I've got the Makita, but I'm thinking about replacing it with a Kapex. I don't move the Makita and won't be moving the Kapex around either. I like the fact that I can cut wide boards on the Makita, but DC sucks. I do wish the Makita had lasers. What will the Kapex give me that the 12" Makita does not?
Kapex vs Makita LS1216L 12"?
- Thread starter darita
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darita said:
Makitas often have head play, especially the news ones. Kapex has none. Dust collection is awesome. Saw is lightweight, small footprint, lasers work perfectly, comes with an angle finder, has soft start, comes with a blade that you can actually keep, and the bevel adjustment is spectacular.
I have just sent my 1 month old makita ls1216 back as the fences were not in line (had a new set of fences from makita and was still out even after tightening the grub screw on the back to maximum) and the electric brack intermitantly started to not work and still had the fault after a new set of brushes.
so i went out and bought the kapex and couldnt be happier.
so i went out and bought the kapex and couldnt be happier.
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Here is a link to the Makita Saw you referenced. The specs are in the linked sections: http://makita.com/en-us/Modules/Tools/ToolDetails.aspx?Name=LS1216L
The Kapex specs can be found in the specifications area of this link: http://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/miter-saws/kapex-ks-120-sliding-compound-miter-saw-561287
Peter
The Kapex specs can be found in the specifications area of this link: http://www.festoolusa.com/power-tools/miter-saws/kapex-ks-120-sliding-compound-miter-saw-561287
Peter
obviously you are sacrificing a fair amount of depth. with the makita i usually stood my skirting up to cut them where as on the festool you would have to lie them down, but the angle of the saw is so easy to set its not really an isue. as far as i can see the kapex is just as capable i just had to change a few habbits.
Bruno Banani
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The specs of Makita I don´t know much about, no doubt their tools are high end, but remember that with the Kapex you get 10 years of guaranteed replacementpart availability.
If some rediculous button or custom part goes, you can replace that.
This is, in my opinion, one important reason, for the extra cost of festool tools.
They wont sell you a new one every 3-5 years.
If some rediculous button or custom part goes, you can replace that.
This is, in my opinion, one important reason, for the extra cost of festool tools.
They wont sell you a new one every 3-5 years.
Emperor Ming
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darita said:
Doesn't the "L" in 1216L denote that the model has laser functionality? I was going to buy one recently, and (at least in the UK), that's what the L denotes.
I think ease of changing blades is important. My saws are used on a crew and "bad things" happen to the blade and depending on what we are doing will change from a rough cutting blade to a smooth one often. I don't own a Kapex but I do own the Makita and it is a great saw. If i tried the Kapex I would probably agree it was better.
