I just purchased my first Festool setup, the RO 150 and the CT 36. Love them both! My next need is a new Chop saw, to replace my 18 year old Dewalt 12". Is the price point on the Festool really worth it? I mean, I can get two other saws for the price of this one.... If its REALLY that much better, I would lean towards it. I to like the dust collection set up, as well as the dual lasers! I will mostly be using this for various woodworking projects and furniture making. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
New Festool owner, pondering the Kapex
- Thread starter arborman
- Start date
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Welcome to the forum. This topic has been discussed a few times and a search on the forum may yield some good results for you. But, I'm sure that members will offer their two cents on the topic.
I just wanted to remind you of our 30-day money back guarantee. Get it, try it, if you don't like it, take it back for a no-hassle refund. No risk. Decide for yourself if you think it's worth the money.
Here's one of the more recent discussions on the topic:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/kapex-up-to-hype/
There's also several video reviews of the Kapex and the optional Kapex UG stand with extensions on YouTube.
Shane Holland
Festool USA
I just wanted to remind you of our 30-day money back guarantee. Get it, try it, if you don't like it, take it back for a no-hassle refund. No risk. Decide for yourself if you think it's worth the money.
Here's one of the more recent discussions on the topic:
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/kapex-up-to-hype/
There's also several video reviews of the Kapex and the optional Kapex UG stand with extensions on YouTube.
Shane Holland
Festool USA
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2007
- Messages
- 1,671
arbor man, i have had mine now for several years and I am a professional carpenter and really enjoy the saw, and I think for what you do you will to... as shane says buy it and try it out you have nothing to loose.
you can go to my you tube channel and see the stand and other videos I have on how to make custom cabinets, knocking down sheet goods etc.
search youtube: builtinsbykreg
you will really enjoy my videos, some of them are up for academy awards this year ! ya right.lol
you can go to my you tube channel and see the stand and other videos I have on how to make custom cabinets, knocking down sheet goods etc.
search youtube: builtinsbykreg
you will really enjoy my videos, some of them are up for academy awards this year ! ya right.lol
My wife has been hearing me waffle back and forth on the purchase of a Kapex for a couple of years. Two days after Christmas, she surprised me with the saw. I spend the next week installing a floor and trim in a new shop I'm building. I bet I didn't have a cup of uncaptured dust at the end of the week. It is certainly expensive but I've found it to be a great product. I will not be using the 30 day guarantee.
ccarrolladams
Member
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- Apr 14, 2010
- Messages
- 1,451
arborman said:
Hi Arbor Man and [welcome] to FOG and the Green World of Festools.
The best way to convince yourself of the Kapex advantages is to put one to use. As Shane says, Festool USA has a 30-day return policy. Trying a Kapex in your shop is so easy, because you already own a new CT36 dust extractor. That is an ideal companion for the Kapex. Since you bought the CT36 and RO 150 together, maybe you only own a 27mm x 3.5m Anti Static hose, which is standard with the CT36 and necessary for Festool sanders. The Kapex collects dust even better when using a short 36mm AS hose.
Yes, probably you could buy more than two chop or miter saws for the price of a Kapex. What would be the advantage? How would having more than one saw of unproven accuracy improve your results? What would devoting space to more than one miter saw cost you in terms of having needed machines?
There is a learning curve to getting the most from a Kapex. In an ideal world everyone could participate in a Festool End User Training Class to learn the tips about Kapex before buying one. Fortunately here in FOG we have members sharing tips and experience. Videos of Kapex in action are available.
One more push towards the Kapex [poke]
When I started out there was a thing called a Rockwell Powered Mitersaw. It had 9 inch blades and really started to revolutionize the industry. I bought a Makita back in 1985 and eventually went thru a series of Hitachi products (based on price point). I read about what guys here were saying about the Kapex, but just like you I did the "But I can get two..."
The metal casting broke on the Hitachi in the middle of a cut on a job in 2010. I told my helper to go to lunch and I drove 35 miles to get one. Driving back to the job, my wallet was screaming, I was trying to think how to document the death of the old saw to sooth the beast that I would encounter at home.
I have never regretted it after I plugged it in for the first time. I don't baby mine. It is used for framing lumber as well as trim. Travels daily in the truck or trailer.
Try it. You'll like it!
Peter
When I started out there was a thing called a Rockwell Powered Mitersaw. It had 9 inch blades and really started to revolutionize the industry. I bought a Makita back in 1985 and eventually went thru a series of Hitachi products (based on price point). I read about what guys here were saying about the Kapex, but just like you I did the "But I can get two..."
The metal casting broke on the Hitachi in the middle of a cut on a job in 2010. I told my helper to go to lunch and I drove 35 miles to get one. Driving back to the job, my wallet was screaming, I was trying to think how to document the death of the old saw to sooth the beast that I would encounter at home.
