KAPEX

[Dunn wood]

Ok I'm going to do something new. This thread is about POSITIVE Kapex users. I have had a Kapex since 2008. I recently bought a new one that had some problems, BUT, after having it go back twice, with a few tweaks it is working as expected. Festool stands behind there product. It is still the most versatile miter saw on the market. Was I always happy, NO. check my previous posts. But I have been since it came back. I was questioned about it going off 90 in the transport position, they fixed it, Claude repaired it. I am confident that if mine is one that has a armature problem that Festool will help. This saw does cuts that others can only dream of. I have since bought a Midi (thank you) and a Domino XL. Festool Rocks. Oh and I am not a fanboy, I work with my tools. So bring it on, I got thick skin.

 

[Kevin McConville]

I'm glad your happy with your Kapex and I'm sure you want to support the tools when appropriate and as you have done before you voiced dissatisfaction when it was appropriate.

I'm hoping, but not holding my breath, that our FOG community might find a way to respect our mostly if not completely volunteer moderators and not post controversial stuff until after the holidays.  It's a busy time for all of us and them with Family, Community and for some Church commitments, let's see if we can give them a break so they don't have to watch threads like hawks in case they spiral out of control.

Save them for January and then have at it.

 

[#Tee]

one of my best festool purchase out of the box and never had one issue! i cringe when i have to use another miter saw. [scared]

 

[Birdhunter]

I was helping a friend build an addition to his lake house. He was cutting 2X4s with his yellow miter saw. It stunned me to see the amount of dust shooting out the back of the saw. Reminded me of why I had to use my old miter saw outdoors before I got my trouble-free Kapex.

 

[TylerC]

I LOVE and appreciate this post. That said, I'm going to move it out of "Ask Festool" and into "Festool Tool Reviews" because there isn't a question for the Festool staff in it. Thanks for getting this going!

 

[Bgladd]

I'm just a hobbyist and have owned the Kapex for about a year. It's a marvel to use. I previously used a nice DeWalt mitre, but the Kapex is something else entirely. It handles everything I throw at it. Once I installed the zero insert, the fences, and the bigger Bosch hose, the saw ushered into another level!

 

[anthonyz]

I make my living wood working, and the Kapex is about one of the most used tools in the shop. I have only owned it since August, but it works like a dream, and since I use it daily, and make a lot of cuts in a day, with some of my production work, its working out well. With as much as I use it, problems should show themselves quickly, and so far I have no complaints about it, and having Festool there behind the saw for the next 3 years, is keeping things low stress.

[big grin]

 

[Phil Beckley]

Hi
As you may have guessed I work for the company but I am also a 'woodie' through and through.

  Any spare time I have I am in my workshop and as it is the Xmas break I have some time so the current work is cutting timber for turning. Specifically  ring turning - so the rings are made from contrasting timbers and there are 8 in each ring, the angle is 22.5 and all 96 are cut on the Kapex, this is enough for a matching pair. If the angle is off by a small fraction then of course gaps appear on the joints, this is why the Kapex comes into its own as the angle is spot on.
  The jig in the image will give a splinter free cut and can be used for 22.5 and also 30 degree rings - it also guarantees that each piece is exactly the same length........and the best clamp is of course masking tape!! [smile]
rg
Phil

 

[bertv]

I have a KS120. Demo-model and thus very affordable, comparing. Considering the number of cuts I have made to date, each one has cost something high in the two digit range (Euro's that is), but I aim to bring that cost per cut down in the next few years…

It is an amazing machine. Competing for the top spot in my 'Best All Time Awesome **it' list with my MacPro (late 2008), Rotex 150, Domino 500, Veritas DX60 block plane and Sheaffer Connaisseur Fountain Pen.

 

[peter halle]

I have posted most of this before but here goes again.

When the Kapex was released here I did what many do and disqualified it because of the cost.  I watched and read and saw how Festool USA handled an issue with parts manufactured too tight to tolerances.  In either the SPring or Summer of 2010 I was on a jobsite cutting trim using my trusty Hitachi and then all of the sudden I saw sparks.  It turned out that part of the casting that acted as a stop had broken off and I was now cutting into the base of my saw.  I sent my helper to lunch and hauled butt 30 miles to the local Woodcraft to buy something I never thought I would - but wished that I could.  They only had one in stock.

