Kapex is coming

[William Nimmo]

I found out today and posted on FOG
July 1st it will be available for $1300.

[Doug Shepard]

Why wait?
http://www.k-pax.com/

[Mike Spanbauer]

yeah, saw that price and date too William. Sure isn't cheap, but a European co-worker of mine has one and has been using it for a while now (he's in France) and it's the bees-knees.

mike

[Peter Quinn]

How much is that Kapex? I have an extra kidney I rarely use...

Seriously, couple of years ago while on vacation I left my gear on site while doing a basement remodel. The client locked my makita slider (and all my other tools) in a humid closet with their open bucket of pool chlorine tabs "To keep them safe from the flooring guys". When I got back anything not in a case was rusted and pitted beyond belief. Chlorine does bad things to steel. Cleaned it up but its never been the same since...this might be the impetus to finally replace it.

[Bruce Page]

A SCMS for the price of a cabinet saw....
What's wrong with this picture. :confused:

[matt dumney]

Well...very nice but super overpriced...:eek:

[Gary Keedwell]

A SCMS for the price of a cabinet saw....
What's wrong with this picture. :confused:
Did you see their new trim router for $700? :eek: Just when I started to wrap my mind around a $1000 joiner (domino)...this is just too much. IMHO. At least the domino was something different and innovative. A SCMS is a SCMS. They all do the same thing, right? What am I not seeing here?
Gary

[Mike Heidrick]

Did you watch the video?
http://www.festooljunkie.com/blog/festool-saw-reviews/festool-kapex-nearly-on-shore-of-the-north-american-continent/

It is a sweet saw.

People pay $500 for their circular saws - Why not $1300 for a SCMS?

I do not own any festool products myself. A buddy I work with just bought a Festool circular saw and about 110" of rail. He is excited.

[Gary Keedwell]

I bought my Makita circular saw over 18 years ago for under $100 and it still runs great.:rolleyes:
Gary

[Mike Heidrick]

I may buy that angle jig though - that looked nice.

[Noah Levy]

Well, it is a "Revolutionary new tool" you know. And it seems quite a value since it's only twice as much as say a Bosch, whereas the Dominatrix is like five or six times as expensive as other jointers.

I heard they were teaming up with Felder to see who could come up with the most expensive sliding panel saw...

[Ben Martin]

I may buy that angle jig though - that looked nice.

Agreed, that is the only thing on it that looks of any value to me over my Makita. I rarely do beveled cuts so having any accuracy of setting angles really isn't important to me. Also, watch the video, it still makes dust. So I guess you either pick up a little dust or a lot of dust, nonetheless, you still have to pick up dust. Not sure what the real "value" is then. Pay twice the price for fast-accurate bevels and a fancy bevel gauge. No thanks...

And to just think that a manual miter saw used to get the job done....

[Dave Loebach]

The radial arm saw is back - re-engineered and redesigned!

[Joe Vincent]

Yeah, the angle jig does look cool. I'm now wondering in my head how to make one for my DeWalt slider.

[Doug Jones from Oregon]

ah, but, wait a few months. If current sightings of Festool in EVERY woodworking catalog and woodworking store is any indication, you will soon be able to purchase along with a slurpee and your local 7-11!

I'm thinking there is something with the high prices and increased distribution channels...maybe our sources are enjoying some profits on hardware for a change.

[Mark Roderick]

To me, the cost seems absurd. But it's not just Festool's pricing. Has anybody priced a vacation to Canada recently? We're all feeling the effects of a very, very weak American dollar. Yesterday the dollar hit yet another low against the Euro, and because Festool is a "Euro" company I'm sure that has a lot to do with it.

[Mitchell Andrus]

I bought my Makita circular saw over 18 years ago for under $100 and it still runs great.:rolleyes:
Gary

Gary, Gary, GARY!!!! We can't run a vibrant economy with that kind of thinking!!!!

Sheesh!

[Mike Duffy]

The economy has gotten too bad for me to buy one (especially at that price) and I think Festool will be disappointed with the lack of sales. Unfortunately, by July, I don't think even a price reduction will help them.

[Jesse Espe]

I found out today and posted on FOG
July 1st it will be available for $1300.

While Kapex will be here July 1st, DW708 is here today (and has been for several years). I read that as a cost savings of around $1300.

:)

[Peter Quinn]

Well, it is a "Revolutionary new tool" you know. And it seems quite a value since it's only twice as much as say a Bosch, whereas the Dominatrix is like five or six times as expensive as other jointers.

