Lucky me! I am hoping to get a brand spanking new spring plate.

[Neill]

Well I decided that a reasonable amount of "work out the bugs" time had passed and sprung for a Kapex last week.  I received it on Friday 11/21/08.  I have played with a bit the past week.  The lasers seemed to be right where I wanted them and the alignment seemed to check out.

Well today 11/28/08 while making some mitre cuts the dreaded scraping started.  The table was very difficult to pivot.  When turning it to the left towards the angle finder,  I could not get it to 45*.  I assume this is all related to the now infamous spring plate.

I tried to call Festool repair today but apparently they were closed.  I will call on Monday.

I love this saw and plan to keep it.  I know this is an old topic but could someone please reassure me that this is an easy repair that should fix my problem?  When they do send the new spring plate, were there instructions included to make the repair?

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Neill

 

[mastercabman]

Yes the new plate will fix the scrapping.I was at my local woodcraft today and played with the demo Kapex with the new plate and what a difference it was compared to the old one.
Good luck with your saw and enjoy it!!!!

 

[Frank Pellow]

I'm on the sidelines watching the Kapex doings because I cannot justify buying andy electric miter saw, let alone a Kapex.

But, I do have a question.  After all this controversy, why is Festool still allowing any Kapex to be shipped to any customer with a defective plate?

 

[mastercabman]

I'm on the sidelines watching the Kapex doings because I cannot justify buying andy electric miter saw, let alone a Kapex.

But, I do have a question.  After all this controversy, why is Festool still allowing any Kapex to be shipped to any customer with a defective plate?

That's a good question!!!!!!!!

 

[peter halle]

Interesting.  I went into my local woodcraft the other day and they had their plate replaced also. You could actually turn the saw now. I will assume that Festool replaced the plates for customers before dealers. If so, good for customer service but bad for sales. Good bet in my eyes.

Peter

 

[Dan Clermont]

My understanding is all saws are checked before leaving the warehouse. The saws I have in stock have all been opened and checked before they were shipped up to Canada.

I am wondering if your dealer had some older stock which was part of the original shipment.

Dan Clermont

 

[MiterMaster]

When they do send the new spring plate, were there instructions included to make the repair?

No instructions are included with the replacement spring plate, but it's pretty much self explanatory.  The handle is held in place with the spring plate.  You will see 2 screws underneath the handle, these screws hold the spring plate / handle in place.  Take out the screws, remove old plate, add new plate, replace screws and it's done.

A simple test to determine if in fact you have a spring plate issue, loosen up the 2 screws holding your current spring plate - if the scrapping goes away after loosening up the screws then the modified spring plate will correct your problem.   

Mike

 

[Sparky977]

I still don't understand why this didn't come up in Europe?  Didn't they have the saw for at least a year before we did?  Is there something different about them?

 

[honeydoman]

like the discussions have been going........ why?

it was probably old stock..... lets think so.  festool supposidly check them all out.  i can't imagine all the saws sitting in shops that have not been used yet, much, and will have this stupid design problem.

i still don't understand how all miter saws that I have used and are sold never had this problem then festool comes out with a 3 times the price great saw that was used in europe and this happens.  somebody should be fired!!!!! if not already.... where is donald trump when you need him to kick as# and fire someome!

 

[MiterMaster]

I still don't understand why this didn't come up in Europe?  Didn't they have the saw for at least a year before we did?  Is there something different about them?

From what I understand, the saws in Europe had a reverse issue - the turntable turned too easily and would not lock securely in non-detent positions.  To correct this they stiffened up the turntable with a thicker spring plate, which corrected the problem of locking down in non-detents, however created a new problem as on some saws the lack of clearance with the thicker spring plate can lead to scrapping.

Neill - curious as to what the manuf date is on your Kapex?

Mike

 

[Neill]

Thanks to everyone who has responded to my post and especially to Mike (aka MiterMaster) who is blessed with knowledge beyond his years.   The beauty of this forum is all you fellow posters who are so willing to help others that you have never met and probably never will meet.  It's this desire to help others that makes this such a positive experience.

I loosened the two screws in question and the table moved very easily.  I tried backing them off a little at a time.  There seemed to be no happy medium.  Either it was still scraping, albeit to a lesser degree,  or it swung too easily.  It is definitely usable although the table is not locked down.  I guess I will be calling Festool on Monday.

The build date was "04/08".

Thanks again to all of you for your help an support.

Neill

 

[Neill]

Well, I e-mailed Festool yesterday (Sunday 11/30/08) requesting the new spring plate.  I got a telephone call back this morning to discuss my problem and assure that the spring plate was the issue.  It was confirmed and my repair part is on the way.

I know that Festool should have done this or that regarding the faulty part to begin with, but you sure cannot argue with the courteous, knowledgable and attentive customer service you get.

Neill

 

[honeydoman]

well Neil that is great and yes festool has great customer service  it still  amazes me that there are still new saws being sold with spring plates that have not been replace on allllllll of the sawwwwwwws  all of them! 

but hey good luck and hopefully that will do it for you!

 

[Neill]

well Neil that is great and yes festool has great customer service  it still  amazes me that there are still new saws being sold with spring plates that have not been replace on allllllll of the sawwwwwwws   all of them! 

but hey good luck and hopefully that will do it for you!

Thanks, Honey.    I know you have had your share of issues the Kapex.  If I remember correctly #5?

Neill

 

[Neill]

Well....

I got my new spring plate today (12/5/08) from Festool.  I was able to install it about as fast as I could turn the allen wrench.  It seems to have done the trick.  Now I just need to start on my next project.  Does prime lumber turned into firewood qualify for the December prize?

Thanks once again to everyone for their advice and support.

Neill

 

[honeydoman]

yes neil you are correct  5 kapex I have gone through and now I have none.  will wait till next year and see what they do or come out with.