kapex reb 120 BASE NOT FLAT AND FENCE NOT SQUARE

[ChuckM]

Snip.
Does this customer have a precision tool and does he/she know how to properly use it?

You have a point here.

I recall in my teenage years rushing (a.k.a. speeding) a friend of mine who fell from a horse to the Emergency Room and telling the attendant nurse that my friend, in great pain, had a broken arm. Her immediate response:" How did you know it's a broken arm?" (An X-ray later showed he didn't break his arm.)

That's why without more info., such as photos showing what he used to check the saw, from the OP, we don't really know how good or bad the table is.

 

[proudfatherde]

I just purchased a lightly used kapex REB120.  When I took it home I noticed that the base was not close to being flat and the fence was not close to 90 degrees from the base.

does anyone know of a good fix?  There is a guy on you tube that sands down the base to get it flat.

any thoughts?

 

[squall_line]

I just purchased a lightly used kapex REB120.  When I took it home I noticed that the base was not close to being flat and the fence was not close to 90 degrees from the base.

does anyone know of a good fix?  There is a guy on you tube that sands down the base to get it flat.

any thoughts?

The user manual should have information on how to adjust the fence and lasers.

Pictures of the concern would be extremely helpful in this situation.

 

[semenza]

Merged two exact same topics.

Seth

 

[ChuckM]

Pictures of the concern would be extremely helpful in this situation.

+1; +1; +1.

 

[proudfatherde]

thanks for the responses.  tried to upload pic but it wont let me.  I used a woodpeckers ruler to check for flatness.  And I used feelr guages.

 

[ChuckM]

Your file size is too big. Try file size of 500KB or smaller per image.

 

[Mini Me]

One of the issues for Festool is that they have no way to determine a customer's measuring capabilities with precision tools. Does this customer have a precision tool and does he/she know how to properly use it?

I have no dog in this fight but in my case if I sent back the saw and Festool disputed my findings I would want to know their processes and expertise to see if it exceeded mine because I doubt it would and I wonder what the reaction would be when I proved them wrong with photos of the toolroom we have. I know that would exceed 99% of other users in expertise and equipment but it would be an interesting discussion.

 

[Cheese]

I have no dog in this fight but in my case if I sent back the saw and Festool disputed my findings I would want to know their processes and expertise to see if it exceeded mine because I doubt it would and I wonder what the reaction would be when I proved them wrong with photos of the toolroom we have. I know that would exceed 99% of other users in expertise and equipment but it would be an interesting discussion.

Mini...that's a long row to hoe.  [smile]

1. Good luck with you becoming privy to their processes because that's a 2-way street. To determine their processes it takes Festool confirming their process, otherwise, it's just supposition on your part and denial or obfuscation on Festool's part.

2. Also good luck in determining Festool's expertise, that'll be a slippery slope to navigate. Expertise based on:
A. Years of experience?
B. Years in the industry?
C. Number of patents?
D. The number of QA people?
E. The value of the equipment in their QC department?
F. The tolerance capabilities of their measuring/evaluation equipment?

How exactly is expertise measured? And if your expertise measurement methods are different than Festool's, there'll never be an agreed upon measurement standard which means nothing will ever be settled.

And as far as Festool's reaction when you prove them wrong...I'm not even going to go there..

If this was my fight I'd send in the saw and find out what Festool has to say. Once the saw was returned, I'd use the saw and see if I was happy with the results.

If I was still unhappy, I'd either sell the saw or modify it until I was happy. There's not a lot more that you can do.

 

[Mini Me]

My point was not the manufacturing quality but the saw arriving back at Festool and in a service department where someone who repairs tools tells me that the thing is ok without proper equipment. They suppose I am not qualified to measure and don't have the expertise and I presume that they took a straight of unknown quality and a set of feeler gauges started measuring. I know it is an unlikely scenario but it would be an interesting conversation. It won't happen to me because I will never own a Kapex.

 

[Birdhunter]

My guess is that Festool is Ok with you never owning a Kapex.

 

[glass1]

All scms have strengths and weakness. If you need a dead flat surface get the current makita or buy a used 1214. It’s the only one with a one piece base. Please note these saws have other problems.

 

[Packard]

Of course, Festool might decide it is not in their best interst to reveal that tolerance.  In which case we can complain here.

Indeed, they have decided not to reveal that tolerance. Somehow that's the way of big companies.

But they're the only big company that gave you a place to complain, and that is somehow very uncharacteristic for a big company.

Someone here said other companies can make flat saws. No, they can't. Not within the tolerance specs of this price point. But they just don't give you an opportunity to publicly complain about it.

Actually, FOG is probably modeled after the HOG (Harley Owners' Group) and they have a similar website.  I suspect Festool was trying to achieve what Harley Davidson has:  Turning their products into a quasi-religious experience.  Harley would have a harder time doing that today with all the imitators out there now.  I think the allegiance to the company fosters improved products, so I applaud the effort.  But FOG is not the only big manufacturer to give members a place to complain.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/groups/166-harley-owners-group-hog.html

 

[Drich]

Not to kick a dead horse here but I’m thinking of buying another Kapex. I sold my first one about 8 years ago when all the motor problems were happening and have a Bosch now but miss the dust collection. Is the base on these newer Kapex still a problem? Thanks

 

[ChuckM]

The problem you have concerns with is not related to the old or new batches of Kapex. It could be a potential problem for any Kapex saws.

Are you buying local? Bring a straightedge and a square, and check (against the bed as well as against the fence).