Easily Trim Edge Banding
George VondriskaDescription
When I’m making something that has edge banding on all four edges, with butt joints at the corners, my go-to technique is to let the last two pieces of banding run past the first two pieces, then cut them flush.
There are a couple keys to making this work, and work well. The first one is tool-based: use a fine-tooth pull saw. The second is technique-based: carefully align the pull saw with the surface you want the cut aligned with.
I’m right handed so use my left hand to hold the face of the saw tight against the adjacent piece of banding to get good alignment. If you’re concerned about the set of the teeth leaving marks on that piece, cover it with masking tape before doing this process.
With the face of the saw firmly against the face of the banding, gently start cutting. Don’t force the saw, let it follow its path, tracing the other banding.
This approach takes a little practice, but it’s a foolproof way to get flush cuts.
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I had two comments after watching the video: It seemed awkward to be reaching across the saw with your left hand to guide the saw. It seems to me that you would have to be less of a 'contortionist' to have the waste sticking out toward the left (for a right-handed person). Then the edge of the project would be right there for the guiding (left) hand . I was also wondering if a fine-toothed push saw would create less tear out. I will have to experiment with this to see what works best for me.