New Kapex - Slide rails/bearings sticky

[feckman]

Hi All,

New member and new to Festool, but since purchasing (and being amazed by) a Planex and dust collector for a shop expansion project I'm doing, I can see I've started down a rabbit hole.  To that end, I just received a new Kapex miter saw that I ordered last week from Rockler.

Unfortunately, it was surprisingly poorly packaged, and the box and internal styrofoam arrived fairly smashed up and damaged.  Thanks, UPS.    That said, the saw itself looked okay, but now that I am setting it up, the slide rails/bearings are VERY sticky/jumpy.  Like, they stick, release, stick, release as I'm sliding the head back and forth.  I'm guessing this isn't remotely close to correct given the cost and reputation of the saw, but I'd appreciate it if someone could confirm that this isn't just how they are until they're broken in.  I've cycled it back and forth about 100 times and it isn't really getting better.

I hate the idea of sending it back to Rockler and all that will entail, but I hate the idea of a $1500+ saw that isn't perfect even more.

Many thanks in advance!

--Jim.

 

[SoonerFan]

My Kapex is about 8 years old but it is not sticky at all.  Has been very smooth from the day I got it.  Good luck.

 

[ChuckM]

Should slide smoothly like butter. Talk to the vendor and see what advice they give you first.

 

[Birdhunter]

Send it back ASAP!

 

[batmanimal]

That is not normal. I purchased one about a month ago and have never experienced anything close to what you describe. I would contact Rockler for a return ASAP.

It’s an excellent saw. But I agree it is packaged surprisingly badly in the box for shipping. I was fortunate to find one at a local dealer.

Here’s what mine looked like inside the box. It was pristine, but I was a little surprised by all the voids in the box - that styrofoam is doing a lot of heavy lifting for a $1500+ saw here.

[attachimg=1]

 

[feckman]

Here’s what mine looked like inside the box. It was pristine, but I was a little surprised by all the voids in the box - that styrofoam is doing a lot of heavy lifting for a $1500+ saw here.

[member=77343]batmanimal[/member] you nailed it perfectly.  That's exactly what mine looked like except the box was smashed up and the styrofoam was all cracked.  Pretty surprising, honestly.

Anyway, thanks to all for confirmation that the stickiness isn't normal.  I called Festool this morning and they said I can either send it in for a repair or send it back to Rockler for an exchange.  Given what seems to be the scarcity of these saws right now, I think I'm going to send it in for repair.  Does anyone have experience with Festool's repair service speed and quality?

Many thanks again!

 

[DynaGlide]

Here’s what mine looked like inside the box. It was pristine, but I was a little surprised by all the voids in the box - that styrofoam is doing a lot of heavy lifting for a $1500+ saw here.

[member=77343]batmanimal[/member] you nailed it perfectly.  That's exactly what mine looked like except the box was smashed up and the styrofoam was all cracked.  Pretty surprising, honestly.

Anyway, thanks to all for confirmation that the stickiness isn't normal.  I called Festool this morning and they said I can either send it in for a repair or send it back to Rockler for an exchange.  Given what seems to be the scarcity of these saws right now, I think I'm going to send it in for repair.  Does anyone have experience with Festool's repair service speed and quality?

Many thanks again!

A quick Google search turned up at least one retailer with online inventory. I'd return it and buy a new one.

 

[ChuckM]

I agree with DynaGlide -- Get a new one if you can. Festool repair? Lately, it has seemed to be a hit-or-miss experience depending on which post you see in this forum.

 

[feckman]

A quick Google search turned up at least one retailer with online inventory. I'd return it and buy a new one.

I did a quick Google search and saw zero inventory.  Beaver Industrial, Tool Nut, Acme, Rockler, US Tool, Woodcraft, Pro Cabinet Supply, Coastal Tool, Lee Valley all backordered.  I'll dig deeper and see what I can find.

 

[DynaGlide]

A quick Google search turned up at least one retailer with online inventory. I'd return it and buy a new one.

I did a quick Google search and saw zero inventory.  Beaver Industrial, Tool Nut, Acme, Rockler, US Tool, Woodcraft, Pro Cabinet Supply, Coastal Tool, Lee Valley all backordered.  I'll dig deeper and see what I can find.

