or repair issues to ensure the quickest service.

Shane

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I don't have a Kapex, but have a TS 75EQ.  I was wondering if it is possible to cross cut 1x8 oak for furniture without tear out using the Kapex.  Which tool would you rather use for this - Kapex or TS 75? Thanks.

 

[barnowl]

I don't have a Kapex, but have a TS 75EQ.  I was wondering if it is possible to cross cut 1x8 oak for furniture without tear out using the Kapex.  Which tool would you rather use for this - Kapex or TS 75? Thanks.

While the saw is capable, I'd suggest a zero clearance insert and zero clearance fence. I made mine.

Also, I was getting slight tear out on the top of the 3/4" cherry that I was cutting with the stock 60 tooth blade.

My 80 tooth Chopmaster saw leaves no tear out.

Unless you want to go to the trouble, a properly adjusted TS 75 with the fine blade is probably just as good, but you will get end tear out, unless you use a backer board.

 

[City Properties Inc]

I don't have a Kapex, but have a TS 75EQ.  I was wondering if it is possible to cross cut 1x8 oak for furniture without tear out using the Kapex.  Which tool would you rather use for this - Kapex or TS 75? Thanks.

cut anything you fit on it.. 0 tear out. these are 3x12oak treads. I cut 3x10 100old red pine floor joist / beams. Again no tear outs. Just play with blade speed, make sure blades are sharp and the big wood clamped down.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

cut anything you fit on it.. 0 tear out. these are 3x12oak treads. I cut 3x10 100old red pine floor joist / beams. Again no tear outs. Just play with blade speed, make sure blades are sharp and the big wood clamped down.
[/quote]

What speed did you find was the best for this piece in photo?

 

[tbellemare]

I think I pressed the cutting limits on my Kapex the other day...

I am expanding an opening in a wall and made a header out of two 2x6's and 1/2" plywood glued and screwed. I actually made it a little long due to design change after making it. So, I wanted to cut a little off one end. I put it up on the Kapex and to my surprise, it cut it in one pass.

I wasn't concerned about the saw's power. I just thought it wouldn't reach through. The arbor was virtually touching the work piece but it made it.

My wife has been impressed that I can do all of the work involved with this little remodel right in our kitchen and living room without covering furniture or anything. I just moved some stuff on one of the counters right next to the hole. The incredible lack of dust is a real testament to the Festool system. I've been cutting sheetrock with an oscillating tool and as long as I hold a 36mm hose close, all of the dust even from that goes right in the bag.

Tom