Wavy Veneer...Tame it!
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2024
- I love veneer and the infinite possibilities that can be created with it! But it needs to be flat...achieving that is a simple solution! In this video, I show you how. And, I'll show the completed project soon...it's gonna be spectacular!
At 4:18 in the video, I wipe the inlet portion of the vacuum bag with a damp rag...this makes a HUGE difference in how well it seals!
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Have been using softener for years, it really works great. Thanks for the source.
Right?! I like it too. I’ve seen a lot of homemade recipes out there, but for me this is quick, easy and inexpensive. Thanks
I just cut veneers from a Juglan Hindsii, Northern Calif black walnut. It is goegeous. 1/4" thick. I need to dry it properly. If you read this, any free advice is welcome! RIght now I just have them stacked, no spaces. April 6 2023
Just saw this. What are your plans with the veneer? 1/4” is too thick. I’d say the max for veneer is 3/32”…but I prefer 1/16”. That’s finished thickness. In other words, it could be cut 1/8” thick then sanded thinner.
At 1/4” thick…they’ll act like solid wood with expansion and contraction. That’s why they need to be thinner. Once adhered to a good substrate, like quality plywood or MDF, you end up with a stable panel.
To dry veneers you need paper…I use construction rolls from the big box stores. But you could use brown paper bags or similar. No newspaper…the print can transfer. On a hard, flat surface…use paper between the veneers and use a caul on top with clamps or weights. Stack several at a time if you can. Change paper after a few hours…8 or so. Keep changing paper until dry. Then keep the veneers pressed between two pieces of plywood or particle board until you’re ready to use em.
You may be able to take em to someone with a wide belt sander to reduce their thickness.
Hope that helps. Thanks.
@@ramonartful I figure I'm going to lose 1/8" in sanding. I don't feel qualified to cut to 1/8 and then sand ir. I call it veneer..... but I am cutting it 1/4-1/2" thick. I can send you some pics via email.
@@TheHypnotstCollector Are you on instagram? I'd rather send you my email address through a DM...thanks
I Only have used some limited shop sawn veneers….looking forward to this!
Commercial veneers are vast in color, species and grain patterns. That’s the main appeal for me. Thanks
Thanks Ramon. Your videos are full of great information! Thanks.
I appreciate the feedback…thanks!
I appreciate the feedback…thanks!
Very interesting and thorough clip. I was taught to use a mix of glycerine and isopropyl alcohol to achieve the same results. In the UK, we can get those 2 ingredients very easily but I’ve never seen Super Soft over here. The process is very much the same - perhaps I wet the leaves rather than lightly spray - but getting them to dry when they are in the shape you want (which might be circular if your project calls for it) seems to be the key. I must admit I haven’t had to flatten long leaves as you showed; it’s been relatively small pieces of burr or long leaves which may have a slight twist to them. For those longer leaves with a slight twist or curl - in fact any veneering - I use Titebond Cold Press or Extend. I don’t know what they do to assist, or indeed if they do anything, but I’m too scared to use anything else and potentially waste veneer; although, the craftsman who taught me quite a bit did use PVA glue diluted with about 20% water.
Thanks a ton for that info...I have read about that mixture/formula. Maybe I'm a bit too lazy, so I just buy it! It does work wonders though. Much thanks!
I use the same softener and it works great for me as well. I want to see the completed project with the mauve veneer. Thanks Ramon
I even use it on unruly grain when using the jointer. It helps. And thanks…I’ll be showing the project soon. Installing it tomorrow!
@@ramonartful That's another great tip about using it with the jointer.
Super duper thanks. It really works well🤠
Thanks a ton!
@@ramonartful I Will send links to more People here in Sweden. Woodworkers.
@@tonykarlsson5032 I appreciate that!
