Thread: Festool KS120 clone required

Hi Jill,
Have a look at the Makita. I know that this is only a 10 inch model but seems to tick most of the boxes.
SYDNEY TOOLS - Makita 260mm Dual Bevel Slide Compound Mitre Saw

Hi Jill,
I bought the full version Kapex last year as a treat, but if I hadn't bought it the Makita would be my next choice. The Kapex is great, and the best thing is the twin lasers and the spot on accuracy. I would recommend the Makita (even though I have not used one) but the forum opinions praised the ruggedness and accuracy of them. Just make sure that the laser can mark on both sides of the saw blade.

I have found excellent reviews here, for and against this saw.

Has anyone else experienced the most common problems of the rough upper rail bearings and/or the zero degrees bevel stop

Dear Jill,

The only other SCMS that I can think of besides the Kapex that slides within its own footprint is the Hitachi C12RSH:
TradeTools Direct - Serious Tools...Seriously Discounted!
It's as ugly as sin, but it's also a 12"er, and a heck of a lotta' saw for the money besides. The asking price is consistently less than 1 "G".

Best Wishes,
Batpig.

Hi again Jill,
I read the American review about the Makita and it does not sound too good. I hasten to add that the one I would have bought was the LS1214 model. Maybe the LS 1016 reviewed is very different to the 1214. Hitachi seem to have a good reputation but they look disgusting!

I have the 12" Hitachi which I purchased last year from All Tools in Bayswater Perth with my Rudd money, $925 plus they threw in a bonus 14v drill.

I could not be happier with the performance, cuts very clean and very powerful.

You can adjust the machine so that it can be positioned against a wall (or pretty close anyway) which is great if in the shop.

I got the version with the laser but without the digital angle doohickey as I didn't think it necessary.

The Kapex looks great as well but is it honestly 2x better for the price? and are you more interested in looks or performance??

The wood doesn't know how expensive the machine is...

hi Jillb, have you looked at the Festool KS88, a cheaper version of the KS120. I got one late last year and so far could not be happier, it dosnt have the laser or the angle measureing device but does it cut smoothly and accurateley. I got mine for $1430 here in Perth. I have had Bosch and Makita drop saws in the past and the Kapex , for me, is the best i have owned.
Regards

JillB - judging by another thread, you've solved the problem....

Congratulations on your special "Birthday Edition" Kapex

Thanks MrBrush - I got it at a price too good to refuse.

Only problem is now how to get it from Brisbane to Townsville quickly and at a reasonable price, but am working on it Good having a son in Brissie to cart it around.

The local son can have his Makita LS1212 back to make his deck

Hi
I have the festool kapex and also have the crown stops on a dewalt stand .these saws are more robust than one thinks as I no when falling over with the saw and droping hard the only damage was the gaurd arm link and seting the lasers but still cuts 100%.
I have done many shopfits and high end work where thay supliy the power tools so i have used alot of difirent saws and by far the festool is the best mobile unit. but not the festool stand to complex for site and not that big work support dewalt stands are best and ther is a copy by some one cant think of ther name but it is slightly cheaper. hitachi and makita saws joint second the yellow stuff is good for frammers

cheers ldw

Hi
I have a kapax 120 i purchased recently. But i must say I like the Dewalt 12" saw better (my old saw). I find the soft start anoying that when you push in the trigger it takes so long to start. The dewalt also cuts deeper.
I think festools are over rated. I can say this i own four of them.
I do love the double laser though.
There a festool on ebay at the moment $1300. as good as new.


Regards
Jamie

hi jamie, did you say you own four festool kapex dropsaws?

justin.

Originally Posted by justinmcf

hi jamie, did you say you own four festool kapex dropsaws?

justin.

Hi Justin. No i have four festool tools one of which is the drop saw.

Regards
Jamie