Carpenter's knife. In principle, absolutely any kind, but definitely not very spicy. Otherwise, there is a high probability of cutting the laminated layer on the chipboard itself.
But the following details will have to be done. Of course, if such gluing of the edge is not isolated in nature. So, the guide. The width between the jaws is 18 mm, since the standard sheet is exactly 16 mm thick.
A block with a layer of soft fabric. I folded several layers of cashmere from an old coat, and this product has been serving faithfully for many years.
And the knob handle is just for ease of use.
Moreover, there is the same one on a block with sandpaper.
True, it had to be changed several times over the years, so short screws with a large head for fixing are simply an ideal option.
That's it, let's get started.
Heat the iron high. As we iron the linen, we warm the edge, and then rub it vigorously with a bar and cloth. It stuck, but its size is larger,
so we cut it off with a knife, always away from us, and start from the middle.
So we cut on all sides. We glue the edge on the other sides of the part.
Now we clean off the residue with a block of sandpaper (don’t get carried away, rubbing it once without pressing will be enough). One piece is ready
We do the same with the rest.
Moreover, peeling off this paper edge is as easy as shelling pears: heat it up again with the iron and remove the damaged or simply unnecessary paper edge for some reason.
That's all the wisdom.
Anyone who has ever encountered laminated chipboard knows that a board made of this material has smooth surfaces with a textured pattern, while its end parts are a mixture of wood shavings and glue. To give parts sawn from such a board a marketable appearance, a process such as chipboard edging was invented. It consists of gluing a decorative strip - an “edge” - onto the ends of the parts, which can be either the same color as the chipboard decor or different from it.
Today, two main types of edges are used:
- PVC edge
- melamine edge
PVC edge used in the factory production of furniture, it is more reliable, strong, durable, but the edging procedure when using it is quite labor-intensive. Furniture shops use special edge cutting machines. Thickness PVC edges There are 2 mm and 0.4 mm. The width also varies depending on the thickness of the chipboard sheets.
Melamine edge less durable, but requires a minimum of tools to apply and is widely used among home furniture makers. But due to its low mechanical resistance, its use is limited. Personally, I glue melamine edging mainly to drawers. On back side The melamine edge is always coated with hot melt adhesive, and it itself is sufficiently resistant to elevated temperatures, so a simple iron is enough to stick it on. It can only be thin (0.4 mm) and I have never seen it wider than 20 mm.
Since our site is largely dedicated to working from home, let’s first look at how.
So, for work we need the edge itself, an ordinary iron, a metal ruler, a clamp or vice (optional), and fine sandpaper on a block.
The technique for gluing the edges is as simple as a nail:
Now let's figure out how to glue correctly PVC edge with your own hands, i.e. without using an edging machine. Such an edge will last much longer than a melamine edge, and besides, it is 2 mm and looks “richer”. It is worth mentioning that PVC edges can be either with an adhesive layer (hot melt adhesive) or without it. In the first case, edging occurs using construction hair dryer, and in the second case, you need to purchase glue. Let's consider the second method in more detail, because... it is more economically profitable.
Let's start with gluing 0.4 mm PVC edges. To fix it, it is best to use contact types of glue, for example 3M™ Scotch-Grip, Moment Crystal, Titanium or “88”. It is worth noting that it is more convenient to work with liquid glue (3M), it is easier to level and its consumption is much less. We work with glue according to the instructions indicated on the package.
Contact adhesive can be replaced with hot melt adhesive. To do this, you will need a glue gun with a set of rods and an industrial hair dryer.
To work, we will need a roller for pressing the edge (successfully replaced with a rag or a piece of felt boots)), the glue itself, a spatula for leveling the glue or a simple brush, as you like, a wide chisel or a knife from a plane to remove excess edge, a sanding block with fine sandpaper .
Furniture edge is a strip that covers the cut of a chipboard sheet. It is produced in the form of a flat tape or profile made of paper, polymers, wood, and metal. Depending on the type of materials used, gluing the edges can be done with an iron at home or using professional equipment.
Purpose of edges for chipboard
Wood particle board (chipboard) used in furniture production, made from wood waste. A mass of fine chips impregnated with resins is pressed at high temperatures. The introduction of special additives provides increased water resistance characteristics. The surface of the slab is sanded and then covered with films, wood veneer or laminated. Neat furniture edge gives the product a finished look. Decorative strip provides structure protection:
- From moisture;
- Mold and insects;
- Mechanical damage.
Water - main enemy loose chipboard structure. Wooden shavings quickly absorb moisture, the slab becomes deformed and practically begins to crumble. At the same time, an ideal environment is created for the development of microorganisms and fungi harmful to the tree.
