Edge bander buying guide

The edge bander lays a strip along the thickness of a panel (typically wooden) in order to produce a finished result.The strip can be made from various materials - PVC, ABS, laminates, wood veneers etc.

Types of edge bander

Pre-glued edge banding machine:

These work with pre-bonded strips, also known as heat-sealingstrips.Practical and easy to use.

Edge bander with glue tray:

The strips are coated with adhesive by the machine.More versatile.

Choice of edge bander according to use

Cabinetmaker or joiner

Go for an adhesive model. It will allow you to edge your products in the material of your choice.

Manufacturing company

For melamine panel manufacturers, go for a heat-sealing machine using pre-bonded strips.

Home use

Only a few edges to get through? Go for a manual bander with pre-bonded strips.

Depending on the frequency and nature of your edging tasks, you have the option of both manual and stationary pre-bonded banders.

Manual edge banding machine

Small in size - about 40cm long for a weight of approx. 2.5kg - and equipped with a reel for the veneer strip (wood, PVC, polyester or melamine). These banders are used by following along the edge to be banded - push, keeping the tool firmly against the edge of the panel. The pre-bonded strip is heated and unwound as the device moves along. The tape can be cut manually when the edge is complete. These banders may come with additional guide, flush or incline systems. They're comfortable to use and allow work on curved surfaces. Maximum strip width is around 60mm.

Stationary edge bander

In its fixed position, this type of machine edges panels fed gradually into it. It's very practical for edging work with curved, concave or convex edges. It has a belt drive for feeding, as well as an electronic temperature control system. To top it off, these machines often have an integrated edge levelling system. Minimum strip width is generally the same as with the manual bander, as is maximum strip thickness - 3mm. Industrial models are also available, with a cutting capacity of up to 6mm.

Just like the machines described above, those with glue applicators come in many forms, from small to quite substantial.

Small portable edge bander

This small machine allows edgingof various materials (though not all), with a strip of thickness 0.4 to 3mm. This bander is different in form than the small pre-bonded model above, and for good reason: it is equipped with a glue reservoir (the glue often sold in the granulated state), a roller to stick down the strip, an adjustment system for running the roller according to panel speed and a temperature and glue dosage control. This machine supports a variety of accessories such as guides, presses, levellers etc.

Intermediate portable edge bander

Similar to the small model but more sophisticated in its design. Fixed on a stationary table, it often has an additional feature that the small model doesn't benefit from: a trimming/levelling unit. This has the great advantage of making a nice clean edge at the output of the machine.

Automatic edge bander

More suitable for very regular use and small to medium manufacturer series, this type of bander is a proper workshop machine. It weighs at least 100kg and delivers high performance, capable of edging tens of metres of panel at a stretch thanks to its large glue reservoir. Complete with accessories, it offers you the ability to edge a large quantity of material to an impeccable standard.

Depending on the model, you may have various options for greater ease of use.

Guide system

This consists of a metal plate mounted on a graduated scale, adjustable in height and angle of inclination.

Flushing or trimming system

Integrated into the machine, this system makes a perfect level edge after the strip is applied, using a disc or milling head. No need to trim off any excess width! It can be sophisticated - level, bevelled, 10°, chamfered - anything is possible! Some models even have an integrated scraper for removing excess glue.

Inclined-edge system

Used for edges not perpendicular to the surface of the panel, this can be optional or achieved through the guide system (above): it consists of a metal plate fixed to the machine, with an adjustable angle so that the machine follows the inclined edge.

Press

The press feature pushes the veneer strip against the panel for improved adhesion by means of rollers. The rollers also speed the edging process by driving the panel onwards. Altogether a feature that'll really give you an edge!

Your choice of edge bander hinges primarily depend on the task you want to use it for.The pre-bonded edging machine has limited possibilities in terms of materials and requires you to buy specialised (pre-bonded) strips; it is, however, well-suited to mainstream edging tasks, particularly in the furniture industry. Small hand-held models also allow you to tackle household edging tasks cheaply and easily.

The adhesive edge banderoffers a wider range of options in terms of material, strip type, glue capacity, available accessories and quality of finish. The greater versatility and technical sophistication of this latter type of machine justify the bigger price tag!

Additional edge bander information can be found here:

• How to choose your workshop sander

• How to choose the right work clothing

• How to choose your wood and slatted boards

• How to choose your safety shoes