lets help design the new kapex

[Alan m]

i decided to start this after reading the thread about if a new one was coming soom
sahne said that tools usually last 5-7 years before a new design comes out.
if these numbers are right they must be developing it now.

i have heard a lot of posts highlighting little issues that could be sorted on the new one.
any ideas of how to make the best saw even better.

i think the saw could be designed for a 50mm hose. this could increase the dc to almost perfect/.
a special switch on the unit that would control the dc seperatly so that you could leave it on for contiues use.
a blower up near the laser that blows the dust into the dc port whenthe saw head is down.
a turret style depth gauge.

 

[waho6o9]

Built in digital read out of angles. woo hoo

 

[GhostFist]

On board espresso maker, imbedded bottle opener on the base for "job well done" celebrations.

 

[Frank-Jan]

Dial-in-mitersetting and zero clearance fence and table inserts would be nice.

 

[awdriven]

Dewalt has an LED backlight for the blade that a lot of people say they like better than their laser setup for sighting the cut. They say that it also is basically self-aligning. It might be interesting to see what Festool could do with eliminating the need to ever align/adjust the lasers.

 

[justinmcf]

i'm with awdriven on this one.

lighting up the work area is critical.

remember festool, we dont all work in a well lit workshop.

a built in l.e.d. lighting system would be a great idea.

one more thing, the zero clearance throat plate which the saw blade drops down into is a joke.
everybody knows that this cheap and nasty piece of plastic swells up in high humidity.
most of the foggers have replaced this with their own timber throat plate.
this little detail certainly needs to be addressed before i spend AU$1800 on the next re-incarnation of the kapex.

justin.

 

[Deansocial]

how about a zero clearance plate that widens as you tilt the saw over so you never cut more off

 

[GhostFist]

Dewalt has an LED backlight for the blade that a lot of people say they like better than their laser setup for sighting the cut. They say that it also is basically self-aligning. It might be interesting to see what Festool could do with eliminating the need to ever align/adjust the lasers.

I tried this out on the last gig I was on and at first liked it but depending on the lighting the shadow can't be trusted. Some sort of light for the work itself is a good idea but it doesn't compare to the lasers.

how about a zero clearance plate that widens as you tilt the saw over so you never cut more off

Now this is a good idea!

 

[GPowers]

how about a zero clearance plate that widens as you tilt the saw over so you never cut more off

This would be very cool.  It would also keep all toughs little sliver of trim from falling down into the plate well.  Plus it would also prevent tear-out.

GREAT idea!!

 

[Alan m]

i have one of those dewalt saws with the shadoet line . i like it for indoor work as the light level in the room is usually poor . outside the sun takes the shadow away so you have to hide the saw from the sun  or get one of those chop saw hoods from fastcap (this is what i have now).

i would like a combination of the 2. the led also is great for lighting up the work surface to see the line.

i dont know about the exresso machine but im sure they could put an attachment on the saw blade or motor to whisk your capuchino [wink]

 

[Brice Burrell]

Great thread Alan. [thumbs up]

A couple of things off the top of my head.  First, the blade guard could be redesigned.  Second, make it with a 12" blade.  Third, more power.  Fourth, redesign the bevel lock to be upfront and do away with the setting knob (the knob for the 0-45, 45-45, 47 settings).

I like the ideas already mentioned of a zero clearance fence and throat, LED light and maybe a digital read out.

 

[mastercabman]

I would like to see a smoother miter table.
Detentes for common crown molding if you need to cut it on the flat.
DC under the the plate to maximize  DC  when cutting crown.
Led light would be nice

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I like the DC from below idea.

The guard release mechanism could use some re-work.

The current size and power work for me.

I guess the only real bother to me is the guard.

 

[fdengel]

Swiveling head which locks in place so that narrow-width workpieces can be pushed along the fence like with a tablesaw, only with the blade (and guard) above the piece instead of sticking up from below.

