Kapex?

[Jalvis]

A few questions about my new Kapex.  Not sure if this is the correct location for this topic.

The Bevel knob: It only DETENTS at the 47 Degree and can be set at the 0-45 Degree(without detent).  I CANT 'Detent' at the 45 degree setting.  Do you just hold the nob?  Is this normal?  I see images of the knob being "Set" at one of the three settings but I cant do that on the 45 Degree. 

If I reach back and turn the nob to the 45 degree setting and release the nob it moves part way to the 0-45 degree setting when released. Then when I move move the bevel it grinds and is not smooth.  Is this normal?

FOR THE RECORD:  I have spent three hours reading threads and reviews about the Kapex trying to find out 'whats normal' and 'whats not' without a clear description. 

Thanks in advance.

 

[peter halle]

The bevel has stops at the 45 positions.

So, if you have the knob at the 0-45 position it will tilt left to the stop at 45 and stop at 0.  At the +- 45 it will stop at 45 each way.  At the +-47 it will tilt to the stops at 47 in either direction.  At least this how mine does it.  I don't have any grinding though.

Peter

 

[Jalvis]

Ok....after reading your reply I can see how my questions is confusing. 

My question is in regards to the Bevel Knob itself.  The knob only has a detent at 47 degrees and can be set at 0-45 degrees(without detent).  When the Knob is turned to the 45 degree and released it moves part way to the 0-45 degree setting and then grinds when beveling the saw.

 

[peter halle]

That doesn't sound normal.  Maybe someone who has more knowledge about the internals can answer, I sure can't.

Peter

 

[mastercabman]

Ok....after reading your reply I can see how my questions is confusing. 

My question is in regards to the Bevel Knob itself.  The knob only has a detent at 47 degrees and can be set at 0-45 degrees(without detent).  When the Knob is turned to the 45 degree and released it moves part way to the 0-45 degree setting and then grinds when beveling the saw.

I am still lost! ???
When you set the big green knob to 0-45,does it tilt to the left and stops at 45* and 0*?
Or it's not stopping and keeps on going to 47*?

 

[tiralie]

The Bevel knob: It only DETENTS at the 47 Degree and can be set at the 0-45 Degree(without detent).  I CANT 'Detent' at the 45 degree setting.  Do you just hold the nob?  Is this normal?  I see images of the knob being "Set" at one of the three settings but I cant do that on the 45 Degree. 

If I reach back and turn the nob to the 45 degree setting and release the nob it moves part way to the 0-45 degree setting when released. Then when I move move the bevel it grinds and is not smooth.  Is this normal?

The knob should "seat", if it doesn't you will get grinding when you move the saw into a bevel position. Sometimes if the the saw is not at 90 degrees it will prevent the Bevel knob from seating properly. Generally if I have a problem I turn the bevel knob back to - 45 (left) move it to a left bevel and then move it back to 90 and then move the +-45 button. The knob should seat. If it doesn't call service.

Hope this helps.
Tim

 

[Jalvis]

Thanks for the replys

After reading your responses and watching some videos of the saw in use its obvious that my saw is not working correctly.  I will call Festool on Monday but I'm expecting to mail the saw back. 

After seeing the saw in use I'm surprised it got through the Festool inspections....this was one of the saw from the current Recondition Sale.

 

[Jalvis]

Also.....my saw in the 45 degree setting will only go to 45 degrees to the right.  When I start moving to 45 degrees to the left it clicks and stops at 0 degrees.......and while moving makes a grinding noise and is not a smooth action. 

This is NOT normal from what you all have stated and from the online video reviews.

 

[tiralie]

Also.....my saw in the 45 degree setting will only go to 45 degrees to the right.  When I start moving to 45 degrees to the left it clicks and stops at 0 degrees.......and while moving makes a grinding noise and is not a smooth action. 

This is NOT normal from what you all have stated and from the online video reviews.

Absolutely correct. In the 45 degree setting it should tilt to the left only. In the +-45 it should tilt both left and right.
Tim

 

[ART at WORK]

When I  bought my Kapex the box was damaged and the Polystyrene inside was all over the place. The saw was tipped at 10 degrees to the side.
I thought this cant be right but maybe it fits better in the box at an angle.
When I tried the bevel it made grinding noises.
I sent it back  - it took a week to deliver the new one - but when unpacked it was at 0 degree and it does not make grinding noises.
I have since no problem setting any of the angles.
SENT IT BACK as soon as possible.
Its not right.

