Replies

1. 
   JEvans | Oct 20, 2002 04:40am | #1

   Ben,

   I'm a novice when it comes to veneer but I looked up the answer in Veneering, A Complete Course by Ian Hosker. The author states: "To flatten veneer, moisten it well with warm water to make it pliable, place it between plain white paper or blotting paper, and then apply pressure using a veneer press or cauls. Leave it overnight to dryout. If it is still not flat enough, repeat the process."

   I hope this helps.

   Jeff

2. 
   RSRose | Oct 20, 2002 05:47am | #2

   Ben,

   Moisten the veneer with clean or even distilled water. Spray both sides. Then take an ordinary clothes iron, no steam, set on medium and gently, very gently start to coax the veneer flat. Do not press. Slowly let the weight of the iron do the work. Wet, hot wood is very plastic and will slowly flow into the form you want it..

   When you've coaxed it as flat as you can, press it between 2 sheets of MDF or particle board or plywood. My favorite is Melamine-covered MDF. Separate the veneer from the board and from other veneer sheets with clean newsprint (woodpulp paper that newspapers are printed on), wax paper or corrugated cardboard. Weight the top board to keep the stack pressed flat. Leave it for several days. Then repeat if necessary. This method will work on the most recalcitrant burl veneers.

   Some workers add a litle glycerin to the water.

   R

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 20, 2002 06:23am | #3

   I've heard that using distilled water is a good idea for this and when checking recently sanded wood for imperfections, as tapwater can have minerals that could adversely affect one's project.  And we all know how important one's project is!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

3. 
   LeeGrinding1 | Oct 20, 2002 07:30pm | #4

   Here's the recipe I use...

   Mix Together-

   2 parts white or yellow glue

   3 parts water

   1 part glycerin

   1 part denatured alcohol

   1. Mix all components together thoroughly and apply to both sides of the veneer liberally.

   2. Let soak for 5 minutes

   3. Place veneer between fiberglass window screen (both sides) and add 2-3 layers of newspaper on top of the screen. You may continue by adding more newspaper, screen, veneer~ etc., stacking as high as you like.

   4. Place this "sandwich" in your veneer press with a caul on top (1/4" minimum.) and apply full pressure.

   5. Change the newspaper 2-3 times the first day and leave under pressure overnight.

   6. On the second day remove the sandwich from the press and take away the screen, it is no longer needed, as the veneer will not stick to the newspaper anymore.

   7. Change the newspaper 2-3 times this day but do not put the sandwich in the press, just place weight on top of the caul to hold the5tack down. ft is easy to think this second day is unnecessary since the veneer wi// be fairly dry but it is not dry enough to press. This extra day is important for good final results.

   8. On the third day the veneer is ready to use. if you do not use it immediately the veneer will stay flat for months provided a board is placed on top of the veneer stack, apply light pressure. Newspaper between the veneer is unnecessary at this point

   Lee Grindinger

   Furniture Carver

1. 
   BenR25 | Oct 20, 2002 11:41pm | #5

   Thanks to Jeff, Rich, forest girl, and Lee. I think I have enough suggestions to begin the process. And I will try to find a copy of the Hosker's book.

   Ben

2. 
   forestgirl | Oct 21, 2002 03:08am | #6

   Lee, it could be a very long time before I'd need to use this technique, but I'm curious anyway -- what function does the glue in your mixture serve??forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   LeeGrinding1 | Oct 21, 2002 06:00am | #7

   Some veneers arrive very unflat. Burls, curly figures and sometimes even flatsawn veneers need to be flattened. I only want to do this once so I treat only once. The glue makes the veneer remain flat for as long as they are stored flat. Without the glue the veneers will often return to the unflat state.

   If your next question is "What effect does the glycerin and glue have on the veneer as far as cutting, sanding, staining and sticking?" I'll answer that the veneer is very manageble, more so than without the solution, and that staining and sticking is uncompromised.

   I've come to do it as a matter of course with any unflat veneers. Lee Grindinger

   Furniture Carver