Thread: Dangerous Kapex

This has been discussed on the FOG forum. Check out Rob's reply number 7 here: KAPEX update

And this thread seems to have a long term fix: http://festoolownersgroup.com/festoo...pex-guard-fix/

Thanks Brice. I'll check it out.

Originally Posted by Shedhand

... when I reached under the blade to remove a small offcut.

After you get the guard sorted, you should have a look at your work practices - reaching under the blade (guarded or not) seems like a dangerous thing to do.

Originally Posted by Vernonv

After you get the guard sorted, you should have a look at your work practices - reaching under the blade (guarded or not) seems like a dangerous thing to do.

what he said

Well guys, that's why the guard is there. And for 1800 bucks you'd expect a tool of that quality to be devoid of such flaws. If it was a car or a washing machine there'd be a total recall to fix the problem - and all the other that have been reported.

Cheers
Sheddy in the Shed

It's always been my view that guards are there in case you do something stupid.... NOT to allow you do stupid things because they are there.

Ian

Thank you for your erudite response, I'll be sure to remind myself of my stupidity in the future. Still, that's not the point. The guard should do the job its designed to do.

......for $1500-$1800 you'd think the most basic/safety aspect of a droppy would work.
Strewth even my ol' $300 makita never stuffed up like that.
IMO overrated bits of crappola...as I said IMO

Glenn

I'm with Sheddy on this one. It seems this is a known problem too, three separate mentions (now four) can't be dismissed as a random event. Whether he puts his hand or his head under the saw is not really the issue, it is fair to expect that the blade guard on a saw that expensive should work.

Hi Shedhand,

Obviously, it's important to get fixed straight away and properly. I suggest a call to your dealer or Festool direct in order to fix the issue. Also, if you feel you need to talk about expectations, cover that off as well.

Originally Posted by nt900

Hi Shedhand,

Obviously, it's important to get fixed straight away and properly. I suggest a call to your dealer or Festool direct in order to fix the issue. Also, if you feel you need to talk about expectations, cover that off as well.

Anthony is right, this is a safety issue so the problem needs to fixed correctly. I meant my reply to get you back up and running until you have time to get it looked at.

You should definately be looking at your work habits. Ideally you should allow the blade to come to a halt before raising back up. And simply because the saw has a hefty price tag doesn't mean it should prevent the stupid from being injured. Even if you wanted to utilise the guard to your advantage and remove an offcut, surely you would check the guard is working before you move your hand there???

Natural selection has something to offer us I think - these days everyone wants to be wrapped in cotton wool.

Originally Posted by SimonArchibald

You should definately be looking at your work habits. Ideally you should allow the blade to come to a halt before raising back up. And simply because the saw has a hefty price tag doesn't mean it should prevent the stupid from being injured. Even if you wanted to utilise the guard to your advantage and remove an offcut, surely you would check the guard is working before you move your hand there???

Natural selection has something to offer us I think - these days everyone wants to be wrapped in cotton wool.

Yeah, right! Whatever you say.

Interesting thread gentlemen. I've had the same problem myself, except mine's intermittent (and therefore even more dangerous).

I harbour no illusions about Festool's supposed innate superiority, and consider the Kapex to be a relatively well designed tool that has been rushed to the market without sufficient "development miles". I expect subsequent generations of the tool will perform better.

Given the seriousness of the flaw, and the number of incidents that are being experienced, I would consider a product recall would not only be advisable, but in the interests of the company's fragile long-term reputation, to be mandatory.