Pip

 

[Brice Burrell]

The grinding could be one of two things.  Check out the attached photo of the Kapex with the back cover removed.  The vertical pin in the center of the picture is what controls or stops the bevel.  Follow that pin up and you'll see the bottom of the green bevel control knob.  Turning the knob moves the pin up or down allowing it to pass over the the center detent or to engage it depending on the setting.  Now follow the pin all the way down and you see the detent bracket.  You can see the lowered portion in the bracket where the pin will ride in the 45 degree setting.  As you turn the knob to the other settings it raises the pin out of the path of the lower detents.  It could be possible this pin is grinding slightly on this bracket as you bevel the saw. 

Now, the second possibility.  Looking to the right of the pin there is a fairly wide angled piece of metal.  This piece is a sort of spring loaded lever that acts as lock of the bevel.  Flipping up the bevel lock on the saw releases the lever and allows the allows the saw to be beveled.  If the bevel lock isn't completely flipped up you'll get some slight dragging/grinding.

I don't know if any of this is helpful or not.....         

 

[Jalvis]

All of the information is helpful.

I'm not sure the advantage of me trying to fix the saw being that its new out of the box.

Pip:

Odd that you mention the saw being shipped at 10 degrees.  Mine was also at 10 degrees and I thought that was a sign of poor handling or packaging..  Perhaps theres a correlation?

 

[Ken Nagrod]

All of the information is helpful.

I'm not sure the advantage of me trying to fix the saw being that its new out of the box.

Pip:

Odd that you mention the saw being shipped at 10 degrees.  Mine was also at 10 degrees and I thought that was a sign of poor handling or packaging..  Perhaps theres a correlation?

YOU GOT PIP'S RETURNED SAW!  [big grin]  [poke]

 

[Michael Kellough]

All of the information is helpful.

I'm not sure the advantage of me trying to fix the saw being that its new out of the box.

Pip:

Odd that you mention the saw being shipped at 10 degrees.  Mine was also at 10 degrees and I thought that was a sign of poor handling or packaging..  Perhaps theres a correlation?

YOU GOT PIP'S RETURNED SAW!  [big grin]  [poke]

Soon to make it's way to the Recon Sale list...

 

[ART at WORK]

Very funny Ken, 
They must of changed the motor as well. 110v !

 

[Jalvis]

So....I took the saw to my local dealer to evaluate the issue.  The bevel knob has grooves which a spring loaded bearing detents into.  The spring loaded bearing is attached to the back housing next to the knob.  My saw is missing that bearing kit. 

Festool is sending me the parts.  Sure hope it fixes the grinding as well.

 

[ART at WORK]

So....I took the saw to my local dealer to evaluate the issue.  The bevel knob has grooves which a spring loaded bearing detents into.  The spring loaded bearing is attached to the back housing next to the knob.  My saw is missing that bearing kit. 

Festool is sending me the parts.  Sure hope it fixes the grinding as well.

I hope they are sending you someone to fit it. Is your machine new? If it is you should insist on a replacement which should be picked up and anew one delivered within a few days. That's what my dealer did. Festool prides itself on its service.
It's faxing out the festool points system so it can concentrate more on the service. Let them show you what that means.

 

[Jalvis]

The saw is from the current Recondition Sale.....the saw was delivered in that condition....I haven't even started the motor before noticing the bevel knob problem.  Festool offered to have it sent back and then returned but I didn't see that as necessary unless they were going to review the entire product.  To replace the bearing kit for the knob requires removing four screws and about 5 minutes.

 

[ART at WORK]

The saw is from the current Recondition Sale.....the saw was delivered in that condition....I haven't even started the motor before noticing the bevel knob problem.  Festool offered to have it sent back and then returned but I didn't see that as necessary unless they were going to review the entire product.  To replace the bearing kit for the knob requires removing four screws and about 5 minutes.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that IS the problem. Hows it sliding on the rails?.
A reconditioned Festool Machine in Germany still has a 12 month full guarantee.

Pip

 

[Jalvis]

The 'Bearing kit' came in today and I installed it in 5 minutes.  Fixed the detent issue as well as the grinding.  Amazing what a few minutes and a tiny part can do!  Wish the saw never came with a problem but 100% satisfied with my Festool Rep. and Festool headquarters for solving the issue.