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To read about my first day at the Festool event click here.
During the Festool Editor Event at Festool facility in Lebanon, Ind., the most impressive tool shown was the Kapex (pronounced K-Pex). That’s Festool’s version of the sliding compound miter saw. It’s available in Europe now. Drop by one of Festool’s sister sites in the U.K. or Germany to gain a bit more information.
OK, so how is the Kapex any different from other sliding miter saws? Festool has added a number of features that push the Kapex past other saws. The bevel clamp-locking mechanism is a simple flip latch located at the top of the tool, not way around back or in some inconspicuous location as with some other saws. Lift the bevel clamp and adjustment is all yours. Once adjustments are made, a quick flip down locks everything in position.
With the bevel clamp open, the first thing you’ll notice is the balancing act of the head. Position the saw head for a bevel cut , right or left , and wherever you let go, the saw head stays put, even if you’re halfway between a detent. Festool uses counterbalancing springs to hold the head in place. It’s cool.
On top of that, you are able to fine-tune the bevel with a gear-driven rotary knob located in one of the rails. Now it’s possible to tweak the bevel to any setting up to and including 47Ã?º. Half-degree settings are a snap.
The Kapex is listed as a 10″ miter saw, but the cutting abilities would suggest a 12″ instead. This saw affords generous cutting capacity while being compact and lightweight; it weighs only 47 pounds.
Two additional features really caught my eye, the first being the “fast fix.” This is a system found on other Festool tools that locks the blade for easy replacement or change. There is no fooling with multiple wrenches. Twist the knob, grab a wrench and you’re back working in no time. And while the “fast fix” is engaged the trigger is locked out. There’s no need to run to the outlet to unplug the tool.
The second feature I found of interest is how the lasers, the twin lasers, are adjusted. Don’t look at or near the blade or arbor. The adjustment is located near the handle and the number of adjustments allows you to set the lasers spot-on based on your particular way of reading the lines. You can set the lasers to where you split the layout line as you cut, leave the entire line intact or make the adjustment to anywhere in between.
Other tools talked about that I’ll delve into in a later entry are a trim router (complete with interchangeable bases), and a large 3hp router that has a few features I’ve not seen before, including an ingenious way to change the base plates.
Day Two
Snow greeted us on the second day of the event. By the time we arrived at the facility we had lost nearly two hours. There was a bit more presentation , as in training sessions , on the established line of Festool products, then we moved back to the training room for more hands-on time.
The shortened day reached its end for most attendees who needed to race to the airport for outbound trips. But because I drove in from Cincinnati (less than 2 hours away), I stayed around. I’m glad I did because after a quick lunch a few of us were treated to an in-depth look at the Domino.
I thought I knew about this machine, but I quickly discovered my lack of knowledge. Did you know there are three areas of adjustment for the Domino? And one area that, even though you may be knocking it out of adjustment each time you change the bit, you shouldn’t try to adjust.
I’ll take a look at these and a few interesting uses and settings for the Domino in my next entry.
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