Veneering

Harvey,

I've done a few veneering projects. My first one was a large, curved fireplace mantel. I guess you could say I jumped in with both feet ... have a look at

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built the pump setup, and I made the bag using sheet stock and glue.

I guess I should put up a few photos of the completed mantel ...

Before attempting that project, I'd watched every episode of David Marks' "Wood Works" TV show where he did a laminating or veneering project at least a few times. That, and reading on the Internet and a few questions posted here as you are doing, was my entire education in the process up until that point.

It so happens that I'm very much a hands-on learner. I can read about stuff like this and watch others do it, but the best way for me to learn how to do something is to just do it. I figured it wasn't rocket science, and at the very worst I'd have to do it over until I got it right at the cost of my time and whatever I'd spent on the materials. It turned out just fine on the first try, and in the process I did learn a bit more.

My advice would be to play if you can, but not too much. Then go for it.

By "play" I mean do a few small glue-ups so you know how to set up a job for your press, and how to run the press.

If you have a large bag that you're going to use, just try getting a large set-up (without any glue) into the bag. Then pump down the bag and see if it holds, and if it does not, fix it (better to do that in a dry run!).

Use the some of the veneer and the glue you intend to use in the kitchen so you get a feel for how much glue is necessary and how to spread it, and you can see if you'll need to tape the assembly together to keep the veneer and platens from sliding around and if the glue squeezes through the veneer (on highly figured veneer, it probably will).

After a dry run and a few smaller glue-ups, you'll probably feel a lot more comfortable going forward.

I'm happy to answer your questions here (better than direct email as I'm sure there might be others who can add to the discussion). If you prefer, email is fine.

And I hope you'll post some photos of the work in progress and write about your experience. We all can learn from that, I'm sure!

Reply to
Art Greenberg
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One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the old fashioned method. Hide glue and a veneer hammer. No clamping required. It does take a bit of practice and hot hide glue does have a definite odor, but it works fine and has for centuries. Or use yellow glue and an iron as shown in:

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that doesn't work very well on curved surfaces.

Reply to
Larry Blanchard

Art,

Thanks for your extensive post and encouragement. I have still not decided on which course to pursue. I'll let you know!.

Harvey

Reply to
eclipsme

Wow! That's an eye opener for sure. I'm gonna have to have a think on this one.

Thanks, Harvey

Reply to
eclipsme

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