How do I hide plywood edges?

[rocketman768]

So, I'm building a fermentation cabinet in an attempt to look like an actual cabinet. Using 2x2s as a frame so that I can sandwich a layer of insulation between the inner plywood surface and the outer one.

Anyway, I know literally nothing about carpentry, so bear with me. What I'd really like to know is how to best hide the unfinished edge of the plywood on the outside of the cabinet where the edges join. If I could cut a 45 degree angle on the two edges, they would fit together nicely, but I am equipped with only a dremel, drill, and usual hand tools. I don't have the space for large tools either. Right now, I'm thinking the best thing to do is just fit the pieces together squarely on the edge and find a nice piece of molding to glue over it to hide the edge, but was just want another opinion since I know not of what I speak.

Thanks!

 

[Grizzlybrew]

You could bind the edges with some thin, solid-wood material or just buy some 1/4" x 3/4" 90-degree trim like you were thinking.

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

They have iron on wood edging at Home Depot/Lowes. I've used it and it works great.

 

[Cliff897]

I'll use a strip of 1/4" with a little solo line component like a sidewase T the solitary leg inserted into a dado I cut in the edge ply.

I prefer the method 'case I involve more of the plywood.
It won't work for thin stuff but it works great on inch thick or more Baltic Birch.

In your case you should just glue strips to your edges.

The iron on stuff you can get is ok, the glue is hot melt.

Another option is to make your cabinet a face frame style. To do so you;'ll construct a frame from some more noble lumber that you'll attach to the ply edges. It'll add the thickness of the cabinet (usually 3/4") to the cabinet. The door hinges attach to that frame.

 

[arturo7]

Iron on edge banding is the easiest and cheapest way to do it. May not be the most attractive option, but it does the job.

 

[Bensiff]

Facing ply is pretty easy if you have the right tools which you don't sound like you do. If you borrow, buy, rent a chop saw and a router with a flush trim bit you could turn something out pretty nice though. Get solid wood strip that is slightly larger on each side then the thickness of your ply. Attach that to any exposed edge you want covered with glue and clamps to get a good flush fit. Where you have 90 degree angles the ply will actually be attached to the stripping so that the corners of the ply form an "L" with the stripping filling in the gap. Finally take a router with a flush trim bit and clean the over hang from the stripping flush with the plywood surface. Sand it down, stain it, and it will be pretty as can be.

I personally would also use brads to secure the stripping as it drys, but remember if you do they will have to be sunk so as not to run the router bit into them.

 

[oceanselv]

They have iron on wood edging at Home Depot/Lowes. I've used it and it works great.

Here is the product Jake mentioned. It does work very well. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

[JakeTheHopDog]

Tanks, oceanselv, that's the stuff. As long as it's not going on patical baord, the glue holds very well.

 

[rocketman768]

Thanks guys. I'll buy a little edge banding as well as some trim and try them both on a test piece.

 

[Randar]

Try some of the wood veneer strips too if you'd like. Just put them on fat and trim them back with a utility knife on an angle, and you can lightly sand the edge. You can get them in matching wood species and they are fully stainable. Iron-on will work but I am a wood glue guy myself. If you use the good wood glue, is will definitely outlive iron-ons. You just have to apply and then stand the plywood on the edge or find a way to clamp something against it.