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To read about my first day at the Festool event click here.
During the Festool Editor Event at Festool facility in Lebanon, Ind., the most impressive tool shown was the Kapex (pronounced K-Pex). That’s Festool’s version of the sliding compound miter saw. It’s available in Europe now. Drop by one of Festool’s sister sites in the U.K. or Germany to gain a bit more information.
OK, so how is the Kapex any different from other sliding miter saws? Festool has added a number of features that push the Kapex past other saws. The bevel clamp-locking mechanism is a simple flip latch located at the top of the tool, not way around back or in some inconspicuous location as with some other saws. Lift the bevel clamp and adjustment is all yours. Once adjustments are made, a quick flip down locks everything in position.
With the bevel clamp open, the first thing you’ll notice is the balancing act of the head. Position the saw head for a bevel cut , right or left , and wherever you let go, the saw head stays put, even if you’re halfway between a detent. Festool uses counterbalancing springs to hold the head in place. It’s cool.
On top of that, you are able to fine-tune the bevel with a gear-driven rotary knob located in one of the rails. Now it’s possible to tweak the bevel to any setting up to and including 47Ã?º. Half-degree settings are a snap.
The Kapex is listed as a 10″ miter saw, but the cutting abilities would suggest a 12″ instead. This saw affords generous cutting capacity while being compact and lightweight; it weighs only 47 pounds.
Two additional features really caught my eye, the first being the “fast fix.” This is a system found on other Festool tools that locks the blade for easy replacement or change. There is no fooling with multiple wrenches. Twist the knob, grab a wrench and you’re back working in no time. And while the “fast fix” is engaged the trigger is locked out. There’s no need to run to the outlet to unplug the tool.
The second feature I found of interest is how the lasers, the twin lasers, are adjusted. Don’t look at or near the blade or arbor. The adjustment is located near the handle and the number of adjustments allows you to set the lasers spot-on based on your particular way of reading the lines. You can set the lasers to where you split the layout line as you cut, leave the entire line intact or make the adjustment to anywhere in between.
Other tools talked about that I’ll delve into in a later entry are a trim router (complete with interchangeable bases), and a large 3hp router that has a few features I’ve not seen before, including an ingenious way to change the base plates.
Day Two
Snow greeted us on the second day of the event. By the time we arrived at the facility we had lost nearly two hours. There was a bit more presentation , as in training sessions , on the established line of Festool products, then we moved back to the training room for more hands-on time.
The shortened day reached its end for most attendees who needed to race to the airport for outbound trips. But because I drove in from Cincinnati (less than 2 hours away), I stayed around. I’m glad I did because after a quick lunch a few of us were treated to an in-depth look at the Domino.
I thought I knew about this machine, but I quickly discovered my lack of knowledge. Did you know there are three areas of adjustment for the Domino? And one area that, even though you may be knocking it out of adjustment each time you change the bit, you shouldn’t try to adjust.
I’ll take a look at these and a few interesting uses and settings for the Domino in my next entry.
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
The tool is very efficient and I have tested it myself: no complaints mister!!! If you work in the branch and need the product please buy it because the quality/price ratio is positive.
When I first saw the Kapex come in to Ace my first thought was what a pricey saw. After playing with it for 5 minutes I thought it was so worth it. What a Sweet Saw! Key features are blade safety, variable speed, 10 pounds less than competitors saw, easy to read and the fast fix ( one hand blade changing system).
Yes. Im agree.
Yes. Im agree.
Yes, I’m agree…
I’m agree with you.
I’m agree with you.
I’m agree with you.
While we’re at it, one more comment in light of the above posts, especially the one immediately after my first one:
I reviewed some catalogs, especially Woodcraft’s, where Festools are listed. A Festool circ saw is listed at more than $400. Granted it has a "plunge" feature, but this feature can be had on a guided circ saw which sets you back only a third as much as the Festool. All the user needs is some practice on scraps until he / she has attained 100$ consistency taken over eight or ten trials. Perhaps a week’s worth of ten trials a day will help to develop the feel you need to essentially rock the saw from toe to sole as you plunge into the sheet of plywood. Trim carpenters used to do it all the time, and the instructions for the jigswa I inherited from my dad had instructions for doing a similar operation with this saw. I even witnessed my dad doing this operation a number of times while I was growing up, on drywall in opening up a bedroom to the living room. I consider the "Plunge" feature nice, but not worth the 200 – 300% of the Festool over, say, a Craftsman or Makita or Dewalt.
As for the appreciative notes shown by those who have already tried the Festools (I haven’t, yet), all I can say is Dad had an expression he used while teaching me some of the rudiments: "There is more than one way to skin a cat." Sorry, cat-lovers, but that is exactly what I heard. Over and again. Exact same words. The point remains ….
I really have no desire to spend that high a premium for tools when I could practice with the tools I have and get perfectly acceptable results when I combine my skills and the tools I have. It’s just a matter of striking a balance that works best for you.
