Sawhelper/Kapex modification for fence risers.

[Tom the Remodeler]

Hi gang! Here are some photos I took of my Sawhelper and Kapex. In order to completely remove the Kapex fence parts you need to modify the Sawhelper slightly, just wanted to put this out there in case anybody was wondering. The modification was really easy, took me around  minutes with an angle grinder. Enjoy!

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

... and just a few more pics 

 

[bonesbr549]

That's coool!!!!!!!  One questions the plates that fit into the end v notch (where the crown attachment goes) is that a costom deal or what?

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

That's coool!!!!!!!  One questions the plates that fit into the end v notch (where the crown attachment goes) is that a costom deal or what?

Hi there Bones! The bracket that fits into the v-groove of the Kapex base is a custom bracket manufactured for the Sawhelper. The first run wasn't quite perfect, so my understanding is that Tim (owner of Sawhelper) is having new brackets manufactured. Next time I have my saw out (hopefully tommorrow) I'll take some close-ups of the brackets, it's a really slick system! It would be nice to see other manufacturers make a similar groove or notch in their products, but then again most of them aren't thinking in terms of a System 

 

[Frank-Jan]

I heard of other people having done the same thing (including Gary katz).
Another guy at the JLC forums, Keith Mathewson, thought out a connector-bracket to attach the sawhelper wings to the kapex crown stops/table extensions; this way you can slide the fences off with the wings in place, while leaving the sawhelper wings intact.

Here's a linkto the JLC-thread (with pictures)

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I heard of other people having done the same thing (including Gary katz).
Another guy at the JLC forums, Keith Mathewson, thought out a connector-bracket to attach the sawhelper wings to the kapex crown stops/table extensions; this way you can slide the fences off with the wings in place, while leaving the sawhelper wings intact.

Here's a linkto the JLC-thread (with pictures)

Hi there Frank-Jan! If Gary Katz is doing the same thing I must be on the right track...  ;D Interesting idea Keith has. I like the ingenuity, but for me I try to keep things small and sleek, and those Kapex crown stops just seem to add bulk and cost (I think they cost $85 each). For myself at least (everybody's situation and circumstances are different), it was easier, faster and cheaper to use the Sawhelper brackets and just slightly modify the wings. Clever idea, though, thanks for the link!!  8)

 

[MiterMaster]

I heard of other people having done the same thing (including Gary katz).
Another guy at the JLC forums, Keith Mathewson, thought out a connector-bracket to attach the sawhelper wings to the kapex crown stops/table extensions; this way you can slide the fences off with the wings in place, while leaving the sawhelper wings intact.

Here's a linkto the JLC-thread (with pictures)

I like what Keith's machinist created, the system they set-up will allow you to:
1.  Remove the Kapex fences without having to cut away a section of the SawHelper wings. 
2.  Also, this system will allow you to use the Kapex base extension with crown stops, another plus! 

What I do not like about attaching the SawHelper directly to the Kapex are: 
1. You have to cut-away part of the SawHelper fence
2. The SawHelper wing bracket connects directly into the v-grove of the Kapex, therefore you can not use the Kapex base extension with crown stops, unless of course you remove the SawHelper wings.

I'm a member over @ JLC, and Keith said if he gets 10 orders for this system that his machinist will make them for us.  Anyone interested in getting this set-up, let me know.  At one point in time, there were 3 people @ JLC that were interested.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[dtapking]

Hi Mike:

I am not a member of JLC, any way to see the photos or locate the brackets?

Thanks
Douglas Tapking
d.tapking@verizon.net

 

[Frank-Jan]

You don't have to be a member to see the pictures, you can register to the forums for free. Just click on "register" underneath the word JLC-online forums next to the search box in the top left corner.