Most disappointing Fastcap purchase -- Not True

[ChuckM]

I never thought I'd buy the Fastcap mortise markers (https://www.fastcap.com/product/mortise-marker), but with free money (a gift card), why not?

I couldn't believe that, as an owner of some of Fastcap's nice products (ZCI tape for my Kapex, e.g.), I'd write this public complaint. (Edit: which turned out to be wrong -- please jump to the last post)

I had paid close to $100 Cdn for a set of10 cheap, PLASTIC markers.

(Edit: They aren't plastic but aluminum.)

Nowhere in the spec or overview is it mentioned that the markers are plastic. No wonder they provide two sets of the same thing, because they're expecting they will break from use -- not the case if they're metal. I would rather they make just one set of 5 in steel or aluminum (or perhaps charge more).

 

[Frank-Jan]

My guess would be they provide 2 of each to be able to mark 2 mortices at same time if necessary. Have you used them? (I don't own any fastcap products, so don't have them myself) Your concerns may be granted, but they could also perform as advertised, just thinking there are other reasons to have 2 of each size apart from needing a spare after they break.

 

[ChuckM]

I don't have any project to use any of them yet. I suppose one has to remember not to hit the stock hard if it's hard wood. Edit: The markers are made of aluminum.

 

[Neil Lickfold]

Chuck, Can you please post a picture of what you bought please. The product in the add , looks to be made of metal and not plastic.

 

[smorgasbord]

Just went to the web site and the close up photo sure looks like CNC milled aluminum to me:

 

[luvmytoolz]

Aluminium or plastic, the machining leaves a bit to be desired if they're all like that pic.

 

[ChuckM]

Just went to the web site and the close up photo sure looks like CNC milled aluminum to me:
View attachment 375320

You're right about the markers being aluminum as I took a closer look and scratched it. Thanks for making that observation that drove me to reexamine the product.

I was fooled by their appearance and light weight in mis-thinking that they're plastic.

The misunderstanding is surely my complete fault. I'm editing the earlier posts to reflect the finding.

 

[ChuckM]

A quick drive with the 6mm marker on pine. I also made a hook for retrieval.

 

[Packard]

The zero clearance tape for my chop saw. The opening enlarged rather quickly and lost its utility for clean cuts. It remained useful for accurate measured cuts.

I suppose the opening enlarged because of some alignment of the blade (blade wobble?). But useless for my shop.

 

[ChuckM]

I think the widening of the saw kerf on the tape or on the ZCI (in the case of my SawStop) can also be due to the flexing of the blade or wood movement that pushes the blade as cuts are made. From time to time, I use Bondo to "refresh" the saw kerf on the insert to restore the zero clearance.

The tape seems to last much longer on the Kapex, and so far I have replaced it two times (once after making many different bevel cuts).

 

[Packard]

My chop saw is an older DeWalt 12”—about 25 years old. As quickly as the tape opening enlarges leads me to believe that the spindle (shaft) for the blade may be out of alignment.

I have a dedicated 45 degree angle sliding table saw from my picture framing business, and that gets all the really precise work I have.

I mostly use the DeWalt for cut to length work.

I should get a dial indicator to check blade rounout.