Watch This Before Buying a Festool Kapex

Festool Kapex miter saw fail. I bought this saw for my high school woodshop and it failed after three years. Watch this before you buy one of these expensive chop saws to see if it will work for you. ‪@topsaw‬

[@markkoons7488]

I've got the same model saw and imagine the ergonomics of the design has played a part in that failure. If you mount this saw at the traditional height the operator is apt to forcefully squeeze the interlock simultaneously with the trigger because the position is wrong. My thinking is that the saw's deck ought to be somewhat below belly button height for the hand to fall more naturally on the controls. But what the heck... I don't even know how those parts interact with each other so this is just a guess.

[@topsaw]

I think you are probably right, but it means you have to bend over a little to pick up the wood. Very good point

[@A6Legit]

Thats awesome you still teach woodshop. Sadly my school got rid of it around 2012. Its probably the most valuable thing I learned in school.

[@topsaw]

I love it. I feel it is a privilege to work with kids in a shop

[@heinvosloo45]

I have had my Capex for about 8 years now, after it replaced my Electra Beccum and and previously a Dewald radial arm saw I bought in the 1980's. About a month ago the Capex started to give me some trouble not wanting to turn on. I took it in to our local Festool agents and after a few days they called me to say it had been repaired and that I could come and fetch it. There was no charge, When I got to the store I asked what was wrong and they said something on the electronics board went wrong and they replaced it under the warranty. The warranty had long since expired. So it looks to me that the problem is not with your saw but with the support you get from the dealers. It is a great saw. Hein Vosloo Johannesburg South Africa.

[@topsaw]

Good feedback

[@markenomoto]

I have a Kapex but I'm a DIY guy and nowhere near puts tools through the gauntlet of a high school woodshed. That said, it is disappointing that Festool won't go the extra mile just to support industrial arts in the high schools. I just found your channel and wish I had a shop teacher like you! Well, at least we did have shop which was honestly kinda lame compared to what your classroom looks like and having a Woodmizer to show students where wood comes from is simply amazing. I would just call Festool support and ask them for the part and install in myself. It can't be that hard and you are a SHOP TEACHER :-) It has to be a faulty switch which just has to be a few wires and screws. Love your channel and have the utmost respect for a teacher like you! Aloha :-)

[@topsaw]

Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I ordered the part and will get it in this week. Still like the Makita more.

[@imdking01]

It's only a wearable part that's gone bad. I wouldn't dismiss the tool just because the switch broke right outside of warranty period. Go on Ekat and order the part. It should be simple enough. Good luck.

[@topsaw]

Since I made the video, I have taken it apart and found the broken piece. Never heard of Ekat but I'll check it out. Thank you

[@imdking01]

@@topsaw ekat website not functional. Your dealer should be able to order tool parts for you. Or call Festool customer service and order over the phone.

[@RJ-sr5dv]

Top Saw , Appreciate your videos.. and all your responses THANKS

[@topsaw]

Thank you for the support

[@Gomethog]

Motor just burnt out on mine only about 5 years old. I love the saw, I find it to be very accurate and good for a lot of things but I'm with you, living in fear of the repair bill to come...

[@topsaw]

True

[@brustertootwopointo4644]

Mine arrives today and I'm kind of nervous about dropping over $1,500 + tax for this saw. My brother runs a construction crew and they are on their 3rd Kapex. 1st 2 were lemons but he said they have built over 20 kitchens with the 3rd one and haven't even had to calibrate it. Still, for the price it should last 10+ years without any issues, even under tough conditions. No excuses!

[@topsaw]

I think it is a great saw, just not for a high school woodshop or multiple users. Good luck with it

[@jeffranck6080]

I've looked at the Makita, but the Makita has one major design flaw, that you probably won't ever run into if you keep the saw at 90 deg. The plate with the detents that define the locking points on the Makita is made out of soft aluminum. Over (not much) time, the detents wear and the saw gets sloppy in terms of accuracy. Other than that, I like the Makita. I simply wish that the plate was steel instead of soft aluminum.

[@topsaw]

Good feedback

[@williamcooper5009]

I own the Kapex. It’s expensive and I’m having issues setting the 45’s (or just angles) with mine. Two 45 cuts do not form a perfect 90. I cannot find any help/videos on it. I got it close but I don’t trust it. The 12” DeWalt I bought 22 years ago still works and my miters were tight with it. The more tools I buy from Festool, the more disillusioned with them I become.

[@topsaw]

I hear that

[@neekniggit3606]

I don't know if it's a bad tool but I do know that's bad customer service!

[@topsaw]

Yes, my chainsaw shop are like guys on my team. The Festool service guys seem like they work for department of motor vehicles

[@Torres913]

Festool Europe have the best customer service in the market by a long shot

[@Torres913]

You should have sent it for a service before the warranty was out!

[@RJ-sr5dv]

Thanks… you saved people a lot of $$$$.

