Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Dec 07, 2006 07:20pm | #1

   By any chance is this an architects fantasy, they always want something that can't be done.

   If the grain is running the length of the panel, I wouldn't try to minimize the joints, since no matter how carefully you try to flush the surfaces, and pull them tight to each other, and match the grain, there will still be a line, and the line will typically become a bit more prominent with time.  I have seen many attempts made at creating an invisible end to end join and none were especially successful. 

   You would be much better off, and will save yourself a lot of very fussy work, if you let the joint show by treating it with a "v" groove at the junction or covering the joint with a molding. 

   An alternative would be to run the grain across the strip since joints that run with the grain are are easier to blend in though they still might not be completely invisible.  

   For the mechanical attachment, I would use a pair of biscuits across the joint for alignment and some mechanical strength, and then back up the joint with a plywood backing piece glued and screwed to both pieces.

   John White

1. 
   wouldguy | Dec 07, 2006 07:58pm | #2

   Hi John

   Thanks for the advice.  That makes sense.  I guess I was hoping there would be a miracle solution for this.  You're right though, this is an interior designer giving me a quick pencil sketch.

   Thanks,

   Shaun

2. 
   MBerger | Dec 09, 2006 11:29pm | #3

   Hi Wouldguy,

   I was just scanning though some old posts and thought I would chime in on this. It's not an answer to your question but it may get you closer to an answer. Mario Rodriguez recently did a video with us that shows how to join veneer end to end and make the joint nearly invisible.

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/subscription/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesArticle.aspx?id=27105

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

1. 
   wouldguy | Dec 11, 2006 08:12am | #4

   Hi Matt,

   Great video!  Thanks for the tip.

   Shaun