kapex & ts55 up in smoke

[Kev]

I will remain neutral.

I'm positive you won't

 

[Holmz]

I will remain neutral.

I'm positive you won't

You'll go negative at some point.

ACDC's Back in black seems to work as a musical link, however the Euro brown is just as common here since the days the song was first recorded.
Obviously the tools do not have 9 lives.

I learned green is ground, and black is death the whole world round. (well.. almost everywhere solely in the US).

 

[drax]

An appropriate analogy with the kapex is an expensive supercar that you garage for most of the time, looking at it and polishing it and only taking it out for a drive when the weathers fine and avoiding any roads with speed humps. I've read a few comments too of problems with 240v motors burning up but its not just the motor. It seems like an overall design and build problem that's blindingly obvious to everyone.
Festool should use this feedback from the FOG ie the end users and improve the model accordingly as you would expect from any good engineering company. Thats surely a main purpose of these forums and I shouldn't think for one moment that these problems would be at all unsurmountable.
I nearly bought one earlier this year and was in fact quite excited about making the purchase after a demonstration but regardless of the warranty I just couldn't contemplate the chance of any problems (the return hassle, downtime etc.).
I spend that much not just expecting quality but longevity. Point made.

 

[Owego]

Here's a not very scientific attempt to "quantify" the differenes among the Kapex and two alternatives.  I looked at customer review numbers on Amazon for Kapex, Dewalt and Bosch (12" DBCMS).  (These DW and Bosch models are the high end of their lines).

                      Kapex      Dewalt    Bosch
# Reviews          80          269        183
5 Star (%)          63            79          72
4 Star                17            15          17
3 Star                10              1            5
2 Star                  4            3            2
1 Star                  6            2            4

Kapex comes out third, but reading the reviews indicates it's being held to a higher standard, not surprising due to cost and expectations.

You can draw your own conclusions (as I know we all will).  IMHO the Kapex gives superior function in a more portable package.  If those attributes are import to your needs what's another $800.

 

[Cheese]

110 is so much easier to deal with than 220/240

On what grounds ? (pun intended)

[thumbs up]  You & Holmz have the best banter... [popcorn] [popcorn]

 

[topgrip]

As i earlier posted my Kapex burnt and was repaired by Festool under waranty. Actually they repaired more than just the motor. I broke part of the plastic next to the blade and they chanced half of the chassis. Great service.  It was 2,5 y old and in proffesional use.
It is 240v model.

 

[ianrose]

Today I was using my Ts55 cutting some birch plywood, it started smelling and a couple of cuts later I'm on the computer looking for service . It started making a lot of noise and the blade stopped. Luckily it is only a year old. Any thoughts?

 

[Holmz]

Today I was using my Ts55 cutting some birch plywood, it started smelling and a couple of cuts later I'm on the computer looking for service . It started making a lot of noise and the blade stopped. Luckily it is only a year old. Any thoughts?

Do you believe it is a good saw?

 

[Cheese]

My suggestion would be to contact Festool first, because reaching out to some of these other pirates is only going to diminish your game plan and Festool service is the only vehicle that has the potential and the authority to make you a satisfied customer.

 

[rizzoa13]

I agree that the service department is the ony entity thst will be able to fix your tool. On the other hand we as consumers should not be discouraging people that speak up about their tool failures. We should take all of this as data and not be rude and call the naysayers pirates.

It seems to be the new trend to blindly hate on people that speak out against festool quality. There also seems to be many people posting how THEIR tool is working fine and yours should too. Guess what? YOUR TOOL SHOULD WORK. You ARE the majority, we get it. There's also issues and whether your tool works or not, mine doesn't right now.

 

[peter halle]

The suggestion to contact Festool regarding the issue is the correct one.

And before I get blasted for saying that here is what comes up at the top of the thread very single time.

[attachimg=1]

Peter

 

[rizzoa13]

Like I said, festool is the only one that can help him. That doesn't mean he has no right to post about his tool failure. It is good data to have for future purchasers.

 

[peter halle]

Like I said, festool is the only one that can help him. That doesn't mean he has no right to post about his tool failure. It is good data to have for future purchasers.

If you were referring to me in your post, I only tried to direct the OP to the path that could get him going again.

Peter

 

[rizzoa13]

I was responding to you Peter. It seemed you were tying to not have anyone jump on your back about your comment. I just didn't want you thinking I was out to start trouble with you is all and wanted to put out there that it's helpful to hear about the op's issues also.

I hope that by being vocal about my problems it's being perceived as just that; a guy wanting his issue resolved in a reasonable manner.

 

[ianrose]

I'm sending it off with UPS in the morning to get fixed  . I must admit the return  and warranty is very simple. I very much like the saw and was in the beginnings of making a dresser  and was using it to cut down sheet goods. Will let you know how fast I get it back.

 

[James Biddle]

I have a Kapex (and many other Festool tools) and have had no problems so large as to requiring them to be sent back for repair (OK, other than the jigsaw I screwed up). 

But, I've had to replace the receptacle on my older CT33 twice, both times because of the loosening clamping force from the receptacle to the tool plug.  Both times I've had tools not start or start/stop intermittently/slow) .  The first replacement receptacle was identical to the original and eventually had the same problem.  The newest receptacle has a higher clamping force on the plug and I've not had an issue and it is standard on the newer CT's (I don't know when they changed).

The CT receptacle problem is US based. 

A loose connection can cause arcing and varying/intermittent/low voltage issues, is that correct?

My theory is that a looser connection between an older receptacle on a CT and tools having a higher current draw is having more of an adverse effect on their motors and/or electronics.

 

[Cheese]

We should take all of this as data and not be rude and call the naysayers pirates.

[member=20320]rizzoa13[/member],
I'm sorry that you took my poke personally because it was never intended for you, you have a very legitimate beef...my words were indeed targeted at the true pirates on this forum that don't own a Kapex but still want to be a party to a class action lawsuit. I still stand by that statement...they are pirates.

I fully understand your situation and feel very bad for you because I can easily put myself in your position. I also own a Kapex and if it goes TU (thanks [member=40772]Holmz[/member] for the shorthand) after it's out of warranty, I will be a very unhappy senior citizen...