I have taken on the task of repairing the legs of an antique chest (about 120 years old, made in the US, 18″x18″x40″) that was originally meant as a hope chest or dowry chest. The underlying construction is tongue-and-groove solid lumber of unknown species. What puzzles me is that the chest is veneered on the exterior with a single layer of mahogany veneer which is in perfect condition. (There are no visible joints in the veneer except at the corners which are covered by corner molding)I have been under the impression that veneering only one side of solid board would lead to cracking. Any thoughts why this one is in such good condition?
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Replies
Is the veneer grain in the same direction as the substrate? Can you tell if the substrate is quartersaw? If the veneer moves about the same as the substrate, it won't crack.
Glues matter. Some cure very hard and brittle. Others have some flexibility. I'd be willing to bet your veneer was put down with hide glue.
Some woods have very little movement. Quartersawn white pine moves extremely little when dry, for instance.
There are lots of rules in woodworking that are just rules of thumb. There are many that can just be myths.
More cupping/bowing than cracking really so how the chest was joined has an impact. Whatever the substrate is must be pretty well balanced with the veneer in terms of expansion rate and thick enough veneers can behave like solid wood glueups/laminations and can make a balance veneer unnecessary. There is some sheer luck involved as to the conditions where the chest spent its life.
The veneer's grain is aligned with the grain of the substrate, so that helps. I don't know what the species is of the substrate, but I forgot to mention that it was manufactured in the Philadelphia area, so it's likely the wood is common to the area - white pine would fit the bill. Thanks to both of you for your thoughts on this.
Dan
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