side by side comparison, Festool Kapex on Kapex UG v. DeWalt/DeWalt

[stairman]

I installed an entire house of crown molding yesterday, and really had a great opportunity to compare my Kapex to the DeWalt it has replaced.

Has anyone else here ever setup the kapex side by side with another SCMS?
the differences are surprising when you do this, and I would suggest trying it if you get the chance to make some good comparisons like I did yesterday.

The mess made by the DeWalt was horrendous.  -you can't truly appreciate the effectiveness unless you experience the difference SIDE BY SIDE,  but to try to explain,  6-8 cuts on the DeWalt sprays out the same as the Kapex making 120-150 cuts of the same material.
my smartphone video didn't turn out well enough to share, so I will try this again when I have a better camera setup with a tripod...

across the board, it was really a night and day difference.  initially, I was thinking to myself that I would probably end up using one saw for initial LH cuts and the other for the TH cut,  but the comparison was akin to taking the DeWalt slider and comparing it to a Harbor Freight SCMS, and after just a few cuts, you no longer want to touch the inferior tool

-and to think I had been using the DeWalt saw/laser/Folding aluminum DeWalt "sawhorse" type stand for years all the while believing it was industry standard quality tool system :-\

another BIG thanks to Festool for the end all - be all of professional tools!  The Kapex + Kapex UG system is a priceless addition to my arsenal!

and for anyone trying to decide if Festool is really worth the price:  YES, they certainly are, and more... 

 

[unityroad]

Glad it worked out for you. Im kinda waiting for a 12 inch kapex. I hope thats whats in the works when the "upgrade" the second generation saw. If not then uncle Bob will be ordering 2 of the current offerings for me. Be well

 

[vwdave]

I have a Kapex with the UG stand and couldn't be happier.  I can't find a stand in production that is easier to set up and gives your material continues support.  I owned 2 dewalt saws and stands before buying my Kapex, I thought the dewalt stands were the greatest until I used a stand that had solid supports.  When I first got my Kapex I mounted it to a dewalt stand and made plywood supports for it but it took 4 trips to bring my saw, stand, plywood supports and ct22 inside.  With the UG stand I can bring everything inside in 1 trip, sometimes I need to go back for the ct22 if there are alot of stairs.

I to have used the Kapex side by side to the dewalt saws.  Just when you think the dust collection isn't working right or the kapex is heavy, I just walk over to the 12" dewalt slider and after using it I really appreciate my Kapex.

Dave

 

[mishle]

I had the DeWalt before getting the Kapex. For me its major huge.

The DeWalt I had to run an air cleaner and wear mask. The Kapex I'm working under someone's Chandelier.

The home owner inspected the saw and light and stared at the saw awhile. Then said this sure beats mine. How much.

I told him and his response was "ohh"

 

[Sean7a]

Some great comments here especially the side by side comparison of dust collection.  I can relate with the statements " when you think the Kapex ain't doing its job dust collection wise, just walk over and try another saw in the same context."  It really does blow your mind, but it's so easy to condemn it on the spot when you're used to the superior collection we get with say the sanders.

 

[Festool Hill]

I'm currently running a Kapex in the shop for my finer cuts and the DeWALT on job sites for exterior trim. If I'm doing a high end trim job I'm for sure using the Kapex because it's so precise. I'm still debating on what sort of stand to use with the Kapex. The Ron Paulk Ultimate mitre saw stand, the UG, or a DeWALT stand. Can I get some feed back on what stand to get. I know most of you will say the UG but tell me why so I can justify spending $1000 here in Canada.  I Love my Kapex BTW. Thanks Festool, and if they release a 12" I would still opt for a 10" because of its size and portability.

 

[Jason Kehl]

Hi Darren;

I bought the cart for the Kapex saw and made my own brackets using the crown stops as attachment points and pirated the basic design for the wings from a few sources, mostly Dave Reinhold's and Gary Katz though. (Thanks Dave and Gary!) I used a Kreg stop set-up on the fence and an ajustable folding leg that goes to the ground to support each wing.

The wings are 8' long on each side and and about 8"wide, they work very well. My wings are not as compact as the UG wings but they are longer and wider, giving me better stock support than the narrower UG extensions and also an imperial tape instead of metric.

I find this combination to work very well; to me the UG wings looked too short and narrow to meet my needs, I never did actually try them out though.

Jason

 

[builderbob]

@ Darren...I think you need to see what works best for you in your situation. If you have limited space, you may consider a compact setup...if you need portability, but have transport room, the Paulk idea is great!  I work primarily out of a 6'6" pick up and have to fit all my tools in!  Therefore, I'm using the UG cart with my own extensions!

Best of luck!

Bob

 

[awil66]

Anyone know the height of the kapex and UG stand when folded up for transport? Would it fit flat in the bed of a pickup truck with a Bakflip cover? Or would i be disassembling every time?

 

[builderbob]

Mine is on the jobsite...I can check tomorrow unless someone chimes in sooner!

Bob

 

[Kev]

Anyone know the height of the kapex and UG stand when folded up for transport? Would it fit flat in the bed of a pickup truck with a Bakflip cover? Or would i be disassembling every time?

It's a smidge under 60cm (2 feet). How deep is your truck?

 

[awil66]

Thanks Kev. I think I have 23.5". So looks promising. Unless the wife has already spent the tax refund...

 

[Johncarlo]

I just hooked up my makita to my new CT 36 AC thinking it would help out with the dust, wrong. I guess a Kapex is on the list as a future buy. I wish I found out about Festool sooner!

 

[GPowers]

I bought the UG and wings because I need to take the Kapex down, and put is away, when not doing woodworking to park the cars. The woodshop and the garage occupies the same space. So the UG cart and wings make it easy to set up and tear it down.

 

[Kev]

I bought the UG and wings because I need to take the Kapex down, and put is away, when not doing woodworking to park the cars. The woodshop and the garage occupies the same space. So the UG cart and wings make it easy to set up and tear it down.

Same for me - though it's under cover outside beside the garage in my case.

When I used my Hitachi I looked like a dirty snowman after a dozen cuts. Now I don't even need to sweep. KAPEX rules!

 

[terrystouf]

installed an entire house of crown molding yesterday

  [eek] Wow,by your self ? A large house ? Hats off , I never thought I was particularly slow ,and haven't done loads of crown,but an entire house in a day is ...wow...
  Some guys cant seem to get past the price , but the lasers alone + the dust pickup, well worth it. I wonder when clouding a room with mdf dust (or any dust for that matter)with other workers in the area will be banned ? Now I need a portable table saw with the same dust pickup...

 

[awil66]

How easy is it to remove the kapex from the UG stand? Is it a five minute affair, or much more involved?
Thanks.

 

[Alan m]

as far as i know you just turn 4 plastic parts and lift it off the legs the same way you put it on

 

[builderbob]

How easy is it to remove the kapex from the UG stand? Is it a five minute affair, or much more involved?
Thanks.

It's very simple!!!  Five minutes or less!

Bob

 

[Integrity_Construction]

The UG cart is awesome, the only part I don't like is putting my wings back into the plastic holders, as I always seem to get the straps all twisted !!! [censored]