Does this EDGE-BANDING TRIMMER work?

I hope this works. My old way is so slow!

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[scottcurtis]

Hi Ben. I’ve been using that thing for years. I’ve found that if you take it apart and only use one half at a time and PULL towards you, it works well. A quick swipe with a sanding block and you’re done.
Thanks for the vids. Love the channel.
Scott
Curtis Custom Carpentry
Mt. Wolf, PA

[richardandrushko]

I use these type of tools all the time..

I generally start in the middle and run them quickly. I start moving then squeeze a good firm amount. Moving at a quick rate.. then turn it around to finish the other half.. leaving just a miniscule amount to run over quickly with a file or sander. Give it a try.. I'm sure you will like the results.

[gterry]

As someone who did this professionally for years, imo the best tool is a sharpened scraper (2" Hyde or similar) followed up lightly with a file.

[maxadrian]

Hi Ben, The edge trimmers are great when they don't catch the grain and rip a chunk out. I solved most of that potential by having two edge band trimmers. One I glued in a spacer the thickness of the edge banding so that it doesn't cut all the way down to the ply surface in the first run. It leaves just a bit behind. I then use the factory set trimmer and clean up the edge. I found that doing the trimming in a two step process gives me better results. It's like I'm sneaking up to the ply surface slowly.

[ericliddle]

I've tried another device like that and wasn't too stoked. Recently I've been using a router with a flush trim bit. To prevent the bearing from leaving marks I lay a piece of tape on the plywood first so the edge banding is a little proud, and finish with a very light sanding. Works great when using hardwood for edge banding too. Can't claim genius to this idea as I saw it in another video...if I can find it I'll link it.

[craigh]

This tool is a huge time saver but I've found they vary quite a bit in quality. The better ones have a secondary blade the produces a tiny chamfer. CMT makes a decent one. The best one I had was a generic brand from Woodworkers Warehouse. I know... Not helpful. Sorry. The good ones will rarely tear out, even with alternating grain direction. The best technique I've discovered is to apply heavy pressure squeezing it together as well as perpendicular to the edge. You can break the edge very quickly with 220 by hand afterward (no block). Even with prefinished stuff. And just for the record, I've tried the blue one you linked and I'm not impressed. Also, thanks for the content you put out. I've been in the trades for a long time and always avoided drywall. You've given me the knowledge to actually do an an acceptable job when I need to. Although I'll never achieve your effortless speed. Show off. :)

[daytimedreaming]

@Vancouver Carpenter, nice when you premiere new tools, never know when someone of us may need one. And huge thanks to you for all the drywall vids - I've been able to do 2 rooms and hallways bc of the way you teach. From taping to skimming, muds to use etc. Much appreciated bc I'd of had to hire someone...

[jasonhenderson]

I love that I’m looking up how to work on my cabinet project and I get advice from my fellow skateboarder

[alvinlos]

Hey carpentry! I love these tools too. Works wonderfully

[josephbreer]

What I find that works really well is a fine cut file. You use it like a saw and a knife, the best part is you file the edge at the same time and the edge can be rounded so it will take stain and sealer well

[extremewoodworker]

I have both the Fastcap and Freud version of this trimmer and haven't had much luck on wood veneer edgebanding. They work great on PVC banding though. You seem to have gotten much better results than I have on wood but it looks like your banding is fairly straight grain. For wood, I use a climb cut with a trim router to do this activity.

[lucasaimar]

@Vancouver Carpenter thanks a lot, just a couple of days ago I was unsure whether this little gadget was worth buying. Now I'll give it a chance.

[stephenholland]

The back scoring is brilliant! The woodriver edge banding iron available at woodcraft is a better iron for edge banding than a clothes iron, especially if you are refacing a kitchen. For shorter pieces of edge banding I put the banding on skewed which makes tear out controlled, but you have to do each edge separately running opposite direction.

[tedcook]

Wood banding gives me fits - I usually use a 1” wide olfa blade followed by a sharp file - gotta try this - thanks

[wrobelmike]

Wood veneer is hard to trim with anything other than a fine file and even that can still tear out if you're not careful. I did edging in an industrial setting for years and that's how I was taught to do it.

On my own I've used the same handy dandy tool on iron-on birch edge band and found that taking small bites (pressing lightly) and moving in both directions works best. This tool is fantastic for melamine and PVC edge banding, tho. It's super fast and works really nicely but I always follow it up with a sharpened Richard 6-in-1 tool to get right up to the material. There's a bit of a technique to it to prevent tear out on veneer but only takes some practice.

The 6-in-1 actually holds a beautiful edge and it's nice and light but you have to make sure it's finely honed not to scratch the material. I put a slight rounded back bevel on it so it doesn't gouge into the parent stock. A wide 1½" or 2" chisel works too but it needs a back bevel as well to do the job nicely. If you do this often it's good to dedicate a 6-in-1 or chisel and take care of it.

Happy edge banding!

[vermork]

Been using Fastcap for few years.
I usually split it and only use half of it to get a better control.
If your wood edge is thick and extend too much (meaning a lot of material to trim), be careful because you risk splitting and ripping beyond the flush line.

[sicpact]

Trim excess of with Stanley knife. Use that tool to trim up and make sure your not going against grain as it can tear. Then I use a 1.6mm round over bit to finish

[ds]

I can imagine the blade dulling and causing some mischief. But it looks like a good tool. I like seeing the strips coming off too.

[scocassovegetus]

I used the iron-on edge banding for a project last year, and used a piece of parchment paper between the iron and the banding to prevent any damage the heat from the iron might cause, worked great.

[Titantitan]

I always use the little pocket razor scraper and tape the edge of the plywood so I have a smooth surface to glide on