Festool Conturo Setup and Use - Videos 1, 2 and Exec Summary

[Stone Message]

As soon as I saw the interest in the Conturo I knew that it would be a good subject for a video (or two). Festool UK very kindly let me borrow the kit for a couple of weeks.

Here is the result:

Part 1:


Part 2:


I have had a little experience of edge banding but always hated it after burning my leg (about 30 years ago!). The Centuro is brilliant - it is simple to use, makes a perfect job and is so quick to set up.

Peter

++++ UPDATE +++++++++ UPDATE +++++++

I think that Festool UK have showed some courage lending all of this super kit to me and so I have produced a little extra which I hope that they will find useful. I have made an executive summary aimed at the boss of the company which might be buying the Conturo. Here it is:



Peter

 

[danjames]

Thank you Peter.

As always a very comprehensive and instructional video, well done!
Need to go out and buy a Conturo now - OMG. [eek]

Thanks Dan.

 

[Limey556]

Thanks for the very comprhensive videos Peter. I always enjoy watching them even if like the Conturo I am unlikely to have the need.
On a separate subject, I am traveling back to England this summer and want to purchase the CMS Insert for the Jigsaw. We can't get them here in the USA.
Can you recommend a good festool dealer to visit? Location is not important as I will be traveling all over.

Thanks Peter

Terry
 

 

[Cort]

Well done!  Thank you.  Maybe Festool can be convinced to let you keep the tools as a thank you gift.

 

[tjbnwi]

Shane, the MFK 700 appears to be of a different configuration than what I own for edge banding. Is this new base available as an accessory here?

While I have your attention, I still need to try/use the Conturo on my current project ???

Tom

 

[copcarcollector]

Peter - As always, excellent videos. Clear and informative, thanks again!

I have just completed day 1 of the end user cabinet class here in Henderson NV and today we edge banded a few panels for the cabinets - a first time experience for me.  Have to add the Conturo to my want list once it comes to N America!

 

[Stone Message]

Peter - As always, excellent videos. Clear and informative, thanks again!

I have just completed day 1 of the end user cabinet class here in Henderson NV and today we edge banded a few panels for the cabinets - a first time experience for me.  Have to add the Conturo to my want list once it comes to N America!

I have always thought that the OF2200 and the Domino DF700 were jointly Festool's game changers. The Conturo, even though I am never likely to own one, is in that class. The design has been thought through in every detail, it is beautifully made and works a treat. They sent me the various bits of kit and I had just enough edging to do the two panels shown in the video - I had never used the machine before, had no practice goes at all and everything was captured on video.

Conturo = Game Changer.

Peter

 

[Stephen B]

[size=11pt]

Peter
Once again very detailed and informative presentations. Congratulations.  [smile]

To all in NA. Did you notice.
Yes it's data readout is digital and can  present C and F degrees, and metric and imperial.  [eek]

 

[ali]

excellent video as always Peter, I'm trying to remember the last thing you demonstrated that I didn't buy. Has been an expensive year and am hoping to save up for this too.

The digital readout looks brilliant, I've seen some bigger fixed edgebanders use the slug adhesives but not any other portable edgebanders as yet. The accessories really do look necessary too so must budget for the whole system and go all in if you plan to go down this route.

 

[Stone Message]

Thanks for the very comprhensive videos Peter. I always enjoy watching them even if like the Conturo I am unlikely to have the need.
On a separate subject, I am traveling back to England this summer and want to purchase the CMS Insert for the Jigsaw. We can't get them here in the USA.
Can you recommend a good festool dealer to visit? Location is not important as I will be traveling all over.

Thanks Peter

Terry
 

Hi Terry

So as not to upset too many FOGgers I have PMed my recommended dealer to you.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Everyone

I have just updated my original post and added a third video. So, if you have visited this thread before go back to my original post and take a look.

Many thanks.

Peter

 

[peter halle]

Peter,

Great videos.  A question for you:  Do I see correctly that the the area between the plate that rides on the workpiece and the machine is recessed / raised?  Would the correct sequence be to band an edge, clip the ends off and then move on to the next side?  Or would you need to pull out the OFK700 and interrupt the workflow?

Peter

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Peter,
Excellent demonstration of a very cool tool. If I were a cabman, this would be next on my list.

 

[peter halle]

Next question:  In your video you inserted two of the glue pucks initially and then added more prior to starting your first piece.  So it would seem that the reservoir holds 2 + pucks.  What happens if you change glue types?  Do you need to purge the old glue into the cup?  Do you know if that glue, once cooled can be saved for reuse later, or does it get thrown away.

Just thinking about consumable costs for the smaller volume less frequent user.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

Peter,

Great videos.  A question for you:  Do I see correctly that the the area between the plate that rides on the workpiece and the machine is recessed / raised?  Would the correct sequence be to band an edge, clip the ends off and then move on to the next side?  Or would you need to pull out the OFK700 and interrupt the workflow?

Peter

Hi Peter,

You are correct. The surface plate is shaped such that you can start an adjacent edge without needing to trim first. I did not do that in my videos as I really was being very careful not to make a whoopsee. I only had a limited amount of edging (no room for error) and I could not afford to ruin any piece at any stage.

So, one could band an edge, trim ends, band some more, trim ends and then call the apprentice over to MFK the edges.

However, I think for the final edge, when the Conturo approaches an untrimmed bit of edging on its left, then there may be an issue. I cannot try this but think that this may be the case.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

Next question:  In your video you inserted two of the glue pucks initially and then added more prior to starting your first piece.  So it would seem that the reservoir holds 2 + pucks.  What happens if you change glue types?  Do you need to purge the old glue into the cup?  Do you know if that glue, once cooled can be saved for reuse later, or does it get thrown away.

Just thinking about consumable costs for the smaller volume less frequent user.

Peter

Hi (again) Peter - people will start to talk if we go on meeting like this.

When the machine is being prepped for first time use 2 pucks are required. The machine quietly sucks these in and you find, as seen in the video, that you have a low tank. So, two more pucks were added.

The one routine function that I did not show was purging. If you want to change from one glue type to another then you set the machine up overhanging the bench very slightly. Remove the rubber drip catcher cup. Lower the banding opening as far as it will go, including an extra bit by holding a green tab to allow the extra few mm. Then you remove as many of the existing glue pucks as you can and put in the new ones. These are then heated and passed through the machine removing the traces of the original glue. The excess glue will drip out of the machine and into your lunch box if it has been positioned correctly under the edge of the bench. This process is shown in several other videos that I have seen from Festool Germany.

A purge may use up to 4 blocks which is probably about $9. I would not imagine anyone wanting (or needing) to purge that often. I never had to do this with either of the machines that I had used in the past but I did have to empty out the hot glue at the end of each day and it was thrown away. So, I suspect, that the Conturo is more frugal.

Peter

 

[gkaiseril]

Thank you for another excellent video. Clearly this tool is designed for the professional shop where edge banding is part of a larger production process.

 

[KDConst]

Great video! Will this be able to be used with pre-glued edge banding?

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Shane, the MFK 700 appears to be of a different configuration than what I own for edge banding. Is this new base available as an accessory here?

While I have your attention, I still need to try/use the Conturo on my current project ???

Tom,

I suspect that the base will be available separately for existing MFK owners, but I don't have any specifics at this time.

And, it's hard to let you use one when we don't have one to let you use.  [blink]

Shane

 

[tiralie]

Peter:
Thanks for those videos. They answered some questions I had after watching the German videos.

I do like the intro music on the third video much better than the usual piano music...

Tim

PS. I know someone in the Chicago area that will gladly pay you to ship that unit to him for his little project...