lets help design the new kapex

[speed]

3 things for me

1 bevel lock on the front, you cant lean over and just flip the lever you have to pull the saw forward on the rails and makesure the hose is out of the way

2 the vac kicks in on lowering the head so its upto full suction before you start the saw

3 the trenching mode to be better as i fw times when ive cut a trench the cut got a little deeper if i apply too much weight

 

[MrMac]

I don't have a kapex- yet but it's high on my list. From what little I know having used it briefly at the dealers, I would really like that digital readout. I have that on my Milwaukee saw now (12") its really nice, 1/10th deg readout. Problem is that this saw is a huge boat anchor! oh, it's got lights built into the head, so that's good.

Smoother "swing" on the table, anyone tried the new Makita? super smooth! Up front bevel controls? not sure about that, I rarely need the bevel feature, so that's not an issue for me.

Lasers! can't see them. red/green color blind issues, ya I'm defective so sue me! LOL I'm so used to not using them I don't know if one would be an advantage.

That shadow light that someone mentioned on the Dewalt? I've used a Dewalt with one on. It is a good sharp line, but it moves as you bring the saw head down close to the wood - sometimes that's a pain to do, three hands needed.

Re-design of the crown stops, if you use the festool stand, the stops can't go on.

Oh, and if business continues to be good, I'll need this new designed saw by mid October please?

MrMac204

 

[sancho57]

Has anyone mentioned a pneumatic version of the Kapex?

Maybe include and beer opener attachment er ah I mean a bottle opener

 

[Laminator]

I didn't mention it before but the reason for a straight up dust chute is so the hose would not interfere with the bevel clamp control.  A straight dust chute would be a simple part to make (for Festool) and easy to change out from the stock one.

 

[stairman]

1st, I'd like a double systainer for the saw. this will have some decent size casters on it, and will allow a double stack of regular systainers to latch onto it.  -I'm sure more than a few of you can appreciate where I am coming from with this,  but in any case, being able to roll ALL your tools in on the first trip would be a Godsend!  (I think it would be,  -I can only imagine)

Next, the clamping issue...

there are clamps which you set to the workpiece thickness,  then as you pull the saw head down, it clamps the workpiece
if enough tension isn't created, the trigger locks out...      You need only 1 small clamping fence on each side of the blade, and the entire mechanism is purely mechanical,  however it could be easily removed and the trigger reverted to normal operation with minimum effort.
-but with this system installed,  as you pull the head DOWN,  it CLAMPS  -simple as that...

 

[ajones]

1st, I'd like a double systainer for the saw. this will have some decent size casters on it, and will allow a double stack of regular systainers to latch onto it.  -I'm sure more than a few of you can appreciate where I am coming from with this,  but in any case, being able to roll ALL your tools in on the first trip would be a Godsend!  (I think it would be,   -I can only imagine)

Next, the clamping issue...

there are clamps which you set to the workpiece thickness,  then as you pull the saw head down, it clamps the workpiece
if enough tension isn't created, the trigger locks out...      You need only 1 small clamping fence on each side of the blade, and the entire mechanism is purely mechanical,  however it could be easily removed and the trigger reverted to normal operation with minimum effort.
-but with this system installed,  as you pull the head DOWN,  it CLAMPS   -simple as that...

One word......weight and one smily [unsure]

 

[stairman]

I don't think so...  I have a Triton Metal Cutting saw which has a clamping system like this and there is very little to it...  this is a very simple mechanical system that takes advantage of the force used to pull the head down.  if I removed the system from this Triton saw,  enlarged it another 60-75% it MIGHT weigh 1.5 -2lbs... 

the retractable throat plates idea from earlier in this thread could use a mechanical system that is fundamentally identical . 

 

[awdriven]

I think the UG cart is their solution to transporting the Kapex. It's better for moving from truck to site because you can more easily pull it up curbs, door thresholds, etc than you could with something like a double-width 'syscart'. The saw is also usable quickly after you arrive on site because you don't have to take it out of a case - AND it is already mounted to it's table-height stand, so you don't have to also carry and set up horses.

The disadvantage is that you can't really carry any systainers with/on the UG and you can't tie together a couple systainers in your truck for a more secure carry. The UG also doesn't provide as much protection for the saw as something like a systainer would.

I need to start saving pennies, either for someone's used Kapex or a Kapex Zwei when it comes out.

 

[Alan m]

I think the UG cart is their solution to transporting the Kapex. It's better for moving from truck to site because you can more easily pull it up curbs, door thresholds, etc than you could with something like a double-width 'syscart'. The saw is also usable quickly after you arrive on site because you don't have to take it out of a case - AND it is already mounted to it's table-height stand, so you don't have to also carry and set up horses.

