New Kapex Purchase Concerns

[PeppaPig]

The grease in the saws can separate and seep.  They had a long trip across ocean and probably were stored in warm warehouses.  Many posts here about the seepage.

Peter

I received a replacement saw and it is leaking worse than the first.  I called Festool about it and was told that it was probably the 'arbor bearing' but they were not interested in seeing the photo's that I had and basically blew me off.  I decided to look into it further, and it appears to me that the sealed transmission/gear housing is leaking?

[attachimg=1]

This is a pic I found that shows the armature and the piece it attaches to which I believe is called the 'end shield'
[attachimg=2]

This shows the bottom of the end shield were you can see the gear attached to the armature and an O-ring seal

[attachimg=3]

This is the gear housing which is packed full of grease and appears to me where the leak is coming from - pic is from a saw that someone took apart to replace the motor.  The arbor bearing isn't any where close to this - it is down below and off to the side.

[attachimg=4]

Here is how it looks assembled for reference.  View is from the back of the saw looking forward
[attachimg=5]

and the table isn't flat on this saw either

 

[CumminsDiesel]

WOW,I am shocked!

And no one can say anything about it?

Festool,do you read all this?

 

[Gregor]

... but they were not interested in seeing the photo's that I had and basically blew me off.

To work with professionals, once...

[doh]

 

[semenza]

Not sure what is going on with this or the leaking Kapex.

I have sent a couple messages with respect to these topics.

I am hoping a response is forth coming.

Seth

 

[CumminsDiesel]

There is no way I'll ever buy this KAPEX!  So many problems! [scared]

I'm glad I bought DeWALT,... [thumbs up]

 

[TXFIVEO]

Like there aren’t any lemon Dewalt!  C’mon...I have both the new Kapex and Dewalt DWS780...if you think that saw hasn’t had issues I have some beachfront property for you in North Texas...

 

[xedos]

5-0 , I don't think anyone is saying that. 

What they are saying is that kapex appears to have more than its fair share reoccuring and consistent issues.  These aren't one off lemons being made on the Friday before Xmas break or Octoberfest.

They are also saying that given the price, these issues shouldn't still be occuring.  The real fly in the ointment is BURNT and FAILED MOTORS reported in spades not just here , but elsewhere.  That shouldn't (and doesn't ) happen on Dewalt or anyother make of mitersaw that I'm aware of. 

Festool's handling of the whole debacle just threw gas on the fire in my opinion.

Bottom line is there are different standards customers expect, and at this level they don't expect tools to be leaking oil out of the box or motors crapping out in a couple of years - or ever really.  When the buy a harbor freight mitersaw for less than 99 bucks they'll usually tolerate or even expect such things.  Even then, HF doesn't publicly tell them it's their fault for the problem. 

 

[TXFIVEO]

No Dewalt issues that YOU are aware of.  Fact finding on that statement would need to be verified before making an assumption like that.  Nevertheless, with the thousands of Kapex’s sold I would like to know the percentage of faulty units compared to other manufacturers.  But then again, with Dewalt and similar big box store brands it is much easier to just return it to the store and get another.  Not quite as easy with FESTOOL.  Companies can skew numbers how they want to some extent so how accurate would the numbers be? If we were on a Dewalt forum I’m sure we would find issues with a product of theirs.  And I’m not hating on Dewalt, have NUMEROUS tools of theirs. 

 

[FestitaMakool]

That statement is the whole picture. The fact that FT has a large ww forum.
Usually any brand lucky to create a forum also creates a firm base for fault discussions.
I have seen this other places as well, other brands, other products.
Therefore any brand that does not have a comprehensive forum escapes this kind of product talk.
They will however miss the great marketing that forums create.

 

[ChuckM]

When all these toasted motor threads sprung up, as a (worried) Kapex owner I had had a chance to speak in person to a staff I've known for over a decade at the local vendor where I bought the saw. He has been the designated person who handles all the paperwork and arrangements for all Festool machine repairs at his location since Day 1. His observations:

1) The Kapex did not have the largest %/number of repairs he handled
2) The motors did not feature prominently among the Kapex fixes.

That was one or two years ago or so. My Kapex warranty has since expired (some people say Canadian owners enjoy 5 years of warranty, not 3 on the Kapax), and I hope it will outlast my previous Dewalt which was 8 years old when I sold it.

