Kapex ??

[Dan Clark]

I have a Bosch 4410L.  The bevel adjustment is 0 or 45 degrees, or any place in between.  The miter adjustment has detents, gross variable angles, and a micro-adust variable angles.  All that sounds good on paper.  The reality is not quite that good. 

The bevel adjustment is OK, but I have to keep an eye on it to ensure that it doesn't get out of alignment.  The detents on the miter are accurate, but the ajustable miter angle is not that great.  Gross adjustment is a little touchy and the micro-adjustment is "technique sensitive", as my wife - the Dental Hygienist - would say.  "Technique Sensitive" means finicky.

And, the Bosch weighs about 70 lbs with it's stand adapter!  Lugging that puppy around is a hassle, especially since it is stored on a shelf most of the time. 

Finally, on my Bosch, the left extendable support is about 1-2 millimeters higher than the bed.  Most of the time, I take it off, which means that it's useless.   

I can't really rationalize a Kapex.  But if I could, my Bosch would be on Craigslist instantly and I'd grab a Kapex.

Dan.

 

[powertoolworld]

Here is the site where I found the price.
http://www.power-tool-world.co.uk/festool/ks120eb.htm

Hi guys

Many thanks for the interest in our site.

I have listed the Festool Kapex on our site and I hope this is of use to you. If you have any further questions please contact me via the site or email me on enquiries@cgfixings.co.uk.

The guys asking about the launch in the US. I believe it to be the same worldwide being 1st April although the stock is not available til late April and then the stock is very limited.

 

[jimg]

Some of the attraction for me is compact size and light weight for hauling to jobsites, dust collection that actually works, the micro bevel and angle adjustments, and the built in angle spliter which will be a time saver for newer guys on the crew who sometimes have trouble with this concept.

But there is a limit to how much these features are worth to me.

 

[Lou Miller]

Nice work there Lou. 

Thanks Matt

By the way, I am originally from a city just outside of Philly.  Is North Wales anywhere close?  Recently, I purchased a bunch of Cherry from Hearne Hardwoods and had it shipped down south.  Nice wood...

North Wales is roughly 15 miles NW of Philly. I lived in Philly all of my life until I finally managed to escape a couple of years ago.

I've bought lots of really nice wood from Hearne's over the years. However, I've yet to get cherry from them that I've been happy with. Probably just bad luck on my part, but everytime I've gone there looking for Cherry, the bins are filled with firewood. Everything else I've bought from them has been great though. I buy wholesale now, so I don't go in there too much. Pretty much when I'm looking for that one special board and that's about it. I need some really good bubinga (hopefully 28" wide) next month, so they'll be the first place I look.

 

[Dan Clark]

Here is the site where I found the price.
http://www.power-tool-world.co.uk/festool/ks120eb.htm

Hi guys

Many thanks for the interest in our site.

I have listed the Festool Kapex on our site and I hope this is of use to you. If you have any further questions please contact me via the site or email me on enquiries@cgfixings.co.uk.

The guys asking about the launch in the US. I believe it to be the same worldwide being 1st April although the stock is not available til late April and then the stock is very limited.

PTW,

On your Kapex page, it says, "Micro fine adjustment from the front on the tilt angles".   Does "Tilt" refer to the bevel or the miter?

Thanks,

Dan.

 

[Dan Clark]

Check out this link:http://www.festool.de/artikel/artik...92817037d-0E318376-B1A9-7651-E1752F7F93C841EE

Close to the top it says, "Download Bild/Text (ca. 7,5 MB)".  Click on the little folder icon just to the left of that text.  This will allow you to download a 7.5 MB Zip file.  Extract the Zip file and and you will see a press release file and 18 high quality, jpeg images of about 2000 X 1500 pixels.  Very high resolution! 

I've attached a slightly down-sized version.  Does this make you hot 'n sweaty or what!?!

Dan.

 

[Dan Clark]

Here are two more samples.   Frankly, the second one alone makes me seriously consider the Kapex.  While I understand that the guy is at least 30 years younger than I am, it doesn't look like he's straining at all.   If that was me with my Bosch, you'd see grey hair, a red face, and an expression that says, "Are my testicles gonna stand liftin' this thing one more time!?!"

Dan.

 

[Corwin]

Hey, I know it is hard to see past that nice new saw, but check out the hose stuffed into the new Hose Garage while still connected to the vac in the photo above.

 

[Dan Clark]

While crusing through the Kapex high res photos that I downloaded, I noticed something.  Take a look at the attached pic.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the laser is in the handle. 

If true, this means that you can see exactly where the blade will hit the board on both the top and front.  More importantly, it means that you can see the both the miter AND the bevel.  You can mark a miter and/or a bevel on the board and see if it's correct BEFORE you cut!

(My drool meter just pegged!)

Dan.

 

[Dan Clark]

This is the interactive demo site:http://www.festool.de/ipt_domino/index.htm.  (Yes, I know it says Domino, but it covers multiple products.)

When the window pops open:

1) Click English (you may have to click it twice)
2) Click the double arror in the lower right.
3) On the left click "Kapex KS 120".

