Built on quality, backed by the right gear
In every part of New Zealand, there are joinery shops doing great work. What separates the best is not just skill — it’s the standards they set for themselves, and the tools they choose to get there.
At Montage Kitchens & Joinery, that mindset has been part of the business from day one.
The late Ken Monk built the company with a strong focus on quality, training, and doing things properly. His influence went well beyond our own factory, contributing to the wider joinery industry across NZ.
When Ken passed, the business didn’t slow down. Today, under Jared’s leadership, and with Michael joining more recently, that same thinking still drives how we operate — keep improving, invest where it matters, and don’t cut corners.
That’s exactly what led us to the KDT laser edgebander.
Why we made the move to laser edging
Like most joinery shops, we ran traditional glue-pot edgebanders for years. They do the job — but they come with limitations.
Glue lines, maintenance, setup time, and consistency all become factors, especially when you’re pushing for a high-end finish across every job.
We started looking at laser edging as a way to step things up.
The KDT KE-710BT stood out straight away.
Instead of a glue pot, it uses a laser unit to activate a functional layer on the back of the edging tape. That layer melts and bonds directly to the board edge.
The result is simple:
- No visible glue line
- A cleaner, tighter finish
- Stronger adhesion
- Less variation between panels
It’s a small change in process, but a big change in outcome.
Seeing it in person made the decision easy
We went up to the Jacks Auckland Showroom to see the machine running.
That’s where it really clicked.
The finish quality was obvious straight away. Clean joins, consistent results, and no messing around with glue setup.
On top of that, the machine itself felt solid. No rattles, no shortcuts in build quality — just a well put together piece of equipment that’s designed to run all day.
It wasn’t a hard decision after that.
What it’s changed for us
Since installing the KDT laser edgebander, a few things have stood out.
1. Finish quality is on another level
The biggest difference is the look. With no glue line, panels have a seamless edge that’s noticeably cleaner — especially on lighter colours.
2. Consistency across jobs
Every panel comes out the same. No temperature tweaks, no glue issues, no variation between runs.
3. Less downtime and maintenance
Removing the glue pot removes a lot of the usual headaches. Less cleaning, fewer adjustments, and more time actually producing.
4. Better workflow in the factory
Our operators can focus on output rather than constantly managing the machine. That fits well with how we run the shop — efficient, steady, and predictable.
Final thoughts on the KDT Laser Edgebander
The KDT laser edgebander hasn’t changed who we are — it’s just helped us do what we’ve always aimed to do, but better.
Cleaner finish. More consistency. Less fuss.
If you’re in joinery and thinking about laser edging, it’s well worth a look.
We’ll also link through to the original article from the joiners magazine, as well as Jacks.co.nz if you want to see more detail on the machine itself.
For us, it’s been a solid investment — and one we’d make again without hesitation.
