The next step after understand HOW veneering works, is to try it, and in this video, that's what we have done. To show a bit more about what veneering is all about we actually too three bookmatched sheets of veneers and attached them with veneering tape. The process is quite simple, but being able to watch a video of it being done is much easier than try to explain it.
After attaching the sheets and preparing a back sheet as well (all veneering works best when veneering is done on BOTH sides of the substrate). The next step is simple, coat ALL sides to be glues together with a coating of veneer glue. All glues have what is called an Open Time, which simply means how long the glue can be exposed to air before it starts to dry out. With veneering glue the open time (depending on brand) is normally around 15 - 20 minutes, unless you are working in a dry, hot environment, then it is substantially reduced. All this means is that when you are working with glues, you need work steady, with no lag times.
Once one side of the substrate is covered with glue and the matching veneer as well, they are simply bonded together and it is best now to roll the veneer to make sure no air bubbles are showing.
After one side is done, flip the substrate over and now apply glue to the what is now the back side of the substrate. When this is done you will need to coat one side of the backing veneer with glue as well and bond the two sides together. I have found that when the veneers are being bonded to the veneer, it is best to have the grains of each veneer running at 45 degrees to one another. The reason for this is that any pressures in the veneers are counteracted by the opposing veneer. What this all does is to help make the finished veneered sheet a flat as possible. I even do this substrates up to 3/4" thick to ensure there will be limited or no warping of the piece do to the veneers being bonded to it.
When both sides of the veneered sheet have their now wet veneers bonded to the, now is the time to pop the entire sheet into your vacuum press, seal the opening, attach your vacuum pump, turn it on and let it do the work of drawing the air out and applying constant pressure to your veneering piece.
Depending on brand, I like to leave the pieces in the vacuum press for at least a couple of hours. After that time the pieces should be well bonded, BUT NOT CURED. It is best to leave that bonded veneer overnight to let the glue harden before a final trimming.
After your veneered piece has been cured, it's time to cut it to size and sand or scrape your piece to prepare it for it's final finishing coat.
Copyright: Colin Knecht
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