The Burgess Edge System

I feature here a set of two paired router bits - must be purchased as a set actually - that I've had for at least a decade but not discussed a lot, perhaps in passing, in previous blogs because I figured there is little interest in it, if even familiar to most woodworkers. When I ordered it way back then I actually spoke with the inventor and maker of this set, Michael Burgess, who convinced me that it was, and indeed it is, the best way to edge-band 3/4 inch plywood. Plywood, 3/4 inch, is a very stable stock for wide large projects, such as cabinets and table tops. The one drawback is the exposed edge. There are a number of ways to cover the edge (i.e, veneer and edge-bands) but the most effective is to create a channel on the plywood edge and a matching moulding on a solid wood material, which is then glued and clamped to the main body. There are probably two or three other  edge "systems" commercially available but the Burgess is far superior, albeit costly.  But it is worth the expense.

Obviously, in the past I've always used this system to treat 3/4 inch plywood edges; however, for this project I used it using solid hardwood for the main piece and the edge-band.  I've done several, a dozen or more by now, cutting boards using different techniques. This time, I chose marble wood - a favorite - edge-banded with walnut.

It is always 2-part process and the router table is a must.

I usually treat the "end" part of the big work piece first, then the long sides.

I used polyurethane glue for its water-proof characteristic. (Apply the glue just one side and water-wet the mating piece, then clamp)

The glue up pieces were slightly over-sized, then cross-cut and ripped to final dimension. This is the best way to insure a flat and parallel edges.

The juice channels and finger holds along the edges were also done on the router table with bull nose bits.

Below are some the other cutting boards over the years.  This is the first time I used the Burgess Edge System.  It is worth to have this if you already have a router table with at least a 2-hp motor or bigger, even if only for 3/4 inch plywood applications.