Closet America's recent installation of a hot air edgebander and a new comment to a discussion thread to a guest blog on the Forest Stewardship Council's handling of bamboo certification get Woodworking Network readers talking.

Closet America Puts First Hot Air Edgebander in Production

Hot air edgebanders created a lot of buzz at the LIGNA woodworking show in Hannover, Germany, last May, being touted by several machinery suppliers as a lower-cost alternative to laser edgebanders to produce a seamless edge. Closet America is putting its money behind hos air, installing the first Biesse AirForce edgebander sold in North America. At least one reader is taking a wait-and-see attitude to the technology's effectiveness.

Very interesting article, however, it is misleading in the use of certain facts. Hot Air is not Laser, don't confuse the two because they are different. Also, the use of laser edge band with the Hot Air system is exciting, but still unproven. I caution many companies to do thorough testing before committing resources and not to have the wool pulled over their eyes from various manufacturers who will make all sorts of promises. The technology has great promise and will become a standard in our industry, however, let's learn how to crawl, walk, before we begin to run. -- Posted by Anthony Scarimbolo of Canada on Feb. 14

Woodworking Network's Response
We appreciate your comment. You are correct in noting that hot air and laser are different technologies and that potential buyers should weigh the pros and cons of each. Hot air was introduced as a lower cost alternative to laser to achieve a similar effect - a seamless edge using the same type of edgebanding developed for laser edgebanding a couple of years earlier. No doubt many of us are interested to see how these technologies play out in the market. - Posted by Rich Christianson, Editor at Large, Woodworking Network on Feb. 14

Bamboo: What a Revolting FSC Development Part III

This guest blog posted by Mike DiGiuro last month attracted its third reader comment.

There are lots of forms of sustainably harvested bamboo. It is a misconception that the worlds bamboo all comes from Asian regions or must be shipped from the other side of the world. Lamboo, Inc. the world leading materials technologies company sources tremendous volume from sustainably managed farms from Mexico, Central and South America in fact the worlds largest natural groves of bamboo exist in Brazil, and surrounding regions. - Posted by Luke Schuette of Lamboo, Springfield, IL, on Feb. 8

American Made Matters" to Keystone Wood Specialties

I know where will be buying my next cabinets! - Posted by Don Rongione of Pennsylvania on Feb. 13