Kapex up in smoke 4th time

[ghostofhoward]

Well, it's happened again!! 1 year and a few days after getting my Kapex back from repairing motor failure #3 it burned up again.
I have kid-gloved this thing from the moment I bought it. Been careful to use sharp blades, don't make heavy cuts etc, etc. I have even started using a separate circuit to run the dust extractor to ensure it (kapex) always gets sufficient power. Still burned up. It has been used only moderately in the last 12 months, some in my shop, some on the jobsite. It is NOT a power supply issue, it is NOT an issue of misusing the saw. Just simply has a flaw in the motor that Festool refuses or is unable to correct. I am so sick of dealing with this. I may have to make use of the 30 day return policy for a few saws/months.

 

[Rollin22Petes]

I feel your pain our shop Kapex will be 2 years old in February and already on it's third motor and I think it's starting to go again. It' a shame that Festool wants to act like there is not a problem I guess they simply just don't care. There's one thing you can bet your ass on the piece of junk is  going up in price come April!!! 

 

[Stephen B]

[size=8pt]

I feel . . . . . . . . . There's one thing you can bet your  on the piece of junk is  going up in price come April!!!

[size=13pt]
Well it did down here on Jan 1.

Although now, later in the year, I am more enclined to get the new 60. [See how they shape up with others experiences first!  [big grin]] And if warranted later replace my Makita SCS with a Metabo. I am currently working on decking and finding my HK55 has replaced any need for a SCS for this task.

 

[Cheese]

The cool thing about different languages, is that if you're clever...you can use that to your advantage. 

Kapex issues...say what?

Ich habe keine idee.

 

[danbox]

I've always though of buying a Kapex for the shop but I keep reading about these issues...

I own three DeWalt DWS780's, one lives in the shop and the other two are out on site. The site saws definitely get abused being thrown in the vans, materials, ladders ect; put in and on top of them. All are about three years old i think and we've never had any issues with any of them.

The blade guard came loose once on one saw once and that is honestly the only issue with years of heavy use on all three saws. There checked once weekly for accuracy and still cut as good as they did when bought. Only down sides, heavy, awqward to carry and you need allot of space around the saw to use it.

I think they are currently £600 in the UK. Think I will stick with these until a new model Kapex comes out! Anyone know if this is in the works or not?

 

[Rollin22Petes]

I agree about the DeWalt 780's other than the Kapex we have three that live in the shop or on site and never had an issue with any of them. With a proper setup and good blade they cut just as good as the Kapex. They may lack a few features and be a little heavier than the Kapex but  they cost a fraction about $600 here in the states and there dependable. I use my tools professionally to make a living the last thing I need to worry about is if a saw will  make it through a job or not and that I have to waste my time packing it up to send of for repair AGAIN!!!! The Kapex was one of the worst Festool purchase I have ever made and even if they come out with a newer version I won't even consider it especially they way I feel they have handles this whole issue.

 

[ben_r_]

Yea I have avoided the Kapex not just because of the price, but also due to the 110V version problems I have heard so many complain about. I have had the DWS780 for a couple years and now recently picked up the Bosch GCM12SD 12" Glide due to the less rear clearance space needed and so far have been liking it more than the DeWalt. But I cant see myself going with a Kapex unless they come out with a new version and its been out for a year or two, or they drastically reduce the price of it for some weird reason.

 

[bobfog]

Yea I have avoided the Kapex not just because of the price, but also due to the 110V version problems I have heard so many complain about. I have had the DWS780 for a couple years and now recently picked up the Bosch GCM12SD 12" Glide due to the less rear clearance space needed and so far have been liking it more than the DeWalt. But I cant see myself going with a Kapex unless they come out with a new version and its been out for a year or two, or they drastically reduce the price of it for some weird reason.

It's not just 110v. Yes there are more 110v tools that have been reported for going bad, but 240v also have their issues. I don't believe it is a case of 110v vs 240v, but a case that there is a common fault across both voltages, but the 110v has a lesser tolerance to whatever the fault is, not that the fault only resides with 110v.

Complete new saw with a new motor is required to put the whole debacle behind Festool.

