Has anyone here used edge banding with pressure sensitive adhesive backing vs. the iron-on type? I have zero experience with edge-banding but will need to use it in the next week or two. Have only been able to find a few reviews on the psa type and it sounds like a mixed bag. Would prefer to use this type instead of stealing wife's iron haha.

Bailey, I have only ever used the heat activated type. I am a tad old school with this type of stuff, the more involved the process and the more complicated it is, it must be good right! But no, I have never used the PSA type, I wish I had a better answer for you, but I can say this, if you are seeing mixed bag reviews about it, and from my experience the heat treated type last forever, I may re-direct my mind to the heat treated. If you plan on doing much of this, you could invest in an edge banding heat iron like this: They run about 40 bucks.

 

With the heat treated edge banding the glue as you know melts, and absorbs into the edge grain or end grain and pulls the backing of the edge banding in to the material, creating a lasting bond. With the PSA it's just peel and stick, it's all surface adhesion, nothing soaks in. Just my humble opinion.

I have done a fair amount of edge banding on a number of projects over the years with all of them using the iron on version. I have yet to have any of them peel off. I made the mistake of using my wife's iron and ruined it with getting some melted glue on it, so I had to go buy her a new one. The funny thing though is that while my wife said it was HER iron, I have always been the one over our 30+ years of marriage that does the ironing as she has a tendency to burn things and can't iron a straight crease. Just go to your your local Wal-Mart and pick up a cheap iron for less than $20. FYI DO NOT USE STEAM SETTING (don't ask me how I know this)

 

The advantage of using iron on edge banding is that while the glue is still hot you can slide it a bit back and forth to keep it centered. With the peel and stick kind you have no wiggle room. Typical rolled edged banding will be labeled with a specific width (1/2", 3/4", 1", etc) but will, most of the time, be a bit wider to allow trimming of the edges flush. You should also get a edge banding trimmer flush trim the material as opposed to just using a box cutter or sharpe chisel. They have single edge ones that are inexpensive and you can get one at Home Depot, Lowe's or your local Rockler or Woodcraft store. They also have two edge flush trimmers but they will be a bit more money. 
 

Here are links to 2 different types online at Lowe's and Woodcraft

http://www.lowes.com/pd_51127-99899-33437_0__?productId=3471105&store_code=1048&cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-LumberAndBuildingMaterials-_-ConstructionBoards-_-3471105:BAND-IT&CAWELAID=&kpid=3471105&CAWELAID=1368087153&k_clickID=243b31c6-b54d-4ab9-a04b-dd84ad6ff412

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/157450/WR-Double-Edge-Trimmer.aspx?gclid=CJKfxPa6wMoCFZYrvQodweMCwg