Replies

1. 
   calvin | Dec 27, 2010 07:03pm | #1

   Well

   Had an 8.5 Hitachi for many years.  Started showing a little slop in the cut.  Decided I was going to get new.  Choice I settled on was between the new Bosch 12 (69lbs.) and the Kapex (42lbs or so) 10". 

   I bought the kapex.  Love it and am a real fan of it's laser lines on each side of the blade.  Pencil thickness, perfectly aligned with the edge of cut.  No real creaping up on the cut.  Place it to the lines, cut.

   Steep price, but after all these years after finally being capable of quality work, I need a real quality tool.  With the harder ability to see, the quality laser makes cutting an ease.

   Nice easy dado setting, no wing nut and jamb nut.

   Best of luck, I agonized over my purchase.

1. 
   andybuildz | Jan 30, 2011 03:17pm | #10

   jealous guy here! My DW12" is

   Cal,

   Jealous guy here! My DW12" is starting to scream so I've been on the prowl and narrowed it down to the Bosch or Kapex. No doubt which is better but$$$$

   I even see both reconditioned but $till...Kapex $1040 Bosch $470 w/laser

   I think I'm gonna wait for my DW to totally die or until I see a screamin' deal on the Kapex but I ain't holding my breath...I think "I'll" probably die before a see a screamin' hot deal on the Kapex.

   Talk about agonizing over this..ugh

1. 
   calvin | Jan 30, 2011 06:01pm | #11

   Andy

   It's only money.

   If the bosch you refer to is the new 12", its a beast at 67 POUNDS............

   This 61 y.o. rear doesn't have the mustard to tote that around.

   The tonage was a big decider for me.

   Now, haven't seen the laser on the bosch, the but kapex is one fine pair of lines.  Have you got up close to the kapex yet?  or the bosch for that matter?

   1040 is not bad, prob. the same guarantee?

   and is this 470 bosh the new 12"?

1. 
   andybuildz | Jan 30, 2011 07:17pm | #12

   yeh..same guarantees and $470 for the NEW Bosch 12"er w/upfront controls.

   That deals over tomorrow(Monday). They're offering an additional 10% on the low reconditioned price..till tomorrow which brings it to $470 including shipping. The laser I'm sure is one of those disc add ons that aren't worth much but still.

   I was looking at the review for the Bosch in Gary's Ezine (ThisIsCarpentry) and wrote to the author back and forth with some questions.

   The dust control seems better than most (which still ain't sayin' a lot) at probably on average a 70% pickup. Dust control IS important to these ol' lungs even when I  use my tool actuated PC vac with it...

   So between the weight difference and dust pickup and laser and that angle guide thingy the Kapex sure seems well worth it but.......

   ...and with me approaching 60 this March (oy) ...if I don't get the best tool out there I probably never will and I use my chopper as much as my new (7 months old now) cordless Bosch impact gun which was over $300ish. Some things we use a whole lot more'n others and a chopper is right up there...I mean,,,Jeeezuz...I bought my Ford extended van in 95 and it'll prolly be my last  the way it's still crankin'.

   See how I'm trying to convince myself? LOL..

   I mean look at  how much I've saved on haircuts alone over the past decades'n decades..and no more alcohol???$$$$ and no suits and still just clogs offa ebay..and..and...geezzz. I should really buy two Kapex's : ) GULP

1. 
   calvin | Jan 30, 2011 07:52pm | #13

   Alright

   Here's the one thing I've found that I think festool can improve on.................

   maybe-

   If it's technically possible-they need a dial it in fine tune on the mitre settings.  The bevel is like that and works well.

   But,

   seems there's a brand that did that-maybe Milwaukee............can't remember.  Or even the bosch.  That would make it great.

   The laser did it for me..........

   and ,

   try lugging a drywall bucket (I think-33 lbs or so)  like you carry a mitre box..

   Then try 2.

2. 
   andybuildz | Jan 30, 2011 09:51pm | #14

   there's nothing heavier than my DW 12'er that I've been schlepping around since it's inception so I do know whatg a heavy chopper is like.

   I bout on amazon's Deal Of The Day a few months back an 8" Hitachi miter saw w the bevel feature for $85 and that included shipping. I use that for simple things. It works...thats about allI can say about it but it's like picking up a feature compared to my DW. Matter of fact I took it up to the attic to use to chop studs for a cathdral ceiling I'm framing now for the kitchen below I gutted.

   Talk about light! All I can imagine is a GOOD chopper where I can say that!

   Thanks for all the info Cal...have a good week.

    http://picasaweb.google.com/andybuildz/KitchenRedoGutCathedralCeilingWorkAttic#slideshow/5566948467359826626

2. 
   Scott | Dec 30, 2010 09:01pm | #2

   I've been happy with the 10"

   I've been happy with the 10" Makita for years, but of course it's no Kapex.

1. 
   calvin | Dec 30, 2010 09:13pm | #3

   Scott

   if it works, and does what you want-can't beat it.  I've owned 3 power miter saws over the years, when I started I bought the best stanley mitre with a beautiful backsaw.  They all still have a place in my work, tho the hand operated model is more of a pc of nostalgia.  You take care of them and if you're lucky, they last.

1. 
   Scott | Dec 31, 2010 11:55am | #4

   >>>when I started I bought

   >>>when I started I bought the best stanley mitre with a beautiful backsaw.

   Cal...there you go dating yourself again!    ;-0

   'course...I'm completely familiar with that saw too!

1. 
   DanH | Dec 31, 2010 03:54pm | #6

   Cal...there you go dating yourself again! 

   He has to -- no one else wants to be seen near him.

   [Hey, Cal -- sorry!!  Sometimes my sense of humor drifts from dry to acidic.]

1. 
   calvin | Dec 31, 2010 03:36pm | #5

   Dan, do you constantly have to poke people with a stick?

   It really doesn't become you.  On this forum you are appearing as the grumpiest person offering help.  Now I'm no one to talk when it comes to sarcasm, but to do this day in / day out really is disappointing.

   Are you getting enough sunlight?

   Merry Christmas is a bit out of date and knowing your demeanor................

   all I can wish you is a prosperous New Year.

   cheer up!

2. 
   oldhand | Dec 31, 2010 07:45pm | #7

   My first miter saw didn't have a cord either.

   It is a craftsman, I think made by stanley.

   It is retired comfortably on a shelf, hopefully for my duration. 

3. 
   calvin | Jan 01, 2011 08:10am | #8

   Yes,

   There have been some improvements made in the tool industry. 

   Now that I think of that however, major changes don't come very quickly.  Over 30 yrs or so it's gone from fixed position (no bevel), to slider and bevel.............first only one direction on the bevel, then two.  Only to 45, then beyond.  R&D in tooling must play second fiddle to the marketing dept.

3. 
   marv | Jan 27, 2011 05:35pm | #9

   8.5" Hitachi

   The first sliding miter is still the best.  They can have my 8.5" Hitachi when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.

4. 
   Ledebuhr1 | Feb 07, 2011 07:13pm | #15

   I would put my Milwaukee 6955 up against anything out there. Oh, and the Bosch Gravity rise stand is the best out there.

1. 
   calvin | Feb 07, 2011 07:38pm | #16

   ledebuhr

   How much does it weigh?

   Laser?  if yes, how's that?

   thanks.

1. 
   Ledebuhr1 | Feb 09, 2011 06:10pm | #17

   I think it weighs about 65lbs. THe weight is not an issue with the gravity rise stand. No laser, but two headlights.