 

[ghostofhoward]

My backup saw is a DWS780 as well. It's going on 13 years old and gets used for everything too dirty or rough for the Kapex, framing, decks, even fiber cement for a house or two. The ONLY thing I have ever done with it is change blades. The detents have gotten sloppy in the last couple of years but I have been very happy with it. I will almost certainly be buying another soon to UPGRADE from the kapex. Sad.

 

[Paul G]

I was about to buy a Kapex a few years back, so glad I didn't. My sympathies, what an aggravating mess.

 

[ben_r_]

Whats really terrible though is that with so many people having issues I havent heard of them extending the 3 year warranty to cover those that ended up having issues after the warranty period was up. These issues are obviously due to a design flaw and IMO it should be fixed and recall done instead of just abandoning people when their motor fails after 3 years.

 

[Rollin22Petes]

I agree it would seem to be in Festool's best interest to acknowledge there's a design flaw or do a recall for those of use that are stuck with these obviously faulty saws. I don't know about the rest of you but this whole situation has really tarnished my views of Festool.

 

[antss]

It would appear that Festool doesn't care about their perceived reputation with regards to Kapex.

They seemingly feel:

1. Nothing is wrong
2. You are obviously using it incorrectly if English is your native language.
3. Their sales of Kapex are sufficient , and the line of lambs long , so as to make it unprofitable to address a problem real or perceived.      If there is problem.  : :

Which there's not - see number 1.

It's been at least six months, maybe longer since the brass came on here and said they're looking into it.  Not one peep from anyone official regarding this , yet people keep reporting this tool's maladies in disproportionate number to anything else on here.

I cannot believe that that a company that has positioned themselves at the top of the heap can't find the engineering prowess to work out what's causing this saw's motor to fail in such a short timespan.  I could believe they have and wouldn't want to disclose for fear of breaking the bank. 

 

[duburban]

Have you checked your power source all the way back to the power plant? I'm sure its just dirty power.

 

[Rollin22Petes]

Yeah better call the electric company and tell them they owe me a new Kapex for all that dirty power they are supplying me with. Oh but wait a minute I keep forgetting the rest of the shop equipment is running just fine but then again it's built to higher standards 

 

[Paul G]

Have you checked your power source all the way back to the power plant? I'm sure its just dirty power.

Not a problem around here, we mostly use hydroelectric instead of coal [poke]

 

[amt]

I wonder if anyone would sell their broken Kapex for cheap.  For the right price, I'd be temped to swap in a 3-phase spindle motor + VFD.  Anyone know what the Kapex motor RPM range is (not the blade RPM, but the motor before any gear reduction)?  Would probably need some custom parts CNC'd, but would be a cool project.  Think of advantages: very fast start-up and motor brake, significantly more power, eliminate the reliability problem, dial in exact RPM you want, etc.

 

[rgarthe]

It would appear that Festool doesn't care about their perceived reputation with regards to Kapex.

They seemingly feel:

1. Nothing is wrong
2. You are obviously using it incorrectly if English is your native language.
3. Their sales of Kapex are sufficient , and the line of lambs long , so as to make it unprofitable to address a problem real or perceived.      If there is problem.  : :

Which there's not - see number 1.

It's been at least six months, maybe longer since the brass came on here and said they're looking into it.  Not one peep from anyone official regarding this , yet people keep reporting this tool's maladies in disproportionate number to anything else on here.

I cannot believe that that a company that has positioned themselves at the top of the heap can't find the engineering prowess to work out what's causing this saw's motor to fail in such a short timespan.  I could believe they have and wouldn't want to disclose for fear of breaking the bank.

German arrogance is a problem. I work with a person from Germany and he thinks he is better than many of his coworkers. I get the same thing from the VW dealer where I purchased my new Rutan from; which by the way has several problems they cannot fix, or do know know how to fix. Germany engineering is not what it use to be. I think I made a bad choice buying the Kaypex.

 

[semenza]

How about we don't denigrate an entire nationality.

Seth

 

[G-Man]

Hmm shame about all the problems, i was seriously looking at the Kapex 120 but I have been reading all week about the 110v issues and now all these motors burning out [sad] I think I'll save myself £1000 and look at others.