Flat, stable, and available with many different species of face veneers, plywood is a fantastic material for building furniture and all sorts of shop projects. The exposed veneer layers on the edges offer a look of basic functionality, which can play into a lively, modern aesthetic, but sometimes those plywood edges aren’t wanted and need to be covered up. Veneer tape is fast but does not produce a durable, high-wearing edge, and no edge profile can be applied. The best answer is often an edge of thick, solid wood. Solid wood can take a hit, it can be profiled with a router for style, and adds the option of contrasting color and grain.
Most projects have straight edges, so ripping edging on the table saw is easy. But what about curves? The round corners of a conference table can be dealt with by turning a ring on the lathe (or with a trammel and router) that has an inside diameter matching the plywood table’s inner form. The ring is cut into four segments, applied, and straight edging fills in between. But what about a table that has a flowing complex shape, such as a flower? The old school way is to laboriously create master templates and pattern route the parts. The new and better way is to use your CNC router.
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