Edge banding is an essential part of any woodworking or material project. To give a description in the simplest of terms, edge banding is the act of applying a small strip that is attached to the exposed and raw edge of a freshly cut piece of wood to form a seal. Â
This seal smoothes out the corners for a more uniform finish and protects the wood surface from dirt, moisture and warping. Edge banding is mainly done at the end of production to finalise a new piece of furniture or carpentry piece.Â
Edge banding is completed in a variety of materials, but the two most popular options are PVC and Veneer, given their ease of application and relatively low cost.
The Edge Banding Process - A Simple Breakdown
The edge banding process can be broken down into a few steps that will provide a great finish to any piece you may be working on. Professional edge banding requires the use of carpentry tools and materials for the best finish, these include an edge trimmer and an edgebander (see further details below). For commercial and home use, an edgebander is the right tool for the job.Â
In preparation for edge banding, the material that you will be covering should be smooth and flat, once any rough edges and marks have been removed you can make a start on the edge. An edgebander can quickly and easily measure and apply edge banding to the required surface. The finished surface will be smooth to the touch and provide a new, more consistent look to the entire piece.Â
Edgebanders and the Options Available
Edgebanders come in many sizes and styles, with different ways of adhesive and edge banding options to suit your needs. Some of the most common edgebander types include:
Laser – the laser function uses a heated beam to ready the surface for the edge banding strip
EVA Hot Melt – the most popular form of edgebander, an Ethyl-Vinyl Acetate hot melt system is used to form a bonding edge in both plastic and wood surfacesÂ
PUR Hot Melt – PUR hot melts are a more heat and water-resistant option of edgebander, a polyurethane hot melt system is used to form a bonding edge in both plastic and wood surfaces
Contour/BAZ/Vector – this form of edgebander is mainly used for shaped edges to give you more options when compared to other edgebanders
Hot Air – a hot air edgebander uses hot air in a similar way to the heated laser, fusing the strip to the surface with compressed air
An edgebander is the only piece of machinery on the market that offers a perfect seal to the rough, unsightly edges of your sheet work, furniture and carpentry work – edgebanders are an essential part of the woodworking industry and are a staple of many commercial workshops across the UK. By applying a smooth adhesive strip to an untreated edge, an edgebander will ensure that your product looks professional and provides a consistent look when it comes to the colours and patterning of your surface.
Our Edgebanders
At RJ Woodworking Machinery, our range of edgebanders is supplied by two of the most renowned manufacturers around – SCM and Cehisa. Whether you’re looking for a beginner-level, affordable edgebander or a high-end, cutting-edge machine, our range of edgebanders has you covered. Some of our include:
– SCM Olimpic Model E10 Edgebander for Shaped Panels
– SCM Minimax Edgebander Model ME28T-RC Version. Pre-milling