The disadvantage is that you can't really carry any systainers with/on the UG and you can't tie together a couple systainers in your truck for a more secure carry. The UG also doesn't provide as much protection for the saw as something like a systainer would.

I need to start saving pennies, either for someone's used Kapex or a Kapex Zwei when it comes out.

not sure what your talking about. hopefully its a new tool that we have yet to see.

maybe you should make a  syport trailer for the ug stand

 

[Guy Ashley]

Alan

Zwei is German for 2, so he means the Kapex 2 or Mk2 or second edition.

 

[awdriven]

Exactly, thanks   Don't run out to check and see if that domain name has been reserved or anything, it was just my made up name for the next miter saw.

 

[Alan m]

sorry . stupid mistake. ne spragan ze doitch. (sorry my spelling is worse than my pronounciation)

 

[Kev]

Get creative guys ... how about an off centre blade drive, something that'll let a 10 inch blade cut about 6 1/2 inches or more. This could incorporate a quick change blade mechanism. Take the technology then to the plunge saws - more compact with greater cutting depth. Sure there'll need to be a drive tooth pattern on one face of the blade and there'll need to be some serious alignment capstans, etc.

Another option would be massive refinement of the chainsaw principle, for a fine accurate cut. CHAINEX ? KAPPACHAINO ?

 

[zapdafish]

Remove the spinning blade and up the power of the lasers, waaaaaay up  [thumbs up]

No more sharpening and no more dust collection problems  [big grin]

 

[fritter63]

A 12", er uh, 304 mm blade capacity.....

Should be called the "Kapex 305"

 

[CutsTwice]

I'll put in another vote for a built in work light. I've installed one from a Makita onto my Kapex, and it was heavenly......until the transformer died a year later.

I also really like the idea of switching to continuous run on the vacuum from the saw for repeat cutting.

 

[Kev]

Why does everyone have a thing about continuous run on the vac via the KAPEX?? I'd like the vac to have a variable overrun timer ... that way the feature would be available for all of the Festool tools.

And the lights ... Festool got it right by creating a highly effective battery powered light. For the rest, the work site should be well lit.

Really ... does anyone expect a floodlight on the end of their hammer?

 

[CutsTwice]

A couple of things Kev,

No matter what anyone says, the Kapex is the weakest link in Festool's dust collecting tools. If the vacuum would run constantly during a cutting session, it would reduce the amount of fine particles that you breath in. Of course I could walk around the saw stand, bend over, and turn my van on manually, just to shut it off three minutes later... but I don't want to.

We cannot get the work light in North America yet. Even if I could, I don't want to rig up some stand to hold it over my saw. People such as cabinet installers aren't usually on a job site for more than a day or two, and much of the time the light fixtures aren't even installed yet. This means that if I have pack, plug in, and place one less light in a kitchen during an install, I would pay extra to have one built into my saw.

When I make a cut for...let's say crown molding...I want it to be precise. If it's overcast outside while working in a kitchen with little light other than a picture window that has plastic stretched over it for the painters I have a hard time cutting to within a 32nd. Maybe my eyes aren't so great, but I would still pay for a built in light on the Kapex. After trying one, I'll tell you that in my opinion, any other option is silly.

 

[Alan m]

the xps light on my dewalt 718 is one of the best deatures

 

[Kev]

A couple of things Kev,

No matter what anyone says, the Kapex is the weakest link in Festool's dust collecting tools. If the vacuum would run constantly during a cutting session, it would reduce the amount of fine particles that you breath in. Of course I could walk around the saw stand, bend over, and turn my van on manually, just to stuff it off three minutes later... but I don't want to.

We cannot get the work light in North America yet. Even if I could, I don't want to rig up some stand to hold it over my saw. People such as cabinet installers aren't usually on a job site for more than a day or two, and much of the time the light fixtures aren't even installed yet. This means that if I have pack, plug in, and place one less light in a kitchen during an install, I would pay extra to have one built into my saw.

When I make a cut for...let's say crown molding...I want it to be precise. If it's overcast outside while working in a kitchen with little light other than a picture window that has plastic stretched over it for the painters I have a hard time cutting to within a 32nd. Maybe my eyes aren't so great, but I would still pay for a built in light on the Kapex. After trying one, I'll tell you that in my opinion, any other option is silly.

I'm not suggesting people dance arounmd the KAPEX, constantly turning the vacuum on and off - an adjustable overrun timer on the vacuums that have a power out would give flexibility for any power tool - not just a KAPEX.

I would still maintain lighting is a wider issue - also i'd hate to see the results where painters were working in relative darkness! Good all round lighting also increases safety.