Looking for advice on how to veneer a modestly difficult MDF enclosure. (See photos of plywood version.) What may not be apparent is that there is a 4-degree bend in the sidewalls starting at the middle of the large diameter opening going up to the top.
The designer used Baltic Birch to build his cabinet and preserved the birch as the final finish. I would use cheaper MDF and then veneer everything but the black Valchromat front baffle. I’ve done something like this 20+ years ago with shop cut veneer and cauls but everything was smaller and in plane.
The obvious choice would be to purchase glue back veneer and just iron it on. That would easily accommodate the 4-degree bend. However, I would prefer to use shop made veneer because I think it would look more like a solid wood cabinet – maybe wrong there. What are my options?
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There is no reason not to use shop-made veneer. You just need to get it thin enough to bend. You can glue it down easily enough with a vacuum bag. I've had good results using one intended for clothing storage and a vacuum cleaner.
I don't think on such a small piece that the difference between rotary cut and sawn veneer will be noticeable so I'd either use the peel and stick or buy MDF that is already veneered.
Thanks rob_ss. So your take is that I could go either way with shop veneer or peel and stick. The reason for the initial question is I have so little experience veneering. I have to say that I've never used the peel and stick product. (It brings to mind KDK furniture with the teak veneered ends coming off the particle board after a couple years;-)
Do you think the cabinet could withstand atmospheric pressure without damage if inside a vacuum bag? Seems like a lot of pressure. That technique would be my 1st choice. Iron on would be my 2nd.
Depends on how it's made.
If you have concerns, hot glue a couple of temporary braces in place but with the vac bag you're not going to get enormous pressure and you have complete control of when to stop sucking. I've only ever veneered first.
I used P&S for the first time recently and I was impressed with the product. (mine was bamboo) It was heavier than I thought it would be, I did not have outside corners to deal with on my project so I'm not sure how the edges might fare..
I bought from Wisewood veneers, lots of edu-info on their site:
https://wisewoodveneer.com/product/peel-stick-veneer-small-wood-veneer-sheets/
Thanks mj. It's good to know that the peel and stick is a quality option.
Mike, based on your comments it appears as if you’re considering veneering the cabinet AFTER it has been constructed, as opposed to veneering the flat sheets of MDF before cutting to size and constructing the cabinet. If this is the case, then your assumption/question about the pressure inside a vacuum bag on a hollow object is quite valid…you could easily implode the speaker cabinet or cause it to bow enough as to compromise the glue joint such that you’ll have loose spots (or wrinkles) in the veneer that you may not notice until you apply finish.
If you choose to veneer the MDF while it’s flat, be sure to use a backer veneer on the opposite side or else the panels will bow as the glue dries. There are several “ground rules” in the world of veneering, one of the most important being that you must create balanced panels (whatever you do to one one side of a panel should also be done to the other). There are plenty of good veneering resources online to give you some pointers.