My CSMS has bitten the dust

[tdfiver]

My Makita LS0714 has bitten the dust after many years hard labour. Now what do I get to replace this trusty old steed ? I don't do 'site' work, mostly peoples homes or local commercial premises.

Whatever, it should not be much bigger (physically) than the Makita, though I would like bigger blade, say 216mm, and be able to tilt both ways would be nice, but must be up to living in the back of my van. 

Fancy the DeWalt DW712 ?? also seen the new Metabo saws but look a bit too large.

I don't need a larger saw as I have the Dewalt 708 (305mm blade) as well which is a bit big to be humping around. I haven't seen the Festool yet, there are 2 models ?? but a bit pricey and don't know if they'll be up to living in a van.

any advice, I'm in Scotland fyi.

 

[semenza]

I think you would  find that the Festool Kapex is plenty durable, I know that quite a few people have posted that they haul it to jobs all the time with no issues.   

Seth

 

[festooldude]

The Kapex 120 for sure!! Great power/capacity to weight and quality/warrenty to price ratio!! Also love the mobilty with the ug set and got to appreciate the really really great dust collection, especially when you're working in peoples homes..

Thnx

 

[Stone Message]

RvB is right - the Kapex 120 is excellent. I made some things a few weeks ago where I needed to be able to do 60 degree cuts - no problem and the finish is so smooth. I spent yesterday at Mrs Miggen's house and, thanks to the Kapex, I was able to do some bevel-mitre cuts to the exact measurement that I had taken - 1/2 degree by 22 1/2 degrees, perfect.

Dust collection is great, it is very sturdy and the dual lasers are a huge help.

Peter

 

[jmbfestool]

I have used many many compound mitre saws. Also the standard stands every one uses! Which are fine!

But the kapex wins hands down!  With portability, weight, accuracy, smooth cutting, size and dust extraction.

When I first got the kapex loved the saw mainly because its size and weight it's so light and can be placed close upto a wall.  Brilliant for people's homes because of them reasons above! Then I bought a CT22 vac and it made the kapex even better for working in people's homes!  

Then the UG-stand came out in the uk and at first I didn't like it I thought it has 6 point of contact on the floor which makes it more difficult to level up etc wheels are hard bounces your kapex about abit  but after a bit I love it!  Doesn't add hardly any extra weight to you kapex and it's very quick to set up. The arm extensions are good especially for full support and repeated cuts with the stops. Another good feature for working in people's homes is you don't have to add the arm extensions if you don't require them and don't have the room.

I wouldn't want the kapex with out the UGstand now.

It's easier to get the kapex on the UG stand in/out of your van just lift and wheel it in and it's stores nicely in your van. Unlike the dewalts,makita etc.

So if your looking for a saw to work in small local commercial premises and people's homes it's the best saw you can buy.

The bad points!

Trenching unfortunately is very very poor one of the worst depth stops I have used. Luckily I own a TS55 which can do the job what the kapex can't handle. Which is a shame!

The cutting capacity depth is sometimes a little to shallow but it's rare I come across needing the cut stock bigger than the kapex can handle unless its really big which happens more often but no protable chop saw can handle them sizes anyway.  I suppose it's between size,weight or cutting capacity cant have both.

The blade guard is unreachable so if your doing cuts and the guard  catches you can't reach the gaurd to move it out the way.  So my guard is permantly fixed up out of the way! Not the safest thing but it has to be done!

Jmb

 

[score0matic]

if you were happy with your 0714 replace it with the same.  You wont find a lighter saw or one that has better dust collection anywhere.  I have been thrilled with mine.  Unless you are doing lots of 6" crown and like cutting it nested you dont need anything bigger.

 

[tdfiver]

if you were happy with your 0714 replace it with the same.  You wont find a lighter saw or one that has better dust collection anywhere.   I have been thrilled with mine.  Unless you are doing lots of 6" crown and like cutting it nested you dont need anything bigger.

Thanks, I've thinking the same, the Festool is just too expensive nearly 3 times the cost of the little makita.