To Kapex or Not to Kapex (now) - That is the ...

[riffin-rich]

MODIFIED on Feb 8 at 7:27PM E.S.T.:  this issue has been resolved ... I got it.  Thanks for looking!

Question for you fine folks.  My wife cleared me hot to buy a Kapex + CT MIDI package, stand, extensions and some other accessories that have been on my list.  As you know, it’s on sale.  And as silly as this sounds, I’m conflicted about it.  I've wanted these for a while but my DeWalt 12” Sliding Compound Miter Saw on its contractor stand performs the same function.  That said, it wastes space and throws dust everywhere, despite my time-wasting efforts to contain the dust (which drives me crazy).  About the Kapex, I've read some concerning reviews which give me reason to wait for an improved version, and instead buy other needed items (like the DF-700XL, cutters, and other needed items).  It's not that I won't buy a Kapex ... I'm just questioning whether or not to buy it now or buy something else now.  Thoughts please?  Many thanks, Rich

 

[semenza]

Hi Rich,

    I am sure you have read a ton of topics about the Kapex here on FOG.  Festool has not indicated in any way that a new version is on the horizon. And until release of a new version is imminent in Europe we won't know. My personal opinion is that it will be years away.

    Other than doing all the research you can the best way to find out is to get it and try it. You have the 30 day window to return it if it doesn't live up to your expectations.  Do you have a dealer with in driving distance? That would make the return easy, as opposed to shipping , just in case.

  Then again if the DW is doing the job maybe adding a Domino is the way to go in order to expand tool capabilities first.

Seth

 

[peter halle]

The Kapex is a great tool.  I love mine.  The sale is not about clearing out inventory before a new model release as has been written by Shane.  Seth made a good point - if you can live your existing saw and its plusses and minuses then perhaps you should look to expand your tool horizons.  Sale prices are great, but if you end up buying on sale and then don't really need or use the tool then did you really get value for your dollar.

Peter

 

[Holzhacker]

10% off doesn't get my wallet out; big whoop; that's our sales tax so I'm not saving much of anything.
I wanted a Kapex for a long time and didn't buy it during a previous sale. My Bosch chopsaw was just fine. I buy tools when I need them. In terms of the Kapex I bought it when I had a big trim job in a office. Because it was an occupied office, space was at a premium and DC was essential. Bingo, time to buy a Kapex and extensions. Worked out great, Kapex paid for itself on that job.
Don't buy it because of the sale. Buy it because its the tool you need now. Otherwise as others mentioned buy other tools you'll use.

 

[Greg M]

10% off doesn't get my wallet out; big whoop; that's our sales tax so I'm not saving much of anything.
I wanted a Kapex for a long time and didn't buy it during a previous sale. My Bosch chopsaw was just fine. I buy tools when I need them. In terms of the Kapex I bought it when I had a big trim job in a office. Because it was an occupied office, space was at a premium and DC was essential. Bingo, time to buy a Kapex and extensions. Worked out great, Kapex paid for itself on that job.
Don't buy it because of the sale. Buy it because its the tool you need now. Otherwise as others mentioned buy other tools you'll use.

I agree with you to a point.

I bought a planex and CT36 AC at 40% off.  Not because I need it now but because I'm going to be able to use it at some point in the future, maybe as early as this spring but it might not be for another year, depends on the houses that I remodel.  The 10% off has me looking into buying a stand for my Kapex because I'll need one this spring.  If I choose the Festool option then I would buy it now during the sale.  So if it's a tool you're going to buy anyways, then you might as well get it during a sale.  I bought a lot of tools during the refurb sale that I didn't need then.  Some haven't gotten touched yet, but they will.

 

[riffin-rich]

Gentlemen, I just wanted to share that I just happened across Gregory Paolini's YouTube video showing how to set-up the UG Cart and wings. 

This video really helped my decision process--the speed/ease of set-up/break-down, coupled with Festool's dust-collection, helped to simplify this decision.  Plus, I will easily be able to wheel the saw from the garage shop through the basement door when I need the extra space.    On top of all this, I'll get the benefit of the 10% off.  Yes, I agree that the sale price, in and of itself, isn't reason enough to get it right now, but this set-up will address my biggest peeves with my DeWalt set-up.  I'm silly-excited now...  Had I seen his video before posting, I wouldn't have asked.  Thanks for taking time to read and to share your thoughts!

