I was readings reviews on Amazon this afternoon on the Kapex. It seemed that most of the reviews had a lot of the same comments on them. Most say it cuts trim very well but lacks power for thicker and larger stock. Is the Kapex made for framing houses or more geared towards the finish work? Every one made a comment on the price and how the crown wings are another 200 bucks. Also many stated that you need to get a zero clearance insert for it. I'm surprised that Festool would not just put one on the saw to start with. Next was the angle gauge is in the way when Turing the saw. That is not that big of deal but it's the little things that add up. I did get to use one and it seemed fine to me. So if the Kapex is top shelf which saw is next in line behind it? I was going to head over and pick one up Saturday but I'm second guessing my self now. Thanks
Kapex power?
- Thread starter Drich
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Tom the Remodeler
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With an appropriate blade, my perception is that the Kapex has just as much power as the other miter saws on the market. Keep in mind though, the Kapex has a relatively slow "Soft Start", so if you dive right into the work before the saw blade gets up to speed it might seem underpowered.
That being said, yes, I believe that the Kapex is tuned more towards trim carpentry, with an emphasis placed on dust control, ease of setting an accurate bevel, etc....
This could be a regional difference, but I've never seen a miter saw on a framing job site. If you are processing framing lumber, you're probably better off looking at a worm or hypoid drive saw.
Regarding sacrificial fences, zero clearance inserts, etc... It would be tough for Festool to anticipate the needs of every woodworker. Even worse, imagine the frustration of potential buyers scoffing that they have to pay for zero clearance inserts and sacrificial fences that they could have made themselves?
That being said, yes, I believe that the Kapex is tuned more towards trim carpentry, with an emphasis placed on dust control, ease of setting an accurate bevel, etc....
This could be a regional difference, but I've never seen a miter saw on a framing job site. If you are processing framing lumber, you're probably better off looking at a worm or hypoid drive saw.
Regarding sacrificial fences, zero clearance inserts, etc... It would be tough for Festool to anticipate the needs of every woodworker. Even worse, imagine the frustration of potential buyers scoffing that they have to pay for zero clearance inserts and sacrificial fences that they could have made themselves?
Fastcap has come out with a zero clearance tape to easily create a zero clearance insert for any miter saw. I haven't tried it myself but it seems like a nice idea.
http://www.ptreeusa.com/mitersawaccessories.htm#1196
http://www.ptreeusa.com/mitersawaccessories.htm#1196
Qualitywork
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as has been stated before: The Kapex has lots of power. I frequently test the true-ness of mine with a 14x14 piece of leftover 2" LVL. You'll have to let the motor get up to full rpms before you dive in, though... Having said that: I don't use my Kapex for framing.
There are cheaper saws that do a good enough job with cutting lumber. My current framing saw of choice is the LS1216. It is not a regional thing whether you use a worm drive or skill saw versus a miter saw for framing-there are framers that will build a house with a skill saw and a speed square and there are carpenters who would never no that.
There are cheaper saws that do a good enough job with cutting lumber. My current framing saw of choice is the LS1216. It is not a regional thing whether you use a worm drive or skill saw versus a miter saw for framing-there are framers that will build a house with a skill saw and a speed square and there are carpenters who would never no that.
FinishingCanuck
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I find the kapex has enough power to cut framing lumber. 50% of my work is new construction. Whe I start a job I have my helper go around to the neighbouring sites and gather 2x 8 and 10 scraps from the framers to use to make shims. I use the kapex to cut scraps down to 8" in with ease. I have also cut thousands of feet of composite decking with mitres! I haven't found anything it couldn't cut with the right blade
