Interesting Article - Contura

[peter halle]

I ran across this article link on the Festool USA Facebook page.  Thought that others might also find parts of it interesting:

http://www.protoolreviews.com/tools/power/corded/specialty/definitive-festool-conturo-edge-bander/16334/

Peter

 

[Locks14]

Maybe a stupid question, but the cost of the tool seems very expensive for something that once boiled down, just applies heat to edge banding.

Are the advantages just in production time saving or does the tool actually make a superior job of attaching edge banding that couldn't possibly be achieved by using less high-tech methods?

If it's just a time saving thing, I guess it's really for those who do high volume work of this nature, to make it a justifiable expense.

 

[peter halle]

I don't know if I could ever justify one, but I can tell you that the samples I tried to separate when I was at JLC had an incredible bond and would not separate.

Peter

 

[tjbnwi]

Maybe a stupid question, but the cost of the tool seems very expensive for something that once boiled down, just applies heat to edge banding.

Are the advantages just in production time saving or does the tool actually make a superior job of attaching edge banding that couldn't possibly be achieved by using less high-tech methods?

If it's just a time saving thing, I guess it's really for those who do high volume work of this nature, to make it a justifiable expense.

I looked into an edge banding machine when doing a large project, used was $15,000.00-$20,000.00. They took up a lot of floor space and could only do straight square edges.

It applies to glue to the edge band. The edge band used in the Conturo is not pre-glued.

Compared to the pre-glue, the glue used in the Conturo is far superior.

If this was available when I did the large project it would have paid for itself in no time. Doing miles of edge banding by hand with a hot air bander sucked.

Tom

 

[MatMann]

they are expensive, no doubt,  but compared to a standalone machine,  the cost pales.

For a small shop turing out cabinetry,  would be a no brainer,  carry it to the job, finish onsite, to easy

 

[fshanno]

I found the whole thing interesting.  Clearly the Contura is the one.  Just look at it!  At this point I can't see spending $2500 for one of the other handheld units.

 

[acrewood1]

I am in the market that this machine is aimed at, I have a hand held Wegoma for the last 8 years that will do the same thing.

There are advantages to the Festool Contura, yes you can burn your fingers on mine, and it seems to be easier to use and more ergonomic.

for larger production i have not seen a video of it running continuous lengths but i think it would be ok.

As for the price the machine is about double the Wegoma, the glue seems very exspensive, I can get 25kg of granular glue for the Wegoma for 120 euro which will do 15 kilometers of 22mm edging. as for the Contura I am not sure but by videos i have seen by festool there glue consumption seems high, and at 121 euro for 48 tablets.

 

[tiralie]

As for the price the machine is about double the Wegoma,

I am in the market for these machines. I hate iron on. The quality of the tape and the glue is awful, but for the price it is a great option.
In Canada where everything is more expensive, the Wegoma with cutter, deck and magazine is about 200.00 more than the basic Conturo. To match the Wegoma system (depending on what you get) you would spend approx. $750.00 to $1000.00 more on the Conturo sytem. I wouldn't call that double the Wegoma, but yes it's more expensive for sure. With all other issues being even, I think the premium for the Conturo is worth it as it's newer technology. Time will tell if it's at the quality we come to expect.

the glue seems very exspensive, I can get 25kg of granular glue for the Wegoma for 120 euro which will do 15 kilometers of 22mm edging. as for the Contura I am not sure but by videos i have seen by Festool there glue consumption seems high, and at 121 euro for 48 tablets.

You bring up a good issue. Consumables far outstrip the initial cost on these machines and I would expect that the Festool consumables would be more expensive. How much more would be an interesting analysis.
Tim

 

[promhandicam]

You can buy, from the likes of ostermann, glue cartridges that are exactly the same diameter as the festool pucks. In theory all you need to do cut them to length. If you buy a box of the festool pucks you will see that they are actually all slightly different lengths, and so clearly all festool do is cut down existing cartridges. Doing this would greatly reduce the cost of glue. see here  here for details of a cartridge that may be compatible.

 

[tiralie]

see here  here for details of a cartridge that may be compatible.

Thanks, very helpful.
Tim

 

[acrewood1]

see here  here for details of a cartridge that may be compatible.

Thanks, very helpful.
Tim

I see that also, I get all my glue and edging from Ostermann anyway and that is where i am getting a current price For the Wagoma. I cant find any information on how much glue the Contura uses, If i could find out and it was comparable I would consider one as my Wagoma is showing its age. And I am a festool addict.

 

 

[jimbouk]

Also festool currently only do white or a light colour glue. However you can do the same thing with other colour glue cartridges. Just chop em to fit the machine.