Zebra wood veneer – finding a compatible base?
xylocarpus
| Posted in Wood and Materials on
I have some zebra wood flat sawn boards that I would like to cut 1/8″ veneers to get a book match.
However, I understand it is pretty unstable and have had a hard time finding expansion factors. I am wondering if I should use a substrate to more closely match the movement and what that wood might be; or if this is not something I should bet too concerned with. The final panel would be 14 inches wide.
Your thoughts are appreciated?
Replies
Its usually quartersawn and compares to other hardwoods so should not be any différent. The moisture expansion coefficient is about the same as White oak. I laminate thicker veneers over baltic birch or poplar plywood and nothing moves.
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That would definitely need a substrate. I've made many panels with zebrawood veneer using either standard birch plywood or baltic birch as the substrate very successfully. That said, these were thin veneers. 1/8 inch is pretty thick unless you plan to said it down after glue up. When veneers get to be that thick there can be movement even when glued to a substrate.
That would definitely need a substrate. I've made many panels with zebrawood veneer using either standard birch plywood or baltic birch as the substrate very successfully. That said, these were thin veneers. 1/8 inch is pretty thick unless you plan to said it down after glue up. When veneers get to be that thick there can be movement even when glued to a substrate
What is the reasoning behind using hardwood as a substrate? I limit my teachers to just a few to eliminate confusion and they promote alternative substrates.
Thanks! yep baltic birch is the best answer. I was just trying t0 use up wood I have on hand, either poplar or beech. But why take the chance. I am concerned about going too thin as I don't have a drum sander and it sounds like tear out may be in issue running through the planer so 1/8" would give me some wood to spare if needed.