The cut surface of the chipboard sheet is uneven. Many holes and micropores are ready to become a home for insects and mold spores. By gluing the cut edge, all the recesses are filled with adhesive compounds and closed. The chipboard cut is also susceptible to mechanical damage. Under the influence of even light tangential blows, the edges of the cuts are chipped. Any negative impacts not only worsen the appearance of the furniture, but also significantly reduce its service life.
Thin melamine tape (0.4–0.6 mm) does not protect well from moisture and is not resistant to mechanical stress. It delaminates, breaks, and the design wears out. Advantages: low cost, wide range of decors. Gluing edges made of melamine plastic on an adhesive base is carried out according to a scheme similar to when working with wood veneer tape.
- preparation of the cut surface;
- determining the operating temperature of the iron;
- smoothing the tape.
Immediately after the iron passes, press the edge well with a small piece of felt. Final processing is performed with a sharp knife and fine-grained sandpaper.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Polymer mass under high pressure(extrusion) continuously passes through the forming head (die). Then the front surface is textured and a design is applied to it (printing, thermal printing).
Available in tape or profile form. The only drawback is that gluing the edges and processing them can only be done using professional equipment. You can experiment with your own hands with PVC edges when making a shelf. There are a lot of videos on the Internet with master classes for home craftsmen.
U-shaped PVC profile can be rigid and flexible. Installation of the first is simple - it simply snaps onto the edge of the chipboard and the side cuts are closed with plugs. Cons: Can only be used for straight edges.
Fixing a flexible profile is possible on the edges of parts of any configuration with multiple kinks, but only on professional equipment using hot-melt adhesives. At home, gluing this type of edge can be done using glue during repairs. The work is carried out according to the instructions supplied with the adhesive composition used. Difficult to provide required pressure over the entire glued surface of the profile. The use of nails and screws negates all the decorative and protective functions of PVC edges.
The molded PVC T-section profile is driven into the slot with a pneumatic hammer. To avoid chipping the side surfaces on the front side chipboard coverings a chamfer of 0.5–1 mm is removed using fine sandpaper. A tight fit in the areas of curves and corners is ensured by trimming the profile tenon.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Thermoplastic of this type is used in the production of furniture that is resistant to chemical environments and moisture. It has increased strength and high cost (in relation to PVC furniture edges). An adhesive-based tape up to 1 mm thick can be glued to chipboard at home.
The melting point of plastic is much higher than the melting point of glue. Typically, gluing ABS edges is done in the same way as melamine. The main thing is to prepare the surface well and select the correct operating temperature of the iron. After a little practice on the sample, you can start edging.
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) - 3D
The acrylic edge consists of two layers: a bottom with a pattern and a transparent top. The 3D acrylic furniture edge got its name precisely for the effect of a three-dimensional image. The only drawback is the high cost. Installation at home is not possible.
Noble finishing material used for finishing tabletops made of artificial stone, metal based on chipboard. Manufacturers offer several design options for aluminum tape. Its surface can be mirror, matte or textured. Edge cutting with aluminum is carried out only on industrial equipment.
Furniture edge is an integral element of any cabinet furniture, interior doors and partitions. Proper selection of edge material, taking into account its characteristics, texture, color and planned operational loads, will help extend the service life of the product while maintaining its design.
The edge is used to protect the end edges of parts made of MDF, chipboard, PVC from abrasion, moisture and impact. This finish serves a decorative function, and also gives the edges and corners of the furniture strength and protects people from harmful influence a substance such as formaldehyde, used in the production of compressed wood boards.
If the border is damaged or peels off, urgent repairs are required. And in this case, the primary task is to select the material and glue for the edges made of PVC, melamine paper or other material.
Varieties of edges
From the variety of edges you have to choose the most suitable one.
Melamine
Made in the form of a self-adhesive tape made of decorative paper, which is impregnated with melamine resins. Typically used for interior decoration furniture. This a budget option edges for chipboard, not characterized high quality. It has a short service life, is susceptible to moisture and often falls off on its own over time.
Undoubted positive attribute The advantage of melamine edging is that it is easy to glue; you can do this at home yourself using a regular iron. The second advantage is the absence of a side, a curb protruding above the edged surface, which sometimes irritates when it gets under your hands when working with the keyboard, and also interferes with sweeping away small debris, for example, crumbs from the dining table in the office.
It is a flexible tape with curved edges that form a side. This edging is made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Types of edging differ in width and profile: in cross-section, the edge resembles either the letter “t” (T-shaped) or the letter “p” (U-shaped).
The latter is easier to attach, but less reliable; craftsmen do not recommend using it on surfaces that are often subject to friction: on the seats of stools or benches, on the front edge computer desk, which is constantly in contact with the forearms.
PVC edging increases the durability and wear resistance of furniture parts, and reliably protects edges and corners from damage.
