KAPEX PRECISION OF CUT AND ACCURACY VS???

[NEW2FES]

Ok,

  I have some Festool tools I love and others that have failed to meet my expectations. I do not want to get into a topic with emotions involved but one that contains facts only.

  I need a larger miter saw and always see how everybody posts how much more accurate the Kapex is. The question I have is; "How is it more accurate"?

  If I take the most expensive " Y" brand saw and adjust it using the same techniques (cutting 4 sides) and using similar or same blades what is the Kapex doing better?

Does the Kapex hold it's adjustment longer? If I make 100 cuts and repeat is the Kapex still dead on? How much off would the other be in comparison?

Is it more accurate, meaning less deflection over longer spans?

Is it easier adjusted or have more accurate adjustments?

Is there a a link anywhere that shows the Kapex against another brand that shows it's better accuracy?

At this point I am ONLY interested in accuracy as that is what I am looking for in what is an expensive miter saw.

I appreciate the help and input and have kept this as direct as possible and do not take it as being rude I just don't want 20 replies about how they love the color or whatever?? Again, not technique or ease of use but accuracy of cuts.

Thanks
Brian

 

[neth27]

I have the Kapex and say it is no more accurate than any other saw..

John...

 

[fshanno]

I have the Kapex and say it is no more accurate than any other saw..

John...

Why did you keep it?

 

[neth27]

I have the Kapex and say it is no more accurate than any other saw..

John...

Why did you keep it?

He was only interested in  the accuracy, not about anything else...

John...

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Granted I haven't used every miter saw on the market, but compared to those that I have the Kapex is more accurate. Less blade deflection, miter/bevel gauges large enough to dial in 1/2 degrees, dual adjustable lasers, just to name a few reasons.

But, why not make that determination for yourself? The only opinion that really matters is your own. Granted, feedback from others is good to have. That's why we have a 30-day money back guarantee.

Shane

 

[peter halle]

I bought my Kapex in 2010 after having numerous other saws in the previous 20+ years.  The accuracy of the Kapex results in happy customers for me.  That is how I gauge the performance of a tool.

Peter

 

[NEW2FES]

Peter that answer is not the most helpful as like the other 100 "The Kapex Rocks!!!" posts there is no real substance. I am not attacking or picking just looking for facts.

What accuracy keeps your customers happy? If you have a well adjusted Makita (random) and make miter cuts for a door frame what is going to be different? Noted above is less blade deflection. Has anybody made a cut with another saw and seen deflection cause a difference in width in a cut on say a 12" piece??

Shane as far as 1/2 a degree I guess this can be done on any saw or are we saying the blade movement would prevent such an accurate cut? The larger dial would help with making the adjustment and I fully agree.

This is a hard post as this is a Festool site and people get upset easily when the brand is challenged. I am not challenging but simply looking for what is more accurate when there are 100's of posts stating this. I am looking for what I am missing. I am like the next guy and love owning the best of everything but it has to also live up to the hype for me. I am going local to check one out but not sure if they will allow test cuts? will see? This is an expensive saw and I am just researching.

Thanks

 

[peter halle]

Sorry,  I was keeping it simple - for me.  I normally post long responses, so after reading yours I decided to do a short one.

Here is the longer one:

As someone who gets paid to make customers happy, my eyesight will be more inaccurate than the Kapex will.

It is a very rigid saw and has resistance to flexing from side to side.  The miter rotation with it's scale allows you to get to within .25 degree.  Yes that aspect takes a little getting used to especially when you are getting near a detent, but it is learnable.  It is not as smooth as other brands.

It is very adjustable, but I haven't had a need to since 2010.  And mine is not in a shop situation.

The bevel action is accurate and with the huge scale you can easily make less than 1 degree increments.  How accurate those will be on a repeat basis will be based on your eyesight.

I don't use the lasers because in most of my jobsite situations I couldn't see them.

That was offered honestly.  I wasn't an early purchaser of the Kapex - I couldn't justify it.

The saw I had before the Kapex was a Hitachi.  I definitely could deflect the blade in that one when cutting.

Hope that this helps to some degree.

Peter

 

[mastercabman]

Sorry,  I was keeping it simple - for me.  I normally post long responses, so after reading yours I decided to do a short one.

Here is the longer one:

As someone who gets paid to make customers happy, my eyesight will be more inaccurate than the Kapex will.

It is a very rigid saw and has resistance to flexing from side to side.  The miter rotation with it's scale allows you to get to within .25 degree.  Yes that aspect takes a little getting used to especially when you are getting near a detent, but it is learnable.  It is not as smooth as other brands.

It is very adjustable, but I haven't had a need to since 2010.  And mine is not in a shop situation.

The bevel action is accurate and with the huge scale you can easily make less than 1 degree increments.  How accurate those will be on a repeat basis will be based on your eyesight.

I don't use the lasers because in most of my jobsite situations I couldn't see them.

That was offered honestly.  I wasn't an early purchaser of the Kapex - I couldn't justify it.

The saw I had before the Kapex was a Hitachi.  I definitely could deflect the blade in that one when cutting.

Hope that this helps to some degree.

Peter

I was going to reply to say some like that, but after reading your post,that is exactly how I feel about the Kapex
Not the most perfect saw but keeps on cutting like no other saws.

