Purchased Kapex KS 120 through Amazon(Hartville)

[Thompmd]

Will get out and try in the next week/two . Is there noticeable difference in 27/36 in regards to dust?  Will be mostly home use but might consider a nice used stand ? How about blades?? Plan is mostly for hardwood(walnut etc) but general use. Also any other accessories or thoughts are appreciated. New to Festool

 

[MrToolJunkie]

Definitely recommend the 36 mm hose for dust collection. I find the standard blade that comes with the Kapex to be perfect for hardwood cuts - ultra smooth. Have never wanted to try a different brand or tooth configuration. Others might weigh in with other brands/options. Enjoy your new saw!

 

[Mario Turcot]

CT-26 versus CT-36: Exact same stats beside the size of the bin. In any case get a long life bag or a cyclone.
Blade: The stock blade is excellent, I cut some bubinga and the cut was super clean. I bought a Amana tool blade a few months after having the Kapex. I haven't replace the stock blade yet, after almost 2 years.

Edit: oops sorry I thought you were asking about the CT suction. Yes like Scott mentionned get a 36mm hose, the shorter the better.

 

[ChuckS]

Also any other accessories or thoughts are appreciated. New to Festool

The Kapex comes with the world's best clamping element, one that is practical to be used. But on occasion, a stock may be too short to use it on. I recommend this (or you can make your own...Google youtube):https://www.fastcap.com/product/10-million-dollar-stick

Whether you use a Festool dust extractor or a shop vac, invest in a Dust Deputy. I also use the vac/dust deputy with an auto switch so the system is turned on whenever the Kapex makes a cut:https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho...ccessories/63013-ivac-automatic-vacuum-switch

The auto switch provides two 15amp circuits, one for the saw, and one for the vac. No matter how thick the stock is, or how long I keep the motor running, the fuse won't trip.

Enjoy the best mitre saw (for hobbyists) money can buy. [big grin]

P.S. Use the five-cut method to check the accuracy of your saw and calibrate it if necessary.

 

[Birdhunter]

I bought the short 36mm hose and saw an improvement in dust collection. I have a dedicated Festool mini under the UG stand.

If you don’t rush the cut, the dust collection works well. The standard blade is excellent. If you lift the head before the blade completely stops, you will often get a kick back.  The supplemental manual is a must read.

 

[Thompmd]

I just bought a CT36 so I’ll be using it and have not bought a long life bag.... is the reason for that just convenience or something else?

Will set up with the 36mm hose.

Nice to know the stock blade will work great.

I will also look into the clamping element, do you happen to remember the stock#?

 

[ChuckS]

By clamping element, I meant the hold-down clamp that comes with a Kapex.

 

[Mario Turcot]

This is the clamp Chuck is talking about

You should have one in the Kapex package. Additional clamp is sold individually Kapex Holddown. Some people like to have one on each side. I do not recommend using both at the same time. Using both may increase kick back.

 

[Cheese]

Here's a single photo that shows everything you need.
1. A short 36 mm hose
2. A zero clearance insert
3. A zero clearance fence
4. A standard Kapex blade
5. Two hold down clamps, one for each side but only use one at a time.

[attachimg=1]

 

[Thompmd]

Perfect , thanks everyone.

 

[ChuckS]

Plus 1 on the ZCI...I use the Fastcap product -https://www.fastcap.com/product/zero-clearance-tape

 

[Peter Durand]

Also any other accessories or thoughts are appreciated. New to Festool

The Kapex comes with the world's best clamping element, one that is practical to be used. But on occasion, a stock may be too short to use it on. I recommend this (or you can make your own...Google youtube):https://www.fastcap.com/product/10-million-dollar-stick

Whether you use a Festool dust extractor or a shop vac, invest in a Dust Deputy. I also use the vac/dust deputy with an auto switch so the system is turned on whenever the Kapex makes a cut:https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/sho...ccessories/63013-ivac-automatic-vacuum-switch

The auto switch provides two 15amp circuits, one for the saw, and one for the vac. No matter how thick the stock is, or how long I keep the motor running, the fuse won't trip.

Enjoy the best mitre saw (for hobbyists) money can buy. [big grin]

P.S. Use the five-cut method to check the accuracy of your saw and calibrate it if necessary.

I bought the ivac switch direct from the manufacturer when it first came on the market for the Kapex (it seems it had to be modified for the Kapex due to a very small trickle of current associated with the saw) and it worked well. Until is was 2 months past the warranty. It is sitting on a small shelf dedicated to such items.

I am going down to FastCap next week (I live 25 minutes from their place) and get me a "$10 million dollar stick". Thanks for the link to that.

 

[ChuckS]

Lucky you...so close to the vendor. Check out its website and you may find other interesting things to buy (https://www.fastcap.com/product/little-lipper made life easy).

I have two ivacs, one for the tablesaw+dust collector+shop vac (all running at the same time), and one for the shop vac+Kapex or other tools. They are holding up so far ( 3 to 5 yrs old).

 

[jarbroen]

If you find yourself needing another blade (wanting to have one when you get the other sharpened) it's cheaper to buy the 2 pack than individual blades.
The 2 pack comes with a stock blade and the 80T.  I haven't used the 80T much, but it's intended for super clean cuts on ply/laminate.

 

[Michael Kellough]

If you find yourself needing another blade (wanting to have one when you get the other sharpened) it's cheaper to buy the 2 pack than individual blades.
The 2 pack comes with a stock blade and the 80T.  I haven't used the 80T much, but it's intended for super clean cuts on ply/laminate.

[member=65755]jarbroen[/member]  what 2 pack? Who makes it?

 

[rvieceli]

Michael
https://beavertools.com/203150-festool-kapex-blade-set-replaces-57000012.html

Ron

 

[Thompmd]

Do the Zero clearance inserts effect dust collection?

 

[ChuckS]

The ZCI has little effect as compared to a zero clearance fence.

 

[jarbroen]

If you find yourself needing another blade (wanting to have one when you get the other sharpened) it's cheaper to buy the 2 pack than individual blades.
The 2 pack comes with a stock blade and the 80T.  I haven't used the 80T much, but it's intended for super clean cuts on ply/laminate.

[member=65755]jarbroen[/member]  what 2 pack? Who makes it?

Festool 203150 Universal And Fine Tooth Kapex Blade Set

It's $220 for the set.  When purchased separately those blades add up to $325($155 Universal/$170 Fine).

 

[ChuckS]

I only use the stock blade that came with the saw as most of my projects are done in hardwood. For ply or melamine boards that need a very clean edge (not often), I put masking tapes on both sides (ZCI installed in the saw at all times).