Festool Kapex and Kickbacks

I bought one when they first came out and only justified it because Bing was giving a 40% discount.
No, I have never had kickback from it. I suspect that is more a function of the blade than the saw though.

I probably would not buy one again. Back then it was the only saw that didn’t stick way out in the back; now there are other choices. I have had problems with it going out of square and it is a bear to get back into square. Maybe they have improved that; don’t know.

Maybe do a little homework on the Kapex as it had some electrical issues:
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/search2/

I also had a kickback so to prevent kickbacks I made a zero clearance fence.

“If anyone has the Kapex feel free to also let me know what you think of it and if you would buy it again”

Probably not as a I purchased a Makita 36V 7.5 slider to use for face frames and such. It’s accurate, easy to move
around, and works well for me on job sites.

I don’t own a Kapex – but there is a heck of a deal on them right now at Hartville tools
https://www.hartvilletool.com/product/17414/festool-miter-saws

The Kapex normally sells for $1,475, but they have the 120 EB version on clearance for $1,106. This is the same Kapex saw they have been selling for years, but they finally did something about the motor burning out. Supposedly, any 120 EB Kapex manufactured in 2019 will have the same motor as the new version (120 REB) and still comes with the 3 year warranty. The new REB version has a slightly different base but the motor is supposed to be the same. So if your on the fence, you may want to think about it

My 18 YO 10” Delta is making a grinding noise, like the gears are wearing, so maybe I should jump on this? NOT! It looks to be great saw, but $1100+ is a bit much. Still, it appears to be a very well thought out tool.

-- there's a solution to every problem.......you just have to be willing to find it.

I also had a kickback so to prevent kickbacks I made a zero clearance fence.

- waho6o9

I agree making a fence as you show here will make any miter saw a better tool, increase accuracy, and safety. All for pretty cheap too, considering the cost of the tools themselves.

-- Think safe, be safe

Another vote for the zero clearance AND remembering to LET THE BLADE STOP before you raise it. Since I read the manual, fifteen years after buying my first one, reading that tip and having experience several projectiles, I tried the practice. Who’da thunk it? Projectiles have cut back to almost none and those would be further reduced by the zero clearance.

On the zero clearance, just attaching a piece of Masonite to the fence will, as often as not, do the trick.

The only Festools I’ve played with are the sanders I have. I look at the jig saw, but figure my tool-less Bosch will continue to serve me, without having to swap bases.

I’m on my third Bosch barrel. The others didn’t die. Instead, they live elsewhere, since I only upgraded them to get the new features. They outlasted all the other crap I bought and which was being passed as tools by literal decades.

Anyway, the only thing I know about the Kapex is, my hardwood supplier got rid of his, because it labored to hard cutting 4/4 and better hardwood stock. He, now, runs a Hitachi and says he won’t go back.

I guess it boils down to how hard you’re going to work it. The issues noted above aside, it may be the average hobbyist would be happy and, generally, well served by it.