CONTURO KA65 Initial Impressions

[stvrowe]

I did a test panel today with the Conturo and this tool is a keeper.  My test panel consisted of 19mm double sided white melamine (MDF core) and 3mm white PVC edgebanding.  I used the white colored adhesive and the interface between the melamine and edgebanding was virtually invisible and would not even catch a fingernail.  The learning curve is very short.    I messed up the first edge by having the feed speed set on high to start.  My suggestion is do not start the edge at this speed as the edgebanding tends to slip and could start at the wrong place.  Starting on slow speed and then switching to fast about 100mm into the edge worked much better.  The trimmer and MFK base with the 3mm roundover worked great although the dust collection left a bit to be desired.  The carbide scraper is absolutely necessary to clean remnants of glue and edgebanding not trimmed by the router.  For these reasons, if you purchase the Conturo, definitely purchase the set.

My only criticism regarding the system is the unavailability of the SYS VAC clamping system in North America.  Based on my experience doing just one panel with the Conturo, the lack of the SYS VAC clamping system is a MAJOR efficiency hit.  The lack of the vacuum clamping system probably tripled the amount of time necessary to process a panel.  I cannot envision doing a project without having this issue resolved.  I would prefer to purchase the SYS VAC clamp but if Festool doesn't come through on this very soon, I will be forced to go with another manufacturer. 

 

[BMAC]

Looks like a well designed tool.

Unfortunately, here in Canada the complete kit is $4,200.00 CAN dollars PLUS tax (some provinces are at 12% tax or more).

So, with the $4,200 before tax I might do 600 LF of edging per year (small scale cabinet business) so for me that would work out to a cost of $7.00 per LF for just the machine without the cost of the glue pots added in! Yikes, you'd have to do 4200 LF of edging to get the cost of the machine down to $1.00 per foot!

Most of my edging is done on newer cabinetry in high rises with PVC (which I hate) with some real wood from time to time (glued) and with the PVC the application process is exclusively with spray contact cement from pressurized bulk containers that look like propane cylinders (about $450 each)

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Steve

I borrowed a unit from Festool in order to make my videos and I did not have the vacuum clamping system. I must admit that it would have been nice to have the vac-sys but you can manage without. If you are doing production work then once you work out a work flow with other clamping methods then it should be easy enough.

If Festool do not sell the vac-sys in NA then you could look for an alternate system.

Peter

 

[unityroad]

Hi, I think to be fair Festool should only demo the Conturo without the vacuum clamp. Just like we would have to do.

 

[erock]

Hi, I think to be fair Festool should only demo the Conturo without the vacuum clamp. Just like we would have to do.

PLUS 1,000 !!!

Yes, please Festool USA  show me a video of the Conturo doing a radius WITH OUT the VAC-SYS !!!!!!!

The MFT available for the Conturo to me seems like you couldn't do some of the edge banding apps that you show the Conturo is capable of.

Eric

 

[SittingElf]

I agree that the Vac-Sys should come to NA.  It is indispensable in my shop and has been a real boon for sanding, jigsawing, edge banding, and some assembly. 

Well made, with multiple heads (optional) that allow for virtually any size of material to be held. Additionally, there is a second base unit, also optional, that runs off of the same base vacuum so you can hold something as large as a door in a vertical position to work on. Awesome!

I bought mine in Germany (along with the KA65) and run both off of a 5000W step up transformer without issue. (Shown below). 

I can't imagine that Festool isn't looking at bringing the VAC-SYS to NA now that the Conturo has been released there.

Cheers,
Frank

[attachimg=1]

 

[junk731]

According to a side discussion with Brian Sedgewick at Festool Connect last week the VAC-SYS has been redesigned and will be coming to North America. He told me that was why he was going to use it during the show. As far as vacuum clamping there are a couple of different avenues that won't cost you as much as the VAC-SYS. Tom at Tool Home has a great system from Schmalz with the same capability and options, it just doesn't come in Systainer. LV also sells a nice inexpensive vacuum pad that has served my needs for around $80.00.

