Soon to be a Festool convert

[skids]

Quite probably Festool designed the Kapex 1200 as a precise tool for the finish carpentry trade, not for framers.

The fact is the Kapex has more depth of cut than other10" miter saws.

It well could be the framing trade is well served by large, heavier and more powerful saws.

In my shop 4 of our 6 Kapex are in use every day. The other two are ready to be taken on site for installs.

However, in my shop using the same bench as the Kapex along the west wall is a large radial arm saw with a 550mm blade and a 7.5 hp motor for cross cutting rough hardwood blanks over 100mm thick. I never would expect the Kapex to do that task.

But the fact is, it can, without a problem. Unless it's beveled.

And any chance I get to steer clear of a radial arm saw, I take it.

 

[Paul G]

Quite probably Festool designed the Kapex 1200 as a precise tool for the finish carpentry trade, not for framers.

The fact is the Kapex has more depth of cut than other10" miter saws.

It well could be the framing trade is well served by large, heavier and more powerful saws.

In my shop 4 of our 6 Kapex are in use every day. The other two are ready to be taken on site for installs.

However, in my shop using the same bench as the Kapex along the west wall is a large radial arm saw with a 550mm blade and a 7.5 hp motor for cross cutting rough hardwood blanks over 100mm thick. I never would expect the Kapex to do that task.

Glad you have a radial arm saw, unfortunately I don't. But wood is wood and if the piece fits in the specs of the saw then the saw should cut it, no?

 

[Paul G]

I know it's an older thread but I'm in a similar situation, looking for a sliding dual compound miter saw and of course am considering the kapex. But noticed in the specs its cut depth of 3 15/32 and that's 1/32 shy of cutting typical 4x lumber that is 3.5". Am I missing something or is the kapex not capable of cutting typical 4x4, 4x6, 4x8, etc lumber without the old cut/flip/cut?

Well, yes and no.  Sometimes the 4x lumber will cut no problem, other times, like with swollen pressure treated 4x's, may not.

So the actual cut depth is a little more than the spec?

 

[Paul G]

I know it's an older thread but I'm in a similar situation, looking for a sliding dual compound miter saw and of course am considering the kapex. But noticed in the specs its cut depth of 3 15/32 and that's 1/32 shy of cutting typical 4x lumber that is 3.5". Am I missing something or is the kapex not capable of cutting typical 4x4, 4x6, 4x8, etc lumber without the old cut/flip/cut?

I haven't had any issues..But I only tried to cut a 4x4 glu-lam. Went through it no problem.

Do you think it would be any different with something like a 4x8?

 

[skids]

I know it's an older thread but I'm in a similar situation, looking for a sliding dual compound miter saw and of course am considering the kapex. But noticed in the specs its cut depth of 3 15/32 and that's 1/32 shy of cutting typical 4x lumber that is 3.5". Am I missing something or is the kapex not capable of cutting typical 4x4, 4x6, 4x8, etc lumber without the old cut/flip/cut?

I haven't had any issues..But I only tried to cut a 4x4 glu-lam. Went through it no problem.

Do you think it would be any different with something like a 4x8?

I haven't tried that, but I see no reason why not. There is no deflection in the Kapex even all the way extended. Brice makes a fine point though. In the case of PT cutting I am typically not worried about finish grade accuracy, I just tip the piece up to get that last chunk.  [wink]

 

[farms100]

I'm still using my 8 inch hitachi SCMS after 20+ years ;D

yes I want to upgrade, but its way down on the list.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I know it's an older thread but I'm in a similar situation, looking for a sliding dual compound miter saw and of course am considering the kapex. But noticed in the specs its cut depth of 3 15/32 and that's 1/32 shy of cutting typical 4x lumber that is 3.5". Am I missing something or is the kapex not capable of cutting typical 4x4, 4x6, 4x8, etc lumber without the old cut/flip/cut?

Well, yes and no.  Sometimes the 4x lumber will cut no problem, other times, like with swollen pressure treated 4x's, may not.

So the actual cut depth is a little more than the spec?

Paul, I don't want to say that necessarily. However, I've able to cut 4x pressure treated material without much trouble.   

 

[Paul G]

So the actual cut depth is a little more than the spec?

Paul, I don't want to say that necessarily. However, I've able to cut 4x pressure treated material without much trouble.     

Thanks much to you and all for the feedback, makes the purchase much more viable. Wish they had a 12" model though, they'll release it 1 month and a day after I buy this one LOL.

 

[sancho57]

I never really took the time to look at the Festool line due to my thinking that the price was to high and they were overkill for me. I am in the market for a new miter saw and went looking today. I had my eyes set on either a Dewalt dw717, Hitachi c10fsh and the kapex. I was reading on different blogs about them and the people who have Kapex swear by them and the people that don't complain that they are overpriced and can't justify it. Although I did not get to cut wood I spent a lot of time playing with each saw and using all their various levers and adjustments. They all felt like good saws however the Kapex definitely felt a few notches above the rest in refinement, and it should because it cost a lot more. Now the Kapex is $900 more than the dewalt and $700 more than the Hitachi, but to a certain extent there are features on it that in my opinion make the cost more justified. For starters the compact size do to the forward slide felt smoother and the rails appeared to be more robust. The depth gauge was easier to set and felt a little more refined. Adjusting the bevels from the front, the cord storage, the onboard angle finder, slow start motor with adjustment power settings, and the best feature of all real dust extraction. The dust extraction has to be the biggest feature for me and justifies paying more for me due to working on projects in my garage. So based on what I would think the extra features would cost above and beyond that of the Hitachi for example would price the kapex at around $1000-$1100. So the price is much more justified when you compare apples to apples and not just the price of two separate saws. So long story short I would rather spend more money on a saw that has every feature that I want instead of paying less and settling, because in the grand scheme of things $700 spread out over the length of time I will own this saw is nothing.

Cheers,

Marc

We all try to justify it.. hehehehehehehehe

 

[Paul G]

Was looking at the kapex in person today at woodcraft, that's a nice piece of equipment. I think it will be Festool #2, this is some addictive kool-aid. Probably should now take a more serious look at the dust collection, the ts55req would benefit also, or I should say my lungs will benefit also.

 

[skids]

Was looking at the kapex in person today at woodcraft, that's a nice piece of equipment. I think it will be Festool #2, this is some addictive kool-aid. Probably should now take a more serious look at the dust collection, the ts55req would benefit also, or I should say my lungs will benefit also.

The next thing to learn on your new festool slippery slope is the right dealers to buy from. It ain't Woodcraft that's for sure. The world is your oyster on FOG, you have a choice between four spectacular dealers in tool-home.com (Tom bellemare) or bob Marino, or festool products.com or shopfestool.com

Do yourself a favor and step up to white glove service and get your CT and kapex from one of them.

 

[Paul G]

Was looking at the kapex in person today at woodcraft, that's a nice piece of equipment. I think it will be Festool #2, this is some addictive kool-aid. Probably should now take a more serious look at the dust collection, the ts55req would benefit also, or I should say my lungs will benefit also.

The next thing to learn on your new festool slippery slope is the right dealers to buy from. It ain't Woodcraft that's for sure. The world is your oyster on FOG, you have a choice between four spectacular dealers in tool-home.com (Tom bellemare) or bob Marino, or festool products.com or shopfestool.com

Do yourself a favor and step up to white glove service and get your CT and kapex from one of them.

What's up with woodcraft? Horror stories out there? Am interested to understand what I'm missing.