Reply To: Applying Veneer?
Welcome! / Forums / General Woodworking Discussions / Woodworking Methods and Techniques / Applying Veneer? / Reply To: Applying Veneer?
Hi Raze,
What is it you are trying to veneer? Are you veneering a flat or a curved surface? How thick a venner are you using? I ask as each of the answers will be a factor in what method you eventually use.
Also what is the background (ie the substrate) you are veneering onto? For myself for the majority of the veneering I do I use natural glues (Hide, Rabbit & Fish) This is due to the fact that using a clothes iron it is very easy to “reactivate” the glue to allow you to readjust or repair later on. Due to the heat softening the glue and making it tacky again.
If you are using modern bought 0.6mm veneers then the substrate becomes very imnportant. the best results I find are if the venner is applied to a mdf substrate, especially if the piece is to sit in a modern centrally heated house. 3mm mdf give (for me) the smoothest and stablest surface for the veneer and negates a mlot of the problems related to wood movement. Remember that any imperfections will telegraph right through the veneer, even on occasions marks from the cheaper veneer tapes.
You say “I bought raw veneer without realising how much easier the iron on stuff would be. Not going to be doing that again.” Don’t give up, It is just a lack of knowledge that makes it hard. Have a read of books like – Woodworker’s Guide to Veneering and Inlay – by johnathan benson or look at google books and get a read of some of the old veeneering books.
Remember veneering is not that difficult but the most important lesson to learn is that preperation is everything. Make sure the surface is right do you have the right tools a decent Toothing plane and a good iron make all the difference. If y0u don’t have a toothin plane a bit of wood with a hacksaw blade dragged accross both axis of the surface will be enough to make sure the veneer keys properly. have a good wiegthy veneering hammer and plan properly so that every thing is in place before starting and know the order you plan to do things. hth