Sincerely,
Rich

 

[dltflt]

The Kapex is great saw.  If you are buying it for the dust collection then I would buy during the sale and save yourself 10%.  If your buying just because of the sale I would buy the Domino, it is a game changer.

 

[Mikeyfondu]

Well there is lots of things to considered, first do u already have a festool extractor?Do you need the extension with flag stops ?  Before I bought my kapex and stand I used a lot of mitre saws. I still own my 10" dewalt with stand, and 12" Milwaukee with stand. the kapex is way better then both saw and every other saw I used. It's lighter, tighter,faster and cleaner. Having said that the domino saves so much time! I don't have the 700 yet but I love my 500! Having said all this why only have one .
Buy kapex and another set of dewalt brackets,but wait for the stand. Then use the money u save to buy the domino and accessories. If u already have a extractor u can save more by buying a cheaper vac with ivac switch. This way u can use two different electrical circuit and still have the auto on feature, as well the vac stays on longer to clean out the hose better. So ya theres a couple more ideas for ya, what u do will depend on your needs! Hope this help .

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Rich 

One thing to think about is, unless you have the funds to get all that you want/need, buying the Domino/Midi now, and make do with the Dewalt.  There are some work-arounds with dust collection on the Dewalt, and if the saw is serving your needs now then stick with it and get the Domino instead.

As far as dust management goes, I've seen some interesting videos on youtube where guys have built collection boxes behind their station-mounted miter saws (similar to setups for radial arm saws). When these are hooked up to a decent dust collector, most if not all the dust is pulled back into those boxes.  If all your work is shop work, something like this can be a good solution.  If you have to go mobile, the kapex/cart combo is of course a great solution.

My only "live" experience the Kapex/UG cart combo has been when I've been at the house of a fellow FOGger.  It's a nice way to set up and use the saw.

 

[riffin-rich]

Thanks Mikey.  I've already got a CT-26 that I use with the Oneida Industrial Steel Dust Deputy Deluxe (predominantly for overhead dust collection on my table-saw, but also for use with my other Festools), but I'm going to get the Kapex with the CT-MIDI package so I have a CT dedicated to the chop-saw and MFT/TS-55.  I'm planning to get the UG-cart and extension wings.  I also already have a DF-500 (I got it for Christmas) though, I haven't used it yet. [embarassed]

Rob, I was going to detail my efforts with the DeWalt, but then opted not to because I didn't think it contributed to the conversation.  I had taken a large Rubbermaid container, turned it on its side vertically, covered the bottom half to focus the air draw to the top half, then added a 4" dust collection port to the bottom of the contraption, and added a "shelf" and walls to further limit/direct airflow through the back of the saw.  A month ago, I added a sheet of plastic cut from a contractor-trash bag, which I had taped over the top of the saw and to the table to really limit the flow of air.  That helped, but it's a MAJOR pain in the rear end to connect the 4" hose, while getting around the DeWalt stand, and then getting under the dust covered plastic bag.  Not to mention, I cannot use the slider, or change the angles (horizontally or vertically) without removing the entire dirty contraption ... something I needed to do for my last project (a sheet-goods rack).

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Harvey]

For the dust collection, buy the Kapex. I put up a video on youtube to show how well it works. I kinda have mixed feelings on the Festool stands for the home shop, so I put mine on a B&D workmate and called it good. I also build my own extension wings, which I’m happy with. If I was trucking the saw to jobsites, I would go with Festool’s solutions, but for a home shop?  I would save the money for other tools.   

 

[Birdhunter]

I could never use my compound miter saw inside inspire of building all kinds of dust collector contraptions. I have 2 big cyclone vacuum systems.

The Kapex is "house broken". Hooked up to a Festool vac through the large hose, it sucks up 80% to 90% of the dust and makes clean accurate cuts. The Kapex is now my most used power tool.

If you can swing a Domino, you will find it changes a tremendous number of woodworking approaches. I have both the 500 and the 700. The 500 gets most of the use.

 

[riffin-rich]

It's done ... I got the Kapex + CT MIDI package, UG stand, extension wings, hold-down, and 80-tooth blade.  Thanks especially to Gregory Paolini for his awesome video on the speedy setup (and extreme portability of this saw), but also to all of you for your time and responses!  Thanks.  If you want to know more about the footprint or portability of this saw on the UG Stand and with the extension wings and haven't seen Paolini's video, check it out ... I posted it about 7 posts back in this thread.

As for the Domino, I'll get the DF700XL another time ... I've got the 500 to hold me over until then.

Thanks!
Rich