Yet another Kapex video review
- Thread starter jaguar36
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FastEasySmartTOOL
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- Dec 16, 2014
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- 78
Hahaha... I also wish it came with 2 hold down clamps 
Thanks for the video!
Thanks for the video!
copcarcollector
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- Jan 11, 2013
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Thanks for making the video.
I noted the issues that you mentioned:
1 - Hold down clamp, only one included
2 - Head locking knob not green
3 - Laser sticker
4 - Vertical cut capacity
5 - Dual lock on trigger
6 - Casting flash on the base
7 - Hard to carry
8 - No systainer, no plug it = less value add for the price
9- Small / thin cuts can throw offcut into the fence / bounce back towards the user
I would not call any of them 'glaring faults' though
In my opinion:
1 - OK maybe for the price you should get two, but honestly you should not use both at the same time, and its super easy to move from one side to the other
2- Dont think it matters that its not green, its not the only non green function control on the saw, as you noted. Also the miter control handle is not green
3 - A sticker. You can get a replacement from Festool. I would rather have the ability to dial in the laser than worry about a sticker having a few holes in it
4 - No comment. It is true some of the cut capacities on the Kapex are less than other saws
5 - A safety feature that I got used to really quickly
6 - Casting flash does not affect cut quality
7 - I think the exact opposite. Once you lock the head down and turn it all the way to one side, I found the saw rather easy to carry, and lightweight for sure
8 - Nope, it does not have either. I think this is not even worth pointing out in the first place
9 - Yes, the offcut can be thrown, there has been much discussion about this and ways to avoid it, such as letting the blade stop before lifting the head, zero clearance inserts and more.
Again, I dont find any of these "glaring faults".
Overall I liked your video, concise and clearly thought out, and no annoying music in the background, thanks for that!
I noted the issues that you mentioned:
1 - Hold down clamp, only one included
2 - Head locking knob not green
3 - Laser sticker
4 - Vertical cut capacity
5 - Dual lock on trigger
6 - Casting flash on the base
7 - Hard to carry
8 - No systainer, no plug it = less value add for the price
9- Small / thin cuts can throw offcut into the fence / bounce back towards the user
I would not call any of them 'glaring faults' though
In my opinion:
1 - OK maybe for the price you should get two, but honestly you should not use both at the same time, and its super easy to move from one side to the other
2- Dont think it matters that its not green, its not the only non green function control on the saw, as you noted. Also the miter control handle is not green
3 - A sticker. You can get a replacement from Festool. I would rather have the ability to dial in the laser than worry about a sticker having a few holes in it
4 - No comment. It is true some of the cut capacities on the Kapex are less than other saws
5 - A safety feature that I got used to really quickly
6 - Casting flash does not affect cut quality
7 - I think the exact opposite. Once you lock the head down and turn it all the way to one side, I found the saw rather easy to carry, and lightweight for sure
8 - Nope, it does not have either. I think this is not even worth pointing out in the first place
9 - Yes, the offcut can be thrown, there has been much discussion about this and ways to avoid it, such as letting the blade stop before lifting the head, zero clearance inserts and more.
Again, I dont find any of these "glaring faults".
Overall I liked your video, concise and clearly thought out, and no annoying music in the background, thanks for that!
I didn't see you mention it, but in my opinion the only "glaring fault" is the fact they are shipping them with tables that are not level with each other. I don't mean it needs to be surface ground flat...there is nothing wrong with the painted castings. Its the fact the turret, is not level or in the same plane as the base tables. They should be level in any price range, but especially for the price of the kapex.
If Festool did some analysis of those having issues with kickback it wouldn't surprise me if they find those folks have turrets that are lower then the base tables.
Like, copcarcollector said, you should really be keeping the blade held down until it stops too.
Its great they will send a sticker, but I think your missing the point. Lets call a spade a spade. It was a bad design decision.
FYI, Festool service also told me you can peel the sticker back, make your adjustments, and there should be enough adhesive left for the sticker to stay put.
Other then that, its a awesome saw. Thanks for the great review.
If Festool did some analysis of those having issues with kickback it wouldn't surprise me if they find those folks have turrets that are lower then the base tables.
Like, copcarcollector said, you should really be keeping the blade held down until it stops too.
Its great they will send a sticker, but I think your missing the point. Lets call a spade a spade. It was a bad design decision.
FYI, Festool service also told me you can peel the sticker back, make your adjustments, and there should be enough adhesive left for the sticker to stay put.
Other then that, its a awesome saw. Thanks for the great review.
I was also 'put off' a little about the poking holes in the sticker thing but that initial impression has been more than assuaged by having the diagrams right there when I need to re-adjust the lasers after a tune-up, no parts to lose, no references to the manual needed. Perhaps if Festool had pre-punched the holes it would become a feature to critique for some other reason.
I'm fortunate to have one with the working surfaces within reasonable spec so that's a non issue for me but every other saw brand I've 'witnessed' appear to have milled table surfaces whereas with the Kapex it's hard to tell because of the finish but it does not appear to be and looks to be cast dependent for flatness.
All of these critique's come with the caveat of cost. Believe me I also considered the cost of the thing. I find the performance, features and controls of the Kapex superior to the Makita 1013 it replaced. I also managed to sell off the Makita and a 'surplus' DeWalt 12" miter saw to help mitigate the cost of the Kapex.
I do have one major complaint tho.... I wish the cursors used to set the miter were not green, it's a little tough to see them sometimes.
The dead saw syndrome also concerns me but I'll fight that battle if it comes to fruition.
I'm fortunate to have one with the working surfaces within reasonable spec so that's a non issue for me but every other saw brand I've 'witnessed' appear to have milled table surfaces whereas with the Kapex it's hard to tell because of the finish but it does not appear to be and looks to be cast dependent for flatness.
All of these critique's come with the caveat of cost. Believe me I also considered the cost of the thing. I find the performance, features and controls of the Kapex superior to the Makita 1013 it replaced. I also managed to sell off the Makita and a 'surplus' DeWalt 12" miter saw to help mitigate the cost of the Kapex.
I do have one major complaint tho.... I wish the cursors used to set the miter were not green, it's a little tough to see them sometimes.
The dead saw syndrome also concerns me but I'll fight that battle if it comes to fruition.