I refuse to carry more than one miter saw around and use mine for everything - trim, framing, deck building with wet lumber.  The price, even back then was steep, but once I got past the cash flow issue that month I have never regretted my decision.  The saw does for me what it is advertised to do.  And I do not baby my tools.

Today I was using the bevel knob with the counter balance and the huge scale and was again appreciating the fact that I could set the bevel close enough to a 1/4 degree that any differences wouldn't matter.

Peter 

 

[SoonerFan]

I bought mine with a Midi during the promotion here in the US.  I used mine lots as a hobbyist and have had no issues at all.  Great tool and a big trade up from my Dewalt.

 

[RJNeal]

I bought mine somewhere in 2008 ?
Knock on wood. I haven't had any problems with it. Two main reason I bought this was because of its lightweight and compact size. I was using a 12" DB dewalt some a job that require daily packing in and out of the job site. This site was 400' from parking and up stairs. I figured that I threw my back out carrying this boat anchor and needed to stay home for two days missing work I could have paid for it.
The saw normally lives in the back of my cab and a half full size pickup. Secure and protected from the weather.
Other benefits
I like the  accuracy of this saw. The large bevel scale. The way you can dial in a hair off of detention on the miter, which is hard to do with other saws. 
I use this saw mostly on site some times in my shop. When on site I do most the cutting but every once in awhile others use it. There was a short learning curve for the others about the soft start and lower rpm. But we got through it.
I also very picky about power on the job site. I run a 10 ga to my location for all my tools and wary about who taps in. I'm happy about the dust collection.
My saw took an unlawful vacation in the spring of this year for 3 weeks. I started budget money for its replacement when it came back home.

Rick

 

[FastEasySmartTOOL]

Got mine about a year ago. No problems (knock on wood). It's a terrific tool. The blades are fantastic. My favorite feature is definitely the hold down clamp – it's so easy to use!

 

[Rob in Vancouver]

I bought mine somewhere in 2008 ?
Knock on wood. I haven't had any problems with it. Two main reason I bought this was because of its lightweight and compact size. I was using a 12" DB dewalt some a job that require daily packing in and out of the job site. This site was 400' from parking and up stairs. I figured that I threw my back out carrying this boat anchor and needed to stay home for two days missing work I could have paid for it.
The saw normally lives in the back of my cab and a half full size pickup. Secure and protected from the weather.
Other benefits
I like the  accuracy of this saw. The large bevel scale. The way you can dial in a hair off of detention on the miter, which is hard to do with other saws. 
I use this saw mostly on site some times in my shop. When on site I do most the cutting but every once in awhile others use it. There was a short learning curve for the others about the soft start and lower rpm. But we got through it.
I also very picky about power on the job site. I run a 10 ga to my location for all my tools and wary about who taps in. I'm happy about the dust collection.
My saw took an unlawful vacation in the spring of this year for 3 weeks. I started budget money for its replacement when it came back home.

Rick

[member=3515]RJNeal[/member]

Why are you replacing it after 8 years??
A typical miter saw should last min 10-12 yrs easy.

Can you elaborate??

 

[charley1968]

Could it be that he meant it was stolen and returned after 3 weeks?

 

[TOOLTOWN]

Yes, it sounds like he was budgeting to replace a saw "on an unlawful vacation."  But then it found its way back home.

Ken

 

[tjbnwi]

I've used 2 Kapex[es] (what's the plural of Kapex?). I owned Kapex blades before I owned a Kapex.

The first saw I used belongs to a friend. Without going into a long story I used it for over 2 years. This is why I owned blades before the saw. This saw was purchased within the first month of the Kapex introduction. It is still going strong today. It did require the miter plate repair which we did instead of sending it back for service.

All good things come to an end......

I have now owned a Kapex for about 3 years, cuts great, no issues at all.

Tom

 

[TomGadwa1]

I've used 2 Kapex[es] (what's the plural of Kapex?).  Kapi?

 

[RJNeal]

Yes the saw was stolen, along other tools for me and tools and misc. other stuff from the neighborhood.
I would replace the saw with another Kapex if needed.

 

[Birdhunter]

As I mentioned above, I have a treasured and trouble free Kapex. I think this accolades thread could be duplicated for any tool Festool makes. I have far more of the Festool products than I ever intended and they all do what they are supposed to do flawlessly.