I have never regretted it after I plugged it in for the first time. I don't baby mine. It is used for framing lumber as well as trim. Travels daily in the truck or trailer.
Try it. You'll like it!
Peter
ccarrolladams
Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2010
- Messages
- 1,451
When I first got the chance to use a Kapex for several days during a trip to Europe, I owned many Festools. What I lacked was a shop of my own. I used two rooms in my condo, which is a very long flight above ground level. I rented space in shops belonging to friends. The miter saw I carried from shop to shop was my Hitachi 10" with a single laser.
I kept that same Hitachi when building my current big shop during early 2010. I installed it on a long bench to operator left of a Kapex. To the operator right of the Kapex is my 550mm powerful radial arm saw. In the Spring of 2011 I did eliminate the Hitachi, which had not been used in months. I needed the space to install a Tiger Stop for the Kapex. The other permanently located Kapex in my shop is on the opposite wall in the frame and door department. That Kapex has always been alone on its long bench and was the first to have a Tiger Stop.
As marvelous as the Kapex are, there are times when cutting thick rough lumber it is so convenient to have that massive lumber mill type radial arm saw.
There is a use for every tool, some more obvious than others.
I kept that same Hitachi when building my current big shop during early 2010. I installed it on a long bench to operator left of a Kapex. To the operator right of the Kapex is my 550mm powerful radial arm saw. In the Spring of 2011 I did eliminate the Hitachi, which had not been used in months. I needed the space to install a Tiger Stop for the Kapex. The other permanently located Kapex in my shop is on the opposite wall in the frame and door department. That Kapex has always been alone on its long bench and was the first to have a Tiger Stop.
As marvelous as the Kapex are, there are times when cutting thick rough lumber it is so convenient to have that massive lumber mill type radial arm saw.
There is a use for every tool, some more obvious than others.
arborman said:
The Kapex is tool that will make you wonder why anyone else tries to make a chop saw! I work on site and the Kapex even impresses the clients. One guy felt the cut and asked if I had polished it. ... I just took a 2x4 and cut a sliver off and he could see light thought the off cut. His comment was No wonder the quality of the the work is so good.
The joke my crew has is ~ "What's the difference between a Kapex and God.... God just thinks he can cut well". OH...dang was that Thunder......
Buy a Kapex and learn what all it can do...and you will never regret it!
Cheers,
Steve
waho6o9
Member
Welcome Arborman! You're on the right course, don't deviate. Quality vs. quantity. Stick with quality or you can get about 11
chop saws at Harbor freight for one Kapex, why settled for two?
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/miter-saws.html
+1 for the Kapex Yes, it is that much better and they hold their value quite well. [cool]
chop saws at Harbor freight for one Kapex, why settled for two?
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-tools/miter-saws.html
+1 for the Kapex Yes, it is that much better and they hold their value quite well. [cool]
Jesse Cloud
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 1,746
Welcome Arbor Man!!
I'm also a hobbyist, doing stuff around the house and making furniture. I have the Kapex and love it. BUT [scared]...
I have two cautions for you 1)If you are looking for a chop saw to cut rough lumber, the Kapex does not excel. You might want something with a bigger blade and more travel. 2)There may be other Festools that you might want to get first.
The Kapex is a great miter saw, especially for bevels and compound angles. Dust collection is way better than any other miter saw I know of. But there's nothing revolutionary about it, its just better than others.
The really revolutionary tool that changes the game is the Domino. If you do mortise and tenon, you owe it to yourself to give this tool a good look. The track saw and the MFT are also game changers. No need to lift heavy sheet goods onto a tablesaw anymore. The TS saws have amazingly good dust collection, especially for MDF. I cut just as accurately on the TS as I can on my Unisaw.
The routers can also run on the tracks, opening up lots of new router tricks.
I bought these things before the Kapex and the drills. Each of the other tools really opened new doors. The Kapex and the drills are good tools and I'm glad I have them, but for me at least, they weren't real game changers.
In any case, the advice in the posts above is solid. Get one and try it for 30 days. There's no real learning curve, so by thirty days you will know if its worth the $$ for you.
I'm also a hobbyist, doing stuff around the house and making furniture. I have the Kapex and love it. BUT [scared]...
I have two cautions for you 1)If you are looking for a chop saw to cut rough lumber, the Kapex does not excel. You might want something with a bigger blade and more travel. 2)There may be other Festools that you might want to get first.
The Kapex is a great miter saw, especially for bevels and compound angles. Dust collection is way better than any other miter saw I know of. But there's nothing revolutionary about it, its just better than others.
The really revolutionary tool that changes the game is the Domino. If you do mortise and tenon, you owe it to yourself to give this tool a good look. The track saw and the MFT are also game changers. No need to lift heavy sheet goods onto a tablesaw anymore. The TS saws have amazingly good dust collection, especially for MDF. I cut just as accurately on the TS as I can on my Unisaw.
