[Hank]

Pretender, a lot of us use Tape Ease as a veneer source:
http://www.tapeease.com/10_mil_%20veneer.htm
I have always used contact cement on paper-backed veneer and never had a problem with it.  If you are afraid of it because the fumes are strong and volatile, then try Al Wooley's recommendation, which I just tried on my new tower design:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=27065.0
I recommend you select and buy a sheet of paper-backed veneer, cut off a piece and glue it to a piece of scrap MDF to gain confidence.
Have fun

[Daygloworange]

As for the finish, I am quickly realizing that painting may bring tons of troubles, and I would like these to look as professional as possible.  I am (relatively) new to veneers and would appreciate any help as far as suppliers, techniques and types.  I want whatever veneer I choose to be fairly easy to work with and not require tons of toxic chemicals.  Can you guys help me here? 

To achieve a really good paint grade finish, your cabinetry has to be flawless before you even begin finishing. Even then it is still more difficult to do than a veneer, with finish. You'll more likely achieve a more pleasing result if you go the veneer route.

Good move on the Sonicaps, you'll never regret it. I would recommend the NoRez for the AV/3's. With the alternating stepped bracing in that speaker, the easy cutting and peel and stick application makes it a pretty quick process and works well.

Cheers

[World Leader Pretend]

How many 4x8 sheets of veneer are needed to cover a pair of AV-3s? 

----

Also, and this is a crazy question, but would sheet metal work as a veneer?  I can get some high-grade aluminum and steel sheet metal for much less than veneer, and I think that I could work it into something cool.  The gauges are .019", .025", .032, .040, ... .125   If I went this route, or combined metal with veneer, what thickness gauge would yield the best results?

[Straasha]

I was able to cover mine with 1 sheet.

Kevin

[Daygloworange]

How many 4x8 sheets of veneer are needed to cover a pair of AV-3s? 

You need 2 pieces about 40" W x 42" tall to wrap a pair of speakers. Plus 2 pieces about 8" W x 12" L to do the tops. If you want a matched pair, you need two buy two sheets of veneer that are sequenced (identical to each other in grain matches).

Also, and this is a crazy question, but would sheet metal work as a veneer?  I can get some high-grade aluminum and steel sheet metal for much less than veneer, and I think that I could work it into something cool.  The gauges are .019", .025", .032, .040, ... .125   If I went this route, or combined metal with veneer, what thickness gauge would yield the best results?

Not practical, but it could be done. Of the two options, aluminum is softer, and can be cut with standard woodworking tooling (carbide, High Speed Steel etc..). Sheet metal is ferrous, and cannot be cut with standard shop tools.

Cheers

[World Leader Pretend]

Cool, I was looking at the mill finished aluminum to add some accents and style.  Couple the metal with some light veneer, like oak, and I think it would look pretty good.  Anyway, I would need to do some experimenting first.
 

[Daygloworange]

You could do the enclosure in the aluminum, with a separate baffle that is finished in either veneer or paint and attach it to the box.

That could look pretty cool. 

Cheers

[Blaine_M]

Oakwoodveneer.com is where I got my veneer.  Nice thing about them is you can see sample pictures of each variety.

[RAW]

Look at formwood.com
On the specials page there is some good deals.
Danny got the veneer for the RMAF pair of OB7 from here.
Some sheets as low as $20.00.

http://www.formwood.com/specials.php

[World Leader Pretend]

Alright, I whipped out my handy 3D rendering software (Google SketchUp) and created a virtual AV-3 to test some designs on.  This picture has the aluminum on the bottom section with gloss black for the top and base. 





Look alright?

[Loftprojection]

Look alright?

I think awesome would describe it better!   

[Hank]

Yeah, cool.  Nice and different.  Go for it.