MFK700 and Fastcap Fastedge

[sprior]

Santa left a Syslite and a MFK700 under the tree and I was excited to use it to trim some edge banding on prefinished maple plywood.  I was applying Fastcap prefinished maple Fastedge self adhesive edge.  What I noticed was that because of the adhesive the dust stuck to the machine and didn't collect very well (except for the front of my shirt).  It also clumped on the plywood instead of coming off cleanly and finally I had to use Goo Gone to clean the residue off the plywood (BTW, Goo Gone does a pretty good job of removing it).

I like the idea of peel and stick edging because iron on edging seems to require one more hand than the pair I've got, but I'm not at all thrilled with the adhesive gunk.  What have others experienced?  What's the closest thing to the perfect edging solution?

 

[Kev]

Why wouldn't you just use the edge trimmer that Fastcap make? (I haven't used it myself, so I could be walking straight into a punch ...)

 

[Sparktrician]

Steve, when I apply iron-on edge banding, I just clamp the shelves (for example) vertically to the side of my MFT and go from there.  Two hands works fine for me.  YMMV, of course. 

 

[sakurama]

The Fastcap banding has a lot of very sticky adhesive and gums up the MFK as you say. I've used other banding with a 3M adhesive and that worked great with the MFK. I've not been impressed the the Fastcap as all that adhesive doesn't seem to always adhere as well and can make cleaning the edge a chore.

I prefer the MFK to the edge trimmer as it never tears or catches. That's just my experience which is rather limited. Maybe I should give it another go.

Gregor

 

[sprior]

When I apply edge trim I also clamp it vertically in the MFT.  Instead of using an iron I tend to use a heat gun, but that means I need one hand to hold the starting end of the trim, one to hold it close to the other end to keep it aligned, and a third hand to hold the heat gun.  Otherwise I'd probably get it just crooked enough to drift off the edge.

I do have the Fastcap edge trimmer, but find that it gets close but not totally flush and tear out is a problem with natural wood edges, especially at the ends.  I have found that when I'm approaching the end from the middle there is the possibility to rip off the corner if the grain isn't parallel at the end.  To compensate for this I'll pre-cut each end and not go completely across in one sweep.  But I still sometimes get tear out in the middle if the grain goes a little wild.  I've also got the Fastcap edge sander, but that's not great for prefinished maple where you take the finish off.

I'm a little surprised at hearing that people use the Fastedge with their edge trimmer when I see some of those same people with videos on YouTube showing how to use the MFK700 to do the job.

 

[Tinker]

I have not done any edge banding per se.  I have applied edge strips of 1/4 and even 3/16 inch solid wood.  I have trimmed using my OF 1000.  I trim along the edge until almost to the corner.  If i think the grain might chip at the corner, i do a climb cut at the corner.  I imagine the little trim router would be easilly handled that way.

I also don't have a trim router.  My OF 1000 is the smallest Festoy router I have.

Tinker

 

[tjbnwi]

I use the MFK 700 for edge banding. If you're getting the build up you're not moving fast enough. The friction is reactivating the glue.

Tom

 

[sprior]

I assume you're using heat activated edge banding then, I'm using the peel and stick so it's going to still be active for a long time after application.

 

[tjbnwi]

Sprinkle baby powder on the glue edge.

Tom

 

[mopowers]

I just recently installed frameless cabinets in my own home with Fastedge. I hired a cabinetmaker to build the cabinets but i did the design, specced and provided the material. Its was his first experience with euro style frameless cabinets and pre-glued edging. He is old school, talented and has been building cabinets as long as i have been alive. I use him as a sub contractor often and familiar with his work.

His biggest compliant with Fastedge was all the sticky cutoffs and glue sticking to everything. He too used a laminate router (never heard of Festool in that shop!)to trim all the edges and had no interest in the Fastedge cutter that i provided. My biggest complaint is the Fastedge is peeling like crazy! He ran out of fast edge towards the end so i picked up about 90 ft of iron on to finish. The little bit of iron on looks great. I am pretty sure it was all rolled properly, i provided the Fastedge roller and saw him using it when i would visit.

I am wondering if the peeling has anything to do with using a router to cut the edging. A laminate trim bit as well as a bearing trim bit were used. Perhaps generated to much heat? Anyone else have similar experience with Fastedge peeling within a few days to weeks?

This was not my first experience with Fastedge. This summer i did a maple pantry using Fastedge and had no peeling problems. Trimmed everything with the Fastcap trimmer.

 

[sprior]

Today I did a fair amount of edge banding, but this time I used iron on banding.  I got considerably better results trimming it with the MFK700 than I did the Fastedge.  It was a lot more work attaching the edge banding than the Fastedge, but the trimming was easier - I guess there's no totally easy option.

Is there any secret to getting the dust collection right with the MFH700 in horizontal trimming mode?  I was using the 27mm green hose with the top dust shroud and it seemed like almost all the trimmings hit the floor.  Only in a Festool world would trimming the edge banding be FAR more messy than cutting up the sheet of plywood was.

 

[RDMuller]

I used both one time and seemed to get along ok.  First I "shimmed up" the Fastcap edger by the thickness of some double stick tape and a piece of veneer.  I trimmed the edges with this to get off the bulk of the material and adhesive, leaving a slight lip which I then went over with MFK 700.  Worked good that one time.  I want to try this a little more before I proclaim it to be the solution to all that ails!
Happy New Year everyone.

 

[pugilato]

I used the Fastcap fastedge once and there is no compelling reason to use it again. The offcut sticks to everything, and the glue seemed to gunk up my edging tool fast. The iron on stuff is really not hard to use at all, and when cool, the glue is solid and not sticky.

 

[rljatl]

Fastcap Fastedge works great for me.  I use the Fastcap carbide edge trimmer.