VENEER FROM HEAVEN

Relayer | Posted in Wood and Materials on January 26, 2008 08:35am

Ok From a woodworking stand point, or from just about any stand point I do not recall being more excited than I have been tonight. I was over my friend’s father’s house (who is a former woodworker, and has amazing tools and expensive woods laying about this house), and he said to me “Hey James, do you want some veneer?” I said of course I do, in the idea that I was about to receive maybe a few old scraps (though I would have been fine with that as that is a few more scraps than I currently had!). So anyway, he takes me out to the garage that was his former shop and pulls out two boxes each, by my estimate, 2 feet in width by about four feet in length. He opened one box and I saw to my utter astonishment that it was full to bursting with amazing veneer, some of it from woods I have never seen. He told me “Here you go, I would rather it be put to use than sitting here. ” Well I simply stood there in shock. It was truly an unexpected gift that I am very gratefully for. I have but one problem: I have never used veneer before! Does anybody have any suggestions as to books on how to use veneer properly so I can put good use to such a prestigious gift? Or I fear that my friend’s most generous father may have done what he was trying to avoid and wasted all of this precious veneer.

Replies

tom77 | Jan 26, 2008 06:04pm | #1
Congratulations on your good fortune,

My favorite book on decorative veneering is:

The Marquetry Course by Jack Metcalfe and John Apps.

This book covers much more than basic veneering, so you may want another book to more thoroughly cover the basics. Read the Marquetry Course first and then visit your library or bookstore.

Good luck, Tom.
WillGeorge | Jan 26, 2008 06:17pm | #2
VENEER FROM HEAVEN...

I'd say a wife or girlfriend in lace undies!
Russell | Jan 26, 2008 07:56pm | #3
Heavenly veneer deserves a heavenly way to use it. May be time to invest in a vacuum veneer press. I did about six years ago and I'm still amazed every time I use it. I suppose I'm playing devils advocate?!? My mom always said I was a little devil though.

Russ.

http://www.jensenfinefurniture.com
beachfarm | Jan 27, 2008 01:04am | #4
After you've found the one or two (or three) books to guide you, go out and buy some inexpensive straight grain veneer and PRACTICE. I think you'll be amazed at how forgiving the various methods (for applying veneers) can be - after you've learned from a few mistakes, that is.

And regarding the "various methods": Don't take any one method as gospel. Each glue, each method, has its place. One piece of furniture might employ several methods.

It's good fun. Congrats on your score...
bmwz3coupe | Jan 27, 2008 03:26am | #5
Congrats !!! Check Joewoodworker.com for veneer press. I just finished my V2Plus press just yesterday and I am looking forward to trying it out real soon.
DonStephan | Jan 27, 2008 03:40am | #6
A few years ago I read all the veneering books I could find. The best background information was an older one, "The Complete Manual of Wood Veneering" by W A Lincoln. My personal opinion is that the best newer introductions to veneering (and vacuum pressing) are a couple videos, "Decorative Veneering" by Paul Schurch, http://www.schurchwoodworking.com and "Working with Veneer" by Darryl Keil, http://www.vacupress.com. They each also have excellent followup videos covering more advanced topics. As an aid when I was first studying veneering, I began compiling tips, explanations and other information I came across, much from the veneering forum at http://www.vacupress.com. You are welcome to download a copy of the compilation, in either MS Word or .pdf format, at http://www.stephanwoodworking.com/downloads