Kapex problem checklist

[ear3]

I've got a Kapex coming in tomorrow, and given the occasional posts from new purchasers about the saw in the "Tool problems" forum, I was just wondering if there's a shortlist for issues I should double check when I'm setting/tuning it up, besides the obvious ones (square cut, level deck, straight fence)?

 

[nclemmons]

1 - check for square cut at 90 degrees
2 - check upright cut at 45 degrees on either side
3 - check for bevel (flat) cut at 45 degrees on either side
4 - check alignment of lasers
5 - check for flatness of fence
6 - check for 90 degree of fence to table on both ends
7 - check for flatness of table across turntable
8 - make sure the Kapex sits flat on your stand / bench - and does not spring out of alignment when tightening down with bolts
9 - consider making a zero clearance insert for the table
10 - consider making a zero clearance face for the two side fences (plans in the supplemental manual)
11 - read the supplemental manual for additional tips

Make something.  Sometimes we can go overboard 'checking things' and reading forums rather than having the joy of making something and figuring out if what you have read might be 'wrong' is really an annoyance or not.

Enjoy - I've had a Kapex since they were released.  Awesome saw.

neil

 

[jacko9]

Make sure that your lasers work all of the time.  My Kapex lasers work some times but not most of the time and when they work they are in alignment and the lens cover is clear so, I'm baffled.

Jack

 

[Cheese]

My Kapex lasers work some times but not most of the time and when they work they are in alignment and the lens cover is clear so, I'm baffled.

Jack

That's not good. It's not an issue for the people that grew up without lasers (like me), however it is an inconvience. And part of the entrance price of the Kapex is convenience. FWIW my lasers work all the time.

 

[ear3]

Awesome.  Thanks.  I'll have an immediate opportunity to put some miles on it starting next weekend for a large installation I'm beginning.

1 - check for square cut at 90 degrees
2 - check upright cut at 45 degrees on either side
3 - check for bevel (flat) cut at 45 degrees on either side
4 - check alignment of lasers
5 - check for flatness of fence
6 - check for 90 degree of fence to table on both ends
7 - check for flatness of table across turntable
8 - make sure the Kapex sits flat on your stand / bench - and does not spring out of alignment when tightening down with bolts
9 - consider making a zero clearance insert for the table
10 - consider making a zero clearance face for the two side fences (plans in the supplemental manual)
11 - read the supplemental manual for additional tips

Make something.  Sometimes we can go overboard 'checking things' and reading forums rather than having the joy of making something and figuring out if what you have read might be 'wrong' is really an annoyance or not.

Enjoy - I've had a Kapex since they were released.  Awesome saw.

neil

 

[raph38]

Make sure that your lasers work all of the time.  My Kapex lasers work some times but not most of the time and when they work they are in alignment and the lens cover is clear so, I'm baffled.

Jack

sounds like a random bad connexion somewhere...

 

[Birdhunter]

My Kapex came out of the box perfect except the lasers had to be adjusted. I did add the aftermarket zero clearance insert and I did make a zero clearance fence attachment. It's stayed in perfect alignment for the 2 years I've own it.

The large diameter hose does improve dust collection greatly.

Two pieces of advice. One, wear good safety glasses. Two, ALWAYS let the blade come to a complete stop before lifting it a millimeter. Lifting a moving Kapex blade can propel a cutoff at amazing speed and force.

The Supplemental manual is will worth reading.

Enjoy

P.S. The castings can appear rough. Don't let that ruin your enjoyment of a great tool.

 

[Kev]

Just to chip in .. perfect KAPEX here. There'll be a lot that could share a great KAPEX story compared to the relative few with issues!

 

[teocaf]

one other issue you might check right away based on a recent thread here--that is to verify that the blade makes a 'complete cut'.  when the blade is down and forward and you view it from the side, there should be no gap showing between blade, work surface and back fence.  apparently that was the problem that someone posted on that 'kapex destroyed' thread.  i did not have that problem but the responses did let me know that the large recessed hex head that's behind and a bit to the left of the trenching lever is for blade limit stop adjustment.  apparently neither manual has that bit of info.

my own kapex came to me in perfect shape and i remember that i started a flooring job with it right out of the box--i did not bother to check anything on it when i first got it.  and over the last few years, i've had no problems at all and i've since performed various checks on it and it continues to chug along nicely. i did have to make some of the mods listed on various posts here to further enhance the dust collection.

enjoy your new tool!

 

[Brent Taylor]

Check the paint and machining on the underside. I have not figured out how it affects the performance of the tool,  but it's a hot topic.  [tongue] Good luck and have fun with your saw Edward from the horse's hindquarters in the peanut gallery.

 

[JackOfAll]

Right, so I received my New Kapex on Thursday after my Metabo let me down as i'm right in the middle of a job and couldn't be without a mitre saw, i've read loads of reviews and people seem to talk very highly of the accuracy straight out of the box however this doesn't seem to be the case with the one I've received, i haven't used it yet but could anyone please tell me if this is normal or whether i should be getting in contact with Festool as for a little over £800 this is one of if not the most expensive saw on the market so i was hoping that it was going to be calibrated perfectly, Thanks Jack

[Inline mode=1]

http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/x452/jack02windsurfing/FullSizeRender-7.jpg

 

[sancho57]

Only issues I had with mine was making sure there was a outlet close enough to plug it into and getting 2 meter 35mm hose to use gives ya better dust collection when using a CT

 

[DB10]

Welcome Jackofall.
    If it was me I would download the supplementary manual and have a read through that first. I would then start to make some cuts to see what needs to be adjusted. Good luck.

 

[Birdhunter]

Page 24 and on of the Supplemental Manual show a way to test the trueness of the Kapex and how to make any necessary adjustments.

Remember to let the blade come to a complete stop before lifting the saw's head. If you don't, the saw can launch the cut off with great violence.

 

[Brice Burrell]

Right, so I received my New Kapex on Thursday after my Metabo let me down as i'm right in the middle of a job and couldn't be without a mitre saw, i've read loads of reviews and people seem to talk very highly of the accuracy straight out of the box however this doesn't seem to be the case with the one I've received, i haven't used it yet but could anyone please tell me if this is normal or whether i should be getting in contact with Festool as for a little over £800 this is one of if not the most expensive saw on the market so i was hoping that it was going to be calibrated perfectly, Thanks Jack

Jack,welcome to the FOG.  I'd suggest you use the saw on your current job to find out if it is cutting accurately or not.  If it turns out the saw needs calibrating I wouldn't adjust it, I'd send it back.  The calibration process can be very finicky, and I wouldn't go through that on a brand new saw with the this kind of price tag.  I believe in the UK you have 15 days to try Festool tools out.  Good luck. 

 

[JackOfAll]

Thank you everyone for your help, think i will take it to site next week and have a little play and see how its cutting, just thought it was odd that the green mark lines up perfectly on the left hand side of the saw but not the right, won't know for sure until i start using it though but thanks for all the advice

 

[Doug S]

My kapex needed adjusting when it turned up, should have sent it back but needed to use it so did it myself, was very fiddley.

Doug