Kapex Ver 2.0

[Martin S]

Sorry if this has been disucssed, (and I am not sure anyone in the know would answer for business reasons), but I was wondering when the next version of the Kapex is coming out.  Looking at the history of Festool tools, they always seem to come out with an update a coouple of years after initial release.  I jumped on the Domino bandwagon and of course they have a "new and improved" version...and would perfer not to buy a Kapex and have a new one come out in 6 months.

Martin

 

[woodguy7]

Martin,

Not so sure that the new domino is "improved" or not.  I think the decision is evenly split for & against.  I have the Kapex & am chuffed with it.  There will always be a new model coming but you just have to go for it, or you will always be looking.

Woodguy.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Martin, I am in the know as much as someone can be in the know.  There are no plans (that I am aware of) to introduce any revisions, updates or improvements to the current Kapex.

Edit: Although when I saw the subject line of your post, I thought maybe I wasn't as in the know as I am [big grin]

 

[sw1211]

I'm not sure this qualifies as another version.  Another model is carried in the UK, and I believe it's not coming to the US.  It's a little cheaper, if I recall correctly it doesn't have the angle finder, laser and a few other features that result in the lower price. 

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

I'm not sure this qualifies as another version.  Another model is carried in the UK, and I believe it's not coming to the US.  It's a little cheaper, if I recall correctly it doesn't have the angle finder, laser and a few other features that result in the lower price. 

Steve, you're correct. The KS 88 is not coming to the US.

 

[Hoover]

The Kapex has not been out for long at all IMHO and really what significant would they change?  I think it will be a while before they offer a kapex 2.0 and I doubt the changes will be substantial, they will most likely be little upgrades here and there.

Like someone else mentioned, you can wait if you know another is coming out but if not then you'll be waiting forever.  Buy a laptop and a month later its middle of the road, such is life.

 

[tbellemare]

Buy a laptop and a month later its middle of the road, such is life

That is very true...

However, with Festool tools, it isn't the norm'. In fact, it may be the opposite...

I had a new customer come by a few weeks ago and buy a couple of pads for his RO 150, the FastFix (1/4-turn bayonet mount) kind. He came by a day or two ago and got  some of the old style pads with the threaded arbor mount.

At first, I thought I sold him the wrong ones the first time and he quickly told me that he had both versions.

I should have known that, but I haven't yet taken time to go to his shop and learn all about him. It's on my short list...

Tom

 

[PaulMarcel]

The men in green make small changes along the way, too, although none are show stoppers sending you out to buy v1.038.  For example, I got a boom arm early on and the rotation collar was made of a low-friction high-energy plastic.  It didn't take long to start sagging so when I'd place the boom arm, it would want to swing to one side.  I later saw a demo setup at Rockler and the collar was aluminum.  I sent an email to green customer support asking for the part number so I could order one.  The next day, I had a message on my phone: "Hi, this is Festool, we got your email and yes, we improved the boom arm by switching out the plastic collar for an aluminum one; we have your address on file as xxxxxx and I've put a replacement part in the mail for you this morning"

Awesome that they continue to improve while other manufacturers like to keep BOMs from 10 years ago... awesome that they have this type of support.

 

[honeydoman]

Martin,

My kapex has a built date of 9-09 and chris's has an 03 all that means is they only build so many at a time, sell them then make some more.  My kapex and chris's and thousands of others are fantastic.

I have been using it for 2 weeks straight since I bought it.  it is working great no problems at all.  smooth cut, quite start etc.

So if you want a kapex I would highly recommend to go and get one as your xmas present to yourself!  you will be happy that you did.

and I cant even see any changes that need to be made and therefore a 2 is not needed.

 

[Martin S]

Thanks all...Actually, my wife was going to supprise me and then decided she better check as she knew that this was a concern of mine...so she is actually going to put it under the tree, bush or what ever you want to call it...

Martin