I'll PM you the link. Check your inbox in a minute.

 

[Cheese]

I'd talk with Rockler and see if they have an extra Kapex or if one of their other local stores has another.

I don't know if the packaging on that Kapex is intended for pallet shipping or for single item shipping. It almost seems like it's for pallet shipping. I say that because when I received mine 8 years ago it came in 2 cardboard boxes. Don't know if Festool changed the shipping procedures or if the double box was a Bob Marino thing.

 

[DynaGlide]

Mine arrived damaged as well. Luckily just an easily replaceable plastic part that I worked with the dealer to get replaced rather than having to return it in the damaged styrofoam back via UPS.

It isn't the shippers faults the packaging itself is insufficient.

 

[feckman]

It isn't the shippers faults the packaging itself is insufficient.

Totally fair.  Thinking about it, the dust extractor I got was poorly packaged for shipping as well.  Pretty much just the machine in a box without any real padding or protection.  It just handled the trip better, I guess.

Anyway, thanks for the heads up -- I decided to order a replacement and send this one back.  I'm the type that will always have it in the back of my mind that it was damaged in shipping and wondering if there will be other long-term issues.  Fingers crossed that the replacement is handled better, because we already know what the packaging will be...

--Jim.

 

[ChuckM]

Snip.

Here’s what mine looked like inside the box. It was pristine, but I was a little surprised by all the voids in the box - that styrofoam is doing a lot of heavy lifting for a $1500+ saw here.

[attachimg=1]

I bought my Kapex from a store, and brought it home myself. I wouldn't trust the packaging that the saw was in if it was handled by a third party such as a courier company.

 

[Ron B]

Snip.

I bought my Kapex from a store, and brought it home myself. I wouldn't trust the packaging that the saw was in if it was handled by a third party such as a courier company.

You were smart.  I am 1 1/2 hours from nearest dealer, so I ordered online to get the $1995US special with stand and wings they had last year.  The box the saw is in is very big and most of the weight is on one side, so it is lopsided to handle.  I could tell my box was not gently handled.  My box was very beat up, the styrofoam was broken, and pieces were loose inside the box.  There was a hole in the box I could stick my foot through.  I really expected something to be missing, but everything was there, mostly just rattling around inside. But if I had it to do over again, I would have driven the 1 1/2 hours just for the assurance that the saw was ok. I don't really blame the delivery service, I just consider them like the gorilla throwing the Samsonite luggage around in their commercials back in the 1970's.  It is just another box to them.  However, Festool could definitely improve their packaging of this item. 

 

[fshanno]

I bought my Kapex from a store, and brought it home myself. I wouldn't trust the packaging that the saw was in if it was handled by a third party such as a courier company.

What's the difference?  It's either going to be shipped to a Rockler store from the Rockler warehouse or to your house from the Rockler warehouse.

 

[ChuckM]

Big difference in that when I picked up mine at my vendor (which receives its goods from Festool and will reject damaged goods in the first place instead of passing it onto me), I examined the packaging before I loaded it to my car. The salesperson told me I could open the sealed box on the spot if I wanted to. There was zero chance that my purchase would be dropped or thrown around on its way from the vendor to my house.

 

[Ron B]

What's the difference?  It's either going to be shipped to a Rockler store from the Rockler warehouse or to your house from the Rockler warehouse.

It is like watching sausage being made.  Sometimes it is better just seeing the finished product without seeing all the mauling being done to get it to you.  Finish product is the same.
If you bought one of those Porsches or Bentleys on the ship on fire in the Atlantic, would you have some doubts?  Or would you rather buy one off the lot after it has been brought up to standard and aired out?

 

[feckman]

Just to put a pin in this -- I was right to question the original saw.  I ordered and received a second Kapex from Hartville Hardware and it's 100% perfect.  No binding, no stickiness, just smooth.  I pieced the other box together and the original is already on its way back for a refund.

FWIW, I am *very* impressed with Hartville Hardware -- they double-boxed the saw and even shipped it FedEx Express so it was only in transit overnight.  Good stuff.