Edge Banding

[Bob Gerritsen]

I've often puzzled over the fundamental differences between the $1K+ bench top units, the $5K+ floor standing units and the astronomically stupidly priced units ($20K through $100K+). Yes I know, the big ones are for the big boys.

I've never got into edge banding, but I can see myself wanting to as time goes by.

I've seen local (Oz) sub $5K units that seen to do everything ...

"The A4V4 is a fully automatic Edgebanding machine is equipped with Digital Temperature Control, Belt Feeder for automatic piece feeding, Top and Bottom Trimming by twin motorized 160 mm dia 18 tooth carbide cutters, Second Guillotine that flush trim both ends of the board, Top and Bottom Buffers, End Rounding and Buffing and Automatic Timed Shutdown of the Heater Fan. It utilizes pre glued melamine, PVC, (ABS) or veneered Tape to a maximum of 2 mm thick by 38 mm wide, or 3 mm thick by 28 mm wide."

... so what do the big machines do apart from bigger, faster and maybe better?

That is a very good question, I've asked myself the very same thing a couple years back and ended up buying the bench top Felder unit. That unit is fine for what it is (although I think there are better units out there for the same price) but I only use it for edge banding one or two pieces of plywood. If I have a job involving particle board or larger quantities or usually both, I load up the van and use a 80K (or something like that, a lot...) unit at a fellow woodworkers shop. The reason being? I can edge band all the parts for a kitchen in about 90 to 120 minutes easy including the 20 minutes it takes me to get there and back plus the loading and unloading of the stuff and the results are top notch. Doing the same with my bench top unit would probably take me the better part of a day. I mean, that is IF I can cut the melamine without damage and get an absolutely 100% clean cut each and every time and that just doesn't happen. After that you glue on the first two of the four edge, then trimming those, first trimming the excess, than rounding over the edge, than on to the remaining third and fourth side. With the big machines it's finished in one go and with a constant high quality. No hassles, no static plastic particles that end up in your hair and other parts from routing those edges, you just feed the part in and it's done. Of course those machines need to run a fair number of hours to get your money's worth (which is why I'll never own one probably) but in my opinion they do a better and a heck of a lot quicker job.

Looking back and knowing what I know now I would probably not have bought the bench top unit or at least not the Felder one. It is a bit limited, only works with one type of glue for instance (would love to use a glue that is whiter than what I can get over here...). However, it is great to have around for those moments I work with birch plywood or I simply cannot use the big machine, like when it is after six and I really need to band that one edge. When you use particle board and melamine though, there simply isn't any other way really than to use a big unit with automated routers to clean the edge before the band is glued to the material. Yes they are expensive but that is why you can probably rent one by the minute/hour near you.

Cheers, Bob.

 

[ShawnRussell]

Resurrecting another dead horse..

My LR32 arrived and the only excuse I have left now is banding. Since this is year+ old thread I am curious how many people still use iron on edge banding? Has it held up over time with no repairs? I have a 12+ bookcases and lots of cabinets to build so would like to only do this pony show once. Am I better off using hide glue and cut my own banding? This is a home project so I have both time and money to spare I just want to do this and several years down the road I am forced to do repairs.

 

[rmwarren]

Resurrecting another dead horse..

My LR32 arrived and the only excuse I have left now is banding. Since this is year+ old thread I am curious how many people still use iron on edge banding? Has it held up over time with no repairs? I have a 12+ bookcases and lots of cabinets to build so would like to only do this pony show once. Am I better off using hide glue and cut my own banding? This is a home project so I have both time and money to spare I just want to do this and several years down the road I am forced to do repairs.

Shawn - lots of recent info here:

http://festoolownersgroup.com/building-materials/questions-on-veneer-tape-with-psa-backing/msg286215/#msg286215

Bottom line is most folks seem to prefer the FastCap PSA backed material, I don't think there were any negative comments. You can also use any edgeband and their Speed Tape  if necessary to match a particular veneer.

I am a convert.  [thumbs up] 

RMW

 

[TomGadwa1]

I prefer to make my own edge banding and use dominoes and good old fashioned Tightbond III to hold it in place. But again I was raised by my Father to build things for the ages. I would question the durability and long term reliability of the quick glue that holds the THIN edge banding in place. I cut mine to at least half an inch. If it gets dinged it is so thick the underlying material i.e. plywood will not be revealed! So for me it is not a question. I strive to do quality work that would please not only the customer but my self as well!

 

[Guilliaume woodworks]

If you have the time...solid wood edge banding is the way to go...especially for a bookcase where edges are vulnerable to damage.

 

[Slappy]

I prefer to make my own edge banding and use dominoes and good old fashioned Tightbond III to hold it in place. But again I was raised by my Father to build things for the ages. I would question the durability and long term reliability of the quick glue that holds the THIN edge banding in place. I cut mine to at least half an inch. If it gets dinged it is so thick the underlying material i.e. plywood will not be revealed! So for me it is not a question. I strive to do quality work that would please not only the customer but my self as well!

[big grin]

I'm glad you posted this Tom  ,
I just cancelled my order on a whiteside router bit set for banding from WoodPecker , all the banding I have ever done was with solid strips pinned with small nails then glue & clamped them ( I too over build for the long haul )
when I seen these bits on sale at a good discount I got them , thinking they might be a better way BUT days later WP says they are back-ordered  [mad]
( I Hate Back Orders on sale items , if you don't have them in stock why the Heck is it on sale then !!/?? Pet Peeve )
anyway having never used a set of  banding bits I did some research after the fact (seems to be a on going problem with me ? )
& the main issue with them edge banding bits  is they are hard to get set-up correctly & many test cuts are also involved
I seen Tom's post & Boom lite goes on in that grey matter  between the ears -- why did I buy a Domino ? because it just so easy & simple  to use that's why !
I'm an Idiot at times  & Tom is right  
[cool]
SO , [popcorn]
I actually glad that WoodPecker B/O'ed the bits as IF I'd have them in hand ,read Tom's posting & then would have  thought I was a even bigger Idiot !  [blink]

Ok now I'm in the mind set of what Festools will make doing things in a different way easy & fast  when ever I starting using the grey matter  [eek]
Many thanX Tom  [thumbs up]

sorry for the long post  [embarassed]