Kapex shallow cuts - not that shallow

[agehall]

I've found myself wanting to use my Kapex to make shallow cuts in 70mm thick wood a couple of times. The problem is that the adjustment screw doesn't really allow cuts to be as shallow as I want them to be. I think it bottoms out when the blade is about 20mm above the base, which is way to deep for me.

Anyone have a good solution to this problem? I've been thinking about getting a second adjustment screw and add threads to it so that I can make the cuts I want, but I'm not sure that is a good solution.

 

[Stone Message]

I love my Kapex and would not swap it for any other saw but...

It is very poor at trenching cuts. Even if you are able to cut to the depth that you want the successive cuts are never exactly the same depth. What I became used to doing was to use the Kapex to define the left and right limits of the cut (and sometimes rough out what was in between) and then I would use my router to get an accurate finish. However...

I now have the CMS unit with a TS55R which gives me a most brilliant portable table saw. It is very accurate and I can now cut rebates (or anything else needing a trenching cut) and they are spot on every time. You do have to remove the blade guard and riving knife extension but you still have the saws riving knife to help ease the cut. You should only do this if you are a confident and competent woodworker!

Peter

 

[agehall]

I now have the CMS unit with a TS55R which gives me a most brilliant portable table saw. It is very accurate and I can now cut rebates (or anything else needing a trenching cut) and they are spot on every time. You do have to remove the blade guard and riving knife extension but you still have the saws riving knife to help ease the cut. You should only do this if you are a confident and competent woodworker!

I agree that the TS55+CMS is a good alternative and it works fairly well in many cases. The only problem is when you have larger pieces of wood, they tend to be a bit "unstable" on the CMS, so may not be the most practical option. I've lost the little plate that connects to the blade guard, so I must admit I always run without it - I really need to get that fixed someday.

I just wish I was a confident and competent woodworker, but sadly that isn't the case. I'm just an engineer with way too many toys..

 

[Stone Message]

Yes, if you are trying to make trenching cuts in big bits of wood it may be an issue but do not forget that the CMS unit is the same height as the MFT3 and so you can use it to support your work.

The piece that you have lost is the riving knife extension and it must be available as a spare/replacement. Although you have to remove it (and the blade guard) for rebating cuts, you should consider getting a replacement. I too am an engineer and I always count my fingers and toes at the end of the day - just in case!

Peter

 

[Frank-Jan]

I ran into the same problem while making my cutting table for sheetgoods when I got my parallel guides (table can be seen in this thread

I made the cuts on my CS70, which turned out to be ideal for this sort of thing.
No need to detach anything from the saw apart from the topmounted dustshroud (loosen 1 thumbscrew), the riving knife can be pushed into the rebate position without tools.
Sawblade stays at the same height.
No need to put blocking against the fence like with a scms.
No need to move the material over the blade like with a regular tablesaw, you can support the material with a rollerstand or use the kapexextensions.

Before I got the kapex I only had experience with 1 other scms, a makita ls1013, this saw also had a trenching function, but I didn't like it because it  had a bit of play to it, and it was far more fussy to set up accurately (since it was just a threaded screw located very close to the hinge, a bit of adjustment meant a lot of movement at the sawhead (so in range it was better than the trenching function of the kapex, in ease of adjustment/ accuracy not so))

 

[Alan m]

this is probably the only time im going to say this disgusting phrase.
the trenching facility is better on my dewalt  saw (adjustable screw that hits a flip out bit, it works a treat and you can use the saw set up and still make full depth cuts fy fliping in the stop) than on the kapex.

 

[Stone Message]

this is probably the only time im going to say this disgusting phrase.
the trenching facility is better on my dewalt  saw (adjustable screw that hits a flip out bit, it works a treat and you can use the saw set up and still make full depth cuts fy fliping in the stop) than on the kapex.

It is certainly something that Festool could improve but, in line with what I am sure is your opinion too, it is a minor imperfection in an otherwise perfect saw.

