I'm thinking about upgrading my miter saw and I'm down to two options: the Bosch GCM12SD and the Festool Kapex 120. There's a significant price gap, with the Kapex running around $900 to $1200 even for used ones, whereas the Bosch is usually a bit more budget-friendly. My main question is whether the Kapex actually lives up to its high price tag of $1600, or if it's just a case of good marketing and branding?
3 Answers
If you've got an extra $1000 to spend, the Kapex is a solid choice. But if you're thinking about using that cash to improve other tools in your shop, you might want to hold back. Honestly, the difference in quality is pretty minor if you know how to properly tune your tools. The Kapex feels more like a luxury purchase.
I made the switch from a Dewalt to a Bosch, and honestly, it's a good choice for a bench setup. Just a heads up though, the dust collection isn’t the best, even with add-ons. I also noticed some blade deflection issues. I haven't had the chance to try the Kapex, but I kind of regret not considering it further. That $1000 difference is definitely something to think about.
I've had my hands on the Kapex, and while it’s an amazing saw, I’m not sure I’d drop that much cash on it myself. For pros, it might make sense, but for casual use, it feels a bit over the top. I liked the Bosch too, but I ended up switching to the Rigid R4251, which was cheaper and had features like a built-in shadow line. Just keep in mind that the Bosch doesn't include a laser, and the one you can buy separately isn’t great.