I'm about to embark on my first large veneering project (queen-size headboard). My
previous efforts at veneering have used hot hide glue and a veneer hammer, with good
results -- but I don't think that's going to work very well for something this large. I'm moving
into uncharted territory here. Uncharted for me, anyway... hopefully not for some of you.

I know that I need to veneer both sides of each panel for stability -- my first question is
whether the veneers on the opposite sides of the panels need to be close to the same
*thickness*. The veneer I've selected for the show side is 1/40" walnut burl. I have on hand
an ample supply of 1/16" poplar veneer. Will that be suitable for the back face, or do I need
something closer to the thickness of the show veneer? The panel will be 3/4" MDF, and I'm
planning to use urea-formaldehyde glue (Weldwood Plastic Resin Glue).

Second question: does the burl veneer need a backing veneer, or can I glue it directly to
the MDF panel?

Third question: I'll be doing this in a vacuum press. Should I veneer both sides at once, or
one at a time? If one at a time, which side should go first?

Thanks to all for any help you can give me.

Both sides don't have to be the same thickness.

Do the back side first. If there are any errors, glitches, problems, etc., you will identify and correct them before working on the face side.

Do a test run with a small piece of your walnut on some scrap. Check to make sure the glue doesn't penetrate through the veneer, to the surface. Reduce the amount of glue you apply, if it does penetrate to the surface. Since you've done this before, I would think you won't have a penetration issue, but it's always good to do a test run.

*If all goes bad, you can always upholster the headboard. LOL.

Sonny

"Doug Miller" wrote in message
...

I'm about to embark on my first large veneering project (queen-size
headboard). My
previous efforts at veneering have used hot hide glue and a veneer hammer,
with good
results -- but I don't think that's going to work very well for something
this large. I'm moving
into uncharted territory here. Uncharted for me, anyway... hopefully not for
some of you.

I know that I need to veneer both sides of each panel for stability -- my
first question is
whether the veneers on the opposite sides of the panels need to be close to
the same
*thickness*. The veneer I've selected for the show side is 1/40" walnut
burl. I have on hand
an ample supply of 1/16" poplar veneer. Will that be suitable for the back
face, or do I need
something closer to the thickness of the show veneer? The panel will be 3/4"
MDF, and I'm
planning to use urea-formaldehyde glue (Weldwood Plastic Resin Glue).

Second question: does the burl veneer need a backing veneer, or can I glue
it directly to
the MDF panel?

Third question: I'll be doing this in a vacuum press. Should I veneer both
sides at once, or
one at a time? If one at a time, which side should go first?

Thanks to all for any help you can give me.


I have always used contact glue with know problems. WW

On 3/19/2013 9:28 AM, Doug Miller wrote:
I'm about to embark on my first large veneering project (queen-size headboard). My
previous efforts at veneering have used hot hide glue and a veneer hammer, with good
results -- but I don't think that's going to work very well for something this large. I'm moving
into uncharted territory here. Uncharted for me, anyway... hopefully not for some of you.

I know that I need to veneer both sides of each panel for stability -- my first question is
whether the veneers on the opposite sides of the panels need to be close to the same
*thickness*. The veneer I've selected for the show side is 1/40" walnut burl. I have on hand
an ample supply of 1/16" poplar veneer. Will that be suitable for the back face, or do I need
something closer to the thickness of the show veneer? The panel will be 3/4" MDF, and I'm
planning to use urea-formaldehyde glue (Weldwood Plastic Resin Glue).

Second question: does the burl veneer need a backing veneer, or can I glue it directly to
the MDF panel?

Third question: I'll be doing this in a vacuum press. Should I veneer both sides at once, or
one at a time? If one at a time, which side should go first?

Thanks to all for any help you can give me.



I took a a veneer class a few years ago.

What took place,

1. There was no mention or attention paid to the thickness of the veneer
on either side. You are basically adding another vapor barrier, the
glue surface, with a veneer on top when adding the backing.

2. We used no backing, some veneers come with a backing for easier
adhesion, sticky surface, some do not. The only time any thing was
added was when taping seams together. This was done on the show side
and sanded off after glue up. If you tape on the glue side the tape
could telegraph through.

3. We veneered both aides at once, and used MDF on both outer surfaces
to clamp against. We put waxed paper between the outer MDF and the
veneer in case any glue squeezed through the veneer.

On 3/19/2013 10:28 AM, Doug Miller wrote:
I'm about to embark on my first large veneering project (queen-size headboard). My
previous efforts at veneering have used hot hide glue and a veneer hammer, with good
results -- but I don't think that's going to work very well for something this large. I'm moving
into uncharted territory here. Uncharted for me, anyway... hopefully not for some of you.

I know that I need to veneer both sides of each panel for stability -- my first question is
whether the veneers on the opposite sides of the panels need to be close to the same
*thickness*. The veneer I've selected for the show side is 1/40" walnut burl. I have on hand
an ample supply of 1/16" poplar veneer. Will that be suitable for the back face, or do I need
something closer to the thickness of the show veneer? The panel will be 3/4" MDF, and I'm
planning to use urea-formaldehyde glue (Weldwood Plastic Resin Glue).

Second question: does the burl veneer need a backing veneer, or can I glue it directly to
the MDF panel?

Third question: I'll be doing this in a vacuum press. Should I veneer both sides at once, or
one at a time? If one at a time, which side should go first?

Thanks to all for any help you can give me.



I don't know if you saw it, but Tommy Mac ("Rough Cut") had a nice show
on veneering a few weeks ago. He used a backing veneer. I would think
it particularly makes sense for the thinner stuff: 1) You would avoid
tearing it and 2) It would improve the speed as which you could apply it
to the MDF.

I dont' think there are any issues with veneering both sides of a piece
of MDF (like there would be with solid wood).

Of course, I've never done any veneering and for all *I* know about it,
wood grows on trees!


Bill

On 3/19/2013 12:50 PM, Bill wrote:

I dont' think there are any issues with veneering both sides of a piece
of MDF (like there would be with solid wood).

Yep, there is most certainly is ... _always_ veneer both sides of the
substrate.

Take your cue from the plywood manufacturers ... _always_ an odd number
of layers/cores, centered around the middle core.

MDF is more dimensionally stable than most woods, but it is still
subject to the same forces when maintaining EMC (equilibrium moisture
content) as wood products, albeit of a smaller magnitude.

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KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)

"Swingman" wrote:

Take your cue from the plywood manufacturers ... _always_ an odd
number of layers/cores, centered around the middle core.
------------------------------------------
One exception comes to mind.

1/2" or is it 12 mm, CDX ply which is available in both 3 and 4 ply.

Lew