Thread: Best sliding compound mitre saw

Not so, woodbe. I bought a new Kapex from a forum member who didn't, despite several requests and phone calls, provide me with a warranty card. When I rang Festool to try and get my laser beam fixed under warranty, they didn't want to know me. So I still have a faulty left laser beam.

Originally Posted by Ratbag

That's a trifle unkind.

Having worked as a casual TA for the local Polytechnic (TAFE) a couple of years ago, I have been using (and servicing) their hardware. I've also held a part time job @ the same place, teaching basic construction skills to VET students and was previously a student of said institute myself.

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I don't particularly appreciate being belittled in an attempt to diminish my argument. To do so humiliates both the recipient and the author. Normally I tend to ignore personal attacks, and resent having to justify my credentials to have an opinion that may or may not be contrary to another's.

Good Morning Ratbag

I was not attempting to be unkind or to humiliate or belittle you or your viewpoint. And I do not believe other Forum Members were, either. Just engaging in healthy debate.

I simply found it rather incredulous that you would brand such an expensive tool as unsafe, make no attempt to remedy an apparently faulty part, and leave it sitting in a corner for two years after a mere two hours usage. On considered reflection, I still find your actions very different from how I would have reacted in similar circumstances.

Please note, that I fully concur with your attitude to safety; I will not use anything that I regard as having safety issues, well short of being "unsafe". Also fully agree that a TAFE or Skills College gives anything a very accelerated test of robustness.

Let us remember that the Forum is to impart insights and for enjoyment.

Fair Winds

Graeme

Originally Posted by JillB

Not so, woodbe. I bought a new Kapex from a forum member who didn't, despite several requests and phone calls, provide me with a warranty card. When I rang Festool to try and get my laser beam fixed under warranty, they didn't want to know me. So I still have a faulty left laser beam.

I don't doubt what you say is true, and its quite disappointing to hear of your treatment at the hands of another forum member, but this is hardly the fault of the machine or Festool. Is the warranty even transferrable under the circumstances you describe? It sounds like the original owner sold it to you, therefore it would probably be viewed as a second hand machine?

Originally Posted by festool

All you need to do is to complete the warranty form with your details and send it, with a copy of the purchase receipt, to: Tooltechnic Systems (AUST) Pty Ltd

Did you approach Festool or the original dealer with your problem?

woodbe

The original thread asked if there were other saws which could be considered. Have a look at Bosch GCM 12GDL . Here's the video [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnKRvz1EgpY]Bosch GCM 12 GDL Professional 305mm Glide Mitre Saw (GCM12GDL) - YouTube[/ame]

Mine made its first cut today, in the words of Borat "very nice"

Pay no nevermind to these other heathens, ratbag, I agree with you about the vertical handles; I don't like them either. The only time I don't mind a vertical handle is on metal cutting saws which tend to be on the floor and therefore more ergonomically usable for me.

I had an opportunity to look closely at, but not use, the new Bosch and Milwaukee and was fascinated by both. The value of being able to have your saw close to the workshop wall is high and the Bosch certainly does that in an original way. I would be interested to see how the 6 hinged joints stand up after a couple of years use though. I was disappointed in the depth stop and the saws extended rigidity. The Milwaukee was harder to figure out and is one I would really like to play with. The beauty of the trade Makita tools to date is their simplicity. There are no extras and what works, works well. They are the goto saw for tradeys for good reason.

I read somewhere that Bosch had tested the new design to 500,000 cycles with no loosening. the bearings are supposed to be replacable. The only problem I've noticed is that dust extraction is only about 70-80% effective (vaccuum cleaner attached) I'll rig up a better dust chute

First problem with Bosch. The laser has died after about 3 weeks and 1-2 hrs of cutting. Contacted Bosch- has to go to the repair man. Bugger! It's big and I'll need my strong son to lift. Will keep informed

For the past 2 weeks I've been helping a friend frame up a large house. We've been using his ancient old Makita LS 1011 with a single sliding roller only and it's the noisiest I've ever heard. It has a vertical handle which I dislike intently and no mitre or bevel stops what-so-ever.

As much as it has so little going for it, I'm beginning to think I like it. How horrid.