I heard they were teaming up with Felder to see who could come up with the most expensive sliding panel saw...

I like that idea Noah, a complete 10' panel saw that fits into systainers! Wondering how many systainers it would take....and what would the price point be?

I'd like to see the psycological profile of a person buying a $1300 SCMS....I get the value of all their previous tools but this round alludes me. Still have grampa's hand operated miter box...with a sharp well set blade it still cuts well, its very portable and doesn't create a dust cloud in use. Same quality made today would probably cost more than a power version!

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

A SCMS for the price of a cabinet saw....
What's wrong with this picture. :confused:

But, But, But, But, it's a FESTOOL~!!

[George Oak]

I think the price issue is entirely dependent on whether your work requires precision and speed. If you are a hobbyist like I am, the Kapex seems like a super nice to have tool, but a luxury nonetheless.

However, if you are in the trades -- I am especially thinking trim carpenter or floorng installer -- this would be a investment that paid off in months if not weeks with the added precision and productivity in executing tricky miter and compound miter cuts.

The other advantage might be the famed Festool dust collection. SCMS's seem to be the most problematic dust-spewing tools out there. In my workshop I have my saw's dust port rigged up to a collection system, and I crafted a big collection hood underneath and behind the saw, and it is still not perfect -- but hey it is the workshop, right? But if you are a carpenter working in a finished space where you have to minimize the mess, you don't have a whole lot of options. Again, it seems that the Kapex would give you a solid competitive advantage in this situation.

[Jason Roehl]

Time will tell. For $1300, some of those features look a bit gimmicky--lots of little plastic buttons and levers to break on the jobsite or in the work truck. The on-board miter gauge looks pretty nice. I can tell already though that I would never buy one for the handle alone. I can't stand vertical handles, they don't feel right to me (I don't think they're ergonomically correct, to tell the truth). My DW708 has a horizontal handle, and I use it left-handed just fine from time to time.

BTW--I don't think the DW708 is available anymore, the DW718 has taken its place, but is still about half the price if you shop around.

Also, a SCMS does NOT replace a radial arm saw, as you can't maneuver the blade parallel to the fence or table on a SCMS like you can with an RAS.

[Jim Becker]

It's so nice to have choices! There will be some for whom the Kapex will be very beneficial to satisfying their needs. For others, there is a very large range of choices at lower cost with varying features. I think, however, we can and should admire a company like Festool that strives to maintain the highest quality even at the risk of a higher cost. They know their market and accept that it's not inclusive of everyone. Better than than so many firms today that try (and, IMHO, fail) to accommodate everyone through compromise.

I don't know at this point if the Kapex is for me. At present, I only use my CMS for rough cutting of longer stock...mostly because it's been impossible to keep accurate. But I suppose that if I decided to replace the 12" Delta CMS I own with something new someday, I'd at minimum evaluate the Kapex because of the outstanding results I've had with the many other Festool products I already own and use. But that's not going to be for some time as I have a lot of other more Neander-oriented tool desires going forward.

[Dan Clark]

Time will tell.
...
BTW--I don't think the DW708 is available anymore, the DW718 has taken its place, but is still about half the price if you shop around.
...

Jason,

I won't argue for or against the Kapex. It's got some very nice features and looks high quality, but I don't like a vertical handle either. One of the reasons I bought a Bosch SCMS was the handle.

Regarding the Dewalt... The DW708 was a nice saw. It was replaced by the DW718, which I was going to buy. That is, until I reread the reviews and noticed that almost all of the good Dewalt 12" SCMS reviews were for the DW708 and almost all of the bad reviews were for the DW718!

It seems that the overall quality of the DW718 went down - castings are fairly poor and worst of all the head is floppy. I finally found a place (Western Tool Supply in Woodinville, WA) where I could compare the DW718 with the Bosch 4410L and Makita LS1013 side by side. I confirmed the reviews findings. The DW718 head was easily deflected side to side, while the Bosch and Makita heads were very solid.

My Bosch isn't perfect and I'd like to get a more accurate saw. I'm not sure if I can justify $1300 for a Kapex to replace my Bosch.

Dan.

[Greg Sznajdruk]

I may buy that angle jig though - that looked nice.

