Edge Banding Trimmer

A jig for trimming the excess off an edge banded panel.
Build details here:

[MisterSoul]

That vid brought a tear to my my first trimmer was a makita, it was stolen on a job and I have gone through three more, none as simple and comfy as that one.

[shawnfogle]

Wow, after watching all of your newer videos and coming back and watching this one, I can say you’ve come a long way man in the quality of your videos!

[deezynar]

That's what I thought. Thanks for making that clear. That feature and the use of a trim bit on the opposite side of the table is what makes this unit so good.

[JohnHeisz]

For the sake of simplicity, I went with the cam. The cam pre-lifts the arm to the approximate height, so that when the work is pushed through, it doesn't take much effort to push it. This also reduces wear at the pivot point, as the range of motion is reduced.
A more elaborate machine could have a larger roller in place of the cam, in the place you suggest - this would make it fully self adjusting.

[JohnHeisz]

Thanks. I often take some details for granted - I should have mentioned it in the video. The table is about 3/4" from the fence to allow for the uncut edge of the panel, so that the panel can sit flat on the table. The gap between the fence and table needs to be wider than the thickest edge banding that will be trimmed.

[JohnHeisz]

It would be an awkward operation on a router table, especially for larger panels. This is more of a very specific tool that is best suited for edge banding and has the adjustability needed for very close cuts.

[seanfagan]

Just made this trimmer in a couple hours. Works great! Thank you for sharing!

[arkledun]

This is an excellent idea.  I think that the reason for the edge banding sometimes not to be perfectly flashed could be that, if you have banding on both (opposite) sides of the board at the same time, the unrouted banding that is away from the router will lift the board causing the side at the router to be slanted downwards.and the edge away from the cutter.  Once both sides are trimmed, a second pass should correct the problem.  Thanks for sharing John.

[JohnHeisz]

Dust collection can add quite a bit of complexity to a project but is certainly worth the effort. For something like this, that mostly spits out chips, I would just clean up afterwards, if it is a small run. Otherwise, a 2-1/2" hose could be attached to collect the chips just above the cutter - this should be very effective.

[JohnHeisz]

Thanks!
I don't think I can claim "invention" on this - there are probably very similar machines available to do this, but in a large production version, for cabinet making shops.

[givreycham]

John this is a brilliant idea and I have started making one. I have a spare router that I am going to set up semi-permanently. The only problem is that I cannot source a long enough ¼" flush trim cutter, the longest (in the UK) seem to be about 32mm. So I am trying it without the second fence and using the pivoting part as the fence. I have put an extra lock / clamp on it and it seems to work ok. Thanks for the realistic videos. Geoff

[toddbailey]

Very slick! I''m going to have to try and make one of these. The only thing I might change is the cam. Personally, I find a round disk with an off centre hole easier to make and the pressure is in a straight line between the bolt and the support so it is less likely to slip.

Again very well thought out device.

[WV]

Very clever on leaving that gap between fence and table

[bencook]

I'd love to see u make an adjustable hinge jig that I could take to my job sights.
love ur work

[JohnHeisz]

The spring and gravity. The cam only sets the router close to where it needs to be for the cut.

[DavidTermini]

This is a great system and will make one next time I do a lot .Thanks for sharing

[JohnHeisz]

I swear I didn't take it! ;-)
I generally don't have much to complain about, where Makita tools are concerned. I've used and owned many of them, as well as other well known brands. I've found they have the best balance between affordability, reliability, longevity and usability of the mid-priced tools.

[markspears]

Wow!! Great trimmer. It appears to work very well. I need one of those.

[deezynar]

To do this on a regular router table or a horizontal router table, you'd need a false fence w/ a gap. See my comment below. That wouldn't be hard to make or put on when you need it. However, this setup he has here is pretty easy to make & doesn't take up much room. He says he does a lot of this type of work so it's worth making one.

[clifffarion]

Thank You - Makes me think about why I getting poor results from free handing the trimmer.