Kapex Saw Depth Adjustment Problem

[maxwell]

Hi All,

I just took possession of my new Kapex. It really is a marvelous machine.

I have one small problem with it though, and I wondered whether it was typical, or have I missed something in the setup.

With the blade slid right to the back and locked the cut does not go all the way through the timber. It leaves about half a millimeter joining the 2 pieces together. Its almost as though the blade needs to slide back another millimetre or the fence should be 1mm further forward.

It cuts though perfectly when locked in the forward position.

I have checked and there doesn't seem to be anything blocking the blades travel.

Any ideas?

 

[Eli]

It has nothing to do with trenching settings, you fiddled w/ that?

 

[maxwell]

The trenching settings was one of the first things I checked.

It appears to me that the switch that engages the trenching option is completely in the off position.

 

[Brice Burrell]

  This is the second time I've read about this issue. The first thing is to rule out operator error before making any adjustments. Although there seems not to be an adjustment to be made here. Call Festool to talk to a rep and see if they can sort out the problem with you. Christian O. of Festool USA in a recent post talked about users trying to make adjustments on new tools, in this case he was referring to the Domino.

There should never be the need to calibrate a tool you are buying from Festool. If it doesn't work out of the box,
return it. In no case there should be a need to enlarge screw holes or do similar alterations.

Each tool is calibrated in the
factory and is quality checked several times. In case of the Domino, they are doing test cuts with every
machine in a piece of wood and measure
the mortise. They keep that piece of wood and mark it with the serial no. of the Domino, so they can go back and
check the mortise in case of a complaint. They also have several other calibration stations for the Domino. Everything is done to make sure
you are getting a Domino that works out of the box. 

We are getting reports from Dominoes that need calibration after they have been bought. In order to find out what
the problem is, we need a Domino back before somebody tried to calibrate it himself. We have yet to get one of those Dominoes
back. We are only getting Dominoes back that are completely out of whack because of calibration attempts. We can calibrate
those Dominoes for you, but we cannot find out anymore what the initial problem was.

Please help us finding out what the problem is, by calling our service no. before (!)
you try to calibrate it. Both repair shops have measuring devices, specifically developed for the Domino, to check the Domino. We can measure the Domino and then compare our measurements with those of the Festool factory to
find out what the issue is.

Last but not least: When you are getting a new Domino, please keep in mind that it takes a little practice to get perfect mortises. Don't
judge the accuracy of the tool after the first couple of mortises. Cut 20 mortises until you feel comfortable using the tool, then do
a test mortise and check the accuracy.

Thank you

Christian

I would think the same holds true with the Kapex, let Festool know about the issue and see if they can help. Good luck, and let us know how it works out for you.

 

[Eli]

I don't think I've ever cut something with the saw locked in either position, it's always sliding.

 

[maxwell]

Thanks Brice,

Yes its operator error I am trying to rule out.

Perhaps my post didn't make that clear. I wasn't looking to calibrate things so much as make sure that I hadn't missed anything in the instructions.

Whether its sliding or fixed in the rear most position the same thing occurs.

 

[Eli]

The trenching settings was one of the first things I checked.

It appears to me that the switch that engages the trenching option is completely in the off position.

Should be in the up position to be off. If it's down it's on.

I have had the tiniest triangle of material be left uncut before, but running the saw over it again I found it was me after all. It is like the Domino in that I was making less error the more I used it. If the problem doesn't clear up for you return it.

 

[jonny round boy]

Hi All,

I just took possession of my new Kapex. It really is a marvelous machine.

I have one small problem with it though, and I wondered whether it was typical, or have I missed something in the setup.

With the blade slid right to the back and locked the cut does not go all the way through the timber. It leaves about half a millimeter joining the 2 pieces together. Its almost as though the blade needs to slide back another millimetre or the fence should be 1mm further forward.

It cuts though perfectly when locked in the forward position.

I have checked and there doesn't seem to be anything blocking the blades travel.

Any ideas?

AHA!!!!

I had this problem, too. I posted about it at the time, I think.

Anyway, I eventually took mine back to my dealer when the rep was in - he rang the tech guys to try & identify the problem, and after a few minutes trying to explain the symptoms, they advised the cure.

There is a hex screw about an inch to the left & to the rear of the trenching adjustment. It controls the amount that the saw drops. Take the blade removal allen key from the rear of the machine, and wind it out about half a turn. Then check the saw again. That should sort it. I wondered if I was the only one who had this problem - obviously not, but it's a minor adjustment to fix it.

HTH,

JRB

 

[Eli]

Nice. I'll double check mine again. See, by the time you guys get one we'll have ironed out all the bugs for you....

I sank the little keeper screws for the fences all the way today, pulled off each fence and gave it a shot of silicone spray.

 

[maxwell]

Hey thanks for that Jonny,

I will check mine tonight and let you all know if it solves the problem.

How the hell did we solve these sorts of problems before the Internet.

 

[Eli]

Good manuals.....

 

[maxwell]

I am happy to say that backing the hex screw in question out half a turn solved the problem.

Now its perfect.

Thanks for the help

 

[Fred West]

Gentlemen, please get this and all other Kapex idiosyncratic issues resolved prior to it's expected arrival here in NA sometime in April, 08. After all of what earthly use would you be to us if you do not take of this?  : Yes, you may throwthe green monster in my face as I do not have a Kapex and covet it so but I will willingly wait while you boys straighten out any and all minor/major issues. As Captain Picard said, "Make it so"  ;D Fred

 

[Eli]

Engage!

 

[Brice Burrell]

This is my favorite quote, its from Tallgrass on the Australian Woodwork forum in reference to the Kapex.

as a yank, i hear people complain over here about the prices.....go figure... but thank you guys for debugging the stuff for us, so when it gets here it is all sorted believe me i do not let the low prices stop me from buying all i can.

 

[ROb McGilp]

That is a cool quote Brice, I found myself thinking about it. I started to realise two things.
1. Most importantly, Festool have released the Kapex perhaps a touch too soon, but the market feedback is enormous and people who use Festool are prepared to share the fixes, which leads to a better tool in the next generation. As I said in my review, you only buy a first gen. tool with your eyes wide open. In short we all, including Festool themselves benefit from the sharing of issues and the work arounds.

2. Sadly, in many forums, the negative feedback related directly to cost of the tools and implied stupidity that one would want to pay premium for a tool that may need tweaking leads to a reluctance, certainly on my part, to share this knowledge, so, as a result some people miss out on all this development. I never cease to be amazed and dissapointed by the number of people who have never used Festool, who are keen to voice their opinion about price, when all the original poster wanted was a response asking how to perform a task using a particular tool.

Regards,

Rob

 

[Dave Rudy]

Would someone please make a calendar notation to bump this thread about six months from now so that when I get my Kapex, I will know how to adjust it?

Thanks

 

[jonny round boy]

Would someone please make a calendar notation to bump this thread about six months from now so that when I get my Kapex, I will know how to adjust it?

Thanks

Dave, I've added the above 'fix' in the reference section, along with a few pictures to illustrate it. This should make it quite easy to locate again...