Thread: Festool Kapex 120 REB vs Kapex 120 EB

I'm surprised by this, as I just wasn't aware it has changed model designation, though for sure it has (note here https://www.festool.com.au/products/...itre-saw_57530 at the top it says "Replaces 561288").

Personally, I can see no change in the specifications to the Kapex 120 EB which I have. By all means, check it carefully, because for this next bit, you ought to sit down...

You might want the "older" model: https://www.carbatec.com.au/power-to...-saw-ks-120-eb

The price is a little hard to go past, especially if you are willing and have the funds to buy.

Don't tab out, I just checked, they're available in Brisbane for pickup (or, of course, web order and delivery if you prefer).

I have NO idea why such a deep discount (which is VERY unusual in the Festool world), but I must guess this is because of the "new" model that has been released.

It is a great discount and hard to go by.

Having said that I see this as a once in a life purchase and I would want the latest.

I also have vouchers from a Carbarec competitor I intend to use ��

Fair enough!

Mind, I still can't pick the difference between them - logic says there must be some though.

Here's a thought - the one time I had a curly question on Festool stuff, I actually gave them a call, and found them to be most helpful indeed. Maybe that's a shortcut to the answer... 1300 063 900

Looking closely at the pics I can see that the base has some stabilising/extension arms. Looms like a nice detail however it looks like it is at the expense of having a storage space for the angle finder.

It also looks like the dust port is slightly different.

Keen to understand if they have addressed the smoking issue I have read of.

Originally Posted by Damienol

Keen to understand if they have addressed the smoking issue I have read of.

You talking about the ones that toast themselves that all the American users on FoG are talking about?

That - to my reading, seems to be a North American (120V) issue - I rarely see anyone posting about a toasted 240V Kapex.

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

You talking about the ones that toast themselves that all the American users on FoG are talking about?

That - to my reading, seems to be a North American (120V) issue - I rarely see anyone posting about a toasted 240V Kapex.

Ahhhhh, that is good to know

I had the Festool rep around recently for some demos, and she said the changes were minor - can’t remember exactly, but fences/arms or something to match the smaller 60 design.

I’ve been hanging on until now as the older models will be discounted (as we see above). Festool will up their prices by around 3% come Jan 01 - another reason to grab the old.

Thank you for posting that Benmc, it's good to know, and even more reassuring to know given I couldn't find out any appreciable difference between the two.

Would you happen to know if there are any other similar model changes pending? It'd be handy to know if folks have something on their hit list, and might be able to find it cheaper.

About the only remaining Festool item I"m in the hunt for is a Conturo, but it'll be a bit before I save up for that puppy

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

Thank you for posting that Benmc, it's good to know, and even more reassuring to know given I couldn't find out any appreciable difference between the two.

Would you happen to know if there are any other similar model changes pending? It'd be handy to know if folks have something on their hit list, and might be able to find it cheaper.

About the only remaining Festool item I"m in the hunt for is a Conturo, but it'll be a bit before I save up for that puppy

My local dealer has the old and the new Kapex in stock, so I'm going to pop in today to have a look. I'll let you know what happens.
As far as other new stuff, Festool will have a new 'campaign' from Jan 1, as well as their annual price increase. Their current campaign ends Dec 31. Brochure download. Main deal currently is a free site radio if you buy a dust extractor along with a tool that needs it. No incentive to me, but may float some people's boat!

I've no idea what's in the new campaign (rep wasn't letting on!). So it's 3% (ish) price increase vs waiting for a deal that might be attractive to you.

All of the dust extractors now come with Festool's new flexible antistatic hose, so if you can find a dealer with extractor stock with the older hose, they should give you a discount. The update has been out for a while, so it may be difficult to find old stock. The mini and midi extractors now have electronic button controls instead of knobs (why?!), so again, the old ones should be discounted. (And if you spot older models in store, it's definitely worth asking about a discount as it won't always be offered up front. More ignorance than maliciousness in the case of my locals, and they're always will to phone Festool and check)

As for new stuff, there's a long speculative thread over on Festool Owner's Group. I don't think it mentioned much more than the Kapex, and some changes to the dust extractors.