You may be interested in this angle finder, I'm guessing but it will most likley less than Fesstool.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=49716&cat=1,43513

gREG

[jason lambert]

You are assuming the Kapex is acruate though. For 1300 though I would like to see less plastic and more machined parts. That is just outragious for a miter saw, but I have not used one and I understand the dollar is killing us. I will probably wind up with one but I don't do this for a living I have to wonder how your typical contractor can aford one and how long festool will be around with all these price increases. A $800 router! I could buy 3 normal routers. ALso DeWalt now has a rail system so the things that made festool special are soon going away.

[Randal Stevenson]

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=48337&cat=1,43513

For non lasered miter saws.

It doesn't look very durable with all the plastic, however, they haven't shown if it has its own systainer that keeps it in place.
Even with that rubber dust boot, it was shooting past a fair bit of dust (which is the reason I heard everyone talking about it). Can't one just play with making their own rubber boot for their own saw, to see if that improves it?
I figured it would be different, in that, the guard, would come ALL the way down, then the blade would plunge, for better dust collection (make blade changes more of a problem though).

[C Scott McDonald]

Does the Kapex play the music I hear in the video on the festool junkie site? I would diffently get one if it did! You would not have to get a shop radio:p

Seriously, $1300 for a saw? Not for me. I wont knock Festool as I had a chance to run a circular saw and Rotex and a demo and was completely impressed. But $1300 for a chopsaw? wowsa.

Scott

[Chris Padilla]

You are assuming the Kapex is acruate though. For 1300 though I would like to see less plastic and more machined parts. That is just outragious for a miter saw, but I have not used one and I understand the dollar is killing us. I will probably wind up with one but I don't do this for a living I have to wonder how your typical contractor can aford one and how long festool will be around with all these price increases. A $800 router! I could buy 3 normal routers. ALso DeWalt now has a rail system so the things that made festool special are soon going away.

Capitalism and competition...they play themselves out in the market constantly. We shall see. Festool is all about quality for sure and you definately pay for it but to me it is like builidng a house green (using solar, geothermal, fancy processes, etc.) that always cost a lot up front but "pays you back" over time. How that payback works is highly subjective. :)

[Chris Padilla]

Time will tell. For $1300, some of those features look a bit gimmicky--lots of little plastic buttons and levers to break on the jobsite or in the work truck. The on-board miter gauge looks pretty nice. I can tell already though that I would never buy one for the handle alone. I can't stand vertical handles, they don't feel right to me (I don't think they're ergonomically correct, to tell the truth). My DW708 has a horizontal handle, and I use it left-handed just fine from time to time.

BTW--I don't think the DW708 is available anymore, the DW718 has taken its place, but is still about half the price if you shop around.

Also, a SCMS does NOT replace a radial arm saw, as you can't maneuver the blade parallel to the fence or table on a SCMS like you can with an RAS.

http://www.garymkatz.com/ToolReviews/Kapex.htm

Gary appears to agree with you in regards to the handle design. Too bad they didn't make it adjustable somewhat.

Still, drool-drool on this thing but I won't give up my 12" capacity with my DeWalt (705 I think it is). A 12" Kapex, and I would have to seriously think hard....

[Mike Heidrick]

The payback part I do not get. I buy my Hitachi, someone else buys a Festool. Both are accurate enough for use to keep it a length of time for it to pay us back. How is the Festool better? If anything it takes longer for it to pay back. I can understand buying tools because you like them or their features or they have the quality you want. Think that festool will outlast any other decent brand? Maybe I should not ask these questions.

[Chris Padilla]

Mike,

In a nutshell, yes: longevity. I've gone through countless cordless drills but my two F ones have taken many lickings and they keep going. Frankly, I'm amazed.

As far as the Kapex goes, we do not know too much about it yet but F has a very good track record thus far. Please do not comment on accuracy of the Kapex when you do not know what it is yet.

[Eric Haycraft]

Payback usually comes from less downtime, less setup time and other efficiency improvements. Let's say that the features of product X over product Y allow the user to save 15 minutes of time every day. That would be around $5 saved every day..so the tool could save 1000 bucks a year for that worker. Anything that allows you to work faster with the same level of quality will typically be worth a premium.
Does the kopex fit that category?.. maybe. I don't know.

[Chris Padilla]

There was a reason I said "payback" is highly subjective. We will all define it differently and that is fine.

[Chris McGowan]

You may be interested in this angle finder, I'm guessing but it will most likely less than Festool.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=49716&cat=1,43513

gREG

Looking at Festool's German website they list the part number of the angle gauge as SM-KS 120. I found it at an English tool site for ~50 pounds. Give or take some on shipping and your looking at over $120 for the gauge!:eek:

There is a Swedish copy that makes an almost identical unit called Nobex. This site (http://www.thebestthings.com/newtools/nobex_multifix.htm) has it for $35.

