Edge banding is a critical process in woodworking, especially when dealing with plywood. Not only does it enhance the look of the finished product, it also protects the edges from moisture and wear. Here is a step-by-step guide to edge banding plywood using an edge bander:
Preparation
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary materials and tools ready. This includes edgebanding materials (pvc edge banding, abs edge banding, acrylic edge banding), edgebanding machine, hot melt glue, edge banding trimmer, and rags.
Measure and cut edgebanding
Measure the length of the exposed edge of the plywood. Cut the edgebanding material to a length slightly longer than the measured length, adding about an inch on each side to allow for overhang.
Apply edge banding
Place the edgebanding on the edge of the plywood, making sure the overhang is equal on both ends. Preheat the edgebanding machine to the recommended temperature for the type of edgebanding material you are using. Once the machine is ready, feed the plywood and edgebanding into the machine. Add hot melt adhesive to the edge banding machine, and the machine will apply heat and pressure to bond the edge banding to the plywood.
Trim off any excess
After applying the edge banding, check for any defects and manually trim them (in most cases, the machine produces very good quality and is basically flawless)
Finishing touches
Finally, wipe the surface dust with a rag to eliminate any rough spots and ensure a professional result.
Follow these steps to get a clean, durable, and beautiful result on your plywood project using an edge banding machine.