Im building 3 bathroom vanities and planning to do shop sawn veneer for flat panel doors and drawer fronts. What would be the best substrate for this scenario? I had considered MDF but thought I might run into challenges with hinge screws not holding in the MDF. Also considered making a substrate with ~ 5/16″ poplar staves sandwiched between 1/8″ mdf to give the stability of mdf but hoping the poplar would allow for better screw holding. Or would you use something else?
Also I was considering using polyurethane glue for the veneer hoping it would provide more moisture protection, but perhaps that isn’t necessary as long as the final panel has adequate finish coverage?
Replies
I would edge glue a solid strip of hardwood to mdf panel for securely attaching hinges, then edge band the remaining edges, then apply veneer to faces. If you’re using the iron on edge banding, I would do that last.
That makes sense. Thank you.
Are you thinking slab doors? Or frame and panel? If they are frame and panel --solid hardwood frames work great with a veneered mdc panel--medex or double refined MDF is better still. If you are planning slab doors, then I would suggest you use 12mm baltic birch ply instead (the real stuff from a lumber dealer, not the home center garbage). If you do as JF1 suggests above and then try to veneer over the glue seam its more than likely that glue seam will be telegraphed through the veneer when you go to apply a finish.
Also, I would definitely not veneer with Polyurethane glue...for a whole host of reasons...not the least of which is that those glues require moisture to cure properly and they are messy as all get out. Also, they have a tendency to creep when curing. A cold press veneer glue is best (and designed for this application specifically)--Unibond 1 is my favorite. No glue creep and no bleed-through. Are you pressing the veneer in a vacuum bag? In a mechanical screw press? (we can assume you are not hammer veneering, which would mean hot hide glue).
I am planning slab doors and around 3/32 shop sawn veneer. I will be pressing in a vacuum bag. Thanks for the suggestion for unibond 1.
Yeah, slab doors especially in a bathroom/kitchen/damp environment...I don't like MDF in those locations. For its worth, if it we my vanities, I'd go with 18mm baltic birch. You could still add a solid edge (1/4") and then overlap the veneer or edge band.
Thanks, I’ll shop for some baltic birch.
I would recommend mdf with a solid wood strip glued to the edge for better screw holding ability. Apply edges, then your shop sawn veneer. Telegraphing will not be an issue with 3/32" shop sawn veneers as it would be with thin commercial veneer. Once the mdf panel is sealed with veneer and finish, moisture is a non issue. Baltic birch is a great material for many things but I would not recommend using it as a substrate for doors. The risk of warpage is too great. I know of an absolutely beautiful cabinet that has doors with shop sawn veneers over (genuine) baltic birch substrates that were perfectly flat when built and have since warped very badly.
Thank you for your input. Much appreciated
I strongly recommend you rethink slab doors. If their still flat in a year or 2 or 3 you’ll be lucky.
I share your concern about the slab doors staying flat though I like the clean modern look. Even with a batten on the inside for insurance, you think I should avoid them?