New Zero Clearance Fence for Kapex (The Cube)

[Colliflower]

Greetings, friends!
I'm writing to show you something very neat.
We have been desiring to come out with the perfect zero-clearance fence for Kapex for a long time. We have been engineering for some time. Finally, we are 100% satisfied with the new "Cube" for Kapex.
In essence: Replace the stock fence base with the Colliflower Cube base. Very easy. Use stock fences. Fully compatible with clamp. A 4x4 (3.5"x3.5", of course) Cube is made to fit into the center of the base. All the action takes place here, so a big gap is not desired. Zero clearance is needed for the best cuts and safety. (I am missing keys on my computer from pieces flying from the stock gap!) Simply turn the Cube to get fresh zero clearance. I dedicate 3 angles or more on one side of the Cube, and then I turn it 180 degrees to get more dedicated ZC angles. So easy. Full blade clearances guaranteed.
This product has been engineered for the bolting pattern for the Kapex 120. I'm not sure if the bolting pattern is the same for the other models. The bolting pattern is posted on my website. Colliflower-zci.com
To make the Cubes, just use the scrap 4x4s in your shop. Cut groove on as many sides as you desire. No need to buy them from me!
A picture says a thousand words, and a video, even more so. So please watch the video and see the pics. Very neat.
Thanks for watching, and I will come online to answer any questions, etc.  Patent Pending.

 

[dukebird]

very interesting and creative!!!    How is the Dust collection? 

 

[Colliflower]

very interesting and creative!!!    How is the Dust collection?

Thanks! Dust collection is still good. As the pics show, the catch rides right above the Cube, so as the chips are shot back and up, it catches much. I don't use the vacuums, but I assume that once those are turned on, collection will be great.

 

[hemlock]

I agree this is an interesting approach.  I too would like to see more on dust collection though.  Your video shows using Kapex as a "chop" saw.  Many with the Kapex use the saw with a slide cutting motion and not a chop cutting motion to maximize dust collection.  Not saying the cube won't work fine, but it does seem to block dust from passing towards the rear of the saw....which may or may not be a problem...and maybe it actually helps?  Bottom line a lot of people bought a kapex in part if not solely for its superior dust collection so clarifying the cube's effect on that would be helpful.  I have your other zero clearance replaceable insert for the kapex and really like it.  I would likely be a customer of the cube too if dust collection isn't effected or improved.  Appreciate your creativity in product design....

 

[Colliflower]

I agree this is an interesting approach.  I too would like to see more on dust collection though.  Your video shows using Kapex as a "chop" saw.  Many with the Kapex use the saw with a slide cutting motion and not a chop cutting motion to maximize dust collection.  Not saying the cube won't work fine, but it does seem to block dust from passing towards the rear of the saw....which may or may not be a problem...and maybe it actually helps?  Bottom line a lot of people bought a kapex in part if not solely for its superior dust collection so clarifying the cube's effect on that would be helpful.  I have your other zero clearance replaceable insert for the kapex and really like it.  I would likely be a customer of the cube too if dust collection isn't effected or improved.  Appreciate your creativity in product design....

Thank you, Hemlock.
I will see what I can post on here which shows dust collection. Very glad to hear you see the value in this idea.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

  How tall does the cube need to be ?  Could it be about an 1" tall  rather than 3 1/2"?  That would probably make it work well for sliding the saw and better for DC. 

  What is the distance from the saw table to the notch?  It looks like it would be no trouble to make whatever height is needed as long as it holds in the notch.

Seth

 

[ChuckM]

Looking forward to your further info on the dust collection finding which is critical to most Kapex owners. I dont know myself any Kapex owners who use the Kapex without a dust extractor or shop vac.

 

[Colliflower]

Hi,

  How tall does the cube need to be ?  Could it be about an 1" tall  rather than 3 1/2"?  That would probably make it work well for sliding the saw and better for DC. 

  What is the distance from the saw table to the notch?  It looks like it would be no trouble to make whatever height is needed as long as it holds in the notch.

Seth

Hi, Seth.
The notch in the fence base plate is approximately 1/8" in height/thickness, and it runs from 7/8" above table top to 1".
As you said, it can be any height so long as it's above about 1-1/8". (To have enough meat to hold it all in. However, upon thinking about it more, I suppose one could have it all below the notch as long as it's tight in there.
Since the whole ZC concept is wood, one can modify however one likes: Keep the 3.5" height and cut a DC "ramp"/notch to further channel the dust. Lots of options. I will be posting a video on the dust collection affects soon....

 

[Colliflower]

Looking forward to your further info on the dust collection finding which is critical to most Kapex owners. I dont know myself any Kapex owners who use the Kapex without a dust extractor or shop vac.

Yes, Chuck. I will post a video of the dust collection soon. I agree that it's very important.

 

[jeh]

Where can you order one?

 

[cperren]

This is a great idea.. Thanks [member=72427]Colliflower[/member]

 

[Frank-Jan]

Hi Jack,
It looks great, definetely worth waiting for.
Another advantage of the zero clearance insert(/cube) vs a zero clearance auxiliary fence is that you don't lose cutting capacity in the special cutting position for tall base. (not that I use that feature often), and it doesn't interfere with the hold-down clamp.
I don't know if it's an issue, but if the dustfunnel tends to pull the insert forward, it would be easy to cut a few notches in the side of the block so the sliding fences will hold it in place (or rig a no-slip/spikey thing to the back of the sliding fence)

 

[Imemiter]

Great thinking outside the box, for a cube. 

 

[Colliflower]

Where can you order one?

Hi, Jim.
You can order at Colliflower-zci.com
You'll love it.

 

[Colliflower]

This is a great idea.. Thanks [member=72427]Colliflower[/member]

Thank you!

 

[Colliflower]

Hi Jack,
It looks great, definetely worth waiting for.
Another advantage of the zero clearance insert(/cube) vs a zero clearance auxiliary fence is that you don't lose cutting capacity in the special cutting position for tall base. (not that I use that feature often), and it doesn't interfere with the hold-down clamp.
I don't know if it's an issue, but if the dustfunnel tends to pull the insert forward, it would be easy to cut a few notches in the side of the block so the sliding fences will hold it in place (or rig a no-slip/spikey thing to the back of the sliding fence)

Yes, good points.
The Cube is in there nice and tight (as you will see , so no issue on the dust funnel pushing out unless it's a loose Cube. As you know, the Cube can be modified to be loose or tight. I have slid the fence to the Cube on looser fits and it works great. One of the main aspects that I love is how personal or modify-able it is. One can even use all 4 sides of the Cube, although I think it's better to use two because the ZC is more unblemished (no cuts from 90 degrees away).

 

[Colliflower]

Great thinking outside the box, for a cube. 

Thanks 

 

[Colliflower]

BTW: I will be making the dust collection video this morn.

 

[jeh]

You have done an excellent job by approaching zero clearance completely different than anyone has seen before. The whole key to your product is easy replacement once a block is worn out and no reduction in cutting size. Well done.

 

[simo.ahtola@netikka.fi]

Hei,

Anything on Kapex 60 on the design table?

BR Simo