The Festool Conturo KA65 Edge Bander - I try it in Germany! (Novice effort!)

[SittingElf]

So I got invited to a Festool demo of the new Festool Edge Bander at my Germany Dealer while I'm home from work in Africa.

This is a pretty cool machine, and while expensive, it will certainly be a boon to cabinet and kitchen installers, as well as other uses.

I am still a very inexperienced novice, but when invited to try the machine after watching some Germans doing their hands-on, I gave it a shot. I reiterate that my German is very basic, so the initial Festool rep's demo and instructions were mostly a visual experience for me. Nonetheless, with some encouragement from the crowd, I gave it a shot! (Fortunately, Festool Germany rep Tom Meisinger speaks some English, so I got some help along the way). The video was shot with my iPad Mini by Mr. Wagner, the son of the store's owner.

More pictures of the unit and accessories to follow.  

My Novice Attempt at Edge Banding!! [eek]


Cheers,

Frank

 

[epicxt]

Pretty cool! I can only imagine the cringing the Germans did when you said "good enough!"
Cheers.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Don't let them fool you, their English is better than they let on.  [wink] Definitely better than the few words of German I know!

Just a minor correction for your video. It's the ConturO rather than an "a" on the end.

Glad you got to give it a try.

Shane

 

[SittingElf]

Here's a couple of pictures from the demo.

This one is Festool Rep Tom Meisinger from Festool Germany demo'ing the unit at my local dealer in Hermersburg, Germany today.

[attachimg=#]

This one is of an optional accessory designed for an MFT table with a custom (read...You Make) table top that allows the unit to be stationary while moving pieces across the unit on the table. It can also be angled to edge band angled or beveled pieces. Pretty slick.

[attachimg=#]

While only a novice, and unlikely to ever make woodworking an income producing occupation, I am pretty crazy and will probably buy one of these....just because!  I figure that after spending over $2000 for the unit, I should probably be able to use it at least five or six times in my lifetime! [scared]  Ahh... what the hell, y'know? [big grin]

The Festool rep indicated to me that he thinks the unit will be available in the USA on 110V power in the not so distant future. Keep an eye out! [tongue]

 

[bkharman]

I am curious, what is that thing hanging behind you in the video about shoulder height and just behind your left shoulder?

I can't make it out.

looks like a fun tool and very smooth for that effort.

 

[SittingElf]

Just a minor correction for your video. It's the ConturO rather than an "a" on the end.

Shane

Southern accent... heavily effected! [unsure]

You know, like "mayonaise"....

"Mayonaise they's alot of folks in this room!"

Cheers,
Frank

 

[SittingElf]

I am curious, what is that thing hanging behind you in the video about shoulder height and just behind your left shoulder?

I can't make it out.

looks like a fun tool and very smooth for that effort.

The box behind me is the Energy/Air box that is designed for either wall mount or on the Festool ASA5000 or 6000 boom arm.  It provides a central box for power, Air supply off of a compressor, and Dust Extraction.
It's not available in North America, BUT... wait for it.... YES I AM bringing one back with me in June along with an ASA5000 boom arm. I know I'm nuts, but I can't resist.  [tongue]

I did have a long conversation with Festool Germany reps, and I have figured out how to safely mount the arm, and modify the Energy box for US power in both 110V and 30A 220-240V service for my big machines.

You can get more info on the unit on the Australian, British, or Germany Festool sites. (About $2500 U.S.)

Here's a link with info: Festool Energy Box Unit

 

[copcarcollector]

Pretty cool! Thanks for the video. Like you I WANT ONE! I just have no need for it,,, yet--- same for the Planex. Darned Festool addiction.

 

[bkharman]

Pretty cool! Thanks for the video. Like you I WANT ONE! I just have no need for it,,, yet--- same for the Planex. Darned Festool addiction.

I will say it again... "If ONLY there were a Festool Licensed rental location."  There are many, many times where I just need a tool once or twice and would love to be able to rent a nice, high quality tool for a few days to get by vs. either buying one and selling it later or borrowing from a friend (BTW, my tools are generally much nicer than my friends )

I know i could buy and return before 30 days but I would feel shady doing it knowing I only needed it for a short purpose.  This edge bander and the Planex are two shinning examples of where this rental program would fit very nicely

 

[ajones]

Don't let them fool you, their English is better than they let on.  [wink] Definitely better than the few words of German I know!

Just a minor correction for your video. It's the ConturO rather than an "a" on the end.

Glad you got to give it a try.

Shane

Shane another correction would be ..Its not expensive,but is very good value.

 

[ali]

great video, thanks for posting. I want of these so bad, will take a long time saving up for it.

Lesson learnt tho, until you can afford it, don't touch it!! Looks irresistable  [embarassed] [embarassed]

 

[Kev]

Doing guest spots now Frank eh?

Cool [wink]

This is one of those tools you look at and ask ... what would it cost if I hadn't of had it - you never want to be doing it the other way round [big grin]

 

[Stephen B]

[size=10pt]

Thanks for the video Frank, good to see you in action!  [smile]

I probably will never need an edge bander, and have never used one. However after reading other Posts, looking at other pictures and after looking at Frank's video, I have two questions.

1. Given the edge banding is not kept in the unit, (I know the glue is), why does it have to be so large?
2. Why didn't the MK700 trim truly flush and why was not the 1.5 degree horizontal base used?

 

[SittingElf]

[size=10pt]

Thanks for the video Frank, good to see you in action!  [smile]

I probably will never need an edge bander, and have never used one. However after reading other Posts, looking at other pictures and after looking at Frank's video, I have two questions.

1. Given the edge banding is not kept in the unit, (I know the glue is), why does it have to be so large?
2. Why didn't the MK700 trim truly flush and why was not the 1.5 degree horizontal base used?

As my best attempt to answer both questions....and keeping in mind that I am still a seriously novice woodworker....here's what I think:

1. The unit has the capability to use banding as wide as 65mm and the glue has to be able to adhere to that width. Additionally, I only touched on the basic use of the bander..it will do curves, corners, and inside corners. It will also accomodate a magazine full of edge material...AND can be used with the MFT/3 Adapter unit for stationary and beveled banding.

2.  Blame me for the MK700 use. [crying] I was in a hurry, and the others who tested the unit were more meticulous than I was and therefore trimmed the edging flush on the first try.  Can't answer the 1.5 degree base..BUT... I wasn't allowed to take video of the underside of the Mk700 during the demo because they were testing a prototype base that won't be released until at least April. Will it be an improvement for the specific use upon release???  Can't answer that objectively, but "subjectively", Festool NEVER releases anything they don't think is better than anything else...including their former models. [wink]

Cheers,

Frank

 

[Stephen B]

[size=10pt]

Thanks for the reply Frank. Will be interesting to see what the future holds re MK700.  [smile]

 

[dolph]

This time - I was inside new Festool Truck 2014 Here is nice presentation of Conturo done by... designer this machine Wolfgang Reines!

 

[Kev]

This time - I was inside new Festool Truck 2014 Here is nice presentation of Conturo done by... designer this machine Wolfgang Reines!

I had to stop watching this after about a minute and a half, the clowns in the red hard hats were really annoying [mad]

 

[wow]

You're a star, Frank!

And don't let them tease you - you spoke the best English of anyone in your video!

;D

 

[Stone Message]

I am not sure if you have seen the Conturo video set that I made recently. There are three videos altogether:

Executive Summary:


Demo Video 1:


and
Demo Video 2:


Peter

 

[dolph]

[big grin]

Kev: Because it's Germany! Safety rules (of this area)