Snappy spring clamps are great for edge-banding

THROUGH THE YEARS, I’ve used a wide variety of techniques and clamps to glue edge-banding to veneered panels. Jorgensen once made a great edge clamp, but discontinued it years ago, and I’ve spent countless hours ever since looking for them on the used market. After trying Rockler’s new Bandy Clamps, I won’t look any more.

 

At the heart of the clamp is a strong and glue-resistant elastic band mounted in the mouth of a spring clamp. The spring clamp has extralarge swivel pads that grip the surface of the panel while the elastic band stretches tight over the edging. I’ve used them to glue edging to all manner of panels, from MDF to plywood to panels with melamine faces, and the clamp pads held tight to all of them. One caveat: Dust on the surface can cause the pads to slip, so make sure you clean the surface. The elastic band applies pressure where it is needed most—along the outside edge of the banding. I have used the clamps extensively and so far the band has withstood the sharp corners of square edge-banding.

 

Bandy Clamps handle edging up to 11⁄4 in. thick, but still work great on thin banding if you use a caul to spread the pressure over a larger area. All in all, Bandy Clamps are very well designed, useful, and the best solution I’ve seen for gluing on edge-banding.