There are a number of after market add-on people, especially in North America, who might be able to produce a gizmo to sort this out.

I am sure that Festool will improve this facet when they (eventually) update or replace the current model.

Peter

 

[Alan m]

i agree peter. it is still the best saw on the market. my dewalt isnt a patch on a kapex exept for the depth stop

 

[Kev]

After playing with the OF2200 for a bit today ... if I had several to do I'd set up a jig for it and use the monster!

That was the one thing my old Hitachi compound mitre saw did well ... oh, it was also extremely good at rusting.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Kev

I didn't realise that you have just bought the OF2200 - a great machine. As you know I am a bit arthritic but I can manage even delicate work with the OF2200. The weight of the machine, coupled with its power and soft start, make it a joy to use. Rebates are really easy, although I always used to rough out the majority of materiel with my TS55 on the rails. I now do most rebates on the CMS with the TS55R.

Here is a picture of a very little clock case that I made with the OF2200 - it is about 7 cms high.

[I forgot to say that I did not have a drill of the right size for the clock body and so I made up a very small tramel arrangement]

Peter

 

[Kev]

Hi Kev

I didn't realise that you have just bought the OF2200 - a great machine. As you know I am a bit arthritic but I can manage even delicate work with the OF2200. The weight of the machine, coupled with its power and soft start, make it a joy to use. Rebates are really easy, although I always used to rough out the majority of materiel with my TS55 on the rails. I now do most rebates on the CMS with the TS55R.

Here is a picture of a very little clock case that I made with the OF2200 - it is about 7 cms high.

[I forgot to say that I did not have a drill of the right size for the clock body and so I made up a very small tramel arrangement]

Peter

Hi Peter,

I haven't got the OF2200 yet - just got to play with it. A trainer was over from Germany and there was room for me at my local while they were getting staff training (I was a ring in).

After that brief encounter I can only say the thing is a surprisingly delicate, precision tool. Even though it's a Festool, I was somehow grouping it with my general experience with 2000+ watt routers ... It's nothing like them.

I can see why you like it so much  [smile]

Kev

 

[jmbfestool]

I like my Kapex!  Mainly because its size and weight and smooth cutting but I do REALLY hate the lack of trenching depth and if I had known it would of made me think twice buying the kapex!  

In my job I do often come across situations where I need the trenching feature.   Using a router etc is not an option with all the setting up involved when I have a chop saw which is already setup which SHOULD be able to do the job but some reason can NOT.

Using a CMS like Peter said again is out of the question for doing one or Two tenches  due to the setting up time but not only that but you try and send a 2 - 3 - 4+ meter lengths of timber through the CMS square especially Oak is pretty much a pain in the arse and not practical or even doable.  

I nearly always have my Kapex and TS55 out so I end up using my TS55  with a 400mm long rail for trenching which works for me but I would rather use my Kapex.

JMB

 

[ScotF]

I agree with what Peter says -- the OF2200 is is still my favorite Festool tool -- it is an engineering marvel.

Scot

 

[Alan m]

i often meant to make a jig for doing trence cuts.  but never got around to it. my big dewalt has the trenching feature but i usually bring my small dewalt chop saw instead for smaller cuts as it takes up a lot less space in the van  and is easier on the back.
i was thinking something like the mfs sysetm with a fence to clamp it on right

 

[bobs12343]

I thought I must be doing something wrong I went back to the owners manual. Nope I was doing it according to the instructions what a bummer. That was 1 of the features that I expected to work flawlessly. After reading this now I know it's not me. Thanks Bob

 

[Acrobat]

I thought I must be doing something wrong I went back to the owners manual. Nope I was doing it according to the instructions what a bummer. That was 1 of the features that I expected to work flawlessly. After reading this now I know it's not me. Thanks Bob

Yep, sadly the trenching function is very limited. I wanted to do a heap of posts for my deck hand rails and I ended up doing them all with the TS55r, but I would have much preferred to do them on the Kapex.