Kapex undecided

[GOL]

Hi guys
I'm having a crisis about weather or not to buy the kapex 120 with the ug stand and wings as I ha e a dewalt dw718xps and the dust situation is driving me mad . My theory is I make and fit kitchens and cabinets 85 percent of my time but I've always had a spare saw for stud work decking and rough work , I'm really tired of the weight of the 12 inch dewalt as its a killer when im in finished houses to set up .im small in size and work on my own the majority of time , I've changed most my tools or boxes to the systainer system to speed up my one man operation . My questions are
A is it light to lift and carry
B should I get the ug stand and wings instead of using my dewalt stand ?
C will I find the adjustment hard to go back to a 10 inch mitre saw compared to the 12
D should I sell the dewalt and stand

Really undecided and personal experiences are best when it comes to this , all help and info greatly appreciated
Thanks

 

[Grasshopper]

I was in a similar boat.  I figured, what is a few hundred dollars and got the Kapex.  I have yet to really play with it, but I've no regrets buying the Kapex.

What helped sway me was seeing a used one sell locally for around 15% less than new.  If I were a professional, I'd make it a point to have the tools that helped me be as productive as possible. 

Looks like based on your question, you've already made your decision:

"tired of the weight"
"dust situation is driving me mad"

If you buy the Kapex, don't rush to sell the Dewalt and stand.  You should be able to try the Kapex for 30 days…if it rocks your world, keep it.  If not, don't.

Good luck!

 

[Harvey]

My take as a hobbyist with a kapex- (I’m a small and a fairly healthy 59 year old)
A- it’s an easy carry, off the stand.
B- The Festool wings would be handy for you (light and well designed), I made my own wings, but I don’t need to move them. If you love your Dewalt stand I would stick with it.  Other folks have used the small DeWalt & the Ridgid MSUV stands (as well as the Festool) happily.
C- So far I haven’t missed my 12 inch non-slider.
D- Some folks have kept theirs for the 14” cross cut (versus 12”).

I think you’ll be impressed with the Kapex’s dust collection !

 

[abgoto]

I've used the Dewalt 12" miter saw and stand. It worked OK, but as you pointed out, dust collection was mediocre, and the saw and stand were cumbersome to carry.  I bought a Kapex about a year ago, and it was a dramatic improvement. Much more accurate, easier to use and carry, and great dust collection. I added the UG stand and wings earlier this year, and it was another big step up. Even on the stand, the saw is light enough to carry up and down flights of stairs. The wings provide great support, and they'll attach to the MFT or CMS table as well. The set up of saw and stand is a real pleasure to use.

 

[Marc2010]

I had the DeWalt 708 12" slider & stand. I could split hairs with it but, after selling most of my misc. tools to buy Festools the Kapex was my biggest wonder (like you Harvey).  I wanted mine to work in the shop and mostly in the field. The the timing was good to buy the Kapex so I did. I love it and sold my DeWalt to buy the UG stand. No regrets !!
I am the only that I know that has one in my area and many people love the set up. When I set up in a finished home people wonder what I'm doing, but shortly see its a clean saw and it saves my time.  I try to keep all of my tools clean and organized (especially after spending that much $$). I recently bought my 2nd Kapex so I have one dedicated to the shop and one thats on the road most of the time.

 

[Doug S]

I had my Kapex on dewalt stand for 2 years, finally got round to buying ug stand and wings about 2 months ago, should have bought them at the same time as the saw, they do make it much easier to move around.

 

[WoodWhisperer]

Buy the kapex now! Get a 36mm hose and shorten it. U will still get some dust around the saw but it's easy to keep a handle on it!  When u do get the kapex, try a cut or two without the hose on. U will not believe how much dust it catches.

Good luck!
Sean

I had the DeWalt 708 12" slider & stand. I could split hairs with it but, after selling most of my misc. tools to buy Festools the Kapex was my biggest wonder (like you Harvey).  I wanted mine to work in the shop and mostly in the field. The the timing was good to buy the Kapex so I did. I love it and sold my DeWalt to buy the UG stand. No regrets !!
I am the only that I know that has one in my area and many people love the set up. When I set up in a finished home people wonder what I'm doing, but shortly see its a clean saw and it saves my time.  I try to keep all of my tools clean and organized (especially after spending that much $$). I recently bought my 2nd Kapex so I have one dedicated to the shop and one thats on the road most of the time.

 

Lucky! That's the part I hate the most, moving mine from shop to job site.
Your shop looks sharp! What's the rest look like?

 

[Iceclimber]

Yeah i wanna see the rest of that shop. Mostly i wanna see a full frontal of the miter staion setup

 

[Grasshopper]

Marc2010,

What a clean looking shop.

I'd love to see more pix of your space.

I had the DeWalt 708 12" slider & stand. I could split hairs with it but, after selling most of my misc. tools to buy Festools the Kapex was my biggest wonder (like you Harvey).  I wanted mine to work in the shop and mostly in the field. The the timing was good to buy the Kapex so I did. I love it and sold my DeWalt to buy the UG stand. No regrets !!
I am the only that I know that has one in my area and many people love the set up. When I set up in a finished home people wonder what I'm doing, but shortly see its a clean saw and it saves my time.  I try to keep all of my tools clean and organized (especially after spending that much $$). I recently bought my 2nd Kapex so I have one dedicated to the shop and one thats on the road most of the time.

