My thoughts on the Kapex

[Crazyraceguy]

As a sufferer from tinnitus (luckily just a mild case of it) I can promise you you will regret not making the small effort of putting on hearing protection for the rest of your life. I my case I got it from just one job working as a roady for a very popular hard rock band almost 4 decades ago. No one was wearing earmuffs or something similar in those days. But ever since I have a high-pitched peep in my right ear and it never ever stops. I my case it is just a nuisance, but to some it can get so bad they don't want to live anymore. Not that I am trying to imply that would happen to everyone using a mitre saw without hearing protection. Not at all. But it is heart wrenching to hear their stories.

I am just the opposite. I put my safety glasses on first thing in the door, but never wear hearing protection of any kind. Tinnitus has been with me, from a fever as a teenager, for over 40 years now.
Ear plugs of any kind drive me nuts and earbuds that make play music are not a good thing in a shop full of people. Mine is equal in both ears and a constant ring/squeel. It "sort of" works like an old cell phone, where it seems one way. It is less pronounced when there is background noise happening, total silence is the most annoying.

As far as the the mitersaw, I run a Dewalt 10" slider. DW717 I think? I got my first one back in '09 when I needed to replace the 8.5" Dewalt that I had before it. This was a brand new model in the Dewalt line at that time. Their main sliding saw was 12", but I have never gotten along with a 12" saw from any manufacturer. 12" blades just deflect too much for me in a cabinet shop.
The 10" Dewalt will crosscut 12.5" at 90 degrees and if I need more than that there is a Laguna P12/10 just a few steps away.
I initially was looking into the Kapex when I got the DW717, but my local Festool dealer cautioned me away from it. He said that it would not stand up to the industrial environment where I would be using it. Since I was familiar with the DW717, I stayed with it.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I have a kapex and prefer my Makita new model better dust collection and smoother running saw. The kapex makes a grinding noise when running not as smooth as I expected when I bought it.

I'd say if it's making a grinding noise you've got something seriously wrong there!

Other than the usual noise from a brushed motor, which is still pretty excellent compared to other SCMS's I've owned, it's not at all overly noisy in use I find. The only saw I've ever had that was quieter than the Kapex was an old ELU with an induction motor.

 

[MaineShop]

I love my kapex and use it everyday. In terms of cutting angles there is no easier way in my opinion. In terms of dust collection I do have a Makita trim saw that I bought over a decade ago that kills it on dust collection. It is a little 7 1/2" slider that is near dustless and gives a very good cut. I pull it out on a jobsite if I don't bring the kapex as the makita is small and very easy to lug around, it is one of their double sliders so it has good capacity. Sadly makita updated the model and having used its replacement I was not as impressed. I think the dust collection on the kapex is more then adequate however and am very happy with the saw. Been using mine for my primary income for seven years.

Adam