Ramon,
Can you run through your veneer bag setup ? Where you got the bag & pump ? How you chose that size pump. Thanks
Sure thing! It’s a bag and pump made by Vacupress. I purchased (20 years ago) the blue “professional” model and a polyurethane bag. I wanted to spend enough cash to get a decent system. I’m so glad that I did…I have two bags…the original 4 x 8, and the other a 6’ x6’ (vinyl bag for a project that I still need to lay-up!) The vinyl version is less expensive but not as durable as the polyurethane bag. The project that I purchased this for will likely be a one time deal. The other polyurethane bag has never acquired a leak in 20 years! Thanks
Hey Ramon, as always another great video. If you want to save a tonne of money you can make your own softener out of Glycerine, Metho and water. I have been using it for over a decade and it works awesome. Cheers man and keep up the great videos
Hey Darren. I’ve seen a lot of recipes but have never tried em. But what is metho? I don’t use that much thin veneer that needs flattened but I may try that next time. Thanks a ton
@@ramonartful Hi Ramon, sorry, its called methylated Spitits here in Oz, buy you guys call it Denatured Ethanol. Make a mixture of 880 litres of water and ad 60ml of glycerine and the same in the Ethanol, works a treat and cost pennies,cheers
@@darrenoatesfinefurniture3648 Hi Darren - I think there is a typo in your formula since I doubt that you are using 880 litres of water. Is that ml?
@@davidbedrosian1567 Ah yeah, whoops, yes meant to read 880ml of water, cheers mate
If I have hot press would be process go faster ?
Yes! A hot press for flattening veneer would probably work very well. You may not even need veneer softener, maybe just water in a spray bottle. Particle board cauls top and bottom.
What temperature? And minutes ? Or just cold
I’d say quite warm…300 or 350 degrees for about an hour. Keep in mind…I’ve never used a hot press to do this! But I can’t imagine why it wouldn’t work. Do a sample test. Let me know how it works! Thanks
Do you always have to go through this for commercial veneers? Or just when it comes “wavy”, or is it always wavy? I don’t remember you doing this with that supercool end grain cookie veneer you had.
No, not all of them are wavy. Typically, veneers that have interlocking grain patterns like burls, crotch veneer, etc. tend to be wavy. Sometimes, other straight grained (like this mauve veneer) can be wavy for whatever reason. Since it’s dyed maybe. However, super simple to flatten. And good memory! The end grain cookie was commercial veneer but very flat. Thanks
How the heck is that pencil staying on your shirt?
Ha ha…magnets! 🧲🧲 I use two 1/8” thick x 1/2” round magnets. Been doing this for a couple of decades at least. I always have a pencil! 😬
@@ramonartful Hahaha, now it all makes sense. Thanks for the awesome content brother. BlacktailStudio mentioned your channel in a video I saw recently and put you on my radar. I've been making my way through your whole back catalogue in the days since. Keep up the amazing work.
@@spencer_bolton I certainly appreciate the good words!
@@ramonartful I thought it might be small nail, yeah magnets are much better.
Quick question if I may. Where are you getting your Veneer supplies? Specifically the died veneers
Hey Scott. I’ve used dyed veneer from different sources. Roar Rocket has thick dyed veneers. These here and other colors for this project I got from Sauers Veneer. These are thin commercial veneer but I needed long stuff for this project. The veneer softener I get from VeneerSupplies.com Hope that helps Thanks
@@ramonartful I cant believe I butchered that spelling so poorly! My mother would have a fit!
Thanks for all the tips! I want to try some marquetry with my Shaper Origin. Have an idea for a placard to place on the stall of our horse. Plan on taking a photo of him and thru the magic of Inkscape getting an SVG file out of it that can be used to cut the pieces out of the DYED wood. Hope I get close!
@@pctatc66 That sounds great! I have a tutorial video coming soon with a Shaper Origin project that will be on Shaper Hub. I'll even be selling the veneer pack for it...super excited!
@@ramonartful Awesome! Will look forward to this. Do you find the shaper is good with thin veneer or do you prefer thicker veneer when using the Shaper?