Kapex problem Poll

[James Metcalf]

Thank You . One vote changed.

 

[bonesbr549]

Hello,
I just edited the poll so people can change their votes.
Matthew

Thanks Matt, I'm sorry I thought you had allowed that alread.  I'm ordering one so when It arrives I'll removed myself from wait and see to ?

 

[alanm]

Had the scraping problem and the table wouldn't turn easily. Fixed under warranty but they stuffed up the mitre anglr calibration. I fixed this with considerable effort ( not very easy given that they don't provide the required tools and fine tuning is hit and miss.)

Now the right laser has gone mad. The angle changes on a vut by cut basis. Adjustment screws are uselss and won't hold a steady angle. I get it right then make a cut and it's off by a mile. Even a small tap on the handle changes the angle.

I need to take it for another warranty repair and lose it for a week and pay $30 for petrol both ways.(here in Oz they don't do on-site repairs or pickups for the Kapex as it is too heavy).

Not happy with two faults in first nine months, especially as I haven't really used it much.
The Kapex might look good, but it is way too fragile to be considered and "real" workshop tool.

 

[MiterMaster]

Had the scraping problem and the table wouldn't turn easily. Fixed under warranty but they stuffed up the mitre anglr calibration. I fixed this with considerable effort ( not very easy given that they don't provide the required tools and fine tuning is hit and miss.)

Now the right laser has gone mad. The angle changes on a vut by cut basis. Adjustment screws are uselss and won't hold a steady angle. I get it right then make a cut and it's off by a mile. Even a small tap on the handle changes the angle.

I need to take it for another warranty repair and lose it for a week and pay $30 for petrol both ways.(here in Oz they don't do on-site repairs or pickups for the Kapex as it is too heavy).

Not happy with two faults in first nine months, especially as I haven't really used it much.
The Kapex might look good, but it is way too fragile to be considered and "real" workshop tool.

If the problems you are experiencing are as bad as you say, just send it back and get a replacement, let your dealer know you want a new saw, that simple!

What you are experiencing does not sound at all like a Festool, sure there are a few issues with the saw that have been addressed and are being corrected, but this is the most accurate saw I have ever used, and one of the easiest saws I have ever had as far as being able to square / adjust!

Mike

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I agree, if you have a good relationship with your retailer you should suggest that you get a replacement rather than a repair. It can't hurt to suggest/ask, right? If nothing else, see if they will give you a loaner Kapex (maybe their floor model) in the meantime?

 

[alanm]

If the problems you are experiencing are as bad as you say, just send it back and get a replacement, let your dealer know you want a new saw, that simple!

Not that simple here in Oz. Once it's more than a month old, it's bad luck and must be fixed under warranty, I've had it for about nine months. If it had these faults on day 1 to 14 I would have returned it for a full refund and bought something else that has some reliability history.

What you are experiencing does not sound at all like a Festool, sure there are a few issues with the saw that have been addressed and are being corrected.

It may not be what Festool is reknowned for but from what I've researched, this is what the Kapex is really like. Basically a beta test piece of hardware that us poor sucker users are helping to iron out the bugs at our expense. Given the large number of reported problems for such a small shipment, this release is a failure for Festool.

I love a three year warranty, I just rather not have to use is over and over again.

Maybe this time Festool will own up to the faulty first edition shipped to Australia and offer a free new replacement. But I won't hold my breath.

Until the Kapex is finally made solid, I won't purchase anymore Festool gear for fear of getting another lemon. Except for consumables for what I already own.

I just hope the Mid 2008 model is a much better standard than the mid 2007 first release model. Otherwise the Kapex will disappear quicker than the Toolie.

 

[bonesbr549]

Ok, I have ofically changed my vote from waiting to no problems!  YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[honeydoman]

its sad that on a great saw and company the only 25% did not have a problem and 75% had problems or waiting for issue to be resolved before buying,. and by the way what has happened to the Festool Official anoucement that was supposed to come several weeks ago.

I am still torn between gettting my 3rd one or waiting.  several other issues have come up such as blade cutting on one side better than the other,  I just saw the milwaukee new saw and the turn table was smooooooth as could be.  but the saw is heavy, no laser and dust collection is pretty good.

so that is my updated thoughts, my woodcraft store is holding another kapex for me, and I have 2,000' lf of base, backer board and chair rail and shoe to install in an office building, stain grade, already stained when applied, and deciding what to do.

 

[bonesbr549]

Keep in mind the sample size of this poll is very small and not indicitive of the total population.  I just threw this up.  I think they had problems but have dealt with it. I was ready to buy at availibility on 7/1 but held off.  Jimmy C over at festool junkie said that the ones with the problem should have be dealt with.  To be safe he pulled the unit that was coming to me and checked it with a .2mm feeler to be sure and sure enough its perfect.  I have some crown to cut so I'll let you know how it goes. 

 

[MiterMaster]

I am still torn between gettting my 3rd one or waiting.  several other issues have come up such as blade cutting on one side better than the other,  I just saw the milwaukee new saw and the turn table was smooooooth as could be.  but the saw is heavy, no laser and dust collection is pretty good.

so that is my updated thoughts, my woodcraft store is holding another kapex for me, and I have 2,000' lf of base, backer board and chair rail and shoe to install in an office building, stain grade, already stained when applied, and deciding what to do.

Kreg - I feel your pain, a lot of us are in the same situation.  I think we all were so excited and eager to get the Kapex, maybe we built it up in our minds that it was going to be the perfect saw?

