Mike, I'm thinking the type, cleanliness, and sharpness of the blade, and the type of material you are using would all play a part in the potential "chipping" issues, if any.
Do you have enough scrap similar material to practice with ??

 

You're guaranteed the edge banding will chip with the crosscutting operation-regardless of blade sharpness.

I've edge banded almost all my cabinets-especially those for the shop-here's my method.

• Cut all plywood pieces to finish length and edge band.
• Use a "double cutter" edge banding trimmer-$20 on Amazon. You just squeeze the two halves of the cutter together as you run it along the edge-works very well.
• Then snip off the ends of the overhanging banding with a Fastcap Flush Cut Pliers for edge banding-Amazon $20.

This technique and tools have always produced great results.
Hope this is helpful to you.
Gerry

 

My edge banding for bookcase shelves was done with 3/8" material ripped from 1x4s. Also did a project (AV cabinet to go under TV) with prefinished cabinet plywood and banded it with 1/4" walnut strips for contrast.

Might not be proper banding, but wanted to share the thought...

 

What we use in commercial… as far as the ends , the guys usually bend them over and snap them off and block sand the end

Amazon.com

 

Thanks guys.
I can see now how the edge banding can chip while cutting the pieces to final size. I'll edge band after cutting to final size, just before assembly.

 

I usually edge band after to final length. But if you use a good blade it won’t chip. I use a melamine blade on ply works real good on prefinished ply too.

 

Another question regarding edge banding the moveable shelf in the towel cabinet.

The 3/4" birch plywood shelf will be 13-1/2" wide x 30" long. All it will support will be towels stacked 14" high maximum. I figure that just banding the front edge will be sufficient strength wise. No need to use a 1x2 as the edge trim for the front edge for strength. Is my assumption correct? Or will the shelf sag over time?

 

I understand the tips of not allowing moisture to enter the end grain of non marine grade plywood.

My concern is whether 3/4 inch birch plywood that is 13-1/2" wide x 30" long will be sufficiently strong not to sag with maximum 14" of towels on top. Thanks!

 

Banding with that paper thin junk, or decent thickness solid wood? I usually go for 1/2" or deeper solid, size on the TS and trim with a hand plane. Very similar to a You-Tube Rob Cosman just did.

 

Nothing wrong with veneer. The stuff you buy at the big box isn’t the greatest, but better to buy commercial grade…

 

Bathroom cabinets get exposed to humidity and moisture. Dont leave any edge of plywood open or untreated. It will expand in time, Unless you use marine grade, which will add to the cost considerably.

 

IMO edge banding is not sufficient in longer shelves or shelves that will support any degree of weight.

IMO 30" needs support even if there's not any appreciable weight - or at least it's cheap insurance and actually makes the shelf look better. Use hardwood. I often do front and back for book shelves longer than 30"

 

Hopefully he has a picture of what s being built.

 

@JackDuren
Hopefully he has a picture of what s being built.

Here's two views of the towel cabinet that I am going to build:

The middle shelf was going to be permanent but I've decided to make it moveable to give my wife flexibility in deciding it's height. Will be using 1/4" pins to support that shelf. ..... The back will be 1/4" plywood.

Just a simple functional towel cabinet above the toilet. Need function rather than form. All exposed edges of the plywood will be edge banded. Cabinet will be primed and painted.

Was just looking for opinions whether I should install a 1x2 front edge on the shelf for strength or whether just the 3/4 inch plywood with edge banding will be strong enough to support towels without sagging.

 

I dont see see any problem banding any of it..

 

Thanks Jack. I'll just edge band the moveable shelf since that will be much easier and I will have so much edge banding from the 50 foot roll that I bought.

For folks wondering about the edge banding that I will use, I bought the birch edge banding from Woodcraft so it may be better than edge banding at the big box stores (I don't know 🤷‍♂️🙂).