Turn kapex 120 eb 110v into 240v

[steven2140]

Hi guys,

My kapex 120 110v motor is about to give up. Since I have to replace it, I wonder whether I can turn it into a 240v by buying all the necessary electronics components in 240V. If so, what is it that needs upgrading?

I called Festool and sadly, it is not their interest to advise me on this one.

Thanks, Stefan

 

[AlexThePalex]

Better forget about it.

 

[FestitaMakool]

Hi, try Festool UK..

They do both the KS 60, KS 120 and KS 88 in both 110V and 240V.
So for competence, they should have the insight to parts and compatibility across the two voltages.

 

[mino]

Hi, try Festool UK..

They do both the KS 60, KS 120 and KS 88 in both 110V and 240V.
So for competence, they should have the insight to parts and compatibility across the two voltages.

I do not believe Festool will be able to endorse any such "upgrade" for liability reasons.

Your only recourse will be sifting through the spare parts catalogue for differences and it will most likely not be worth it price-wise anyway.

But IMO much better option is to get a new REB saw and sell the old one - either "as is" or after a refurb if you have a friendly repair shop. The motor parts are around the $300 base cost which is not so much ref. the complete saw price.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Hi, try Festool UK..

They do both the KS 60, KS 120 and KS 88 in both 110V and 240V.
So for competence, they should have the insight to parts and compatibility across the two voltages.

Festool will never help you in any way to modify any of their products.

Converting a 110v saw to 220 is a bad idea. OP should just get a new 110v motor.

 

[DeformedTree]

(edit: I assume you are in the USA based on the request)

Ignoring the price issues for the parts for a moment. You would have to contact a 240v country Festool, and the moment they know you are in the USA, you will be out of luck. You would need to find someone in those countries to buy you the parts, and then send them to you. If you have a contact in such a country, I would just head down the road of having that person buy you a 240V saw and send the whole thing. That is the easiest way to get your hands on one as Festool actively works to prevent those of us in 110V countries from getting them (they don't want dealers in countries selling across country lines).

The cost of the parts for the conversion probably isn't cheap either, it might be more than a new saw. That said it would be interesting to see someone find out how many parts are different and what the cost would be. You could figure this out by going thru the Ekat.

 

[semenza]

Hi guys,

My kapex 120 110v motor is about to give up. Since I have to replace it, I wonder whether I can turn it into a 240v by buying all the necessary electronics components in 240V. If so, what is it that needs upgrading?

I called Festool and sadly, it is not their interest to advise me on this one.

Thanks, Stefan

Hi,

  Welcome to the forum!

    It would be good to know what country you are in to make the replies more applicable. I suspect that since you would like to have a 240v saw that you are probably not in the USA.

    I doubt that Festool will help with a conversion regardless.

Seth

 

[steven2140]

Hi guys,

Thank you all for your reply. I am based in the United Kingdom and I have bought a 110v saw just in case I had to work on a large building site that never happened so far. I also bought many other Festool tools that turned out wasn't available in 110v. Therefore, it is a nuisance having to carry that unnecessary heavy transformer. Since the motor has gone, I thought I take the opportunity to turn it into a 240v and loose the transformer.

Well, I understand now that it would be easier and possibly cheaper to repair the one that I have and maybe sell it and buy 240v one.

Anyway, once again, thank you all for your replies.

Stefan

 

[FestitaMakool]

It probably has to do with that your saw, by serial no. was built as a 110V model and Festool dont want to alter that fact.
One thing you might try, if your saw is sound and mechanically in good shape, you could look out for a 240V model that has taken a serious knock, as long it’s not the motor that has gone it could be worth rebuilding around yours. I see from time to time here that there are wrecks for sale. Most have had a tumble or serious knock. They sell them off as parts.