You could probably make it if you where handy enough and had the tools to work metal.

[Gary Keedwell]

Bought my cast iron 8 1/4 Craftsman SCMS 18 years ago for under $400. Hope it paid for itself.:rolleyes:;)

Gary

[Dave Falkenstein]

For those folks that think the Kapex is highly priced because of the relationship between the Euro and the dollar, be aware that the Kapex sells for almost twice the USA price in European and other markets outside of the USA. Those folks think that we here in the USA are lucky to be able to get tools so inexpensively, not just Festool but many of the well known brands.

[matt dumney]

I'm glad to see that I'm not only one that thinks the price point on Festool tools is grossly skewed.

Don't get me wrong the tools do neat things and appear well thought out but I think if you can buy a biscuit joiner for 300 bucks then the domino shouldn't be much more than 500. Granted the domino is more sophisticated mechanically than a biscuit joiner but still 700+???

Now they introduce a cool looking mitre saw but c'mon 1500 what are they thinking???

I supposed if they keep selling these tools they'll keep offering them at the bargin prices. Aren't we in a recession.

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest...it's been a burden.

[Rob Wright]

I fondled the Kapex today and the new MFT3. The upfront adjustment of the Kapex was really nice. The saw was extremely smooth. I like the small footprint and the weight of the saw. As a hobbyist - probably out of my price range - but it sure was nice.

New MFT3 was nice - I had talked myself out of wanting/needing one since I have a fairly new MFT1080. I was contemplating another 1080 - thinking that the MFT3 wasn't that much better - the height and weight alone do make it a nicer setup and was quite sturdy. The angle unit was very nice as well.

$0.02

Don't see either in the near future - must keep saving my $0.02!

[Mike Heidrick]

Mike,

Please do not comment on accuracy of the Kapex when you do not know what it is yet.


I commented on the fact that my CMS is accurate enough for me and the festool (I hope) would be accurate enough for the person that buys it. Your right though, I do not know if it will be accurate - I imagine they have that figured out though for $1300. ;)

[Alan Trout]

I don't personally begrudge Festool for what they charge for their tools. They are of high quality, well engineered, and built with the professional in mind. And from what I have used of their tools in the long run they are of good value. I use to think that they were overpriced until I got a chance to examine and use their products. I ended up with one of their sanders and dust extractors and if something happened to them today I would purchase then again in a heart beat.

Will I purchase a Kapex? Probably not, I personally really don't have the use or need for one. But if I was a trim carpenter needing to cut crown and base moldings all day I might seriously consider one. However at some point I will buy other Festool items. How I do things I can see me needing A More efficient way to process sheet goods, other sanding chores, or even joinery.

When I use to have to use wrenches all day long people would look at me cross eyed when I would spend $400 on a set of SnapOn Flank Drive combination wrenches when you could go to sears and get a set for $60. Like I would tell them when you use them 8 hours a day their is a big difference.

I am sure there will be several in our little Sawmill Creek community that will end up with the Kapex. I think it is great they will have purchased something they feel they needed or wanted and they saw enough value in product that they could justify the cost. Ultimately the purchaser is the only one that needs to be happy.

Good Luck

Alan

[Joe Vincent]

I don't own any Festool tools -- yet.

At some point I might take the plunge (so to speak) on one or more of their tools and a super duper vac.

Whether or not I do end up getting any of their stuff, I hope that perhaps their innovations will lead to future improvements in the more brands of tools. The more options woodworkers have, the better IMO.

[Peter Pezaris]

I bought one a few months ago (a friend in Germany shipped it to me) and have had it running off of a transformer. Although I haven't used it very much, I'm very pleased with it so far.

Please let me know if you have a question that I might be able to answer about it.

[I'm at home, Kapex in the shop... photos to come if you would like to see it]

[Joe Vincent]

I bought one a few months ago (a friend in Germany shipped it to me) and have had it running off of a transformer. Although I haven't used it very much, I'm very pleased with it so far.

Please let me know if you have a question that I might be able to answer about it.

[I'm at home, Kapex in the shop... photos to come if you would like to see it]

Cool. First question that comes to my mind is how well does the dust collection work? Do you still get much saw dust sprayed behind the saw?

