Adding a solid wood edge to plywood

[lwoirhaye]

So continuing the discussion I have a material question. My desk is from IKEA and the veneer has worn through showing what I believe is particle board, no surprises there. The edge banded front has a 45 degree bevel both top and bottom. I like the look of this and am not sure what was done to achieve it.
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PVC edgebanding is made in thicknesses up to 3mm.  It's not cheap though so I'd be a little surprised to see it on a IKEA product.  I think they're using ..45mm on their premium cabinet boxes and something like 1.5mm on their slab cabinet doors.  You might be looking at a situation where the whole desk top is made and then coated - something like thermofoil perhaps.  Whatever it is, it has an embossed grain on both the top and edge.  If you can find a seam on the bottom that might indicate a material like thermofoil. 

In terms of getting a thicker banding on a piece of ply in a small shop so you can put a chamfer or roundover on it, lots of approaches work.  A pinner with glue may be the simplest... though perhaps the joints won't be as tight as you might get with clamps.

 

[zapdafish]

don't know if it helps or not but I like hardwood edging both sides of plywood to help support against sagging.

Domino for alignment, handplane the top flush if needed. Roundover bit or sand the edges to something pleasing.

Cauls are great for clamping these kinds of glueups.

 

[TXFIVEO]

I do a lot of trimming with my OF1400 with a flush trim bit and the “clunky” arm.  Never had an issue gouging at the ends or the weight.  Unless you are making a 50 yard pass I don’t see how holding the 1400 is cumbersome in any way.  If it is I think its time to hit the gym.. [big grin]