Kapex

[chris s]

I have had my Kapex for quite afew years and have had zero problems with it.  Over time the horizontal turning has gotten slightly hard to turn. My suspicion is that with age it has gotten tighter. Has anyone ever had the horizontal  apart,it looks fairly simple. Thought I would ask before I disassemble it Thanks

 

[ChuckM]

I think Cheese once shared a picture showing how the turning can be adjusted to make it less hard or tight.

 

[Michael Kellough]

Also, grease.

 

[Birdhunter]

My old Kapex has definitely gotten stiffer to rotate.

 

[guybo]

https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-problems/lubricating-the-kapex/msg578370/#msg578370 [cool]

 

[Cheese]

I think Cheese once shared a picture showing how the turning can be adjusted to make it less hard or tight.

Thanks for that Chuck  [smile]  you remember more than I'm able to forget and that's a Herculean task.  [big grin]

If I remember correctly, my Kapex started to get more difficult to turn so I decided to investigate. I found nothing unusual but just wiped all of the mating surfaces clean with a DRY CLEAN cotton rag. I opted NOT to use any lubricant because of not wanting to attract dust/dirt.
If I were to do the same thing today, I'd consider applying a "dry lubricant" like Starrett M1 or Dyna Glide Plus to the contact/rubbing surfaces, they are spray lubricants that dry to form a lubricating film within 60 seconds or so.

After many multiple series of tests, I decided that the original torque of 185 in/lbs applied to the nut was excessive and I settled on torquing the nut to 60 in/lbs instead. After 2 years or so, that's where I'm at and I'm still happy with the results.

The photos show the nut to be re-torqued, the extension needed and an accurate torque wrench...pretty simple. If you don't like it at 60 in/lbs you can always bring it back up to 185 in/lbs or anything in between. Nothing magical here.  [smile]

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[ChuckM]

Those are the pictures I had in mind, Cheese!

 

[Michael Kellough]

Nice that it can be adjusted from above. Don’t have to turn the Kapex over like most SCMS’s.

 

[chris s]

First, thanks for all the replies. I got around to it today. removed the center bolt,spring and washer.Then tipped the saw on it back to separate the base and upper structure. Then removed the springs and locking mechanism for the horizontal scale. I thought that removing all those things would let the upper and lower separate freely. Not so the halves rock and appear to be loose but will not slide apart. I do have much mechanical experience and can not readily see anything that is readily holding the halves together. According to the parts diagram in my mind this should separate now. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[usernumber1]

what the heck 185. how did you find out the factory spec? or is that unscrew torque when you removed it?

that seems excessive to me can anyone confirm? 185 is just way too much or did festool just use an impact wrench until they got 3 uga-lugas?

 

[chris s]

185 inch lbs is only 15 foot lbs not alot of torque for that size bolt. I am inclined to agree with cheese that 60 inlbs is sufficent

 

[usernumber1]

oh 185 in/lbs  sheesh close one

 

[chris s]

I have gotten the saw apart and was surprised to find that the the horizontal rotation bearing was nothing more than a two dollar sleeve bearing that was lose in the bore and had ridden up somewhat. I have ordered anew bearing and am waiting for it. Also I went over the area on the perimeter with fine emery paper. To be totally honest I am not at all impressed with the innards of this saw. For the money I spent i expected something a little more stable and durable. I will be in touch when I get the new bearing and reassemble the saw. The machinist in me is saying improve what is there but I just don't know

 

[ChuckM]

Could you share a few photos?