Question to non pros that use a kapex or Bosch axial

[Wooden nickel]

I don’t want to start another Kapex circus.
But I wanted to reach out to the users of the kapex that don’t put the mileage the same as a contractor/ job site environment.
I have had the kapex in the cart to buy for awhile but can’t commit.
Too much negative feedback.
Recently I also have been looking at the Bosch axial.
My question is to the owners of the kapex.
have you had the motor issues without the day in/day out usage?
With no known update from Festool, as far as I know, I was hoping some of you guys could enlighten me if most issues were from heavy professional use.
Don’t get me wrong, for $1400, it should be able to withstand a drop off the roof and still keep its measurement (sarcasm)

 

[morts10n]

Good news is that if you use it half as much as a pro, you'll get a year out of it instead of just 6 months

 

[Wooden nickel]

Lol, good point!
I’ll never have to change the blade either

 

[RKA]

The answer you’re hoping for isn’t consistent with the reports that have been posted by users here.  But if you believe in the tooth fairy, I have 5 years of hobby use on mine and no issue yet.  [smile]

 

[jimbo51]

I bought my Kapex soon after the US launch and had to replace parts for the binding miter adjustment issue. Since then, I have not had any problems. By professional standards, my Kapex use would be considered extremely light as it can go weeks between sessions with a dozen or 20 cuts.

However, my concern would be whether or not Festool or sub-contractor made changes at some point that lead to the motor issues. I am not sure I would buy a Kapex today given the motor issues. Has anyone tracked when these issues surfaced vs the launch dates in Europe and the US?

 

[semenza]

Not to dampen the discussion really, but this issue has been debated, talked about, discussed,  speculated upon, every which way  possible. Only Festool really knows and they aren't talking about it (which in and of itself has been discussed many times).

I suggest that in order to help the OP as much as possible that this topic is kept hard on track with reports from hobbyist users Kapex longevity or Kapex problems.

Otherwise it will become another Kapex general discussion topic that will not benefit the OP anymore than all the other similar topics. Which I gather he has already read.

Thanks,

      Seth

 

[ChuckM]

My Kapex is a little over three years with no issues of any kind (other than initial fine tuning for square cuts, and laser adjustments.

The saw is used for stock prep  (cross cutting to length), angled cuts, etc., and on all kinds of lumber. Used about once every three weeks, each time about 30 mins to 1.5 hrs on and off.

Most valuable features to me (other than the accuracy it renders): dust collection and a hold-down clamp that you actually use without pain.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

I bought my 240v Kapex new 5 years ago. I got it for its quality of cut, its accuracy and dust extraction capabilities. It has mainly been used for cutting and mitering smaller sections of Solid Surface material.
It doesn't get used every day but has never let me down and still has the original blade fitted in it.
It's always plugged into one of my Festool Dust Extractors and never used with an extension lead of any kind.

I have a large Dewalt (300mm blade) SCMS that I use for cutting larger sections of timber but it lacks the accuracy, finesse and the dust extraction is c r a p in comparison.

 

[DynaGlide]

Isn't a new model coming out soon? REB or something?

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

It's available now in the UK.......
https://www.toucantools.co.uk/festo...pmKH59UbuKKl3nsr1AYNLMrvaQYMJ3rxoCIR0QAvD_BwE

A few subtle differences that can be seen in the pictures including built in extensions and the re-positioned angle finder.....

 

[kmhphoto]

I've had my Kapex with a UG stand set for 5 years and the saw has worked faultlessly but the stand, which I highly recommend started to rust last year but it was a simple repair.

 

[ctvader]

I remember seeing mark from the wood whisperer doing a video on the Bosch vs the kapex.  The highlights were good cut, ok dust collection, 1/2 the price of a kapex. 

 

[Jaybolishes]

The axial is just so heavy.  I didn’t care until I hurt my back. Now I really wish I had a lighter saw because I make a lot of decisions around moving it based on how stinking heavy it is.

 

[kevinculle]

My Kapex has a 2009 production date, I bought it used 3 years ago from a guy who was a hobbyist but heavier user than me.  My anecdotal sense is that failure reports skew to newer saws.  Mine has been fine so far.

 

[Renovatedspaces]

My Kapex was made in ‘13. Mixture of heavy use (hundreds of cuts a day, sometimes at -20 Celsius!) to no use for a couplee weeks at a time. I’ve run it attached to a 36AC, CT SYS(only a handful of times) and powered by a inverter generator on the back of my truck. I’ve ever had a single issue. I’m actually looking at buying a second one to stay in the shop and my current one will live in the truck for service work.

 

[serge0n]

My Kapex is 11 years old, one of the first saws that hit the US market back in '08. I bought it from a contractor who stopped dealing with wood and went all concrete/steel 3 years ago. The saw was used and abused heavily, cutting everything from frozen treated lumber to curtain rods, but retained the quality of cut and never had any issues.

I'm a hobbyist and use the Kapex to make a couple of dozen cuts a week on average. I've had zero issues with the saw since I got it apart from the broken fast fix lock which I had to replace. I have the saw connected to a 15 amp circuit directly, no extension cords.

It's an amazing saw, but if I were you, I'd wait for the new REB version.

 

[jeh]

My Kapex has a 2009 production date, I bought it used 3 years ago from a guy who was a hobbyist but heavier user than me.  My anecdotal sense is that failure reports skew to newer saws.  Mine has been fine so far.

I thought that until 2 weeks ago...

 

[zapdafish]

I've had my Kapex 4-5 yrs now and got it used for about $250. No issues with it at all. Recently cut quite abit of 8/4 ash with the blade it came with and no issues. Have cut quite abit of white and red oak with it as well. As a hobbyiest it gets used in spurts maybe 6 or so times a year.

 

[dlu]

Mine is about 5 years old (new in 2014 IIRC) and would consider to be lightly used in a commercial setting. Power is through an ancient (1998ish) Fein "R2D2" and a 12 gauge extension cord. My only serious complaints are:

[list type=decimal]
[*]Unreliable head return, and
[*]No local repair options.
[/list]

Other than that I'm quite happy with it and am just hoping that there is a tooth fairy... I've spent a decent hunk of my life using a variety of "chop" saws (starting with the giant abrasive cut-off saw in my dad's fabrication shop many, many moons ago) - all-in-all I'm pretty sure that if my Kapex were to vanish (either in smoke or into the night) I'd be inclined to get another one. It's a pleasure to use and it stays in adjustment.

Sure would be nice to see Festool addressing the reliability concerns in a proactive way. The current situation reflects badly on the brand as a whole.

 

[serge0n]

Unreliable head return

It's a feature!  ;D

My Kapex does the same thing, the head doesn't spring back trying to hit you in the face, but slowly rises half-way or doesn't rise at all. I actually like it. It stays in the position if you lower or raise it.