Festool Kapex KS60 Mitre Saw

[Dave455]

I know that most folks here are wrench turners rather than wood maulers (so am I normally) but increasingly often I find myself having to work with raw tree!

My strategy is usually to mechanise things as much as possible, and I find that if I can batch make a 'kit of parts' with all cuts at 90 degrees and holes drilled on a drilling machine, the final assembly is usually straightforward - whatever the project!

Faced with a need for a load of shelving this year, as well as a new shed, I really need to get a mitre saw!

Now, I hate circular saws second only to angle grinders, so getting one that's on rails strikes me as a great idea, but getting the cheapest Chinese model doesn't!

Having had a look around I'm seriously tempted by the Festool KS60! This is a new model, appears to do everything I need, but is semi portable, and costs about half of their other models (still not cheap though)!

Does anybody have any experience with these yet? Do any other makers offer anything of similar size and performance that I should consider?

 

[ricleh]

I have a Hitachi that I bought over 20 yrs. ago and I still use it now. I believe it was the first sliding miter saw when it came out. It might not have all the features that the Festool saw has, but I am pretty sure it is much cheaper. Mine has worked fine for hundreds of projects over the years. I have it attached to a Rousseau 2950 mobile table and support unit, so it is very portable.

 

[mike93lx]

Festool fits into a couple buckets. Pros that know they need it and will benefit from it or well off DIYers that want the best. For shelving and framing, any miter saw will work fine. $1500 for a miter saw that is not used professionally is a lot.

If you have never owned a miter saw, how do you know what features you need? Unless money is no object, i would start simpler/cheaper and figure out what will be best later.

 

[shelteredV]

For a casual user, this is a very expensive saw. It is also part of a multi point system that is really nice for me for a multitude of reasons, such as their sprung crown attachment, ect. You might be better served by a 10" Hitachi, or even a Bosch. I'm sure folks will chime in with lots of ideas though.

 

[Dave455]

This is a new model - a little smaller than the previous, and works out at about £500 here in the u.k. A comparable Makita is £350 so it's a chunk more, but not a different league!

I have a couple of Festool tools already and have been very impressed. They've both had a lot of use and have withstood it well, so while I'm not a Festool junkie I like the way they work!

ricleh - yes, those early Hitachi tools were great - I didn't know they made a mitre saw back then though! Wish they were still around!

I'll have a look at Bosch, good idea!

 

[fountain]

I have the Kapex 120 and a Domino Xl. I find the Kapex to be underwhelming ecspecially for the price. It has a weird arbor size and seems under powered compared to a Bosch or Hitachi. It does have great features like dust collection, dado setting, micro mitre adjustment but not worth the extra price to me. I bought into the hype and should have purchased as bosch. Unless you are a trim carpenter it is way overkill. Get a Hitachi, I have an old Hitachi that gets abused and still cuts great.

 

[beakie]

framing = speed square + circular saw
shelves..8-10" deep = any 10" mitre saw will do that & save you $1k

the Kapex is a money maker (used A LOT) or a luxury ($$ to burn)

 

[matt_m]

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