Kapex warranty issues question vs recon price

[ScoFF]

Is this about the motor burning up or using it directly plugged into an outlet and not in the sysvac?

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Moderator note ....... thread created due to topic split.

 

[tjbnwi]

Kapex KS120 now for those who are interested $1,106.25

You would have to be near crazy to buy it at any price given the track record for repairs discussed here.

I would buy it at full price tomorrow if mine was out of warranty and broke down today. Best darn saw I ever had/used

I've had one minor issue with the two I use. Would buy a 3rd if the need arose.

I'm not smart enough to calculate the percentage of Kapex motor issues to number of members here. Anybody know what that percentage is?

Tom

 

[Cheese]

Is this about the motor burning up or using it directly plugged into an outlet and not in the sysvac?

Just curious what you’re issue was...electrical?

 

[Cheese]

Anybody know what that percentage is?

Sorry Tom...I never made it to 5th grade. At age 69 I’m still trying to figure out fractions.  [big grin]

Now what was that again? 1/4” + 1/8” equals...let me see, 4x8...carry the 3, divide by..

 

[Cheese]

Seriously, I’d also buy another Kapex, if the first one lasted for 10 years. That’s a reasonable return on investment even though I don’t make a nickel on what I produce. That price of ownership would be $140 per year. Certainly not cheap, but kind of reasonable non the less considering the qualities of the saw. 

However, if my Kapex became toast after 3-4 years, I’d have a hard time justifying another. It’s a great saw but in the back of my mind it’s like a ticking time bomb. That’s not a good feeling to have or think about on a daily basis.

I’ve had/have/kept 2 Milwaukee’s (a slider & a chop) that I’ve abused for over 25 years and they just keep on ticking. Bricks, aluminum, steel, short repetitive cuts in thin wooden material, (whoops didn’t mean to say that Festool [big grin]). 

I’m not here to demean the Kapex... just here to encourage the resolution of the Kapex issues that have plagued so many.

 

[ScoFF]

Is this about the motor burning up or using it directly plugged into an outlet and not in the sysvac?

Just curious what you’re issue was...electrical?

While cutting a 2x4 the off it kicked back and smashed and broke the blade shroud and dust shroud. Half bad luck and half I can't believe it broke so easily. It wasn't covered at first because sh*t happens but they have me a 1/2 price deal which I paid. now I'm scared to use it sometimes because I paid so much for it and it's out of warranty now.

 

[Cheese]

While cutting a 2x4 the off it kicked back and smashed and broke the blade shroud and dust shroud. Half bad luck and half I can't believe it broke so easily. It wasn't covered at first because sh*t happens but they have me a 1/2 price deal which I paid. now I'm scared to use it sometimes because I paid so much for it and it's out of warranty now.

Just curious...did you have your blade set below the kerf insert?

I'd say you lucked out...the fix was probably close to $50 and the blade guard is probably injection molded Lexan which is quite brittle.

Most of these guys with Kapex problems have had catastrophic motor failures which resulted in charges of $300-$600 or more.

That's the reason this issue is so toxic. If you had to throw $50 at a $1400 saw to fix it, it would be radio silence, however when you're throwing $600 at a $1400 saw to fix it when it's only 3 years old, that's when the testosterone levels start to present themselves .

 

[Tinker]

a year or so ago, I was cutting some scraps for a small project.  I was using my 20 +/- year old hitachi 8-1/2 inch SCMS. I picked out a 2x3 piece of spruce about 12" long out of the scrap pile and foolishly/stupidly did not look at all sides of the piece before dropping the blade into wood.  All of a sudden >>> BANG!  The saw either stopped or I let go of the trigger.  Those things happen so suddenly there is no time for reation or sometimes to even think how one reacted.  The blade had a carbide tooth break off from the weld.  The  2x3 was split on the side blade had entered.  On the other side was the culprit, a steel chanel tha was hardly dented.  I checked the saw to see if it would start again.  NOOO problem.  I checked to see if accuracy had been upset.  NOOO problem.  I cut another 2x to see if the saw was listed or destroyed.  The blade showed no sign of wobble with a very shallow cut so I went a little deeper. Still no problem.  When I finally went thru he 2x4 the cut was as smooth as glass with no chipping of the edges.  The saw is still perking along with no issues and still is accurate of finished cut.  I don't use the saw very often, so it is not a good comparison as far as longevity, but there was nothing damaged except one tooth carbide completely broke off and the next tooth chipped a little.  Fences, table and blade guard all like new.
Tinker

