Fig 1. To apply an iron on edging strip, pre-heat the edge of the board by rubbing over it with a domestic iron on its hottest setting.

Fig 2. When the edge of the board is hot, align a length of strip along the edge and tack one end in place with the iron.

Fig 3. Cover the strip with a length of non printed paper, then firmly rub the iron along the edge until the strip sticks into place.

Fig 4. Leave the adhesive to harden for about 20 minutes, then trim off any excess strip at either end with a sharp knife.

Fig 5. Shave away the edges of the strip using a edge trimmer so that they are flush with the sides of the board

Fig 6. The edges can now be smoothed down using very fine glass paper and a cork block. Be very gentle at this stage as not to sand through the strip.

In recent years, several means of finishing off the rough edges of chip­board have been devised. The simplest of these is the iron on edging strip (fig. 1).

Available in widths to match most; board thicknesses, it is sold either in 2-3m packs or in larger rolls.

To apply the strip, the edge of the board should first be heated by rub­bing over it with a domestic iron on its hottest setting.

When the edge is hot, you align a length of strip, cover it with brown paper then run over the paper with the iron (fig. 3).

After 20 minutes, by which time the strip adhesive should have hardened, cut off the ends of the strip with a sharp knife and trim the edges flush with the sides (fig. 4 & 5)

Another, more traditional, edging method is to use softwood or hardwood lippings. The lipping should be slightly wider than the thickness of the board it is going on: the excess can be planed away after it is fixed.

Secure lippings with PVA adhesive and panel pins.

In certain circumstances, you may be able to employ one of the large range of plastic and aluminium extruded strips available.

Many of these simply clip onto the board.

Alternatively, the edges can be filled using a proprietary wood filler and painted. Make sure that the filler goes well into the chips and rub down with fine glass, garnet or aluminium oxide paper before painting.

It's a good idea to round off the board edges slightly, to minimise chipping.

[edit] Alternative Edgings

Here are just a few alternative edges that you may wish to consider, seeing that chipboard can be edged with all most anything.