Not Able To Calibrate Kapex

[David2T370]

Working on a project using 45 degree miters in framing. After assembling the joint it is way off from connecting square. So, I did the logical thing - check the calibration of the miter and 90 degree of the saw. I went through the 4 cut method described in the book. On the final test/cut piece my measurements were Left = 0.6790" and Right = 0.7270". The piece I used is 8" long. According to the book, Festool allows + or - 0.16 degrees. According to my calculations from the manual my result was -0.086 degrees. Therefore, my saw is within the engineered limits? However, if I take a measurement of the left and right side of the test piece that was measured, one end is off by a little more than 1/16" from the other end. This is a massive error - no wonder my cuts don't meet correctly. So, yes I did the calibration procedure correctly and arrived at a setting within specs, but the test piece measured way out...I am confused. Should I take the saw into an authorized Festool repair facility and have it done through?

 

[ChuckM]

Not saying this is necessarily your case, checking a miter saw's squareness is a tricky business because the user's skills and  techniques can affect the sawing results.  For example, I find, in general, people can apply too much side force to the sawhead when their arm position is not in line with the saw handle/blade. A light to moderate grip of the Kapex saw handle will help.

 

[David2T370]

Yes, I agree. The Kapex seems to very sensitive to even the slightest side pressure. I will try and be more "square to the saw". I would still like to hear from others about this particular issue and what their recommendations would be.

 

[squall_line]

Some people have found that they can get their Kapex to cut perfectly accurate 45-degree to one side but not the other.

Start with square, then pursue only one 45 at a time.

If you can only get one side to 45, remember which it is and only use that one.