Kapex Saw Blade Review

[Dan Clark]

Last weekend, I did a quick test of my Kapex saw blades.  To summarize my results:

1. Tenryu MiterPro plus 80T (rebored for Kapex)

2. Forrest ChopMaster 80T (rebored for Kapex) & Festool 60T (comes with the saw)

3. Festool 80T

With my limited test using 10" 8/4 Red Oak, the Tenryu was the standout blade.  The ChopMaster and Festool 60T tied because the ChopMaster has the better cut but the Festool 60T cuts faster with less effort.  Sorry to say, but I found the Festool 80T to be barely better than the 60T.  The Festool 60T is an EXCELLENT all-around blade, with the Tenryu being my choice for finishing cuts (trim, rails and stiles, etc.).

For complete review details: http://www.talkfestool.com/vb/festool-saw-reviews/2836-kapex-saw-blade-review.html.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[mastercabman]

Dan,
I have a Tenryu,Forrest,and a Freud blade for my 8.5 miter saw,and i have to say that the Tenryu gives me very,very good result.
The Forest and the Freud also gives very good cuts.But i feel that the Tenryu keeps on cutting real good for a long time.
I just had the blade resharpened so once my Forrest blade wears out i will put the Tenryu back and see if it cuts as good as before.

 

[Spike]

Hello Dan,
Very funny you started this topic. I was just preparing to start a thread to ask a question regarding the Festool aka Leitz blade 80 tooth. I have found every 60 tooth that comes with the Kapex to be an excellent blade, then one day almost a year ago I bought an 80 tooth figuring it would cut even better...no such luck, WORST cut quality blade I've experienced. Fast forward a year later and as of recent I just bought the 4th 80 tooth Kapex blade and it cuts identical to the first one I bought TERRIBLE!
Tons of step or wave in the face of the end grain of the cut.

I do have the Forrest Chopmaster for my Kapex and the cut is fantastic but the blade need to be a thinner kerf, simply to wide a kerf for the saw. I'm sticking to the Z=60 Kapex blade.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

My favorite blades are Matsush!ta's but, they have no plans on making a blade for the kapex (as of last month).
I was advised against having a blade re-bored because they said each blade is made for it's specific arbor size.
Basically he told me it would be dangerous and they have no ties to a blade that is altered.

I replced my Tenryu's with Matsush!ta's, so that is how I feel about them.
I also can't remember the last time I had a 60t in a miter saw but, I have been pleased with Festool's blade, the 60t.

 

[rnt80]

Hello Dan,
Very funny you started this topic. I was just preparing to start a thread to ask a question regarding the Festool aka Leitz blade 80 tooth. I have found every 60 tooth that comes with the Kapex to be an excellent blade, then one day almost a year ago I bought an 80 tooth figuring it would cut even better...no such luck, WORST cut quality blade I've experienced. Fast forward a year later and as of recent I just bought the 4th 80 tooth Kapex blade and it cuts identical to the first one I bought TERRIBLE!
Tons of step or wave in the face of the end grain of the cut.

I do have the Forrest Chopmaster for my Kapex and the cut is fantastic but the blade need to be a thinner kerf, simply to wide a kerf for the saw. I'm sticking to the Z=60 Kapex blade.
[/quote

I'm glad you posted this, I thought it was just me.  I purchased the 80 tooth about a month ago and have not been impressed with the cut at all.  I have the same step/wave problem on the cuts as well.  At first I thought the saw was out of wack but I checked it and it's set up square.  In retrospect I should've gone with the Tenryu.

 

[Dan Clark]

Hi.  I updated my review with more info and pics.

Regards,

Dan.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Well, the standard blade loses it's edge pretty fast for me.  I thought I liked it but, I am not so sure.

Against better judgement from Matsush!ta, I am having one of my 10" 60t heavy duty workhorse's bored out.
Will use the standard blade for muck work now.