Trimming solid edging on plywood is a tedious task, especially if you have a lot of shelves and cabinet edges to process. I know the magazine has offered a number of good solutions, but the following is the favorite by far in my pro cabinetry shop. The setup is simple, and works on either a router table (with the user feeding parts by hand) or a shaper equipped with a power feeder.

Start by loading a straight bit in the router (or equivalent shaper cutter). A 1/2-in. bit will work for thin edging, but bigger is better. Then attach a melamine auxiliary table on top of the existing table, using double-sided tape, or better yet, using screws, or T-slots and bolts, to make it easier to attach and detach. Set the table 1/2 in. or so away from the bit, to leave room for overhanging edging on the bottom side, as well as any glue squeeze-out there. Last, set the fence to position the outside of the cutter under the edging you are trimming, and raise the bit until it’s 1/32 in. to 1/16 in. shy of the top of the melamine table. Keep your panels flat on the melamine as you trim the edging, and the job will go quickly, with great results. A climb cut, moving left to right, will give the cleanest results, but a right-to-left cut will be easier to control.

This setup will leave a sliver of edging to be block-planed and sanded away in short order.

—STEVE LANN, Hyattsville, Md.

Illustrations by Dan Thornton
From Fine Woodworking issue #296

	Workshop Tip: Trim edge banding on the router table How to trim the excess banding flush without cutting through the thin veneer on plywood? The trick is to raise the fence.
	Trim Plywood Edging Flush, Simply and Safely Sometimes it’s better to bring the workpiece to the router.
	How to Build Beautiful Cases from Plywood Smart joinery turns eye-catching panels into sturdy furniture.

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