campbellcraft said:More accurate? I don't think so. Easier to be accurate, yes. Easier for me means more likely to be accurate. Combined with the hold down, dust collection, light weight, and other small details, the kapex was a good investment for me.
NEW2FES said:Is the question worthless?? Maybe but what it does prove is all the accuracy claims are also kind of jaded and not true?
To the guy with the pic of the moulding you are telling me that the Rigid saw is properly adjusted as it does not appear so in the pic at all. What happened to the edge on the rigid cut? Why is one side shorter then the other? These are the kind of pics that look sensational on a forum but I am a bit lost with how that saw is properly set up. If you said that happened after 5 cuts or you couldn't adjust the Rigid I can somewhat understand. Also what kind of new blade? Although not sure how that effects the mitre?
In my conclusion the Kapex is not any more accurate then a comparable x or y brand. What makes the Kapex a better saw is it's ability to be adjusted and keep its accuracy. So all the throw you saw away untill you need rough cuts is not trully fair. Is it a better built saw, yes probably it is.
If used in a hobby shop where it is pulled out once every couple of months the adjustment issue is a non issue. I do understand how this is not desirable for a daily use contractor. Then again bouncing around to the site would require checking again.
I think the people who are posting these exaggerated claims look silly plain and simple. If someone said it is no more accurate then a properly set up Makita but the other attributes make it worth the extra $700 it is more credible. I know I limited discussion to accuracy and did so on purpose as I do not think there is anyway to prove it is more accurate because set up saw to set up saw there would be no difference especially not as drastic as illustrated above. That is for forum cheering.
I appreciate the help and yes will still consider the Kapex as I am well aware of it's other selling points. Some might be worth the difference. I wish it had more cutting capacity as there is never enough. Let's keep the discussions reasonable and not overdue how great a product is and exaggerate claims. Facts are what sell for me.
Now lets have the Festool faithful pick apart my post.
Shane Holland said:Leigh,
The lasers are user adjustable. Some guys like the laser to bisect the line, others on the inside or outside of the line. Personal preference really.
I have read other posts there customers have needed or wanted to adjust their lasers. You can peel back the label on the side (or poke holes through it) to make the adjustments quite easily.
As for it not being to your liking or accurate out of the box, things get tossed around in shipping and that may have knocked the lasers out of alignment. Not meant as an excuse, but a possible explanation.
I've not heard of any of our guys on the ground dialing in lasers for customers and it's not something that's a standard service as far as I know here in the US/Canada.
Shane
Holzhacker said:I'm going to rant here a bit because I get annoyed by the whole accuracy debate. I hear some guy whining about a tool not being accurate enough and its time for him to learn how to use his tools or find another jobsite. For those of you who are furniture makers I apologize since I realize extreme accuracy is vital. For carpenters, grow up. For DIY'ers LEARN HOW TO USE YOUR TOOLS. Jobsites don't actually work like those pretty boys on TV shows who can supposedly rehab anything in half an hour.
I grew up using total crap tools until I started spending my own money on tools. You want to learn accuracy? Try cutting trim with a wormdrive. After that the rest is easy.
Is the Kapex more accurate than a cheapo big box store saw? Yes.
Can you make cuts just as good with a cheapo saw as you can a Kapex? Almost. The diffierence being blade wobble, deflection or poor rotation. Beyond that its all up to the user.
The real issue here isn't tool accuracy. The issue is user accuracy. Who cares where the stupid laser is if you don't know where that laser is in relation to your pencil mark or stop setting. Practice with your tool, whatever the tool is. When you set that blade down you should know exactly where it is going to cut based on knowing your saw; not because you bought some super fancy, expensive tool.
Anybody want accuracy without knowing how to use a tool buy a computerized CNC machine.
Buy a Kapex because its light, versatile, good DC, convenient and makes work easier.
There ... now lets see how long it takes the big shots to flag this post.
Oh by the way, my dealer Woodworld in Chicago, unpacked and checked my new Kapex for square and laser alignment for me. Granted I asked because I was short on time, behind on a job and needed to be sure the tool hadn't gotten knocked around during shipping.
Gotta love a great dealer, Thanks Bodie.