A Kapex Thread

[LGS]

Hi all,

I wonder if it's worth setting up a thread specifically for Kapex familiarization. I had a tentative play with Klaus this afternoon and it seems to me that there are a number of ways of achieving the same result. So maybe we could set this topic (or another) just for the use of Klaus, his jugged 'alibut , and their friends.
We could have a new thread within this topic for each activity's discussion. This way, we may avoid the 2 days of searching for appropriate information that occured with the Dominatrix.
Ever wondered what it would be like to have enough power to cut 32mm redgum without using the saw at max power and what it would be like to cut mitres without more than a short pencil mark at one point on the workpiece and have it perfect every time?
I like this saw. Mmmmmmmmm...Kapex

Rob.

[Pete 42]

My first question is:
Do I now have to find a name for my Kapex???

[LGS]

Pete,

May I suggest, Katarina, Kornprobst, Kastellan, Kandi?

Rob

[Pete 42]

Hi Rob,

I was kind of fond of the name Klaus - but...............

Anyway, I've slowly but surely been learning to love Wolfgang's lasers. With more use I'm now at the point where I can read the laser sights quite accurately. That was great untill that site job last Saturday - outside - in the sun.

[LGS]

Pete,
Wolfy sounds good, sure to be a hoooowling success.
Had m'first hand to hand with Klaus today and not being one to shy away from destruction of rare and valuable timbers, went straight to work on highly figured red gum and some Huon pine. The lasers are just brilliant (no pun!!) for alignment. Its just a bit nerve racking putting your faith in two red lines, but talk about clean, precise cuts. Awesome. I'll post the table top I'm making tomorrow. This is the first time I've felt confident making Mitred corners for a hall table, but using Klaus and Delphinium Domino...just awesome! ( I think I said that already!!)

Regards,

Rob

[Honorary Bloke]

Well, this is deja vu innit? Sorry seppos sit on the sidelines while you Ozzies gloat.

Anyway, post all your tips and tricks as a future reference.

[Pete 42]

Wolfy needs glasses.
Set Wolfy up yesterday for a few assorted jobs and found that one of the lasers was way out of line. Quite disturbing - will investigate further today and post results. Damn I've started to rely on those red lines!!!

[nt900]

Pete,

One of the few adjustments on the KAPEX is the laser assembly. Although it should be aahhh just right straight out of the box, but look at image 3 / section 9.1 of your user manual for a run-down the procedure. I have not had the need to adjust a laser yet, but am keen to hear about your success getting it spot on.

[LGS]

Hi all,

About 1/2 of my life was spent aligning lasers through fluid streams of about 50-70 micrometres diameter, using only a CRT and some beads that glow in the dark. I haven't had to adjust Klaus as yet, but I'm hoping it isn't as tricky as Argon and the bigger HeNe lasers.
I thought I might show some pics of the lasers in operation and give some very preliminary opinions.

The photos show the lasers in use to trim an uneven pair of mitres, a straight dock and the resultant mitre from the laser guided trim along with the entire frame I am making.

My initial impressions are that the saw is robust, flexible in the manner in which a particular cut can be made and that it is quite intuitive to operate. I don't know that I'd have any qualms letting other people use it after they have been shown some basics such as "here is the blade, don't touch while its running."
The beast throws out a lot of dust. I think its killed my Karcher. , so be sure your vac system is up to the task or be buried in sawdust.
Its very quiet to operate and light enough to be moved from one place to another on a temporary basis. I suspect that Wolfy's problem is related to a fixture having moved during transit and would expect the issue to be very easily fixed and it is amazing how fast you come to rely on the laser alignment.

I have reservations about cutting thin slices from small stock and actually prefer to use the Makita LS1214 for this, but it may be that I am just not used to the saw layout.
There is provision for an operator to attach wooden fences to the metal ones already there. I think this would be a good idea particularly when cutting dadoes and using the "special cutting position".
If I think of more I'll post them.

Regards,

Rob and Klaus (I haven't told him about Wolfy yet, guess I had better.) Delphinium Domino will look after him.

[LGS]

Klaus took Wolfy's condition better than I thought.
Here's the most tedious, labor intensive way to make compound mitres known to mankind.

1. Use the swivel fine adjust to the 45 degree mark and move the base to 15 degrees.
2. Cut.
3. Measure to next cut then line up the lasers to get a continuous pair of lines.
4. Remove marking piece and cut
5. and 6. Check the joint for fit. Ah!.. just like a bought one . Considering it all took about 2 minutes, Festool will just have to do better.

Rob

[Pete 42]

Rob,
Be sure to let Klaus know that Wolfy's vision is now 20/20. In fact better than new. From day one I found that the lasers were quite close, but not exact in their alignment. Then after the one outing from the factory, something definitely moved in the right laser. after (as neatly as possible) puncturing the label to access the laser adjustment, I found that in just 10 minutes both the lasers are now spot on. I'll rely on them even more!!!

Also interesting is the reaction from other tradies that are viewing Wolfy for the first time. Some are sceptical, but after a 2 minute demo of the bevel adjustment (I've already got them BEFORE showing the fine adjust), smart bevel and the lasers, the comments range from: "looks pretty good" through to "I'm getting one!!"

Wolfy is definitely one saw that really needs a vacuum. Rob, you were right when you said that Klaus throws some dust. I was cutting some 290 x 45 merbau the other day and the spray was impressive!! My only shop vac is an old nilfisk. It has been reliable, but alas has no auto start/stop feature. Also a bit cumbersome when transporting.

Cheers

Pete

[baltic]

Hi Rob,

Interested in your "mitre clamp system" does it work well?
What make is it and what are the dimension specs for the clamping system?

Thanks,
Gary

[Brice Burrell]

So why does Festool want to know that you adjusted the laser on the Kapex??? I can think of no other reason to put stickers on the adjustment screws. Am I missing something?

I can't wait for this saw to make it's way to the States.

[LGS]

Hi Brice,

I suspect that it is a requirement for Health and Safety. Even Class 1 lasers are, in theory, capable of tissue damage and of course, there's always someone from the shallow end of the gene pool who will look straight into the light source. My guess is that breaking the seal means that you have read and understood the warnings and therefore accept liability for any damge resulting from your actions.
(My unofficial title at Harvard was Laser Jock. )
You've gotta admit, the Kapex looks damn sexy!

Regards,

Rob

[LGS]

Hi Gary,

The clamping system is one I bought from Carbatec.

http://www.carbatec.com.au/store/ind...&cPath=60_8210

They're called "Framer's Band CLamps" and are A$27.00 each. I use them often for boxes with mitred corners amd also for frames. They work really well and are very robust. I have a metal clam (sorry, that should be clamp, but clam is good!)as well, but rarely use it because it's a PITA to set up and doesn't have the flexibility that the nylon ones do. i.e. when clamping, you can draw the clamp closed then reset the screw and futher tighten the clamp resonably easily, particularly if you use two clamps. They clamp 915mm square or equivalent rectangle or round shape.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Rob