Make it possible to move the fence back and forth to accomodate this usage of the swiveling head.

Optional ability to [safely] use as a wet saw, possibly requiring added accessories (water tray, pump, whatever).

 

[ajones]

Swiveling head which locks in place so that narrow-width workpieces can be pushed along the fence like with a tablesaw, only with the blade (and guard) above the piece instead of sticking up from below.

Make it possible to move the fence back and forth to accomodate this usage of the swiveling head.

Optional ability to [safely] use as a wet saw, possibly requiring added accessories (water tray, pump, whatever).

                                                      One thing to say about your sugestions,UL [unsure]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

                                                      One thing to say about your sugestions,UL [unsure]

Good point!  [poke] [dead horse]

How 'bout we just forget the whole having a blade on the saw issue, and make the laser do the cutting.  Who cares if you no longer feel like a carpenter with that thing.  It's just freakin' cool!

 

[justinmcf]

you are absolutely right ken!

festool needs to get with the times.
the circular saw blade is so last century.....

i want lasers and i want them now!

 

[Alan m]

what out some type of vacum head on the table so that you dont need to clamp the piece. it would be conected to thevacum pump in the systainer. when the saw is turned on it would start sucking.

 

[jmbfestool]

Great thread Alan. [thumbs up]

A couple of things off the top of my head.  First, the blade guard could be redesigned.  Second, make it with a 12" blade.  Third, more power.  Fourth, redesign the bevel lock to be upfront and do away with the setting knob (the knob for the 0-45, 45-45, 47 settings).

I like the ideas already mentioned of a zero clearance fence and throat, LED light and maybe a digital read out.

I like the Setting knob.  As I dont need to look I know when it stops its either on 0  or if I bevel it I know when it stops I am on 45!   I hate the Dewalts where it drops past 45 and you have to hold it on 45 and lock it.      

My Main improvment I would like to see on the next kapex! Would be the Depth stop!   I am a power tool addict! I like using powers tools where ever possible! Notching wood using a chop saw is a very easy and quick way to house timber! BUT the Kapex Depth stop is the worst in its class!
What I would like to see on the Kapex is a better Depth stop the current height stop is way to low if I wanted to house thicker timbers of the top of my head I cant remember but lets say 3''x3'' only 20mm it wont let me it as the depth stop is to low so I end up housing out like half the 3''x3'' waist of time the depth stop is only good  4 housing door casings  cus they are thin enough for it.

Another thing I would like to see is a light aswell as a laser still I like the laser  but the light would just be to light up the material nothing more no shadow lines just to allow me to see better but not so bright to make it to hard to see the laser of course.  

Also the handle I would like a longer trigger after a few cuts I get fed up of gripping the kapex I would like to be able to drop my hand down to the bottom of the handle but still be able to pull the trigger so I can then use my hand to pull the head of the kapex down instead of gripping it tight to pull it down.    I understand you can not decrease the size of the opening due to people having larger hands and wearing gloves but increasing the length of the trigger so being able to hold it lower down would solve this.

JMB

 

[Brice Burrell]

I like the Setting knob.  As I dont need to look I know when it stops its either on 0  or if I bevel it I know when it stops I am on 45!   I hate the Dewalts where it drops past 45 and you have to hold it on 45 and lock it.......

JMB

I like the older Makita's positive ball detent for 0 and stops that can be set at 45 or greater.

........Also the handle I would like a longer trigger after a few cuts I get fed up of gripping the kapex I would like to be able to drop my hand down to the bottom of the handle but still be able to pull the trigger so I can then use my hand to pull the head of the kapex down instead of gripping it tight to pull it down.    I understand you can not decrease the size of the opening due to people having larger hands and wearing gloves but increasing the length of the trigger so being able to hold it lower down would solve this.

JMB

To me it's not so much the handle or trigger but those stupid safety devices built-in that I don't like.  Although a longer trigger wouldn't hurt.