The routers can also run on the tracks, opening up lots of new router tricks.
I bought these things before the Kapex and the drills. Each of the other tools really opened new doors. The Kapex and the drills are good tools and I'm glad I have them, but for me at least, they weren't real game changers.
In any case, the advice in the posts above is solid. Get one and try it for 30 days. There's no real learning curve, so by thirty days you will know if its worth the $$ for you.
Thank you everyone, for the posts and feedback.
So, I did an about face... I actually instead just purchased the MFT3 along with the TS 75. I am still eyeing the Kapex, but thought that the other purchase was a bit smarter at the moment for my needs. I really am interested in the Kapex, and I am sure I will go this route when the time comes... My only nagging thought is that I could by a top of the line brand from another company, and then have enough dough left over to get the Domino Joiner!
So, what do you think of that plan? Is it better off to have a Domino Joiner from Festool and another premium saw, or just the Kapex and no Domino Joiner? Tough decisions..
So, I did an about face... I actually instead just purchased the MFT3 along with the TS 75. I am still eyeing the Kapex, but thought that the other purchase was a bit smarter at the moment for my needs. I really am interested in the Kapex, and I am sure I will go this route when the time comes... My only nagging thought is that I could by a top of the line brand from another company, and then have enough dough left over to get the Domino Joiner!
So, what do you think of that plan? Is it better off to have a Domino Joiner from Festool and another premium saw, or just the Kapex and no Domino Joiner? Tough decisions..
Welcome to the FOG
If a Miter Saw is your next need, The KAPEX is the undisputed leader. nothing comes close... I started with Hitachi 8" SCMS's back when they first hit the market, and over the past 20 some-odd years, have owned or used more numerous saws than I can remember, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING, (not even Industrial Pistorius type chop saws... -come close to the Kapex.
You'll not regret your purchase.
Since you already own a Rotex and a Dust Extractor, you already have a jumpstart on things... pickup the Kapex next, followed by an MFT3/TS55 or 75, and an OF1400. -the Domino should also be within your immediate horizons. w.ith this arsenal, there isn't much you can't tackle...
If a Miter Saw is your next need, The KAPEX is the undisputed leader. nothing comes close... I started with Hitachi 8" SCMS's back when they first hit the market, and over the past 20 some-odd years, have owned or used more numerous saws than I can remember, but nothing, and I mean NOTHING, (not even Industrial Pistorius type chop saws... -come close to the Kapex.
You'll not regret your purchase.
Since you already own a Rotex and a Dust Extractor, you already have a jumpstart on things... pickup the Kapex next, followed by an MFT3/TS55 or 75, and an OF1400. -the Domino should also be within your immediate horizons. w.ith this arsenal, there isn't much you can't tackle...
arborman said:
Arborman,
You have to ask yourself what do "you need" and what will give "you the most value"? What is the best first or next tool for me is not what is not necessarily good or right for you.
What I will say after owning Festool is this. I will buy any Festool brand tool I need if they make the tool I need. Festool makes you money via quality, performance, dust extraction, accuracy, etc.. Also Festool is a stand up company that you can count on.
If you need a saw that does what the Kapex does..... go for the Festool you will never regret it. Now if you want a tool you can leave out in the rain and let the kids cut bricks with when you are not around.... go for an off brand.....
Cheers,
Steve
Arborman,
Congrats on the purchase of the MFT/3 and the TS-75. You will find this combo to be very versatile when cutting flat stock. Eventually you will want to expand on the abilities of the TS-75 and will find a need for either a long rail or another shorter rail and connector bars. To get more functionality of the MFT you should put on your list some clamps. Guys here will certainly speak praises for the ratcheting quick clamps, but the less expensive screw clamps work just fine and can apply more pressure.
I am going to recommend a non Festool product for you to consider also. Qwas Dogs. They will help you set up your MFT/3 to incredible accuracy and make it a joy to use. For years I thought they were over-rated but after recently getting some I can tell you that I consider myself an idiot for not getting them earlier. I now use my MFT/3 more than my Kapex.
Peter
Congrats on the purchase of the MFT/3 and the TS-75. You will find this combo to be very versatile when cutting flat stock. Eventually you will want to expand on the abilities of the TS-75 and will find a need for either a long rail or another shorter rail and connector bars. To get more functionality of the MFT you should put on your list some clamps. Guys here will certainly speak praises for the ratcheting quick clamps, but the less expensive screw clamps work just fine and can apply more pressure.
I am going to recommend a non Festool product for you to consider also. Qwas Dogs. They will help you set up your MFT/3 to incredible accuracy and make it a joy to use. For years I thought they were over-rated but after recently getting some I can tell you that I consider myself an idiot for not getting them earlier. I now use my MFT/3 more than my Kapex.
Peter