The edging is similar to the previous type of edging tape, but is more environmentally friendly. Made from chlorine-free plastic. It has found successful application in furniture production due to its heat resistance and impact resistance.
How to glue melamine edge
Update if desired old furniture and at the same time save money, use a melamine edge with glue. It’s easy to stick it, for example, on a tabletop:
- Cut a piece of tape with a margin of about two centimeters.
- Place the adhesive side to the tabletop and press with a hot iron or heat with a hair dryer.
- Hold until the glue words melt.
- Move the iron along the edge gradually, preferably no more than 0.5 cm at a time.
- Immediately after warming up and removing the iron, press the edge strip with a dry cloth and hold to fix it.
Advice! An iron or hair dryer will also help you remove the old edge tape. Just warm it up and remove it with a knife or thin spatula.
Fastening PVC and ABS edging
Plastic edging tapes, theoretically, can simply be fixed to the edge of the furniture, but this is extremely unreliable. Additional fixation with glue is preferable.
To attach the T-shaped profile, you will have to lay a recess along the entire edge to be processed. The easiest way to do this is milling machine. If you have the skill, it will be replaced by a drill with a circular attachment. However, in general the profile is intended for professionals.
To fix PVC or ABS edges at home, use PVC glue, as well as universal compounds “Moment” and “88-lux”; it is desirable that they be marked “for PVC” or “for ABS”.
Professionals use hot melt adhesives, which are part of a range of thermoplastics. When heated, they become highly elastic, and when cooled, they instantly turn into a solid state. The high fluidity and drying strength of the adhesives is due to the ethylene polymer with vinyl acetate they contain. The main disadvantage of hot melt adhesives, of course, is the need for appropriate equipment for the job.
When working with any border, try to calculate the sequence of pasting so as to avoid joints. Go around the corners with a profile - preferably they should be rounded. If the corners are normal, a thick (PVC or ABS) profile will not go around them, and the melamine edge will most likely break. In this case, you will have to make joints at the corners, which must be sanded at the end so that they are smooth. If you run your hand along the edge of the part, the roughness should not be felt.
Advice! You can get rid of excess edge tape with a very sharp knife, and cut off the ends first. Be careful not to accidentally damage the corners of the furniture. The direction of the knife should be towards the inside of the part.
If the factory edge is damaged or partially fallen off, remove it and replace it with a new one. A little effort and the table is like new!
Chipboard is the most suitable material for the production of reliable and high-quality inexpensive furniture. In order to hide the not very aesthetically pleasing internal structure of the product, edging is performed on the end side - the installation of special decorative panels made of melamine, PVC or other available types of synthetic plastics.
Why else do they edge furniture?
In addition to the most obvious goal - to provide an elegant appearance, edging furniture performs several more equally important tasks:
Where should edging be done?
Furniture manufacturers often edge only the visible parts of the end surfaces. From the point of view of economy, this seems quite understandable, but taking into account the above facts, this approach can lead to certain problems - the protective edge must be present in all places where there is an open internal structure of the chipboard.
If you purchased furniture with unprotected edges, you can easily do their edging yourself at home. To do this, you do not need to have any special equipment - the edge can be glued with a regular iron.
Don’t be lazy to spend a few minutes on this operation - you will reliably protect yourself and your furniture and significantly extend its service life. Next, we will look in detail at how to properly glue the edge tape with your own hands.
Edge materials
Edging open furniture surfaces can be done using different decorative elements, differing in the quality of the material, appearance and, accordingly, cost.
How to glue an edge with an iron
In production, edging is done using tape with a clean base. The adhesive composition is applied to it during installation when high temperature ensuring the formation of a thin, even layer. In order to glue the edge, several rollers are used, pressing it tightly to the base of the chipboard. Then special cutters cut the tape to the size of the part, remove any remaining glue and base material, and sand the joint until a smooth and beautiful surface is obtained.
You can also glue the edge at home. To do this, you need to use a tape with already applied adhesive composition. Further, the process largely repeats industrial edging, since it is performed in a similar way:
You can learn more about the process of gluing edges on chipboard in the video below:
Gluing the U-shaped profile to the end of the chipboard is somewhat easier. We have already discussed this method earlier. This edge is much stronger than melamine, bends quite easily and reliably protects from damage.
The presence of microgaps between the U-profile edge and the front surface of the chipboard does not allow gluing it in the kitchen or bathroom, so edging with this material is mainly used for office furniture.
Edging chipboard, of course, is best done in the factory. In production, you can order tape from any materials, including plastic, PVC and other modern composite materials. Edging on a machine will ensure perfect evenness and precision of application. decorative cladding, but requires certain costs. If the main task is to meet a predetermined small budget, applying melamine tape with your own hands will allow you to combine acceptable quality and the minimum price.
