Kapex: UG or MFT/3 Kapex

[Deadskins]

So, I have decided to get a Kapex to replace my old Bosch.  Advanced DIYer rebuilding my vacation house.  In the next six months, expect to finish all trim, some flooring, replace/rebuild stairs and build a large two-level deck.  In 2014, will completely remodel a large room into a kitchen.

My questions, what would you recommend for the table: an MFT/3 Kapex with home-mde extensions or the full-blown UG?

Thanks in Advance,

 

[MrToolJunkie]

I opted for the MFT/3 Kapex and the UG extensions...since I do not need to be mobile, having the MFT Kapex made a lot of since for my situation and I like having extra room for cut-offs, etc...  Also, the MFT Kapex is useful for a lot of things without the Kapex.

Scot

 

[semenza]

Depends how mobile you want to be and your use for the table etc.  If you think you will be moving the Kapex around your house frequently  during the remodel the UG stand might be a good option.  Once a day or less , maybe the table.  Like Scot said the table is handy all on its own  for a small  easily moved work bench.  The UG Extensions work with either the Kapex table or the UG stand.

Seth

 

[skids]

I am much like you in my endeavors and abilities..I would opt for the UG if it were me. Sounds like you will be moving this thing around alot from spot to spot. I love the fact you can nest the saw away in a corner with the UG stand and wheel it around.

I love the Festool tables, but not crazy about their wings. For my saw, UG stand with my own homemade wings would be best for my uses and shop. Welcome to the world of Kapex. The saw is unreal. 

 

[ccarrolladams]

Dead Skins, when I bought my first Kapex they had just that day been released in the USA. As I recall they MFT/3 Kapex was available. I bought one.

In those days I did no site work, but since I did not have a shop of my own, I rented space in shops of pals on a project by project basis. I usually had at least one helper, so when we needed to move the Kapex within a shop, we just teamed up to carry it around. For the move from shop to shop, I took the Kapex off, folded the table and put them separately in my truck.

As soon as the UG came available, I bought one with the UG extensions. This is how we use Kapex on sites when installing cabinets, etc.

Long ago, when I was renting space in a large shop most of the time, I built a rolling stand to replace the MFT/3 Kapex. For my own large 2010 shop I built a second rolling stand using the same drawings.

The choice depends on what you will be doing with your Kapex and how many helpers you have available.

 

[Deadskins]

Thanks for all the quick responses.
When I built my dock this summer, I had to carry the Bosch Beast and Riobi stand out from my crawl space (8 feet high, but, that is another story) every morning and back at night.
For the projects this winter, I will just leave the Kapex in my large unused living room.  I can definitely use the extensions for trim.
But, next Spring, I will once again have to haul it outside on weekend days and back at night.
At 60++++, I think I will go with the UG this year, and, if I find I no longer use it, sell the cart part after the deck is complete.

 

[fatroman]

I had the Ryobi stand for awhile and had the Kapex on that.

Then got the UG cart and wings eventually. I really like them, though they do take up a fair bit of room when you get it all put together.

One nice thing is that if you've got a regular MFT, you can mount the wings to that and have a great assembly station for door casing, or longer runs of trim. I found the 'system' in this case, really paid off in unseen benefits.

And I don't miss having to lift the saw when moving it around at all.

 

[ceddy]

debating the same thing here. Being able to attach the UG wings to the MFT really is a bonus for me. I can't count the times I've tried to cut long pieces of wood on the MFT with the TS75... having the wings would make it all more accurate and safer.

 

[Rocky]

Are there any photos of the UG wings attached to the MFT/3?

 

[ceddy]

can't seem to find em, but I remember seeing some on the forum here...

 

[Holzhacker]

I went through this last year and opted for the UG stand and wings. Mobility and cutting long trims were the deciding factors. If my Kapex were shop based I would have gone with the Kapex table. I envision making my own supports at some point to go between my MFT3 and the Kapex table. That's on a long list of other projects.
The price of the UG stand and wings of course has been fairly steep. However, as was posted on another thread recently the price is coming down $200 next year. At $500, its still higher than the competition but worth it in my view for what you get. Unfortunately the price drop comes too late for many of us. If you can wait till the price drop, do it.

 

[semenza]

I went through this last year and opted for the UG stand and wings. Mobility and cutting long trims were the deciding factors. If my Kapex were shop based I would have gone with the Kapex table. I envision making my own supports at some point to go between my MFT3 and the Kapex table. That's on a long list of other projects.
The price of the UG stand and wings of course has been fairly steep. However, as was posted on another thread recently the price is coming down $200 next year. At $500, its still higher than the competition but worth it in my view for what you get. Unfortunately the price drop comes too late for many of us. If you can wait till the price drop, do it.

The price drop is on the old style extensions , not the UG extensions.

Seth

 

[lpand]

I've got the UG and Sawhelper wings.  I think it's the best of both worlds.  I wasn't to impressed with the original UG extensions, but maybe they've improved.

 

[Kev]

I went with the mobile/UG setup as I don't have permanent setup space at home. Im' very happy with it - quick setup and all.

I could imagine the MFT setup feeling a little more solid - but if I need solid and have space in the future I'd build something appropriate and capitalise on the storage opportunity it would offer.

 

[sancho57]

You really cant go wrong either way. You will however need both. Id buy the MFT3 and then build Ron Paulks Ultimate miter stand or buy the UG stand and build Ron's Ulitmate work bench.

For most of your projects you will need a versatile work bench.

 

[fatroman]

Are there any photos of the UG wings attached to the MFT/3?

Here's one from a few months back. Door casing was slightly twisted, so I clamped it to the MFT to get it flat at the miter. Then used some clam clamps to assemble the unit.

 

[tbellemare]

Another thing to consider about the UG extensions is that there is a left and a right. So when you use them as MFT/3 extensions, you can "capture" the work piece between the two fences while it sits on their platforms.

Tom

 

[Eli]

UG stand if you move around at all. I started with the MFT800 and old wings and ditched them this year.
So glad I did. One trip vs. three? No competition. I hated the old wing legs as well, one bump and the whole thing had to be reset.

 

[festnoob]

WARNING - Old thread revival! Sorry, couldn't find anywhere. Wondering if anyone knew whether or not the crown stops can be used with the ug wings?

 

[peter halle]

I don't believe so.  One thing you can do if you have the UG is take the right fence and turn it around and mount on the left side and vice versa.  the rear fence can now become your crown stop.  That's what I have read here anyway.

Peter