Replaced Kapex fence with Incra track

[Gunder]

I love my Kapex, however I always felt it was lacking a fence system to accurately do repeated cuts the same length. Was just going to add the incra tracks to either side of the existing fence, however that posed to issues. Alignment of the fence extensions and no way to use the incra stops for really short pieces.

So I removed the 4, 8mm bolts holding the factory fence on.
View attachment 1

Turns out 8mm is pretty close to 5/16 so used a 5/16 end mill to make elongated slots in the base of the Incra tracks.
View attachment 2
I then reused the factory 8mm bolts to install the tracks and checked square with my Starrett master square and alignment using the factory fence.
View attachment 3
View attachment 4
So I now have an accurate fence system even for very short cuts. For simple miters just loosen the bolts on one half the fence and slide it to clear blade. For complex miters it’s only 4 bolts to go fully back to the factory fence system.
View attachment 5

Hopefully this helps someone else solve a similar issue.

 

[kevinculle]

I have a Kapex with UG cart and extensions.  Once calibrated the scales on the extensions are repeatable and reliable.  For short pieces I made a 400mm long reference piece and I set the scale to 400mm over the desired length, works perfectly.

 

[chris s]

Great idea, thanks for posting.

 

[Stone Message]

Hi [member=63448]Gunder[/member]

I really like your solution as it looks so neat and tidy. Several years ago I added the same fence to my Kapex but overcame the problem of cutting short lengths of stock in a simple way:


Peter

 

[overanalyze]

That's awesome!! Well done!

 

[Stone Message]

I have just realised (sorry - the grey cells are slower these days) if you want to do a mitre cut then the Incra fence has to be moved out of the way a bit. When returning to 90 degrees they therefore need to be calibrated again !

Peter

 

[Gunder]

I have just realised (sorry - the grey cells are slower these days) if you want to do a mitre cut then the Incra fence has to be moved out of the way a bit. When returning to 90 degrees they therefore need to be calibrated again !

Peter

Or just leave it and add a sacrificial fence in front, or at least that’s what I plan on doing. Then again 95% of my cuts are 90 degree.