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

[attachimg=1]. Kapex killer,  with the Kapex having issues other companies are stepping up to the plate.  Doing some of those fractions, [member=44099]Cheese[/member]  it’s a 1/3 of the price.

 

[ScoFF]

I think that makita is the saw the wood whisper reviewed to have some issue with alignment or something.  He returned it twice and they agreed it was a manufacturing flaw.  The blade didn't sit parallel with cut when you pulled it out on the rails.  It's ok before you pull it out but when you extend the reach it goes out slanted. 
5:00 into the video: 

 

[Cochese]

I have the Hitachi C12RSH, which has the same sort of dual one-sided guide system the Makita has. I'll have to check and see if it has the same sort of issue the Makita does, but I haven't noticed it.

One reason I had been thinking about upgrading to the Kapex is the dust collection, which on the Hitachi you wonder why they even bothered. It also has design features that don't really allow much of an upgrade to the chute or anything else.

 

[antss]

Kapex killer remains to be seen, especially if it won't cut square.  Framing guys might be able to live with that kind of error, but no trim guy will touch it.

Does anyone else find curious that Makita's first response wasn't " we're not aware of any problem" , or " it's wasn't designed with cutting picture frames in mind " ?

Any bets on when they will have a response and/or a solution ?  Will it be before 2019 ?

 

[peter halle]

Does anyone else find curious that Makita's first response wasn't " we're not aware of any problem" , or " it's wasn't designed with cutting picture frames in mind " ?

Any bets on when they will have a response and/or a solution ?  Will it be before 2019 ?

If you are curious why don't you find a way to ask them and report back here?

Peter

 

[Tyler Ernsberger]

Kapex killer remains to be seen, especially if it won't cut square.  Framing guys might be able to live with that kind of error, but no trim guy will touch it.

Does anyone else find curious that Makita's first response wasn't " we're not aware of any problem" , or " it's wasn't designed with cutting picture frames in mind " ?

Any bets on when they will have a response and/or a solution ?  Will it be before 2019 ?

Alignment issue was fixed.

 

[kevinculle]

The only saw that will ever be a Kapex killer will need a similar easily transportable UG cart and wings setup.  That IMHO is the only unique magic that Kapex brings.

 

[ScoFF]

But that isn't the benefit of the Kapex itself, it's he cart and accessories any saw can be used with.

 

[antss]

Does anyone else find curious that Makita's first response wasn't " we're not aware of any problem" , or " it's wasn't designed with cutting picture frames in mind " ?

Any bets on when they will have a response and/or a solution ?  Will it be before 2019 ?

If you are curious why don't you find a way to ask them and report back here?

Peter

I actually did just that, since they're just up the road from me.  Their response was they take customer feedback seriously.  Good thing they don't have a no comment policy on their operations. 

The Japanese just seem to have an entirely different business mentality and attitude towards customers than their Northern European counterparts. 

Not necessarily better, just different. 

 

[kevinculle]

But that isn't the benefit of the Kapex itself, it's he cart and accessories any saw can be used with.

The 1 minute to fold and break down into an easily transportable package is unique in my experience to Kapex/UG.  There are way heavier and bulkier carts that you can combine with heavier and bulkier saws and yes they can be moved, but Kapex/UG is in a class all by itself.  If your SCMS just sits along a wall in your shop and never travels I can't imagine why you'd choose Kapex.