I am in the process of trying to decide what direction to go for a new SCMS. Our local Woodcraft allowed us to borrow the Kapex for a day this week to evaluate it on the job.
First impression, that is one quiet saw that cuts like a dream. Then I changed the miter angle, and was immediately let down. Then I played with the bevel adjuster, and that is just plain sweet. But then I changed the miter again. BLECH! Of course, the dust collection is amazing! But, oh, that crappy, hard to adjust, piss poor excuse for having the Festool name, and, you have to be kidding me, NO DETENT OVERRIDE?! I'm sorry, I love Festool, and most of the Kapex I love also, but that part is just ridiculous.
Even more so after we got to try the Milwaukee today, and they seem to have the miter table adjustment thing figured out! That saw, out of the box, was dead nuts at 90? and 45?. And the digital readout and geared micro adjustment?! Why in the world couldn't Festool have done that?!
Now, yes, it is one big ole beast of a saw. But I already own a Bosch, and its a big ole beast as well.
I must say, it is also VERY loud, and after using the Kapex, the vibration from the motor and the kick of the brake seem extremely pronounced to me.
The lack of a laser doesn't bother me, unless it could be a laser like the Kapex has, which is pretty much the first useful laser I have seen on a saw.
The lights are nice, and I can definitely see them being useful many times.
So, anyone know how to make a hybrid out of the two saws?!
We are completely torn on which to get, but it will most likely be the Milwaukee purely for price and the brilliant miter adjustments.
As soon as Festool comes out with Kapex 2.0, I am pretty sure I will be right there though.
First impression, that is one quiet saw that cuts like a dream. Then I changed the miter angle, and was immediately let down. Then I played with the bevel adjuster, and that is just plain sweet. But then I changed the miter again. BLECH! Of course, the dust collection is amazing! But, oh, that crappy, hard to adjust, piss poor excuse for having the Festool name, and, you have to be kidding me, NO DETENT OVERRIDE?! I'm sorry, I love Festool, and most of the Kapex I love also, but that part is just ridiculous.
Even more so after we got to try the Milwaukee today, and they seem to have the miter table adjustment thing figured out! That saw, out of the box, was dead nuts at 90? and 45?. And the digital readout and geared micro adjustment?! Why in the world couldn't Festool have done that?!
Now, yes, it is one big ole beast of a saw. But I already own a Bosch, and its a big ole beast as well.
I must say, it is also VERY loud, and after using the Kapex, the vibration from the motor and the kick of the brake seem extremely pronounced to me.
The lack of a laser doesn't bother me, unless it could be a laser like the Kapex has, which is pretty much the first useful laser I have seen on a saw.
The lights are nice, and I can definitely see them being useful many times.
So, anyone know how to make a hybrid out of the two saws?!

We are completely torn on which to get, but it will most likely be the Milwaukee purely for price and the brilliant miter adjustments.
As soon as Festool comes out with Kapex 2.0, I am pretty sure I will be right there though.