As I said before, if you can get it with a $300 discount and with new motor parts in it, it's worth taking a risk. You can sleep well at least for the first three years... if it's a consolation. ;D

Of course, stay away from the Kapex if you're concerned about any risk at all. Or, if the purchase price is a bit high in your opinion. Good work does not depend on great tools. Great tools just make the hobby more pleasant.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I had a Kapex 120 REB delivered last year, the box and saw was badly beaten. There’s a thread on here about somewhere.
I called the supplier and they sent out a replacement next day. This one was also in the standard Festool box and packing but, strapped to a pallet to make throwing it about more difficult.
This saw was fine, the packaging from Festool is not adequate for anything, apart from being handed over the counter.
I tried to buy the saw over the counter, from my normal supplier a few days before but, they were out of stock.
I wouldn’t normally opt for having a tool of such weight and cost, sent out but, I had little choice.
To be fair though, it’s not only Festool packaging the needs reviewing, I’ve seen other bad examples from other power tool companies too.

 

[CumminsDiesel]

Like there aren’t any lemon Dewalt!  C’mon...

No,not a single problem!
I'll better buy 2 DeWALT's than this lemon KAPEX!
My DeWALT works flawlessly,it do all the work I need, and I do not sit waiting for my saw to be repaired,
and I do not worry that my motor will burn,or oil leak, or ... well,you know... [big grin]

My 17 years old 10" DeWALT which I sold to my friend,works without any issues,no motor burn,no oil leaks...NOTHING!

 

[TXFIVEO]

To each his own...go Dewalt.  Nothing wrong with that.  I’ll do both!

 

[CumminsDiesel]

it’s not only Festool packaging the needs reviewing, I’ve seen other bad examples from other power tool companies too.

$1,500 bad packaging and $300 bad packaging,see the difference?
For $1500 I expect to see great packaging, and not to worry that if the parcel is delivered incorrectly, the contents will not become a mess.

 

[TXFIVEO]

My Kapex came last month in perfect condition with not a scratch on the box.  One should expect large boxes to get dinged up. As long as the product is secured properly INSIDE the box that’s all that matters.  If this doesn’t happen then by all means contact the seller and take appropriate action.  I’ve had to return Milwaukee’s, many Dewalts, etc.  Doesnt matter if $5 or $100,000.  It’s gonna happen.  Don’t like the green, then go yellow or red. To each his own.  Remember, the tool plays a small role in the end product, it’s about person using the tool.  I built many awesome doors using a cheaply Black & Decker cordless saw and jigsaw.  But the FESTOOLs (and other brands) in my arsenal have made my job much easier and faster.  A great combo. 

 

[FestitaMakool]

To me the concerns about shipping and handling serves me with Festool as well. Most of my Festool comes from a neighbour country. I could travel by car and pick them up, but decided to have them sent. Both the Kapex 120 and the CS 50 was bashed and the box of the CS 50 was totally taped together. Not fun receiving a $2400 tool like that. But the styrofoam had taken the knocks. Both my tools are ok. Again, the sort of damage depends. If the Kapex was dropped hard it might had an uneven base in regards to the force it had received. Maybe I was just lucky.
My earlier Bosch’s where bought over the counter at dealers locally, of course they where ok.
But I think not if they also was shipped like my Festools, packaging isn’t any better. Bosch do good boxes with plenty of cardboard, but no styrofoam. In the end, I think the suppliers should demand proper handling of their goods. Couriers gets away too often. (UPS handles my non domestic Festool purchases, most often the boxes are ok, but with increasing shipping weight follows more damage..) I did claim both shipments, warning that a following claim would be forwarded if I found damage to the tools. The dealer took this seriously. Fortunately I could later report that there were no damage, other than the boxes.

 

[08G8V8]

Bosch do good boxes with plenty of cardboard, but no styrofoam.

I recently bought the Bosch 12” glide mitersaw and had it shipped and it was all styrofoam inside and very secure. The reviews I saw on YouTube all had cardboard inside the box.  The only problem with styrofoam vs cardboard is breaking it down for trash day. 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

it’s not only Festool packaging the needs reviewing, I’ve seen other bad examples from other power tool companies too.

$1,500 bad packaging and $300 bad packaging,see the difference?
For $1500 I expect to see great packaging, and not to worry that if the parcel is delivered incorrectly, the contents will not become a mess.

Just an opinion but, when somebody is selling something, regardless of the price, the customer will expect that product to arrive in a brand new condition, and expect it to be fit for purpose.

 

[TXFIVEO]

Product yes, box not so much...

 

[Gregor]

Product yes, box not so much...

I expect a shipping box to be free of additional (post-pickup) holes, footprints and dimension changes.