There's intro video (click "Play video" below the pics).  Then, mouse over "Details Kapex" and select a menu item.  When you click on a pic, a window pops up.  Most of the windows contain text info in english and the ubiquitous "Play video" option below the pic. 

In the right hand corner is a list of the number of sections saying something like "03/15".  Click the double arrows to move forward and back.  Mouse over the menu to see the menu options.

After about 30 minutes of viewing the videos, you'll probably be able to start using right it out of the systainer.  (Does it come with a systainer?)

Enjoy!

Dan.

 

[Dave Rudy]

Dan,

As much as I appreciate your posts, you should be ashamed of yourself.  I was actually managing to distance myself from the Kapex Koncept because I had no graphic images to have to keep out of my mind.  You ruined it! 

(Its really my own problem; I'll get over it -- at least if I start saving now, I should have enough by the time it gets here).

Dave

 

[Dan Clark]

I needed someone to share my pain!  I won't do it again.  (At least until tomorrow.)  ;D

Dan.

 

[Lou Miller]

Thanks for posting that Dan. It has some nice features to it. Nothing Earth shattering, IMO, but some are of them are unique. I like how the bevel settings can be dialed in using the knob.

My only problem with those videos is the guy doing the work. He wouldn't last too long working for me. Some of his joints (i.e. the crown molding and the skirt board) fit like crap. Somebody needs to get him a coping saw too.

Now I just want to know what the selling price will be here in the US and when it will be available.

 

[Dan Clark]

Dan,

As much as I appreciate your posts, you should be ashamed of yourself.  I was actually managing to distance myself from the Kapex Koncept because I had no graphic images to have to keep out of my mind.  You ruined it! 

(Its really my own problem; I'll get over it -- at least if I start saving now, I should have enough by the time it gets here).

Dave

Dave,

As part of my ongoing "Abuse Dave Rudy Campaign" ;D, I updated the Hose Garage review to show how it should really be used.   Just jump over here:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=333.msg2779#msg2779, go to the bottom of my review, and look at the "p.s.".

Regards,

Dan.

Ooooh, I love doin' this!   ;D

 

[Ron Pegram]

I just saw a price listed on a British site - 669GBP, or just under $1300 for the basic setup. The release date in England is April 16.

I don't know if it's the same company that Jim saw, but the slightly oddly-named Bunny's Bolts in Woking, Surrey, UK, at http://www.bunnysbolts.com has the following announcement:

Not to take a dig at any other UK dealer but I have enjoyed a great working relationship with Warren Smith of Bunny's Bolts for many moons now.

Top notch company in my opinion. Again, no slight to the others but I think anyone who could take advantage of the offerings of Bunny's Bolts should.

 

[Dave Rudy]

Dave,

As part of my ongoing "Abuse Dave Rudy Campaign" ;D, I updated the Hose Garage review to show how it should really be used.   Just jump over here:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=333.msg2779#msg2779, go to the bottom of my review, and look at the "p.s.".

Regards,

Dan.

Ooooh, I love doin' this!   ;D

UNCLE!  UNCLE!  Cant take any more!@@#@#$&*(@$(@^#$^*#@$^(

 

[powertoolworld]

Hi Guys

Just an update.

I have used a Kapex today and it is very impressive. The guy in the videos must be blind because the adjustments on this tool are so precise even an idiot could cut it right. The Kapex is supplied with a bevel which fits into the base (bottom right on pictures - black "mushroom" sticking out on the front), this measures internal and external angles which can then be easily transfered onto the saw. Using industrial twin lasers that shine down both sides of the blade are perfectly aligned and make accurate angled cuts simple.

The adjustments on both planes are micro adjustable (the base the plate is replaceable and not cast in)and are child's play. The cuts are as expected totally faultless. The vertical tilt is balanced so that when you adjust the saw over it does not fall like all the others on the market when you adjust it. All the angles lock rigidly in place with simple lever systems.

The change to allow you to cut up to 168mm for crown moulding/ cornice  is genius and again simple to use.

All in all this machine is yet again another fantastic tool from Festool! Cant wait till my stock arrives.

PS This tool is already launched in Germany and I believe the rest of the world is launched on the 1st April with very limited stock available late April, most dealers in the UK will only get 1 or 2 machines in April. I believe the US is similar. My tip if you want it order it now! If not you may get it for Christmas.

 

[bill-e]

Some of the features I find very interesting is the design of the head assembly...It looks like it will be more rigid than anything on the market and the fact that it is an SCMS which will fit in the space of a CMS.  No need to save room behind the saw for the posts.  Outstanding.

I'm also a fan of lasers on miter saws.  I like the fact that it looks like the Kapex's laser is mounted out of the path of saw dust and that it can position the cut no matter where the head is.

 

[Dan Clark]

For non-German speaking Festoolians, here's a link to the English language brochure on the South African site:
http://www.festool.co.za/images/artikel/Download_Brochure_KAPEX.pdf. 

Dan.

 

[Ned]

Good work Dan!  Most extensive info yet.