Having read all of the above posts, my own verdict is that unfortunately we’re seeing the magic of marketing at work. The down-and-dirty definition of marketing is, using enough magic qualitative words supported by the bare minimum of facts to maximize the money separated from the customer. 🙂
Anyway, I guess I’m one for taking the time to repair and maintain the tools I can afford so that I can get the maximum benefit for the minimum amount of money. And since I don’t know of any saw sharpening shops in my neck of the woods, one of my resolutions for 2008 is to learn how to sharpen my own saws and bits. Who knows, that might turn inot a small business / e-bay business. Does anyone want to send their expensive Festool blades / bits my way for servicing? 😉 😉
By the way, a Craftsman sliding miter saw is somewhere around $350 to $500. Than you have to buy the blades.
But that is whole lot less expensive than the price quoted for the Festool saw above.
Well, I used to be in the Festool too expensive camp too. However, my opinion changed after I learned more about the tools.
Long ago, I learned the ‘cry once’ cliche. Festools are made with their highest priority being ‘quality’ and therefore, their tools are very well engineered. They are also engineered to function together as a group. Their price point falls to a distant second.
I have read the posts about them being the same as other products, but this isn’t quite true. They have what appears to be a circular saw – the TS55. But, it’s actually a ‘plunge saw’, which is just now being copied by Makita (at about the same price point, no less).
If you go to construction websites, like JLC, you’ll find that these saws are highly regarded by the tradesmen that use them daily. You mark your two cutting points and then place the guide rail up to those points and you get an exact cut – even if it’s a 45 degree bevel. You also get no splintering in plywood – try that with your tablesaw and today’s second rate plywood. And, finally, you get almost no dust. About 90 to 95 percent of the (carcinogenic) wood dust is sucked up by the attached vacuum.
After learning more about Festool and their tools, I was sold on some of the items. That’s not to say that there are not some better products in some cases. I’d rather have a Bosch jigsaw than a Festool. A Makita drill than a Festool. And I love my Makita SCMS. But, my Makita SCMS sucks at dust collection. If the Festool Kapex is much better at dust collection, then I might save up my money for one.
One of the most important safety lessons to be learned about having a woodshop is how really bad wood dust is for your lungs. And how important HEPA collection is at the source. But, that’s a topic that is for another discussion and most Americans don’t want to pay for it.
I find it interesting that those who criticize the price of Festool have more than likely not used one. There is not or has there ever been low priced quality. Quality in manufacturing a product is a culture that exits througout a company. Every aspect of that company has to be on board to try and make the best product and sell it on one premise–that the customer will appreciate and pay for the effort. In one of the comments there was a remark about greed. That is what prompted this entry.
I’m certainly not rich. I work as an industrial electrician now in my 41 year in the trade. I own 4 festool units. My first purchase 2 years ago was the larger 75 skill saw. It was over 500 dollars and I really struggled with that price. After all I had a top of the line Milwaukee, and in the trades that name is well respected. Now two years later I’ve never had the Milwaukee out of its box. The festools are so good that describing how they will change the way you work just has to be experienced. These are among the best tools that can be purchased at any price and will completely change the way in which you work and the time it takes to do high quality work. Try any one of the line and you won’t believe the results.
Can anyone say, not just highly priced, but well overpriced. From the German Festool page, the price of the saw alone is 1160 Euros ). I used a currency converter and the USD price came out at $1700. I think for that price, I could buy a sliding Dewalt miter saw and still have about $1000 left, instead of buying the Festool. Who knows, maybe for the US release, they’ll drop the price to a more reasonable level…like what, $1400 – such a bargain. Unless you’re a guy who just has to have a $800 Lamello plate jointer, I think you’ll bypass the Festool.
After reading the brief intro on the new miter saw I was going to make a comment about how (too) expensive all the Festool tools are. Looks like I was beaten to the punch. Like a lot of others, I could afford them but refuse to because I feel like they are taking advantage of the every day woodworker. I know they are nice tools and have seen their demos but I wasn’t that impre$$ed. Sorry Festool, not for me.
Festool may have a few extra bells and whistles that are nice, but the price of their tools are so high, the average person cannot afford to purchase them. Myself, I simply pass the Festools displays now, irrespective of what is being displayed. If they want to join the big boys they will have to offer a more reasonable price and work on Gross Sales. Too Greedy for my blood.
Glenn,
Not only how much will it be, when will it be available?
Thanks,
Richard
Hi Glenn, Thanks for the info on the Kapex. It looks like a great saw and I’m considering updating my current 10" slider, I just wonder how over-priced this thing is going to be.
Hi Bruce. You answered your own question. It’s more about the engineering and the tolerances than the price of the Euro (although that will make a difference this year)
The American manufacturers don’t add the additional beefiness because very few are willing to pay for it until you get into "industrial" lines where factories are the target customer.
Pete
Hey Glenn,
Looking at the first pic, I notice the sliding rods and their supports are beefier than I have seen on the American-branded sliding miters. I like that! Why can’t the American designers do something similar with their construction?
Festool has a nice design and engineering with that set-up. Their prices are way too stiff for me. One wonders what they really sell for in Germany. The reason I asked is that I’m reminded of my marketing prof’s story about how a common car like the Mercedes Benz became a luxury item here in the States. The mark had been valued at something like 2 or 3 marks to the dollar, so drop the DM and put the $ in front of the price and, voila, instant luxury item. Maybe it doesn’t work quite the same with the Euro, but one wonders.