Replies

1. 
   Nick93 | Dec 24, 2023 10:13pm | #1

   Maybe convenient timing for you if it's worth the money for you, but there's a veneering course starting soon here.

   https://www.finewoodworking.com/courses

   No, they don't pay me, nor have I taken one of these courses yet, but I understand they generally pretty great.

2. 
   TexasBurt | Dec 25, 2023 05:22am | #2

   Some very good info here. Probably everything you need to know.

   https://www.finewoodworking.com/2015/05/27/book-matched-veneer-panel

3. 
   _mj_ | Dec 25, 2023 08:09am | #3

   Where are you planning to use veneer on a live edge table?

1. 
   Go_Bills | Dec 25, 2023 09:04am | #5

   Similar to Live Edge River Pour. I would like to do different variations of wood and epoxy but not necessarily a river down the middle.

   My thought is to match the veneer on the sides to give the appearance of a 2" thick board.

   Thanks

4. 
   lat_axe | Dec 25, 2023 08:13am | #4

   There is an alternative to buying and sticking on veneers to a substrate yourself. I don't know if the US market provides this alternative but if it does .....

   The alternative is either MDF or blockboard on to which a slice-cut (not rotary-cut) veneer is already bonded, usually on both sides, with the slices portraying what appears as a series of book-matched planks.

   https://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/best-practices-guide/gluing-laminating-veneering/illustrated-guide-veneer-cutting-methods

   I've used quite a lot of such boards, which come in the usual 8ft X 4ft sheets of various thicknesses. I've used 3/4" and 1/2" thick panels of both cherry and maple veneering - but others can be found. The width of the slices/faux planks can vary from around 3" to 12". I generally seem to use that with the book-matched veneer slices at around 6" - 7" wide.

   The attached pics show a couple of examples of furniture made this way. The panels (table top & shelf and box sides, respectively, in the two pics) always have their MDF or blockboard edges hidden by a containing frame, legs or other matching solid wood parts.

   If you're prepared to pay for the quality stuff, the veneers are generally very high quality, including examples with highly figured grain if that's what you want. I prefer the blockboard to the MDF core type as block board is much lighter in weight and contains less of the nasty glues, resins and so forth. It also seems to be stiffer than MDF so doesn't so easily bow or sag.

   With blockboard, it's essential to have the blocks covered first by a thickish sheet of veneer (up to 1/8") under the skin or show veneer, as blocks can otherwise telegraph through their shapes to the surface. This is standard with the quality boards

   Large scale veneering seems demanding of materials, skills and equipment. Slice-cut veneered blockboard or MDF sheet can give the same finished effects with far less expense, time and acquisition of what is a niche skill unless you're going to do a great deal of large scale veneering.

   Lataxe

   
5. 
   Botch | Dec 26, 2023 07:33pm | #6

   The only veneering I've done is 3/4" edge banding on walnut plywood, and it matched perfectly.
   HOWEVER, something to note. That project was a CD cabinet, using 3/4" walnut ply for the vertical sides, and 3/4" and 5/8" solid walnut for the top/bottom and shelves, respectively. Once I applied the finish (orange shellac) I noted the solid walnut was colored a few shades darker than the plywood/veneer surfaces. Since the solid walnut was all horizontal surfaces and the plywood/veneer all vertical surfaces, it didn't look too bad and I didn't worry about it.
   I don't know if all veneers/plywood are lighter; I seem to remember reading that veneers are steam-treated at one point and that may account for the color difference. Just something to be aware of/test for before you commit too far to your design.

6. 
   VinceE | Dec 26, 2023 09:14pm | #7

   You might consider buying and experimenting with less expensive veneer and on something other than furniture - perhaps some basic panels with an edge border for some simple wall art. There are some good youtube sources as well...Ramon Valdez and Ian Hawthorn to mention two. Bob Van Dyke, the author of the article cited, teaches a great veneering class at his school. He draws students from all over the U.S.