Easily Apply Edging Tape
WWGOA EditorsVeneer tape, also called edging tape or edge banding, is a GREAT way to cover the edges of man-made materials. If you do this correctly, the completed piece will look like solid wood. Ethan has a bunch of great tips and tricks that will make the process easy and the results great.
Where would I use edging tape?
You can use edge banding anywhere you want to cover the core of man-made materials. A really common application is shelving. Use veneer-faced material such as MDF or plywood for your shelves, cover the edges with tape, and no one will ever know.
How’s it work?
Veneer tape or edging tape has a heat sensitive adhesive on the back. You need to activate the adhesive to get it to stick to your project. When you’re buying your tape be sure that it’s a little wider than the finished thickness of the part your working on. The width of the tape should exceed the thickness of the material by at least 1/16”.
What do I need?
Tooling up to apply edge banding is easy. You need something to activate the adhesive; a heat gun or household iron works great. You’ll also need a scrap of wood you can use to press the heated veneer tape in place. A great way to trim the oversized tape is by using a card scraper. Ethan shows you how. Finally, you’ll need some sandpaper to clean up the edges.
Can I always match my sheet stock?
Many home centers sell edge banding for ¾” stock in common species like maple and oak. Look at more specialized retailers, like woodworking specialty stores, for other species and wider tape.
Hi. I’m repairing a 1950s oak kitchen table. The apron (3.25 inch deep) has vertical oak veneer and a 4″ section on one end of the table was damaged. I purchased 2″ WIDE oak iron-on banding, cut 3.75″ long strips (1/2″ longer than they needed to be as the instructions suggest) and ironed them to the section of apron that needed repair. Now, I’m stumped on how to cleanly cut the excess off the top and bottom of the apron without splitting and cracking the veneer since I need to cut all of it crosswise … across the grain, not with the grain. Do I need to use the blade for a safety knife and hold just the blade in my fingers? Or use an exacto knife?
Hello Marian,
I would suggest using an Exacto knife, but also see if you can place a backer board behind the piece that you are cutting off to support it through the cut. Light cuts with a sharp blade, and hopefully that does the job.
Paul
Sus discos y toda la comunicación en en español porque soy unapersona de 76 años y no hablo el ingles y me gusta la carpintería y lo que e hecho a sido muy rudimentario pero quiero aprender técnicas quedo en espera de sus comentarios. Gracias
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Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
Ok how can edge tape be applied on a round bar table??
Hello. I believe that you could do this by using iron on veneer and taping it in place first then iron around the perimeter, removing tape as you go. Cut to length after it’s attached.
Thanks
Paul-Woodworkers Guild of America
I’ve been thinking about this and there is something I’m curious to try. When I repair tenons on clarinets ( I teach band) I have to bevel the ends of strips of cork so that the ends will meet up flush in the center. There are some good YouTube videos on replacing cork tenons for clarinets that you might consider watching
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Woodworkers Guild of America Video Membership
I never liked using tape, because it was obvious once you saw the edge grain along the board’s ends. Has tecnhology found a way to address this yet with something that appears like end grain
Hi Steve. I haven’t seen anything like this but it would be nice. I don’t think most people notice that but woodworkers do.
Thanks
Paul-Woodworkers Guild of America