[@topsaw]

Not a bad saw just not for a high school woodshop

[@jakobhovman]

Quote from Star Wars: "This one has a bad motivator"... Hullo hullo Jonathan, Thank You for your honest video ...! Some tools just need a replacement trigger, Specially, when used by many different people and their "style" of handling equipment. Why dont you "sell" the Kapex, to someone, who might try to fix it, and by that Makita ... (PS: Or Bypass the trigger and plug the saw, in a separate start/stop green/Red safety button) Greetings from Denmark.

[@topsaw]

Good feedback, sounds like I might do something like that. Im certainly going to get the Makita.

[@jakobhovman]

@@topsawI Forgot to say: What an experience in the first place...!

[@giuseppecastaldo644]

Hi, congratulations! I would also like to buy Makita ls1219, but I'm undecided with festool kapex 120. which one do you recommend?

[@topsaw]

I'd get the Makita

[@Jeung21]

What did you end up doing? You could probably sell it and be able to replace it with another brand. I know that it would sell to the right person that is willing to do the repairs.

[@topsaw]

I got a new switch from Festool. Update video kzbin.infoPlmRkgsmAGM?feature=share Thank you for asking

[@5280ryan]

My Kapex is only a couple of years old...only gets light use. The switch short circuited - same problem as this video. I was warned by tons of guys that it doesn't hold up. They were right. Also - the fence was not straight at all. I brought the fence to a machine shop to have them straighten it....bla bla bla.....100% not worth the $ in my opinion.

[@topsaw]

I'm not a big fan either

[@loustoneberger8921]

Learned an expensive lesson. Festools are grossly overpriced. Two makitas for the price of one festool. That’s a no brained😎

[@topsaw]

Wish I had done that to start with

[@joemartines3545]

Actually three Makitas!

[@tommycarter5668]

you have the old model the REB is the new and improved version

[@topsaw]

Yes, I ended up replacing the trigger mechanism

[@bayernmunchen6762]

festool are great. BUT i prefer the Mafell. there push pull saw , eliminates a mitre saw . plus all there saws are outstanding

[@topsaw]

Never tried them, but will look them up

[@bayernmunchen6762]

@@topsaw very pricy but in the long run worth the money. i am replacing what I can with mafell all my festools

[@JW77]

I'm lucky my tools are not in a high school workshop.

[@topsaw]

The students do use them hard, but there is nothing more enjoyable than working with kids in a woodshop

[@tylerpitts3312]

Stihl chainsaws don't last a lifetime lol.

[@topsaw]

I've had a few for quite awhile

[@joemartines3545]

Thanks for posting this... I was consisering a Festool but I've decided on the Makita. The Kapex is overpriced anyway... they don't even give you a cheap clamp accessory - you have to buy it as an extra. This company is poorly run and lacks vision.

[@topsaw]

The Rotex sander is worth the money

[@MisterBlueSky]

That is a ridiculous claim. How did you arrive at that conclusion? Festool is a very successful company with a lot of (admittedly pricey) high end tools.

[@RJ-sr5dv]

Festool screwed up… every student who sees that broken saw will be reminded that the warranty, tool and the Festool Company does not last. At those prices they should be happy to fox whatever breaks

[@topsaw]

My thoughts exactly

[@briansooy3125]

Festool invented the track saw & orbital sander. They have been around for like 70 or 80 years. It is the best miter saw on the market. You get what you pay for. Any brand in the Home Depot or lowes is Chinese sweat-labor marked up. 3 years full-service AND theft protection with festool. Best tools I ever bought.

[@RJ-sr5dv]

Brian, I'm sure you're correct. But for the money they charge not to warrant the product is off putting. Wish I could afford such luxuries.@@briansooy3125

[@npet6842]

But did the repairer know it was commercial/training ? I talk to my Festool Rep when I want info both ways .

[@allthegoodstuff2091]

Sorry to hear the story mate no good. Any update what you ended up doing ?

[@topsaw]

I changed them out to Makita saws

[@pauljones8796]

Personally I’d order the switch online for 66 dollars and replace it in less time then it took to make this video.

[@topsaw]

That is what I ended up doing

[@roofermarc1]

The local yocal shop you bought It from should've ate the repair and got it done for you in two weeks. Not send you away empty handed. I would never buy anything from them again

[@topsaw]

I thought so as well

[@tylerpitts3312]

Just buy the switch from festool. Replace it yourself. Makita is nice.

[@topsaw]

Yes, good idea

[@chelseawagner4563]

I have to say that my Kapex does not live up to my Makita I replaced. I bought it because of the dust collection but I have found it real grabby and not as smooth or accurate to use. Of all the different ones I have used over the last 45 years I have had Dewalt, Rockwell, Makita, Ryobe, Delta to name a few. I am not impressed with the Festool and honesty not just the Kapex. I think they are over rated. And with that said the only injury I have ever had with a miter saw was with the Kapex. Its action is just not smooth more in the grabby side.

[@topsaw]

Yes, I really like the Makita