 

[Holzhacker]

A - light enough and easy enough to carry and wheel around; a total joy compared to a Bosch or Dewalt set up
B - Yes, get the UG wings and cart; My only gripe about the set up is that the wings should be wider; Once you get the knack, and it only takes a couple times, of putting it together and apart there's nothing better for mobility and onsite quick set up for what it provides
C - considering most of us don't really need 12" capacity most of the time and the Kapex is set up to 'supposedly, sort of, have mimic, what the ad lingo is' 12" capacity I wouldn't worry about it. Hasn't bothered me any
D - I very rarely ever sell a tool, I figure a tool that is paid for costs nothing to keep around. Beyond that you never know when you'll need an old tool for a crappy job in a crappy neighborhood etc. I still have my Bosch and my Hitachi gathering dust. I'd sell the stand and keep the saw if anything.
The Kapex set up is a boat load of money. Is it worth it for the saw or the stand? Yeah, well sort of, maybe, maybe not, not really.
Is it worth it for the combined value of the saw, the technology, the lack of weight, the convenience, etc? Hell yeah  [thumbs up]
I've done kitchen and interior jobs with mine and its such a joy compared to other set ups.
Suck it up and buy it.

 

[stvrowe]

A is it light to lift and carry - YES, It weighs about the same as my old Dewalt DW705 CMS (not sliding).  I think the Kapex weighs less than the Dewalt miter stand.

B should I get the ug stand and wings instead of using my dewalt stand ? I am using the Kapex on the Dewalt stand and have the crown extensions installed.  If I were having to transport this a lot, I would probably get the UG stand and wings.  The biggest turnoff to me about the wings is that you can't use the crown extensions with it.  IMO, this is something that Festool should resolve.

C will I find the adjustment hard to go back to a 10 inch mitre saw compared to the 12 So far, I have had no issues in the transition from 12" to 10".

D should I sell the dewalt and stand  I am contemplating this myself for the saw only.  I may keep the saw for outside construction/framing use as it is already a sunk cost that has served me fairly well for over 20 years.  The Dewalt is limited to outside use only as the dust collection is - lets just say I don't know why they put a vacuum hose connection on it and leave it at that.  The Kapex dust collection while not perfect, does a much better job than I was expecting.

 

[carlb40]

I was in a similar boat.  I figured, what is a few hundred dollars and got the Kapex.  I have yet to really play with it, but I've no regrets buying the Kapex.

What helped sway me was seeing a used one sell locally for around 15% less than new.  If I were a professional, I'd make it a point to have the tools that helped me be as productive as possible. 

Looks like based on your question, you've already made your decision:

"tired of the weight"
"dust situation is driving me mad"

If you buy the Kapex, don't rush to sell the Dewalt and stand.  You should be able to try the Kapex for 30 days…if it rocks your world, keep it.  If not, don't.

Good luck!

That is NAIUK lol, here we only get a 15 day trial period with Festool. Although we can't complain as we get the theft cover in our All inclusive warranty.  [big grin]

 

[PA floor guy]

I can give you very fresh input.  I have my kapex now for about a year, I love it, however it doesn't always get used, in fact my installs I do, I feel is a waste of the kapex, so I bring a dewalt instead.  But on intricate installs like I'm doing now, there is nothing better, I used mine all day today and I'm just fascinated with it. It works so nice, the dust collection is what puts it over the top.  I set it right up in people homes and make hundreds of cuts with it.  Today we did braz cherry which is dirty.  Not a mess at all.  Just an awesome tool.  Don't think about it, buy it

 

[VW mick]

Well it's on my list to go ..the dewalt 708 and stand (think mines a newer 716)

Then I will get a kapex

 

[GOL]

Is there by any chance there going to bring out a bigger kapex to compete with mitre saws in the 12 inch range ?
I'm really at myself to purchase this as soon as I can .

 

[Ant]

Gol, I took delivery of a kapex, ug stand & wings two weeks ago. I ummed & ared for weeks & read as much as I could. Luckily I attended a trade show & was able to have a go with it before buying. I already have a Elektra Beckum kgs 303 & a Makita LS1214 12" saws but needed better dust extraction & something easier to transport. All I can say is I wish I'd of bought it earlier. Very easy to transport, excellent dust extraction & the accuracy & quality of cut is second to none. I did ask about a 12" version but was told that you get a lot more blade deflection with a 12" blade & acuracy suffers, so I doubt it in the near future. If you have the money buy it, you'll only end up giving it the taxman anyway!  [wink]

 

[peter halle]

Is there by any chance there going to bring out a bigger kapex to compete with mitre saws in the 12 inch range ?
I'm really at myself to purchase this as soon as I can .

This question has been popping up quite a bit lately here.  Shane has replied that he is not aware of a new larger model or even an update to the current.

Peter