So what is the problem with the Kapex?

[Toller]

I have seen numerous posts regarding the grinding noises it makes, but I haven't read exactly what you have to do to get the grinding noises.  Can someone fill me in?

I have tried cutting with both settings in various positions and it seems fine to me; maybe I got lucky.

 

[nickao]

Don't look for problems if it had them you would know!

 

[Brice Burrell]

Toller the scrapping problem is caused by the redesigned spring plate, see attached picture. The spring plate was changed just prior to the US release of the Kapex to increase the clamping force of the miter table. The change was made because a few saws over seas didn't clamp the miter setting tight enough. On some saws the redesigned plate just didn't have enough clearance between itself and the miter flange (the part with the degree markings and detents).

Not every saw with the redesigned plate has had problems and Festool will send anyone with the scraping problem a new spring plate that will provide the proper clearance.

Don't look for problems if it had them you would know!

Well, yes and no. You will likely know if your saw has the scraping problem. But, some saws develop the problem after some use so you may not know if your saw will have this problem right away. Doesn't matter when the problem shows up Festool will make it right.

Here's a link to a thread where this problem is discussed in great detail.

 

[MiterMaster]

....But, some saws develop the problem after some use so you may not know if your saw will have this problem right away. Doesn't matter when the problem shows up Festool will make it right....

Does anyone know what causes the delay?  My Kapex was doing fine up to this point, then this morning I noticed it was scraping.  Tomorrow I am going to loosen the screws on the spring plate and see if this helps, if it does then I'll know I need a new plate.  I'm just wondering why on some saws the scraping appears later?  Is the spring plate expanding, as up until this point it was fine. 

Mike

 

[mastercabman]

....But, some saws develop the problem after some use so you may not know if your saw will have this problem right away. Doesn't matter when the problem shows up Festool will make it right....

Does anyone know what causes the delay?  My Kapex was doing fine up to this point, then this morning I noticed it was scraping.  Tomorrow I am going to loosen the screws on the spring plate and see if this helps, if it does then I'll know I need a new plate.  I'm just wondering why on some saws the scraping appears later?  Is the spring plate expanding, as up until this point it was fine. 

Mike

IMO i think it's dirt getting trapped.MY saw,after 3-4 weeks,did seized when i try to turn the table,and i was at a job that had to be done.I used compressed air and wd40 to clean it out and it finally moved.

 

[MiterMaster]

....But, some saws develop the problem after some use so you may not know if your saw will have this problem right away. Doesn't matter when the problem shows up Festool will make it right....

Does anyone know what causes the delay?  My Kapex was doing fine up to this point, then this morning I noticed it was scraping.  Tomorrow I am going to loosen the screws on the spring plate and see if this helps, if it does then I'll know I need a new plate.  I'm just wondering why on some saws the scraping appears later?  Is the spring plate expanding, as up until this point it was fine. 

Mike

IMO i think it's dirt getting trapped.MY saw,after 3-4 weeks,did seized when i try to turn the table,and i was at a job that had to be done.I used compressed air and wd40 to clean it out and it finally moved.

That may be correct on some, but I have not used this too much, just some test cuts - no dirt / debris is present.
Mike

 

[honeydoman]

mike,

don't know why either, mine were some right off the bat and others delayed.  and many others are finding scraping delays also.  I have NEVER had a miter saw, and I have owned  14 of them and still have  6 of them.  from bosch, makita, default, hitichi and kapex and even a roybi cheepo.  and never ever ever had a turntable scrape.... except on the kapex's.

so something as stated over and over again their is a problem with the design of the saw.  this should never happen  even with the new plates saws still scrape... PERIOD!

so mike get another saw!

 

[glass1]

i know there is an intense desire to make the kapex work and in many ways it is a good saw.... but it has a fatal flaw that will take more than just a new plate to fix.  Just wait and see what festool comes up with. If you need a saw there are plenty of decent saws on the market, buy one and keep it as a backup or sell it when the kapex is redesigned . It is always good to have two miter saws anyway.