There was one hint from the rep that parts of the CMS system might change or discontinue. I was asking about their combo deal for the TS55 saw and CMS module which had been showing out of stock on the website. It now seems to have disappeared completely (although the Festool website is so useless, it may well be lurking there somewhere).

Please note that I'm not a Festool expert, and I don't have any insider info. I'm updating tools at the moment, so I've spent a bit of time researching - all of this info is out there on the interwebs, and may be as reliable as all interweb info! OMG Chemtrails!

I love my Festool, the Dominos are great, the sanders are beautiful, the routers are balanced, and the plunge saws are easy to handle.

But I wouldnt buy a Festool mitre saw if it is a once in a life time purchase. if it is really a once in a life time purchase and the saw pretty much stays stationary, I will buy an Omga mitre saw or an Elumatec (or Elumatic)

Some Kapex owner rave about the extraction on the Kapex, have they seen the extraction on an Omga? it is 80mm on the Omga, the entire saw is made of cast iron and alloy except the plastic guard and power on/off button.

I did once consider purchasing a Kapex, this is long before I owned a couple of Omga, but the dealer-owner whom I trusted and have been constantly buying Festool product from, pulled me to a corner and advised not to go for the Kapex. Its a nice saw but could be better for the price point it is at.

Curiosity got the better of me so I went Googling. I'm assuming you're talking of the 350? http://www.ronmack.com.au/products/w...mitre-saw.aspx

It looks absolutely fantastic, but the reality is, this machine is in a different league than the Kapex, and really cannot be considered a competitor to it (or, if you do, it's like comparing an Aldi mitre saw to the Kapex). I base this comparison purely on price alone:

woodworking machinery : Mitre saw Omga t 50 350 saca seems to indicate - not including the Australia and Stupid tax - that this is a $4,200 machine.

If an Aldi mitre saw is $100 (I'm guessing here), and the Kapex normally $1975, that's an $1875 jump, and accounts for a large quality difference in the end product. To go from $1975 to $4200 (or more) is a $2225 jump. It thus ought to equate again to a paradigm difference in the quality of the end product, with some appreciation of diminishing returns (which is likely to creep in at this higher end of the market - the reality is, you get to a point where extra money spent equates to less of an improvement). It's not unreasonable ot expect an appreciable difference in the quality of the product when looking at this level of price difference - in fact, I would expect a big difference!

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

Curiosity got the better of me so I went Googling. I'm assuming you're talking of the 350?

It looks nice, for sure, but I'd be fearful of the price... places that don't put prices on their website usually involve hurried sit-downs when you ultimately find out what the kit costs...

My first Omga is a T55300



my second Omga is a second hand twin mitre saw from 1990's

You can find prices on Omga's own website, prices in USD.

https://www.omgainc.com/product_deta...=&sku=90005001

T50350 is about $4300 USD for a bare machine. with dedicated stand, extensions, pneumatic hold downs, it adds up very quickly.

Yes it is a lot of overkill and $$ for hobbyist use, but if we are talking about once in a lifetime purchase...

No matter how I use my T55, there is no play at all, it is rock solid, cut dead straight even if you pull/push sideways on the handle, Kapex, in comparison, is like a wanna-be mitre saw.

My second Omga was pneumatic controlled. only had a valve to change during my ownership.

Having used both the Festool and owning the Bosch Glide if I was buying today I don't see what the Festool offers apart from better but not excellent dust extraction that must be done with a vacuum cleaner and not a central dust extractor built into the workshop. The Glide with a well designed dust hood hooked up to a central DE is better than a Kapex for less money and accuracy has not been a problem.

Some seriously good deals to be had on the old Kapex 120 now - even better than that Carbatec price. If you're after one of these, go into all of your local dealer stores and see what they have sitting on the shelf. It really pays to shop around (and you'll need to do it the old fashioned way - the clearance deals aren't on the websites.

My credit card is now broken, but oh my, father christmas has unloaded the entire sleigh!

Other stuff being discounted on my travels today: Old hole pattern sanding pads; plug-it leads; tracksaw guide rails; old-style mini/midi vacs; saw blades; and various tools like the TS55, jigsaw and so on. No Conturos though, Midnight Man

Local store didn't have the new Kapex 120's out of the box, but it appears it's mostly a cosmetic update. They have overload switches and some changes to the bed/wings, but even the store chaps were vague on the detail.