I have no connection to Tom or his business.

http://www.tool-home.com/products/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=vacuum+clamp&x=11&y=11

John

 

[stvrowe]

I am holding off on the vacuum clamp as long as possible.  I saw the video from Festool Connect 2015 and Brian's statement is what has me holding off on the purchase now.  It took nearly 2 years for the Conturo to reach NA and as much as I would like to have the Festool Vac Sys, I am not willing to wait much longer as my need is more immediate and believe me, it is not on the order of years.  There was a thread on this forum about 5 years ago where Festool indicated the Vac Sys may never be available in NA. ( http://festoolownersgroup.com/ask-festool/vac-sys-in-north-america/msg160582/#msg160582 ) 

I fail to understand why the clamping unit and heads are not already available in NA even if the vacuum generator is not.  That would at least be a reasonable compromise as I could use my veneer press vacuum pump as the generator and still derive the benefits of the clamping system.  If it doesn't happen soon, then Schmalz it will be.

 

[promhandicam]

FWIW, the Festool demonstrator that came and demoed the KA65 was of the opinion that in the real world the vac sys wasn't that useful for edgebanding. I guess if you are buying the KA65 primarily for doing round tables then yes it might be useful, but what I've found far more useful on smaller pieces is the adapter plate to enable the KA65 to be bench mounted and for the panel to be moved rather than vice versa.

 

[junk731]

I've had the Virutex version of the portable edgebander for about 3 years now and got it with there table and guides for $3100.00 USD. 99% of the time for the work I do it stays table mounted. No problem doing long, short, narrow or wide pieces. The Conturo is a fancier setup with a few more bells and whistles but unless your doing a lot of curved edges its a pretty expensive tool to get the whole kit. The glue colour change over gets pretty expensive too, its takes 2 pucks at 2.50 USD/3.50 CDN. The nice part about the introduction is the new MFK base and router bits, Ill be getting them for sure. I use my poor mans Vacuum pads more for doing dominos and sanding. The VAC-SYS also is not in my future purchases.

John

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

It was all because the systainer was not fire proof.  I always thought an asbestos lining would have done the trick.

 

[teocaf]

According to a side discussion with Brian Sedgewick at Festool Connect last week the VAC-SYS has been redesigned and will be coming to North America. He told me that was why he was going to use it during the show. As far as vacuum clamping there are a couple of different avenues that won't cost you as much as the VAC-SYS. Tom at Tool Home has a great system from Schmalz with the same capability and options, it just doesn't come in Systainer. LV also sells a nice inexpensive vacuum pad that has served my needs for around $80.00.

I have no connection to Tom or his business.

http://www.tool-home.com/products/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=vacuum+clamp&x=11&y=11

John

I'm building my vac unit with plans from joe woodworker at veneer supplies as others have done in other threads here.  Just as I was finishing it, I decided to put it in a metal rolling base so I redesigned the layout.  I'll post some pics on here when I get done.  My understanding is that in some ways the larger unit from joe's has a few benefits over the festool.  one is cost and the other is that the unit does not have to run all the time but rather uses a reserve vac tank.  Recently, I was also told of the Schmalz by Tom at Tool Home and am looking to perhaps add the adjustable clamping unit which would add the functionality of the festool.  Incidentally, I saw a little gadget at the woodworking show that MicroFence was selling and that is a vac adapter that hooks up to your compressor and holds down things like the circle jig so you don't have to drill a center hole.  I imagine you can also use it in other places like a drill press table, etc.  I don't know if it is strong enough to hold pieces that you might be edge banding.  Does anyone have a review of this gizmo?

 

[rst]

I bought two of these Virutex, not the one in the video but the bare bones version - less than $500.00.  I already have a Gast refrigeration vac pump - surplus store -$15.00 that I used with my homemade vac patterns.  I also bought two bar stool swivels @ $10.00, mounted to 3/8" auminum plate, attach to my MFT with threaded dogs.  Strong enough to hold a door that was heavy enough to tip the table.  GREAT Value!!