Kapex

[pjblues]

I am a home hobby person. I have purchased the Festool track saw and was wondering I purchased the Kapex, could I get rid of my table saw all together?

 

[shed9]

Only you can answer that based on your own requirements, surely? And the limits of the equipment will tell you this.

I know a fair few people have ended up selling their table saw or simply stopped using it with the purchase of a track saw alone, but I suspect that's because they don't need to cut beyond the limit of that device.

If you envisage not needing a table saw, would be worth looking into selling it on to release cash and floor space.

 

[gdjenkins10]

I am a hobbyist that did get rid of my large tablesaw after purchasing the tracksaw / MFT3 and various rails/parallel guides.  I keep my little portable Bosch tablesaw folded up in back of the garage as a safety blanket.  The more skilled that I have gotten at using the tracksaw and parallel guides, the less I find the urge to wheel it out and fill my shop up with dust. I may part with the portable tablesaw soon.

My Kapex has delegated my Dewalt sliding 12" compound to the same corner. I will probably keep it just to cut treated wood and other nasty items so I do not get my Kapex gummed up.  It is nice to pull my vehicles into garage at will to avoid storm damage since getting rid of most of my stationary equipment.

 

[SMJoinery]

I am a home hobby person. I have purchased the Festool track saw and was wondering I purchased the Kapex, could I get rid of my table saw all together?

Hi

I think no...I have both track saw and Kapex and they are a huge improvement to my business (professional carpenter). However I still have a Dewalt DW 745 table saw.
What both the Festool saws have eliminated is the need to have wide wings and out feed tables on the saw necessary to both safely and accurately cut large sheet goods.
However if I have a small bevel to run in a hardwood cill or drip or rebate etc I wouldn't think about using the track saw. The bench saw is ideal for these small bespoke cuts and the track saw helps me process stock / repetitive cuts and especially breaking down sheet goods.
I watch the posts on FOG frequently and a typical subject is "how to do small repetitive cuts with TS55", personally this is exactly why I will always have a small table saw.
Hope that helps and good luck.
Scott

 

[Birdhunter]

There are a slew of threads on this issue with strong advocates on both sides.

My personal opinion is that a really good table saw, a track saw, and a Kapex compliment each other and each do their thing better than the other two.

I have all three and would not sell any of them.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

There are a slew of threads on this issue with strong advocates on both sides.

My personal opinion is that a really good table saw, a track saw, and a Kapex compliment each other and each do their thing better than the other two.

I have all three and would not sell any of them.

+1

 

[Kev]

I personally think a track saw and a compound mitre saw are complimented by a band saw more than a table saw. I say this because it gives you a greater scope of potentials. A track saw and compound mitre saw will cover most traditional table saw tasks, but sometimes the setup can be tedious relative to the effort required on a table saw ... but not impossible.

I have a TS75 in a CMS module (NANIA), but a good quality compact table saw is a reasonable compromise.

Conversely, if you have the space and the budget available - a high quality euro sliding table saw can be a pleasure to use. I'll certainly acquire one when I solve my space problems [wink]

 

[WoodWhisperer]

As a trim carpenter/ cabinetmaker, I don't know how anything could total replace a table saw.  Always ripping 10',12', and even 16' length boards.
Still need to make fast and repetitive rips, dadoes, etc.  If u have a table saw and it sits there for a period of time with no use, then for u its not needed.  I'm one how has a hard time getting rid of any tool though ;D

Sean

P. S. The Kapex is everything u have heard it is!! worth it.

 

[dltflt]

I would not get rid of hour TS. You may not use it much but there will be day when that is the best tool for the job at hand

 

[shed9]

You could of course do what a lot of us are doing by joining a Festool MFT or DIY MFT table to the out feed of the table saw. That way you get the advantage of the all that surface area for both operations and both are useful when either are not actually in use as such - if that makes sense.

 

[r cash]

As a professional woodworker setting up the tool to make a precise cut is the time consumer.
I have 2 stationary table saws and a portable. I have had all three set up for the same project and then need just to rip something . Track saws  and  table saws both do things well that the other cant do as well .
Both are key  I would not give up one for the other.
Rc

 

[shed9]

To add to the thread, I've got a decent (accurate) table saw and track saw and have just ordered a Kapex 120.

To be fair, I'm not adding a mitre saw to the mix, merely replacing one due to current dire dust collection, but my point is that they all have their place and use. If you have the space, means and requirement there is no substitute for using the relevant tool for each job.

Just waiting for delivery now - Homer Simpson chilli cook-off style!

 

[pjblues]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. You folks know better than I do. I guess for now I am keeping the table saw.