How is everyone doing their edge banding?

[Greg Portland]

I've recently been making a lot of small (single cabinet) projects out of veneer ply and melamine. I've been using a handheld iron to do the edge banding work and it takes a long time to iron it on & hand trim to fit. Is there a better way to do this without buying a $5k+ edge banding machine?

[frank shic]

i use the fastcap fastedge product. it sticks really well and the 1mm PVC is much more durable than melamine. trimming it however will still take some time though...

[Don Jarvie]

Greg, do it the same way as you. I do 2 sides (opposite) on 1 day then the other 2 the next. I use a utility knife to trim them down and then a block sander to finish up.

[Matt Meiser]

+1000. I've used the Fastcap in real wood and PVC and won't go back. There's a PVC thats a perfect match to the prefinished maple I get at my local hardwood supplier. Shelves done in minutes, no finishing required. Its holding up well on the first project I used it on.

I just used up the last of the iron-on white I had--ordered Fastcap this time.

Don, Different days? Why?

On shelves I only did the front edge that shows. Anything I've done 4 sides, I do tow opposite sides, trim, and do the two remaining sides.

[Greg Portland]

I wait a few minutes (i.e. the time it takes to attach the opposite side's edging) before trimming.

For the Fastcap guys; how long do you need to wait before trimming?

[Matt Meiser]

At least until you stick it on. ;)

[Jeff Monson]

i use the fastcap fastedge product. it sticks really well and the 1mm PVC is much more durable than melamine. trimming it however will still take some time though...

Wont a flush trim on a router work for this?

[Jamie Buxton]

I can't stand veneer edgebanding. I use solid-lumber banding I cut to about .1" thick. I glue it on with PVA. I trim it flush with a handplane or a flush trim bit in a router.

[frank shic]

i've tried trimming it with a router before but there's still some hardwork afterwards and it's so noisy for such a simple operation. i just use fastcap's edgeband trimmer, the virutex end trimmer and then a utility knife to get the edges really close.

[Greg Portland]

Jamie, I agree r.e. making something decent... this is primarily for quick and dirty Melamine projects.

For trimming, I have one of those 2-sided trimmers that seems to work just fine. I use a wide chisel for the ends. It sounds like Fastcap is the way to go for what I'm doing.

[frank shic]

the excess tape will stick to your shoes and the floor and the table if you're not careful! the fast cap roller is nice too :)