So, what are the issues with the Kapex?

[Toller]

I got my Kapex 10 years ago.  Even with the Bing 35% rebate it was overpriced, but I haven't had any problems.

I just read another thread where people posted over and over again about the well known problems.  What are they?  If I have gotten through 10 years, did I get a good one?

 

[ben_r_]

Just do some searching through the Festool Tool Problems section, Im sure youll find all you need there.

 

[Birdhunter]

I’ve had my Kapex for about 8 years with no issues. There are lots of posts about motors failing.

 

[kevinculle]

I have a 10 year old Kapex that I bought used.  I get a sense that the failures, which became a steady story here in the last 2-3 years, seem to be focused on more recent vintage saws, but it's difficult to get a real sense since I assume only a small fraction of users with this issue report it here.

 

[NL-mikkla]

What's the need  for this topic?

 

[kevinculle]

What's the need  for this topic?

If you don't think a topic is needed or of value there is a very effective technique to be followed, don't click on the link to the thread and in your world it doesn't exist anymore.  Magic!

 

[NL-mikkla]

What's the need  for this topic?

If you don't think a topic is needed or of value there is a very effective technique to be followed, don't click on the link to the thread and in your world it doesn't exist anymore.  Magic!

Thank you for your very informative answer!
But it's topic's like this, the constant rant about the kapex that really takes the fun out of FOG.

I just read another thread where people posted over and over again about the well known problems.  What are they? 

And what does this contribute to the forum, a topic is read, there is a mention about all the know problems and still ask what the problems are?
What's going on here?

 

[RKA]

[member=1030]Toller[/member] The short answer is you can review the thread below, you'll find a lot of speculation about the source of the issue but no official admission or solution offered by Festool.  If you've had your saw this long without issue, keep it and don't worry about it.  If you're considering buying another, definitely read the thread and be as informed as you can be before investing the money.  As to the nature of the comments in this thread, ignore it.  People are upset for a variety of reasons, unfortunately this is something the manufacturer could prevent but they have chosen not to.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-problems/another-kapex-bites-the-dust-again/

 

[Cochese]

[member=1030]Toller[/member] The short answer is you can review the thread below, you'll find a lot of speculation about the source of the issue but no official admission or solution offered by Festool.  If you've had your saw this long without issue, keep it and don't worry about it.  If you're considering buying another, definitely read the thread and be as informed as you can be before investing the money.  As to the nature of the comments in this thread, ignore it.  People are upset for a variety of reasons, unfortunately this is something the manufacturer could prevent but they have chosen not to.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tool-problems/another-kapex-bites-the-dust-again/

Personally, radio silence about the issues from the manufacturer really takes the fun out of FOG.

 

[NL-mikkla]

Personally, radio silence about the issues from the manufacturer really takes the fun out of FOG.

LMAO, but unfortunatley also true!

 

[Toller]

I just read another thread where people posted over and over again about the well known problems.  What are they? 

And what does this contribute to the forum, a topic is read, there is a mention about all the know problems and still ask what the problems are?
What's going on here?

Because they just said the well know problems without saying what they are. 
Some of us don't post just for the sake of posting.

 

[glass1]

Leaking arbor, not flat top, sends small pieces flying, silly safety button trigger, no detent override, blade guard can hang up and explode or get get caught in blade, and..... the motor mystery. That’s not to say it’s not a precise, quiet, light weight, good dust collection saw albeit expensive.

 

[ChuckS]

Counting my Kapex blessings. None of the above applies to me (no detent override may be a problem for some users but not in my case). The motor mystery is a worry in the back of my mind.

 

[peter halle]

Leaking arbor, not flat top, sends small pieces flying, silly safety button trigger, no detent override, blade guard can hang up and explode or get get caught in blade, and..... the motor mystery. That’s not to say it’s not a precise, quiet, light weight, good dust collection saw albeit expensive.

If you are saying there isn't a detent over ride then you are inaccurate.  Does the Kapex want to fall into the detent when it is close?  Yes it does.  But you can set angles to within 1/4 degree or finer if you need to on those rare occasions.

I haven't had the other issues with my 8 year old Kapex except for the flinging off cuts.  They diminished once I stopped raising the blade before it was stopped.

Respectfully,

Peter

 

[glass1]

No lock out for detentes. Yes makes it hard not impossible to set very close to a detente. I live in an often fast paced enviro, no other saw requires so much t8me and care when the off cut is small. I have spent tons of time behind all these current scms’s. Like I have mentioned before why not all push Festool to mak3 their saw better rather than accept its flaws and make excuses.

 

[Gregor]

No lock out for detentes. Yes makes it hard not impossible to set very close to a detente. I live in an often fast paced enviro, no other saw requires so much t8me and care when the off cut is small. I have spent tons of time behind all these current scms’s. Like I have mentioned before why not all push Festool to mak3 their saw better rather than accept its flaws and make excuses.

Make yourself zero clearance both bottom insert and back fence, then it won't throw small offcuts out of the back anymore.
Letting it come to a stop, even with that upgrades, gives nicer results though.

 

[ChuckS]

Snip.
Make yourself zero clearance both bottom insert and back fence,

This fixture (you can find various designs (such "double fences") and sizes) is as useful as a cross-cut sled for a tablesaw. It is indispensable for cutting or mitering narrow trims, etc. Simply build one or two with 1/2" or 3/4" scrap ply sheets.

 

[Gregor]

I thought about page 23 onhttps://service.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/Kapex-KS120-Supplemental-Manual.pdf

 

[Ch!p]

I didn't notice this before but this is at the bottom of page 12 in the supplemental manual.

3. When the desired miter angle is set, engage the miter
lock by pressing down on the miter lock lever.

Note: When setting a miter angle very close to
one of the miter stops (for example, at 45½° ),
keep holding down the miter stop release lever
until you fully engage the miter lock lever, to
prevent the miter angle from jumping to the
nearby miter stop position.

 

[ChuckS]

I thought about page 23 onhttps://service.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/Kapex-KS120-Supplemental-Manual.pdf

I was thinking more about this:

?timestamp=1463416319