Kapex up in smoke

[duc106]

    When I purchased this Kapex I went in with my eyes wide open with the issues of the motors burning up. I had the mindset that this only happens to other people, well last Monday I became one of those other people.

    I own a 1 man cabinet shop, own many Festool products and take great care of my tools. I was always very proud to say I used Festool products. Prior to the Kapex I used a Makita for many years with never a issue, now this Makita is back up cutting face frames, rails, styles etc.

    It is beyond my understanding why Festool does not have a solution that almost any other reputable tool manufacturer would have solved at this time.

BTW, this saw is only 13 months old.

Bob
RFM Custom Cabinetry
Cumberland, RI

 

[Oldwood]

"  It is beyond my understanding why Festool does not have a solution that almost any other reputable tool manufacturer would have solved at this time."

I agree completely, it is ruining a name they have spent a lot of money and time building. [unsure]

 

[jeh]

    When I purchased this Kapex I went in with my eyes wide open with the issues of the motors burning up. I had the mindset that this only happens to other people, well last Monday I became one of those other people.

    I own a 1 man cabinet shop, own many Festool products and take great care of my tools. I was always very proud to say I used Festool products. Prior to the Kapex I used a Makita for many years with never a issue, now this Makita is back up cutting face frames, rails, styles etc.

    It is beyond my understanding why Festool does not have a solution that almost any other reputable tool manufacturer would have solved at this time.

BTW, this saw is only 13 months old.

Bob
RFM Custom Cabinetry
Cumberland, RI

Most amazing to me is that people keep buying the Kapex. I have never had a problem with mine, but I did buy it when it was released. I would guess the motor was changed at some point and this is the issue. There are plenty of alternatives to it at least.

 

[Cheese]

I would guess the motor was changed at some point and this is the issue. There are plenty of alternatives to it at least.

Ya, but one would hope any update would be for the better and not the worse. [crying]

 

[amt]

It seems quite odd that the Kapex never got an updated brushless motor, which probably has a lot more opportunity for fine control and safeguards vs a brushed motor.

 

[antss]

How many other 10-12" miter saws have brush less EC motors ?

I cannot think of a single one offhand.  [unsure]

 

[LooseSox]

I wouldn't want to know what the price of a Kapex with a brushless motor would be  [eek]

 

[Mikeoutrage]

Only brand I can think of that is brushless is Milwaukee's m18 sliding 10" miter saw. It works pretty good.

 

[glass1]

Dewalt dhs790. Brushless

 

[amt]

How many other 10-12" miter saws have brush less EC motors ?

I cannot think of a single one offhand.  [unsure]

Virtually all cordless ones

 

[antss]

The milwaukee one is definitely cordless, and pretty good for what it is .

The Dewalt one is new to me, and I have no experience with the flexvolt system nor that saw.  Dewalt miters run the gamut from bombproof worhorses to sloppy DIY saws.

Personally , I think it's folly to think waiting for a EC kapex is a good avenue. Too much risk , just like the current situation.

 

[jeh]

I happen to have the DeWalt Flexvolt compound mitre saw and can attest to it's quality. The cordless part is very nice for quick jobs and if the batteries run low I remove the batteries and install the AC to DC convertor in place of the batteries and I am back in the game. For reference I also have a Kapex. One thing to note on the Flexvolt saws is that the blades have a super narrow kerf. Putting in wider kerf blades will affect battery runtime.

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

The new Flexvolt and other Dewalt saw are some of the best in the industry.  I own a Dewalt 716 and 717,  they are great saws.  They are very accurate and hold up to daily use.  I use my DW716 everyday on a job site.  I really want to try the new Makita and will try it out next week at a trade show in town.  I will not buy a Kapex especially with the motor issues.  Festool has no solution for the problem and will not address the problem as a problem.  The new Makita looks like a Kapex killer and especially at $550.  For that price I can buy three of them and be at the same price as the Kapex. 

 

[scary]

Is their anyone who HASN'T burnt up their Kapex? I one of those that dont just drink the kool-aid, I make it. I live in the fantasy land that this couldnt possibly happen to me. My only thought is that i do so much varied stuff i dont teally use it that often,but i love it when i do.

 

[peter halle]

Is their anyone who HASN'T burnt up their Kapex? I one of those that dont just drink the kool-aid, I make it. I live in the fantasy land that this couldnt possibly happen to me. My only thought is that i do so much varied stuff i dont teally use it that often,but i love it when i do.

There are lots who haven't - including myself since 2010.  I suspect that those who do not have issues are not as vocal as those who have issues.  Those who have issues are looking for cures  / answers / rectifications / assurances / etc.

No details are known.

Peter

 

[JNComplete]

    When I purchased this Kapex I went in with my eyes wide open with the issues of the motors burning up. I had the mindset that this only happens to other people, well last Monday I became one of those other people.

    I own a 1 man cabinet shop, own many Festool products and take great care of my tools. I was always very proud to say I used Festool products. Prior to the Kapex I used a Makita for many years with never a issue, now this Makita is back up cutting face frames, rails, styles etc.

    It is beyond my understanding why Festool does not have a solution that almost any other reputable tool manufacturer would have solved at this time.

BTW, this saw is only 13 months old.

Bob
RFM Custom Cabinetry
Cumberland, RI

Bob, I feel your pain. I just agreed(reluctantly) to have mine repaired for the full armature replacement plus some other parts they say went on it. This is now the 3rd time it's made the trip to Indiana. Twice for this now. Saw has always been babied, rarely sees a job site, only cuts cabinet grade material and moldings. The service rep on the phone says they were doing me a favor by only charging me $300-- since it's now out of warranty. Well I already paid $75 to have it boxed and shipped to them. Frustrating situation to say the least. Wish I weren't so invested in this saw-- bought the crown stops, own a few blades--not a standard size blade or arbor either where u  could use them on another saw. talk about highway robbery too.$80 or $90 per side on the crown stops??? I think we got a bad batch of the green kool aid. lol --best of luck with yours, you're still under warranty I assume? Jonathan

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Is their anyone who HASN'T burnt up their Kapex? I one of those that dont just drink the kool-aid, I make it. I live in the fantasy land that this couldnt possibly happen to me. My only thought is that i do so much varied stuff i dont teally use it that often,but i love it when i do.

There are lots who haven't - including myself since 2010.  I suspect that those who do not have issues are not as vocal as those who have issues.  Those who have issues are looking for cures  / answers / rectifications / assurances / etc.

No details are known.

Peter

The ones that have said they haven't had issues have been called paid off by festool, insiders, etc. 

So personally I don't care about anyone's issues anymore.

 

[scary]

Paid off by Festool.....HA!
Even I wouldnt believe that. And they could do the Roadshow in my shop.

 

[duc106]

Just a update on my Kapex. UPS picked this up on Monday 9-18-17, here it is Friday 9-29-17 and not a word on this yet.

Bob
RFM Custom Cabinetry
Cumberland, RI

 

[duc106]

Update: The Kapex is up and running like new again, I hope/pray that Festool changed something in the motor so it does not happen again. I guess I will know in another 13 months or so.

    To be fair with Festool, this was ready for me to pick up at the dealer last Wednesday, I messed that up somehow.

Bob
RFM Custom Cabinetry
Cumberland, RI