Kapex question - how did/does it work for you?

[ReneS]

I don't know if this is dumb, but after reading a lot of posts on the Kapex, I was thinking it would be helpful to have people's opinions/experiences in one place.

The big question for me is whether the Kapex 120 is a saw that is capable of making very precise cuts regarding angles, straightness, and squareness. I am not worried about motor problems, but I am concerned that it may have issues with accuracy and precision.

It seems that some people have had problems with the fence and/or table (base?) being out of whack (not at 90 degrees, not coplanar, etc.). How the blade tracks while making a cross cut doesn't seem to be an issue, unlike some Makitas.

The reason I am curious is that I am considering getting the Kapex 120, but it only makes sense for me if it is dead nuts accurate. I am thinking that other people may be interested in this too.

So if you have experience with the Kapex, in particular the 120, and wouldn't mind sharing your thoughts on it, I would appreciate it.

If you have used the 60 and the 120, and can comment on how they compare in terms of accuracy, that would be great.

 

[Lincoln]

Had mine for about 5 years and haven't had any issues re. accuracy etc. From memory, it was fine out of the box, not requiring any adjustments. Even the lasers were dead-on, though this is easy to fix if they're not.
As long as the fence is straight, everything else should be fine and easy to fix if it needs a slight tweak.
I did have to pack the extension wings up though, as they sat slightly below the saw table. I just used a couple of pieces of masking tape, as a temporary fix, but haven't touched them since.
Handle takes a bit of getting used to, but feels completely normal after a few sessions cutting with it.
Dust extraction is ok, but 'good' for a mitre saw.
Can't help with the 60, though I have considered getting it for site work, but only because it's cordless.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I went and checked mine as I recalled the year and model wrong. I have the EB and bought it in 2012, and to this day it's still as accurate as it was when new, no adjustment was required. Similarly, I use the lasers almost every time and have never had any issue whatsoever. I don't look after it with any particular zeal and lug it around lots, so far so good.

 

[ChuckS]

Over 10 years of owning an EB with the original motor. No issues with the fence or table, though I've seen on this forum someone complaining about them.

If you buy a new Kapex, check the fence and table immediately. Return or exchange it if they are out of spec.

It's a workhorse like the Sawstop PCS for me.

 

[AstroKeith]

I have had a KS60 for 8 years or moderate use. I find it spot on and so far in my projects big enough. Its size and portability are bonuses.

I've had lasers in the past and they all seemed to require adjustment every so often. Mine has the 'shadow' cut line indicator, which I believe may be the best solution as it 'cant be wrong'

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

I've had my 120 for 12 years and I use it extensively as part of my job......Its still bang-on accurate in all its modes.
I have it mounted on the UG mobile trolley and I have the pair of UG wings to go with it, again both are still accurate when doing repeatable cuts.
I tend to use mine with the 36mm hose as i do feel the larger capacity hose helps to collect a larger percentage of the saw dust.

I had a Dewalt 708 previously, but the Kapex is in a different league entirely, albeit with a smaller cutting capacity than the Dewalt, but what it lacks in capacity is more than made up for in accuracy and dust collection.
I've had no issues regarding the historical motor problem that some saws had, but mine is a 240v model, if that makes any difference....?

 

[peter halle]

I concur with @ChuckS , especially his recommendation that you check out the fence and table prior to purchase if you desire the absolute tightest tolerances. That means that you'll probably need to go to a brick and mortar. If you buy online and have to return, dealers are not required to pick up the return shipping, although they might.

Happy 15 year Kapex owner.

Peter

 

[Cheese]

My Kapex is 11 years old to the month. I purchased it specifically to be able to easily haul outdoors and reside an entire house. It stayed outside for about 2 weeks being moved daily from the garage to the work area that also changed daily. After that I moved it back downstairs to start a wood strip floor project. Over the years I've checked it several times but it's always been spot on.

With my previous Milwaukee sliders I was constantly resetting them and they never left the basement because they were too heavy/awkward to carry up the stairs.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

I went for two and a half decades using (mostly not using) an older CMS which I was never fond of and really didn't like using for anything beyond home improvement type tasks. I did most of the "miter" type cuts on my sliding table saw or with a sled prior to the slider. In late 2024, I took advantage of the Festool holiday special deal for the Kapex 120 with the stand and extensions for a very attractive cost and haven't looked back. I actually use it a lot and have had zero accuracy issues with it.

 

[P_K]

I’ve had mine coming up on 11 years now, no armature issues but I’ve had to recalibrate it a few times after moving. Not a task I wish to repeat. It’s a nice saw but not sure I’d be inclined to pay $1,800 for a new one these days.

 

[bwehman]

For me the Kapex is so accurate it fully replaced my crosscut sled. And if you run into an example that's not accurate, it's fully adjustable to be able to dial it in. I'll go out on a limb and say it's the most accurate miter saw you can purchase by a long way.

 

[ChuckS]

About precision. The Kapex delivers consistent and accurate results for me, so much so that I was able to complete a project with three-way-miters (a notoriously difficult joint that demands no slack).

 

[tjbnwi]

I’ve had no accuracy issues with the Kapex’s I own.

Tom

 

[onocoffee]

To add to this: for those of you who are enjoying the ownership of Kapex - how important would it be to you today to buy at Full Price with the Three Year Warranty?

Would you buy the KS 120 REB via Recon?

 

[Cheese]

To add to this: for those of you who are enjoying the ownership of Kapex - how important would it be to you today to buy at Full Price with the Three Year Warranty?

Would you buy the KS 120 REB via Recon?

I purchased mine new from Uncle Bob for $1200...the present $1800 price is tough for me to swallow. And given that the armature issues have been addressed on the newer saws, purchasing from Festool Recon with a 1 year warranty seems prudent. If there's an issue Festool will pay for shipment both directions for a full year.

There have been really only 3 recurring issues over the years and the armature issue is in the rear view mirror, hopefully. For the fence problem and the swiveling base problems, they either exist or they don't so if you check it when you receive it from Recon, you can immediately solve those issues.

However, purchasing used from a private party is an entirely different situation.

 

[ChuckS]

The price difference between the Kapex 120 and the other miter saws would be about $1400 Cdn for me now. I bought mine just over ten years ago, and I would still pay for such difference if I went back 10 years. But if the purchase decision was made today, I probably wouldn't pick the Kapex because I could count my remaining number of woodworking years on my two hands.

If you plan to use the miter saw for at least 15 years, the Kapex is worth it (the price difference is well less than $10 a month, even less if inflation and resale value are factored in). Just drink two fewer cups of coffee or skip one trip to Starbucks (or Tim Hortons!) per month, and you'd save yourself the difference.

 

[peter halle]

I would never buy a tool of this caliber and cost refurbished - Kapex, Festool, or any brand. I think I paid $1300 back then and if I needed to wouldn't hesitate to spend the current amount. I would also attempt to buy from a brick and mortar store.

Peter

 

[ChuckS]

I agree. Refurbished purchases are a hit-or-miss thing. Because of the Windows 10 getting unsupported, I went for a new laptop and a refurbished laptop to replace two existing ones. After trying and returning THREE refurbished laptops, I gave up. Lucky the store is only 5 minutes away.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I'm with the others, I would buy it new and would be carrying it out of the store myself!