JoeWoodworker
JoeWoodworker Veneer
The Official Website of this Non-Professional Woodworker ™

Part 1
Introduction

Welcome
Veneering Basics
14 Good Reasons
Vacuum Press Uses
Vacuum Press Options
Questions & Answers
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Part 2
DIY Vacuum Press Plans

Vacuum Press Chart
Project: EVS™
Project: EVS-2™
Project: V4™
Project: CRS™
Excel 1™
Excel 3™
Excel 5™
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Part 3
Vacuum Bagging

Vacuum Bag Basics
Polyurethane vs. Vinyl
DIY Vacuum Bags
Connect the Bag
Bag Closures
Bag Platens
Breather Mesh 
Maintenance
DIY Frame Press
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Part 4
Veneering Information

About Veneer
Veneering Glossary
Veneering Myths
Balancing a Panel
Veneer Glues
Veneering Tips
Substrate Materials
Flattening Veneers
A Sharp Veneer Saw
Jointing Veneers
Taping Veneers
Dealing with Defects
Curing Glued Panels
Veneering w/o Vacuum
Hammer Veneering
Iron-On Veneering
Veneer Storage
Amazing Bookmatches
Edgebanding Guide
Paper-Backed Veneer
   Guide

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Part 5
Miscellaneous Info

Vacuum Press FAQ
Veneering FAQ 
Veneer Glue FAQ
Vacuum Forming
Vacuum Clamping Pedal
Vacuum Clamping Jigs
Vacuum Clamp Matrix
DIY Vacuum Manifold
Vacuum Press Gallery 1
Vacuum Press Gallery 2

VeneerSupplies.com


 

Vacuum Veneering - Tips, Tricks, and More!

Veneering Without A Vacuum Press

There are times when a vacuum press just is not feasible for a project. Whether it's because the project is too big to fit inside a vacuum bag or too small to invest in a vacuum press, there are other ways to successfully veneer a project.

Method 1: Weights and/or Clamps

Adhesives Veneers Substrates
Cold press veneer glues such as Better Bond X-Press and Ultra-Cat Raw wood veneer
Paper-backed veneer
Wood-backed veneer
Any porous substrate such as wood, plywood, particle board, MDF, etc.

If you are veneering a flat panel, you'll find that you can get a good bond by simply using a cold press veneer glue on the substrate and placing a thick platen board on top with as much weight (tools, tool boxes, lumber, etc.) as possible over it. The platen board will help to distribute the weight evenly. It should be as large as the surface you are veneering. I recommend using at least a platen board of at least 3/4". In fact, two 3/4" platen boards are ideal. For small panels, a single 3/4" platen board and plenty of clamps around the edge will suffice.

To keep the veneer and glue from sticking to the platens, place a sheet of wax paper between the platen face and the veneer.

Keep in mind that this method of veneering requires a very flat veneer. Even if the veneer only has minor ripples in it, you need to flatten it first.

For projects with curves or contours, you can place a pillow case filled half way with playground sand over the panel. Then flatten the top of this "sand bag" and place a board and some additional weight on top. I've seen this used on automotive dashboards and it works fairly well.

If you are using a standard cold press veneer glue such as X-Press™, then allow 45 to 60 minutes of clamping time before you remove the panel. It is critical that you allow the panel to dry properly. Click here for details about curing a veneered panel. For shop-sawn veneers that are more than 1/32" thick, use a PPR adhesive and clamp the project for 4 to 6 hours.

When using weight to create clamping pressure on the veneer be aware that you will need plenty of it. For reference, a vacuum press is considered ideal for veneer work because it puts down 1,700 lbs of evenly distributed pressure per square foot. Most veneer adhesives require 1,300 lbs per square foot to guarantee a good bond. This doesn't mean you must have this much weight to get a perfect panel. The idea is that more weight or clamping pressure increase the chance that the panel will come out free of bubble and ripples.

There is also a great article about building a caul press in the September/October issue of American Woodworker magazine on page 30. It's a free download from Google.

Method 2: Iron-On Veneering

Adhesives Veneers Substrates Tools Required
Heat Lock Veneer Glue Raw wood veneer
Paper-backed veneer
Wood-backed veneer
Any porous substrate such as wood, plywood, particle board, MDF, etc. Clothes Iron

Iron-On VeneeringThis method has recently become very popular. It allows the user to veneer a panel with an ordinary clothes iron. With this method, raw wood and paper-backed veneers can be permanently bonded to flat and convex surfaces. Click here for more information.

Method 3: Contact Cement

Adhesives Veneers Substrates Tools Required
Contact Cement Paper-backed veneer
Wood-backed veneer
Any porous substrate such as wood, plywood, particle board, MDF, etc.
Solvent based contact cement will also work over melamine and laminates (scuff sand with 80 grit first).
Scraper tool

Contact cement can be used on backed veneers only. It doesn't allow any repositioning of the veneer so you have to be careful with the placement of the sheet. You only get one chance to get it right. I haven't been a big fan of contact cement because the solvent based versions are too harmful and the water based versions didn't seem to work very well. The good news is that there are now a few companies offering a decent water based contact cement. One of these is called Titan DX and it's available at VeneerSupplies.com (my other site).

Method 4: Flex-Pro Veneering

Adhesives Veneers Substrates Tools
Flex Pro or FSV Glue Paper-backed veneer
Wood-backed veneer

Any porous substrate such as wood, plywood, particle board, MDF, etc.
Often works over painted surfaces, plastics, and melamines

Scraper tool

Flex ProFlex-Pro is an excellent adhesive for paper-backed veneers. It is applied in a manner similar to contact cement and has a very high initial tack but it dries hard and doesn't allow delamination when cured. Generally speaking, it should be used on porous substrates but I've also used this glue with great success to veneer over painted window and door jambs as well as stair stringers.

Method 5: PSA Veneer

Adhesives Veneers Substrates Tools
None required Paper-backed veneer w/PSA backing Best over lacquered, enameled, or varnished top-coated surfaces. Scraper tool

Paper-backed veneers are available with a pressure sensitive adhesive. They are also called "peel and stick veneers" but the industry prefers to call it PSA because this sounds more durable. This upgrade is added to the back of the veneers at the factory. Simply peel off the backing, attach the veneer to your project panel, and trim off the excess. Pressure sensitive adhesive sticks best to lacquered, enameled, or varnished top-coated surfaces which are not peeling, cracking, or flaking and are free of dirt, dust, grime wax or grease. This is great way to re-face kitchen cabinets!

If your are veneering a porous surface such as drywall (yes, people do actually veneer over drywall), you can apply two coats of shellac to the substrate and get an exceptional bond from the PSA backer.

This can be an expensive route to take for veneering a panel but it is very convenient and quite easy.

Method 6: Hide Glue Veneering

Adhesives Veneers Substrates Tools
Hide glue
(animal hide)
Raw wood veneer
Paper-backed veneer
Wood-backed veneer
Any porous substrate such as wood, plywood, particle board, MDF, etc.

Veneer hammer
Glue heater

Veneer HammerHide glue is the most traditional veneering adhesive. Its use dates back over 4,000 years ago to Egyptians who used it on furniture for the pharaohs. The method is called hammer veneering which derives its name from the use of a tool called a veneer hammer. The hammer is used press the veneer sheets onto the substrate. The method also requires a means of heating the glue typically in a "double boiler." Hide glue is very durable and it can be re-heated and reactivated if bubbling occurs.

Suggested Reading:
For more information on veneering with or without a vacuum press, check out Mike Burton's book, Veneering: A Foundation Course.

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