But, once we all started having these problems it is kind of like we turned our backs on it and gave up.  I too went through 3 Kapex's until I got one with no issues.  I don't think it is uncommon for an initial release to have problems, I think Festool (and their Dealers) stood behind the product and took care of each and every one of us - something not many other companies would do.

It's unfortunate that we had to work these kinks out & I think a lot of us are just a bit sour right now.  The final Kapex I received has no issues at the moment & is a pleasure to work with - guess what I'm saying is stick with it, in the end it is worth it.

Mike 

 

[honeydoman]

Keep in mind the sample size of this poll is very small and not indicitive of the total population.  I just threw this up.  I think they had problems but have dealt with it. I was ready to buy at availibility on 7/1 but held off.  Jimmy C over at festool junkie said that the ones with the problem should have be dealt with.  To be safe he pulled the unit that was coming to me and checked it with a .2mm feeler to be sure and sure enough its perfect.   I have some crown to cut so I'll let you know how it goes. 

i agree it is a small poll, don't forget the neilson ratings are based upon 2700 people (or somewhere around that).  but I agree 100% festool stood behind it, it is a great hype that just took a little longer to get it correct.

I have been using my makita 10 last week and it turns out it is 1/16" out of square for shelf cutting, thanks to my friend spike who is a fanatic with squareness, he even bitches at his hottie hairdresser if she cuts his hair 1mm to short!!

but cannot wait to get my next kapex tomorrow and put it to use.

 

[Spike]

That would be me

 

[bonesbr549]

Keep in mind the sample size of this poll is very small and not indicitive of the total population.  I just threw this up.  I think they had problems but have dealt with it. I was ready to buy at availibility on 7/1 but held off.  Jimmy C over at festool junkie said that the ones with the problem should have be dealt with.  To be safe he pulled the unit that was coming to me and checked it with a .2mm feeler to be sure and sure enough its perfect.   I have some crown to cut so I'll let you know how it goes. 

i agree it is a small poll, don't forget the neilson ratings are based upon 2700 people (or somewhere around that).  but I agree 100% festool stood behind it, it is a great hype that just took a little longer to get it correct.

I have been using my makita 10 last week and it turns out it is 1/16" out of square for shelf cutting, thanks to my friend spike who is a fanatic with squareness, he even bitches at his hottie hairdresser if she cuts his hair 1mm to short!!

but cannot wait to get my next kapex tomorrow and put it to use.

Well I spent yesterday cutting my crown, and it went perfect.  I had one piece of curly cherry 5 1/4 no room for screw ups. I had my brother come over and give a hand and I made it.  the lasers are dead on and the crown stops were a huge help.  Love it. 

 

[glass1]

The question is this: If the saws shipped before a certain date have a known defect shouldn't Festool just contact all the people who bought them ? or at least instruct the retailers to contact the customers ?  If parts are incorrect  should not Festool replace them before they cause a problem. Furthermore would it not be their interest to state what the actual problem is? Is it the thickness of the clamping plate ? why did they make it thicker ? did they thinner plate not hold well enough ?

 

[alanm]

The question is this: If the saws shipped before a certain date have a known defect shouldn't Festool just contact all the people who bought them ?

A better question is: Why did Festool continue to sell the faulty model after they became aware of the problem six months ago?

 

[peter halle]

Alanm:

Your question unfortunately can't be answered at this forum just like any other questions regarding Festool the company and its operations and decisions.  Festool is independent of this forum.  For your convenience I looked up the contact information for Festool so that you can pose that question and it is:

Festool USA 
phone 888 337-8600
fax  888 550-6425

email http://www.sales@festoolusa.com

Please note that their business hours are: M-F 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM EST.

Please note that this wasn't trying to be nasty.  Those decisions were made by the company and nobody here has that answer. 

Peter

P.S.  If you get the answer to that question please let us know.  This forum is about sharing information.

 

[glass1]

So i spoke to Festool today. The official word is this: The sprung steel plate that locks down on the miter scale on some saws was not completely flat. It was slightly bent towards the miter scale so that when unlocked it still contacted the underside of the miter scale. New flat plates are available from your retailer (where I got mine). If the new plate does not provide .2 mm of cleareance when unlocked the sprung steel plate will need to be bent. When the miter is locked (the plate is tight to the underside of the miter scale it should be able to withstand at least 20 lbs of force ( most kapex are around 25 to 30 lbs) before moving.I asked the tech if a slightly larger hardened steel collar (which is what pushes the plate off the miter scale) would also work he said there is more than one way to address the problem and yes it would work. So if your kapex is stiff and the clearance is less than .2 mm when unlocked go to your retailer and get a new flat sprung steel plate ( check flatness before leaving store). In addition, the tech said a whole new miter locking mechanism is a couple of weeks away (which will fit on your saw and will of course be free) I then suggested to him that the saw would be at its peak if the new mechanism included a detente lock out feature-- he agreed and said it is a possibility.

 

[peter halle]

Glass1,

Thank you for investigating and sharing.  As you spend more time here you will enjoy those same efforts of others I trust.

 

[MiterMaster]

So i spoke to Festool today.....In addition, the tech said a whole new miter locking mechanism is a couple of weeks away (which will fit on your saw and will of course be free) I then suggested to him that the saw would be at its peak if the new mechanism included a detente lock out feature-- he agreed and said it is a possibility.....

Can any Festool dealer (Bob, Tim, etc) confirm this, is there an updated miter lock in the works?

Thanks -
Mike

 

[Tony M]

Glass1, That is very good news to hear! I would be hoping for the same thing. Also, there is a modification available  that someone figured out so as to make the table smoother to rotate. Between the two of those, would make the saw just about right.

P.S. The news I was referring to was the new lock mechanism