onocoffee
Member
It's not the REB and IIRC, the EB has a potential armature issue. Worth the risk at $500? It looks pretty clean from the pics and comes with an extra resharpened Festool 80T blade.
KS120 EB for $500?
- Thread starter onocoffee
- Start date
MacBoy
Member
I have always sternly told my self, “REB or nuttin”
So far ‘nuttin’ has been tasty to my wallet.
So far ‘nuttin’ has been tasty to my wallet.
onocoffee
Member
I hear you. There was another guy with an REB for $1200. But I don't want to spend that much on myself getting this close to the holidays.
Cheese
Member
And "nuttin" will always be tasty to your wallet, there's just no getting around that fact.
But I've owned and used my Kapex for 11 years and of the previous sliders I owned, "nuttin" compares to the Kapex for portability, accuracy and retaining accuracy when moved. My previous Milwaukees were always accurate when in the shop, but once they were moved (and sometimes that was almost impossible) they were notorious for getting out of whack.
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kevinculle
Member
It depends, I bought a 2009 vintage Kapex nearly a decade ago with UG cart and wings for right about half of the then retail price. It has performed well for me with the motor being trouble free. I have the impression that the armature issue may well have been the result of running changes as I have not heard of early Kapexes being victims. If the saw is otherwise solid and you can try it out, I would not hesitate at that price.
RJNeal
Member
I purchase my Kapex within months after the release in 07 or 08.
Never had a problem.
I have never staved it for power, like long extension cords or small gauge wire.
It would be interesting on the manufacturing date on this $500. Saw?
Since the extra blade is worth $100.
$400.00 for a used Kapex might be worth the risk.
Never had a problem.
I have never staved it for power, like long extension cords or small gauge wire.
It would be interesting on the manufacturing date on this $500. Saw?
Since the extra blade is worth $100.
$400.00 for a used Kapex might be worth the risk.
My EB dates back to a manufacture date in 2010. No problems. Some of the earliest Kapi had an issue with too tight tolerances on the silver miter plate with the initial batch that was resolved.
Peter
Peter
My EB has been in active use with no smell and no smoke all these years. If it was an REB and the owner asked for $500, don't buy it; it'd be a scam. $500 for an EB? Could you examine it in person and make some test cuts? It'd be a steal at that price.
Anyone who instills fear in you for thinking an EB is a lemon doesn't know more than you because they all rely on what they saw in this forum. Statistically, they can't tell you anything regarding the EB -- only Festool can.
Did 1% or 10% of Kapex EB sold have the holy smoke problem? Nobody knows (except Festool). I know 0% of Kapex owners in person who have reported a smoking problem.
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Cheese
Member
I guess the statistics on failure % within x years aren't public.
I doubt that type of information is available from any manufacturer.
onocoffee
Member
Thank you all. And here it is: the Kapex KS 120 EB!
However, it is not mine.
I messaged the seller pretty soon after I saw the listing but never heard back. My good friend messages me in the morning: “Have you seen this?” And I said that I messaged the seller and waiting to hear back.
My friend messages back: “he called and I’m going to look at it today.” So off we went to see the saw.
Turns out it was built September 2009 so well before the era of armature issues. Owned by a furniture maker who does most his work by hand, it had been well cared for, very clean and in great condition. He’s the kind of user you want to buy used from.
We checked it out, hung out, shot the shit and had a great time. $500 for the KS120 including the extra 80T blade (both recently resharpened) and all the proper stock accessories. I think a solid deal and a seller easy to work with.
This is the third cheapest KS120 I’ve seen. First was a heavily beaten up (but working) EB for $300, next was the disassembled (supposedly working) EB at $400, and then this one.
Perhaps next time.
However, it is not mine.
I messaged the seller pretty soon after I saw the listing but never heard back. My good friend messages me in the morning: “Have you seen this?” And I said that I messaged the seller and waiting to hear back.
My friend messages back: “he called and I’m going to look at it today.” So off we went to see the saw.
Turns out it was built September 2009 so well before the era of armature issues. Owned by a furniture maker who does most his work by hand, it had been well cared for, very clean and in great condition. He’s the kind of user you want to buy used from.
We checked it out, hung out, shot the shit and had a great time. $500 for the KS120 including the extra 80T blade (both recently resharpened) and all the proper stock accessories. I think a solid deal and a seller easy to work with.
This is the third cheapest KS120 I’ve seen. First was a heavily beaten up (but working) EB for $300, next was the disassembled (supposedly working) EB at $400, and then this one.
Perhaps next time.
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luvmytoolz
Member
You've done well, that looks in great nick! And the mitre gauge hasn't been lost either!
MacBoy
Member
Sometimes the story is even better than the outcome!
TIL that Charm City is a nickname of Baltimore.
( I curiously zoomed in on the photo to the drink bottle )
TIL that Charm City is a nickname of Baltimore.
( I curiously zoomed in on the photo to the drink bottle )
onocoffee
Member
Baltimore is Charm City. It's a cute monnicker. But despite the water bottle, I should not be confused with a marathon runner...!Sometimes the story is even better than the outcome!
TIL that Charm City is a nickname of Baltimore.
( I curiously zoomed in on the photo to the drink bottle )
Though Charm City Run started out as our business neighbor when they started 25 years ago.
