Hi to all: I like to make small boxes (no bigger then 5.5 x 7.0 inches and dont have the room for a table saw. Does anyone have an opinion about if the kapex will work for me what I try to cut the box top off in two passes. Will the cuts line up or am I wasting my time trying something like this.
Kapex Saw - Question about precision
- Thread starter Phillym
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 8,426
I'm sure you'll get some feedback from forum members who have the Kapex. However, we have heard so many stories from professionals who praise the Kapex as being the only tool that offers the precision necessary to do tasks like the one you describe. My recommendation: get it and give it a try. If it doesn't work, take it back. We have a 30-day, no-hassle money-back guarantee because we're confident once you try it, you'll be convinced that it exceeds your expectations.
Should you have any questions, always feel free to call and speak with one of our applications specialists to get the information you need to make a well-informed decision.
Shane Holland,
Festool USA
Should you have any questions, always feel free to call and speak with one of our applications specialists to get the information you need to make a well-informed decision.
Shane Holland,
Festool USA
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 8,426
We only got two dimensions and no definition of which direction the cut would be made. The cutting depth for the Kapex at 90 degrees is 3-15/32" unless using the special cutting blade position, which I don't think would work in this application.
Can we get more information on the dimensions and across which dimension the cut will be made?
Can we get more information on the dimensions and across which dimension the cut will be made?
Hi and thanks for the reply. i know that the maximum height at 90 degress is 80mm which is about 3.5 inches. This would not make it possible to cut a box that is 5.5 inches high in one pass. I just wonder if the kapex would be accurate if i made one cut from one side and the second cut from the other side. would the two cuts meet perfectly.
Shane: I have a festool plunge saw, router, 2 sanders and a domino. I love the product. I have a dewalt 718 that is a good saw but accuracy is something it lacks (in my opinion). I would buy the kapex in a heartbeat if you think it would work.
Shane: I have a festool plunge saw, router, 2 sanders and a domino. I love the product. I have a dewalt 718 that is a good saw but accuracy is something it lacks (in my opinion). I would buy the kapex in a heartbeat if you think it would work.
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2007
- Messages
- 8,426
Having the ability to dial in those dual lasers, it would certainly make it easier to align cuts made from each side. I guess at that point, your results would be as good as your vision. I believe that the Kapex's lasers are the best of any saw which makes it effortless to hit your marks with accuracy and confidence.
As a disclaimer: I've not actually made these types of cuts myself. Never had an application requiring it.
As a disclaimer: I've not actually made these types of cuts myself. Never had an application requiring it.
I do believe that the Kapex will be plenty accurate to cut as you've described. I cut loads of 7x3/4" stock on the bevel,
( one of the most demanding of cuts) with no blade or motor deflection.
It seems to me that the most difficult part of the task you're attempting is accurately lining up the cut lines. I would suggest using a stop or jig to set the box on the table for the most accurate cuts.
Dan
( one of the most demanding of cuts) with no blade or motor deflection.
It seems to me that the most difficult part of the task you're attempting is accurately lining up the cut lines. I would suggest using a stop or jig to set the box on the table for the most accurate cuts.
Dan
Not to steer you away from the great Kapex but it sounds like for your very specific application a bandsaw might be the better choice. They have a very small floor space footprint (about the same as a Kapex) and wouldn't depend on very good accuracy (both you and the saw) for a second cut setup.
John Stevens
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Messages
- 815
My concern would be tearout. With a bench-top table saw set to a low blade height, a good blade and a zero clearance fence, you'll have virtually none. With any SCMS, you're certain to have some. Hope this helps.
Regards,
John
Regards,
John
The Kapex should be able to do what you want but unless the blade is perfectly perpendicular, over 5 or 7 inches of two cuts that are back-to-back, they might not match up.
If you have access to a router table with a fence, I'd recommend a spiral cutting router bit (downward seems to work best). Gives a very clean cut and the fence means the cuts should line up perfectly... assuming your boxes are square!
If you have access to a router table with a fence, I'd recommend a spiral cutting router bit (downward seems to work best). Gives a very clean cut and the fence means the cuts should line up perfectly... assuming your boxes are square!
A small benchtop table saw wont take up any more space than the Kapex. If I were you id be looking for one of those, the little as much as I dont care for those yellow tools, there little table saw is actually pretty nice. But if your looking for an excuse to buy the kapex, it is a really,really nice saw>
Jesse Cloud
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 1,746
Hey PhillyM.
The Kapex is a sweet and accurate SCMS, but mitersaws are not the best way to cut open a box. If you tell us what tools you have, we could suggest some other ways to do it.
I agree with the above, if you are looking for an excuse to buy a Kapex, just do it.
The Kapex is a sweet and accurate SCMS, but mitersaws are not the best way to cut open a box. If you tell us what tools you have, we could suggest some other ways to do it.
I agree with the above, if you are looking for an excuse to buy a Kapex, just do it.
A metal cutting slitting saw & arbor might work well in a drill press spindle with a good table & fence http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2010/Main/643 I think a router motor on a router table would run too fast even on lowest speed for these saws.
i make boxes using a rigid bandsaw, rigid table saw, ts 55 and the kapex. if i had to use only one saw, it would be the table saw. while all of the saws make box making easy and accurate, the table saw is the only one that can do it all.
i use the ts 55 to rip a straight edge. the table saw rips the width. kapex cuts the cross cuts and miters as well as the dovetail splines. i use either the table saw or bandsaw to resaw. and of course, the of 1400, ro 150, ets 150/3, ls 130 and dx 93 make finishing easy. i work primarily with sapele, koa and mango.
i use the ts 55 to rip a straight edge. the table saw rips the width. kapex cuts the cross cuts and miters as well as the dovetail splines. i use either the table saw or bandsaw to resaw. and of course, the of 1400, ro 150, ets 150/3, ls 130 and dx 93 make finishing easy. i work primarily with sapele, koa and mango.