[Peter Pezaris]

Cool. First question that comes to my mind is how well does the dust collection work? Do you still get much saw dust sprayed behind the saw?

When the workpiece is large, the dust collection works remarkably well (as "magically" well as, for example, the Rotex sanders). For smaller lumber, however, there's simply too much distance between the DC port and the business end of the blade to collect the majority of the dust. I've been using it with the CT33, although thinking about hooking it into the main DC system in the shop to generate more air flow.

[Dave Falkenstein]

...I hope that perhaps their innovations will lead to future improvements in the more brands of tools. The more options woodworkers have, the better IMO.

There are two competitors that have recently come out with a plunge circular saw, supposed to be available in the USA soon. The saws look remarkably like the Festool saw. I think that is clear evidence that the future is already here.

[Tom Cowie]

I've seen two kinds of people, those who spend on what they believe in and those who save and save so someone else can spend on what they believe in.:D:D

I wouldn't trade the Festools that I have but after this year (before April 1st) It's doubtful that I'll be adding many more .:(

But hey, It's my "Mid-Life " go get you own.:p

Tom

[Mike Heidrick]

Tom, great post. Enjoy the new tools. I do not own any Festool YET, but boy they sure are nice. I have my own tool vices though and sure do understand your post. I look at it like I would rather pay for them now rather than after I retire (have a day job). I have wayyy to many years until that happens so at least I can enjoy them until I do so. Also, having experienced a FIL and my mom both passing shortly after retirement I REALLy do not want to wait until then.

Festool items are awesome. In my big stationary tools I have some of the best I can buy. I consider Festool to be some of the best portable tools available. Once the other big tools are upgraded (dare I a say I am about done with that) and ductwork is purchased and installed (may be one of the bigger expenses), I may save up for the Domino. Really would like one of those.

Peter, I would love to see pics of the Kapex in your shop!!
A couple questions:
Does it work with Miter Saw stands? Can you show the mounting holes.
Also how much does it weigh?

[Jeffrey Makiel]

I don't personally begrudge Festool for what they charge for their tools. They are of high quality, well engineered, and built with the professional in mind. Alan

Most professional job sites I've seen sport those 'yellow' tools. And, it make sense because you need to factor in tool price vs wage, jobsite damage and theft.

As far as custom woodworking and cabinetry shops, the ones that I've seen use stationary machinery for most all operations. These shops are almost all gone in my area too.

That leave me. An overweight, middle aged, desk jockey with some disposable income. :)

-Jeff :)

[Jason Roehl]

I didn't realize it was a 10" (would that be a 254mm or 255mm spec?) at first--that would be a no-go right there for me. I've actually used my DW708 to its fullest capacity a few times, both in height and width (not both at the same time, though--don't have any 6x12s to cut).

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Anybody have a link? Must have been living in the backwaters of Nebraska, I have no idea what you all are talking about.

[Philip Glover]

The 10" blade will deflect less than a larger blade of the same thickness. Therefore it will cut more accurately.
The 12" would need a much thicker blade and a motor like a RAS to achieve the accuracy that Festool is looking for.
Then it would cost as much as an Omga CMS and be about as heavy (200 lb +).

Regards,
Phil

[Alan Trout]

Jeffrey wrote "Most professional job sites I've seen sport those 'yellow' tools. And, it make sense because you need to factor in tool price vs wage, jobsite damage and theft."
Jeffrey it really depends on the job site. I am a professional Inspector and I spend many hours a day on the job site. If it is a tract builder sure I see plenty of yellow tools. Which I also own several of and they work very well for intended purpose. But I also inspect many "High End Homes" which I see those better trim carpenters with Hilti, Festool, Metabo, etc. These are the true craftsmen that build site built cabinets more detailed trim packages and actually know how to cope a joint. They are not just putting down quarter round and one piece base and door casings. But you also have to remember these guys are not building and installing this stuff for fifty cents a foot either like the tract builder pays. It is true there are different levels of "Professional" in all businesses.

Well, that leaves me I am not overweight or a desk jockey but I am middle aged and balding wishing that I had more disposable income. :D

Good Luck

Alan

[Chris Padilla]

I didn't realize it was a 10" (would that be a 254mm or 255mm spec?) at first--that would be a no-go right there for me. I've actually used my DW708 to its fullest capacity a few times, both in height and width (not both at the same time, though--don't have any 6x12s to cut).

