wood veneering

[harvey b davison]

Hi, i have a small wooden jewelry type box that has sentimental value for my dad. It is a plain wooden box about 80 yr old. He has asked me if i can do anything with it. It looks like it was originally veneered, so this is how i want to restore it.I am wanting to cover it with burr walnut veneer. i have seen several places on the net where i can buy it from, unless anybody on here can supply me some. However i have never done any veneering so any hints or tips would be most welcome.

 

thanks.

[agg221]

I have done it but my wife is the expert.

 

Don't try to cut the veneer to size first - leave it oversize in panels, at least 1cm all round. Once stuck down it will be nice and stiff on its backing and much easier to trim.

You will need a veneer hammer to smooth it down - this is easy to improvise with a bit of dowel and a piece of hardwood - look on ebay for pictures!

Use proper pearl glue - it's worth it in the end. If you have a glue pot, great, but any small metal container can be used if you are careful. If you haven't used pearl glue before, read the instructions on how much water to add. I used the metal top of an aerosol and heated it very gently over a candle to melt it. Keep the glue pot covered to keep the mix right and if you overheat it, throw it away as it won't work.

Soak the veneer in water overnight, before cutting the piece to size as then it won't splinter (so much!) and keep it damp until using.

Clean every last scrap of old glue and finish off the box - washing with warm soapy water and a rinse with clean warm water will do it - raising the grain is not a problem.

Once you've brushed on the melted glue, placed the veneer and smoothed it down with the hammer, you can either hold it in place with a weight, or if you've got the glue right it will 'tack' when it cools a bit - leave it to dry out fully overnight. If you have any bubbles, prick them while the glue is still warm and squeeze out the glue/air. Once dry, the veneer will shrink down and any prick holes won't be visible.

If you get confident, you could do several pieces at a time, but caution says do one piece, let it dry, trim it, then do the next the following day. It will take longer but be more certain.

Do consider whether you want to use modern thin veneer or old fashioned veneer which was sawn about 1/8" thick.

 

Alec

[harvey b davison]

Cheers for the reply alec, just what i was wanting, some detailed info. I am planning on using some modern veneer about 1.6mm thick.

[slackbladder]

I have lots of different veneers you are welcome to some if you want

All thin and modern veneers,what wood do you fancy i'll see what I can find

cheers

[harvey b davison]

I have lots of different veneers you are welcome to some if you want

All thin and modern veneers,what wood do you fancy i'll see what I can find

cheers

 

Thats brilliant, i prefer burr walnut, but if not anything that is similar or dark. Please pm me with details of cost etc.

[harvey b davison]

I have now finished the box. It is not all my own work, i must admit i did have a lot of help from a good friend of mine. Also i must say a big thankyou to steve ( slackbladder) on here for providing me with the veneers that were just right.

[IanW]

very nice mate

[slackbladder]

Looks real good Harvey

[agg221]

Well I'd say that's done the job, and very nicely too.

 

Main thing, did you enjoy doing it and do you/your Dad like the results?

 

Alec

[harvey b davison]

Thanks steve. Must admit its not really my sort of thing alec, but i really do like how its turned out. Giving it to my father on xmas day. If i have the chance, i would have another go at it, but i'm not going looking for it, if you know what i mean.