New Conturo Top for my MFT.....

[Distinctive Interiors]

I've had my Conturo for a couple of years now and have always used it manually but recently I've been working on a couple of projects that required edgebanding smaller, narrower components,  so decided to order the Conturo MFT top and adaptor kit.

It arrived last week and I immediately removed the existing holey top and fitted the Conturo top & adaptor plate.

The first couple of items to need edging were slightly larger panels (780mm x 596mm) and I noticed that the panel rocked slightly whilst laying in position about to be edgebanded.......I checked across the width of the table with a 1200mm known straight edge and the top has a definite sag of about 3mm right in front of the Conturo.

Not only is this disappointing but I was under the impression the top was going to be 18mm MDF or HDF.......It isn't, ..its a chipboard core with about 3mm MDF on the top & bottom . Considering how much it cost, I'm a bit annoyed.

I am going to contact Festool UK about it and see what they say, but I was wondering if anyone out there has one of these tops and is yours made of MDF or does yours have a chipboard core? I'm pretty sure solid MDF would be a bit stronger....

 

[imdking]

Solid MDF would be stronger, yes! But it would also take some money away from Festool. They would still make high profits regardless, but it wouldn't be as much. And we can't have that.

 

[afish]

I built my own conturo insert out of solid mdf.  its only about 26 inches span front to back and it has some sag to it.  it doesnt have any support along the sides an issue I need to fix but figured I would mention it.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

I contacted Festool UK via email last night and got a call back from them this early this morning.( I cant criticise that for a response time )

The guy I spoke to was as surprised as I was that the top had a chipboard core...!!! He was also under the impression that it should have had a solid MDF top....

He is going to look into the matter for me and contact me later.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

He has just got back to me again and has confirmed they are sending me a replacement top......But, all the tops are now chipboard core with thin  MDF top & bottom.

I've explained that the top is still likely to sag under the weight of the Conturo + the adaptor mechanism, but time will tell.

 

[afish]

once the hole is in it (which is rather large) there isnt a lot of wood for support.  You may need to consider bolting a couple pieces of aluminum angle up from underneath to help prevent the sagging.  The conturo isnt exactly light either.  Festool should have done a better job with the top.  Especially for what they charge.  Maybe if you fasten the 2 tops together...

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

once the hole is in it (which is rather large) there isnt a lot of wood for support.  You may need to consider bolting a couple pieces of aluminum angle up from underneath to help prevent the sagging.  The conturo isnt exactly light either.  Festool should have done a better job with the top.  Especially for what they charge.  Maybe if you fasten the 2 tops together...

You've stated pretty much what i told the guy from Festool.....I told him that there really needs to be additional support bracing underneath and that Festool really should have thought of this when they designed the table top.

I can add something myself, but as I said to him,.....I really shouldn't have to considering how much the Conturo MFT Top and adaptor kit actually cost. In my opinion, it's not really fit for purpose....