Why Should You Get a Kapex?

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Today, while setting up the Kapex, I put my Wixey gauge on the blade and saw that it read 89 degrees even. I cut a piece and it was off. I moved the bevel 1 degree and it was fine, but I figured to call Festool USA to find out if there was a way to recalibrate the saw so that I wouldn't have to do this every time. Lester called back within moments and explained the procedure. Now, the Kapex is spot-on accurate again. See pic below.

 

[fin]

lol whats a wixey gauge?

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

lol whats a wixey gauge?

Sorry, don't see the humour.  [huh]
This Wixey gauge is a digital angle finder in the shape of a cube that has magnets on the underside so that it can adhere to a metal blade in order to make adjustments. Wixey is a company that provides a host of quite reliable digital gauges. I own three different ones...the two others are for my planer and my router table.

 

[dsh1705]

Hey - what a slick tool. I see that Wixey makes a WR25 height gauge, as well as the WR300 in your picture. What is the "third" gauge you mentioned having?

 

[RKA]

Just be aware of the degree of accuracy of these gauges.  It may or may not be close enough for your purposes.  I think the cube NYC has is stated to be +-0.2 degrees, newer versions are +-0.1 degree IIRC.  I have the same one and use it on my contractors saw.  It's good enough for my needs there and frankly the bevel mechanism on that saw leaves a lot to be desired.  But for the kapex, I would prefer to calibrate 0 degree bevel using test cuts and a square. 

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Hey - what a slick tool. I see that Wixey makes a WR25 height gauge, as well as the WR300 in your picture. What is the "third" gauge you mentioned having?

The Wixey WR510. It works great.

http://www.amazon.com/Wixey-WR510-Digital-Readout-Fractions/dp/B001PTGBSK/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1395263232&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=wixey+wr365

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Just be aware of the degree of accuracy of these gauges.  It may or may not be close enough for your purposes.  I think the cube NYC has is stated to be +-0.2 degrees, newer versions are +-0.1 degree IIRC.  I have the same one and use it on my contractors saw.  It's good enough for my needs there and frankly the bevel mechanism on that saw leaves a lot to be desired.  But for the kapex, I would prefer to calibrate 0 degree bevel using test cuts and a square. 

I believe that this one is +/- 0.1 degree of accuracy, which makes sense because it only does tenths. As you know, it doesn't take much to move a tenths of a degree. RKA, I think that your practice of going by the square's 90 degrees is the best way...that's what I was doing up until I spoke with Lester.
In the future, since it was out this morning, I will have to double-check anyway. Also, I think that a new mini square will make the shopping list.

 

[RKA]

Ahh, you're right!  +-0.1 degrees.  All these years I thought it was 0.2.  I wonder how that got in my head!?

 

[batcave]

I really like the wixey angle gauge, but mine really goes through the batteries. The digital caliper batteries last great for me. I quit using the height gauge since kreg introduced their setup bars. The kapex gets used plenty.

Kevin

 

[Max Neu]

If you have a wixey guage,I would recommend storing it with the batteries out,otherwise it drains the batteries.

 

[SittingElf]

NYC... Yikes!

Reading how your new mayor is killing businesses and schools!  Hope you don't get affected down the road with your shop!
And hope your taxes don't go to the ridiculous levels he's demanding! [scared]

Good luck!

Frank

 

[City Properties Inc]

Hey - what a slick tool. I see that Wixey makes a WR25 height gauge, as well as the WR300 in your picture. What is the "third" gauge you mentioned having?

The Wixey WR510. It works great.

http://www.amazon.com/Wixey-WR510-Digital-Readout-Fractions/dp/B001PTGBSK/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1395263232&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=wixey+wr365

Wixey rocks!. Just dropped two in the shopping cart. Thanks Tiny Shop.