Jason,

Check the link to Gary Katz's review I posted earlier in this thread. I initially thought the same as you but the saw in its extended position actually cuts BEHIND the arbor so that you can use more of the blade than the classic limit of sawblade radius minus arbor radius plus a skosh.

You can also depth cut and thus cut dadoes with this CMS.

Still, even for a hard-core F junkie like myself, $1300 bones is A LOT to swallow and I'm sure I'd want all the extra gizmos that go with it so the price will go higher to reach "good cabinet TS" area! :eek:

[Peter Pezaris]

You can see here the Kapex from a couple of different angles. If you'd like closeups of any of the parts please just let me know. Also pictured is the transformer I'm using.... perhaps a bit overkill but I wanted to be safe.

I should add that we haven't had a chance to build a table for it, so it's somewhat temporarily sitting on the MFT.

[Paul Johnstone]

Payback usually comes from less downtime, less setup time and other efficiency improvements. Let's say that the features of product X over product Y allow the user to save 15 minutes of time every day. That would be around $5 saved every day..so the tool could save 1000 bucks a year for that worker. Anything that allows you to work faster with the same level of quality will typically be worth a premium.
Does the kopex fit that category?.. maybe. I don't know.

If the dust collection were good enough that a flooring guy could run the saw in the clients' living room instead of having to carry pieces out to the garage to cut them, I could see it paying for itself.
In my own remodels, I spent a lot of time going up and down stairs to cut trim/tile, to avoid having the kids exposed to wood dust and make a mess.

[robert micley]

festool is known for quality and accuracy.it appears to me that the hobbyists like myself are more into festool,dowelmax,jessem etc.i live in a small town and know 4-5 custom builders.i see the work on the job including trim work,cabinets,custom stairs bookcases,rails.they do not have any fancy tools-they are not calibrating their table saws with calipers and fancy devices.they are not using staret squares,any type of calibers.everything they make is certainly better than me.all this stuff wasnt around even ten years ago and many builders or craftsmen look at it as fluff.

[Jeff Hallam]

At the end of the promo video it shows a variable speed feature. What would be the main benefit of this? Isn't that like having a variable speed tablesaw?

[Tyler Howell]

OOOOOOOO AHHHHHHH!
And me on a fixed income

[Greg Pavlov]

Regardless of what it costs in Europe, $1300 *is* a high price and some of that *is* due to the rapidly shrinking US dollar.


For those folks that think the Kapex is highly priced because of the relationship between the Euro and the dollar, be aware that the Kapex sells for almost twice the USA price in European and other markets outside of the USA. Those folks think that we here in the USA are lucky to be able to get tools so inexpensively, not just Festool but many of the well known brands.

[Greg Pavlov]

I think the price issue is entirely dependent on whether your work requires precision and speed. If you are a hobbyist like I am, the Kapex seems like a super nice to have tool, but a luxury nonetheless.

However, if you are in the trades -- I am especially thinking trim carpenter or floorng installer -- this would be a investment that paid off in months if not weeks with the added precision and productivity in executing tricky miter and compound miter cuts.

In the last year we had both a trim carpenter and a flooring installer do a fair amount of work for us. They were good, precise, and fast. One used a DeWalt SCMS, the other a beat-up 8-inch unit that I *think* was an old Makita, but I really couldn't tell. I think that "precision and speed" are much more the function of the craftsman than the price one pays for a tool.

[Rick Christopherson]

Also pictured is the transformer I'm using.... perhaps a bit overkill but I wanted to be safe.Peter, you can run the saw from a standard 240 volt outlet. Yes, I am saying that because I know, not because I am guessing. I've had one for over a year.

By the way, you are correct that with smaller workpieces, the dust collection is not quite as effective as with larger pieces, but if you want to see how effective it really is, try running it without DC and you will be amazed at the difference. Oh also, do not bother trying to connect this (or any portable tool) to your shop DC. It doesn't have the static pressure necessary to operate with a small diameter fitting. Your CT33 is the best choice.

Answers to Questions:
1) Yes, the saw is very accurate. Right out of the box it calibrated at (I can't find my notes, so I am going to guess) at 0.05 degrees.

2) The saw is very light and easy to carry. I was amazed when I first carried it down the stairs into my shop. I was originally afraid of the "trip" (pun intended) but I was shocked how easy it was to carry. The saw weighs 47.3 pounds.

3) Even though it is just a 10" blade, the maximum cutting depth is 3.46" standard, and 4.75 inches in the tall-miter position.

http://www.waterfront-woods.com/festool/graphics/KP-07-lo.jpg