Thread: Edge banding advice

What thickness edge tape will you be using?

I use a small timer block and run it along the tape putting pressure on both edges one at a time to ensure it is well stuck. Then I run a blade along at a flat angle to trip the edging. Finish then with some fine sandpaper and give it a small rounded edge.

Tools

I assume that, as you plan to iron the edging onto the doors, you plan to use 0.4 mm preglued edging.

If so, end cut to length allowing about 20mm excess at each end to use as a handling tab. A light tack at one end, pull tight and align along the door and tack the other end. Iron down from the centre to each end following iron with a block or roller to apply pressure as the edging cools and the glue sets. If using a coloured tape, use a layer of heavy weight cloth between the iron and tape and turn the iron up a bit higher. This eliminates direct contact between the iron and tape which can cause some tapes to discolour.

Trim the front/back excess with the hand trimmers that you can get at the tape suppliers, Carbitec etc, or with a block or modellers razor plane. Trim the end tabs with scissors or with utility knife with the edge being trimmed against a sacrificial surface to backup the cut and prevent the cutting pressure lifting the tape. Trim to approx 0.5mm over length and then file the last bit flush with a fine file backing the cut with the panel to avoid lifting the tape.

My standard approach is to edge and trim one vertical, then the other, then one horizontal followed by the other. By only edging one strip at a time then trimming it, you can lay the panel down on a bench with the edging overhanging slightly for trimming without damaging untrimmed edging elsewhere on the panel. By doing verticals then horizontals, the horizontals hide the ends of the vertical edging from above and below, and their ends are generally concealed when the doors are closed.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

What thickness edge tape will you be using?

Hi elanjacobs,

I have no idea. The repair will be done in Denmark about 450kms from Perth (whereI live). My brother lives there and I will be going there after Easter. He has scrounged the edge tape from a cabinet maker.

What thickness is normally used?

Thanks to those who gave me your tips. I went to Beyond Tools in Malaga to have a look at the end trimmer, but when I saw the price (about $46) and how easy it is to score and cut it with good blade I decided to buy the Virutex AU 93 edge trimmer instead for $26.00 to get a spot on result.

But the trimmer scraped the top sheet (the trimmer was on its's side trimming the edging on the front.) Also, the blades weren't cutting cleanly or smoothly.

I would be the first to put up my hand as a novice, but how much practice do you need?

So we used a sharp knife for the trimming and everyone was happy and the cabinets look as new.

Today I took the trimmer back to Beyond Tools and they said they had sold hundreds of the trimmers and never had any problems, so maybe I may be the problem...but they gave me a full credit so all's well that ends well.