Brian
Any good saw will do the job just as good as the Kapex.But I have used many saws in the past and always had mix feeling about accuracy.
Some were good and some not so.
As Shane stated  just get the saw,try it for 30 days,then if you feel that the saw is not worth what the cost is,just return it.
I don't think accuracy is the only thing on the Kapex that is good for.Dust control,weight,cutting capacity for the size of the saw and more.
You just have to see it for yourself.

 

[duburban]

like has been alluded to here, accuracy is more than just how the saw holds "square". my bevel gauge on my makita is a $%^&ing sticker, and its peeling off.

 

[Bikeboy80]

I was using a Hitatchi saw before purchasing the Kapex and to be honest it was damn accurate for what it was (and still is). So you say what made me try a Kapex? A Job. I had landed a job to install crown moulding in two rooms on vaulted ceilings on the second floor of a home. My first problem with my existing saw was the capacity, would not cut the 5 1/4" crown nested. So I looked at a number of 12" saws, all of them very capable of completing the job. What really made the descision for me was the dust collection. To be able to set up in the room I was working in and have it be fully furnished saved so much time not having to run up and down the stairs all day, not to mention the lengths of crown had to come through a window into the room because they would not fit up the stairwell!

Since purchasing my Kapex last winter the dust collection is my favorite thing about it. Some other honorable mentions would be the angle finder, work clamp and the dual lasers.

Is the Kapex accurate, Yes. So are many of it's competors. I think some of the other features set it apart. Like Shane suggested, give it a try, if it doesn't impress you send it back. [wink]

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I am going local to check one out but not sure if they will allow test cuts? will see? T

They will. Right in your own shop.  For up to 30 days risk-free. [wink]

I think the saw will speak for itself. Go and check it out in person. Maybe they will let you use it, but I doubt it because of liability.

I don't run tools all day every day, but I think it's pretty cool that I can cut paper thin, translucent cuts one right after another. No burns, no blade marks.

After you check one out in person, I'd be glad to answer any questions for you.

 

[WoodWhisperer]

Well, I can remember with my dewalt saw I was always checking if the cut was square.  Especially on a bevel cut.  The Kapex bevel cut is accurate and square.  When its time to go back to 0 its a snap.  Sure, other saws you may be able to achieve the same accuracy but not as fast and easy and time after time.  Also, with most saws the blade reaches the top rpm's from the beginning.  Kapex starts off lower and adjust as needed for the type of cut and material.  Which means less deflection.  How many times on bevel cuts say with a 1x8 trying to cut a 45 on a dewalt have you had to wait till the saw blade catches up?!!!  The rest of the cool stuff on the Kapex  makes it well worth the money!!!!

BUY IT!!!!!!!!

Sean

 

[fshanno]

At this point I am ONLY interested in accuracy as that is what I am looking for in what is an expensive miter saw.

I don't know how much you want to spend but I don't think you can beat something like this for accuracy in miter saw....

[attachimg=1]

You're looking at about $9000 msrp.  Belt drive, cast iron table, 230v 3hp, foot pedal pneumatic hold down and automatic descent of head, vacuum cabinet.

I had a line on a used single phase T 50-350 in first class condition, very few hours, for about the price of a new Kapex,  Just the saw of course.  I let it go.  Pains me to think about it.  If you're working by yourself you couldn't use it enough in 10 years to break it in good.  Omga has smaller lighter units but they just aren't the same.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

For...

[attachimg=#1]

you can get one of these bad momba jombas...

[attachimg=#2]

to slice up your wood.

Sorry for the oneupsmanship. [big grin]

 

[Glenn in Shailer]

you can get one of these bad momba jombas...

to slice up your wood.

....hmmmm....but is it as accurate as the Kapex

 

[jmbfestool]

The kapex is accurate and cuts smoother than other chop saws I have used which inturn gives more accuracy.   The saw is much harder to deflect than other saws I have used so less human error  increasing accuracy.    
I have a Makita and I am able to deflect the saw if I don't pull directly down,  the kapex its more rigid.

The bevel with the turn nob  allows smaller adjustments increased accuracy.  Other saws require you to lean over trying to adjust the saw where you want then tighten off to then loosen again to fine adjust is just not as accurate.

Thing is!   Your saying all you want to know is how accurate it is nothing more.  

You can buy a chop saw the size of a car or the size of a systainer/T-loc 4   Size is a big factor.   Kapex is small and light which is why it wins me because I often work in clients houses so having something massive is a pain in the arse!

Saying because this is a festool forum people get upset.   I think you need to go read some topics mate because I and I know many others on here have no problem knocking festool down to the ground if something is not upto scratch.  As well as I will give it praises when its due.

 

[Stephen B]

I'll tell you how good a Kapex is!   [wink]

They have been selling so well in Australia, that my favourite dealer (Premium Dealer) will not have any in stock for 6-8 weeks. Even sold their demo unit this morning.  [mad]  [mad]

So I purchased a Rotex 150 today! And start saving again.

[big grin]

 

[fatroman]

How accurate is the Kapex?

When I decided that this was no longer acceptable. That's after installing a new blade on the 12" Ridgid and fiddling with the table and fence. No, that's not blood on the trim.

After I got the Kapex, this is what the cut looked like. Same material, same unskilled guy making the cut.

 

[ShawnRussell]

That is good data there.