Problem with edging

Zeddedhed · 19 Oct 2015

I'm making some units that require Iron On Edging to the shelves. The board I'm using is 26mm American Black Walnut veneered MDF. I've bought some ABD Iron on edging from Meyer Timber and when fitting it's leaving a fine white edge which is the glue line.

It's proving impossible to get rid of this glue line without damaging the veneer on the board (and the edge).

Any ideas?
Have I bought crappy edging tape?
Need more/less heat? (I have tried doing this on various different heat settings)

Knot Competent · 19 Oct 2015

I know the problem well! Have you tried running a hot iron along each edge, at an angle? That sometimes works. Whatever you do, don't try to disguise it with a black felt marker - don't ask me how I know this!

Zeddedhed · 19 Oct 2015

Knot Competent":1uddzlwd said:
I know the problem well! Have you tried running a hot iron along each edge, at an angle? That sometimes works. Whatever you do, don't try to disguise it with a black felt marker - don't ask me how I know this!

Ha! I well remember trying to disguise cock ups like this with markers - it's like digging yourself in deeper and deeper.

I normally run the Iron at angle for one or two strokes on each edge to get a good bond before trimming. I'll try running it over again after the trim and see if it helps.

I've got some 22mm edging tape that doesn't seem to do this (on 19mm boards) and the glue looks different on the tape. On the 30mm tape it's visibly thicker before you iron it.

dzj · 19 Oct 2015

Sometimes you can find edge banding with different glue colour.

Knot Competent · 19 Oct 2015

Only other thing I can suggest is trying edging from another manufacturer. I rarely had problems with edging from SMC Wholesale Edging of Exeter (01392 217635) but I don't know if they do a 30mm wide edging. I only ever needed 22mm wide. Good luck!

JonnyW · 19 Oct 2015

I've applied hundreds of metres of the stuff and have a love hate relationship with it. Many a time have I had to iron a whole length off due to my impatience trying to trim it too quickly with a blunt chisel. I remember sanding a length of it and once again, not really taking my time - for the sandpaper to dig in and open up a very sharp piece of the stuff that went straight in one side of my finger and clean out the other side! That was the last of 15 beech blockboard computer desks I had to make for one of our secondary schools. I still used to see the damned things in the school years later - still bloody hate the things. Not a good job in any way.

Sorry enough about me! I know the white glue line you are talking about and it can 'usually' be got rid of, by ironing it out and melting the glue line away - I say usually. I have spent many a minute trying to chisel the glue line away, and sand it away once it has hardened. But this is a hit or a miss, because as you very well know once you sand through the lip or veneer of your piece, you're stuffed.

I wonder if you could apply a piece of rag or kitchen roll on to the glue line and try and soak up some of the glue using a bit of heat from the iron? without setting anything on fire!

Good luck.

Jonny

Adam9453 · 19 Oct 2015

If the above mentioned ideas don't work then I'd suggest you find out what the glue is specifically and looked into what would dissolve/remove the exposed glue line? Then it could be as straight forward as wiping off the excess.